No Fear

by Heather Allen

  I move her body so I’m hovering above her. She opens her eyes to my waiting stare. “Christina, I can’t wait to make you mine forever.”

  She grins, a snicker coming from her lips. “I’ve always been yours, whether I wanted to be or not.”

  I devour her lips, and our hands and mouths speed up. I will never tire of this, and knowing that we are all safe once and for all makes everything so much sweeter.

  ***

  I stand on the water’s edge, my hands clenched at my sides, my heart hammering in my chest. I glance out to the expanse of water before us. I wanted Meyer to be here, to be my best man; but it wasn’t possible, so Jackson and Jimmy stand beside me with the lake on the other side of me. It was Meyer’s favorite place when we were young. A small crowd sits close—among them Carlo, my first trainer, and Frank. Andy and Cassidy are there as well.

  A black car pulls up, and the driver maneuvers around to open the back passenger door. A brunette steps out first, Trinity. She turns, glancing toward us. A small wave and wide smile meet my own glance. She leans in to help out Christina, who is dressed in a short white gown that accentuates every curve of her body. Her bare shoulders peek out under the veil draped at her shoulders. It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. My heart beats double time as her eyes meet mine. She smiles shyly and steps forward. I want to hold her so badly in that moment. All this wedding stuff needs to happen fast. I just want to touch her forever.

  On cue, music begins playing. Trinity kisses her cheek before turning with flowers in her hands. She walks to the edge of the lake, diverting her attention to me. She kisses my cheek. Her voice is barely above a whisper. “No regrets.”

  This forces my lips up. Never. Before I know it, Christina’s hand is tightly holding mine after Juno places it there. I kiss her aunt’s cheek before she dissolves into the people sitting close by. We vow to be with each other for the rest of our lives. I can’t think of another thing to make everything more perfect. I kiss her to seal the deal and Jackson whistles behind me. As the crowd disperses and we get pictures, I’m alone with my bride for a few seconds. Her entire face is bright and beautiful. I look into those deep blue eyes that I will happily get lost in for the rest of my life. “I love you so much, Christina Pace.”

  She smiles. “I really like the sound of that.”

  So do I.

  ***

  When we get to the reception, we are bombarded by people who didn’t attend the ceremony—people from the neighborhood who Meyer and I grew up with. Brutis is there along with so many others, eager to celebrate. Trinity dances with me and it’s hard to hear her words, but I knew it was coming.

  “I need to leave, Grey. I have to find out where I belong in this world.” I nod, because that’s all I can do. My throat becomes dry suddenly. I ache for my sister and all she has been through. Parker was her big love, and he betrayed her. He got what he had coming—going to jail for his part in the scheme. His stint won’t be as long as mine was, but it’s well deserved. And she has already started the divorce process.

  “Where will you go?”

  “I was thinking New York, the city. I need to find out what I’m good at. I have my degree, so maybe I can get a good job.”

  I kiss her cheek. “I’m so proud of you, little sis.”

  Before I know it, my new bride is cutting in. We dance through two songs before Juno corners us. Her long hair is more gray now than peppered, as it was when I first met her. She looks at Christina for a moment before telling us her news. “I think it’s time I step away from the bar for a little while. I’ve always wanted to travel. I was thinking of letting you two run it. Of course, I’ll pop back in to help here and there, but it’s yours if you want it. I know Christina will be ecstatic at this news. This is and always has been her baby. It’s where we met and where she’s in her element. She hugs her aunt, tears streaming over her cheeks.

  “I guess that’s a yes,” Juno states.

  Christina nods vigorously and looks to me in question. I smile, assuring her I’m in. Anything she wants, I’ll do it if I can.

  As the night winds down and I scan the faces—some new within the past year and others old, from my childhood—I’m thankful that they are all safe and happy. A small ache forms in my middle as I wish I’d been a little more understanding with Meyer. He did, after all, save all of us.

  ***

  After the wedding, we fall into a good routine. The bar is ours, but Christina takes care of it mostly. I help out behind the counter when she needs it, but during the day I’m usually at Jackson’s fight club. He is making trips back and forth between Jersey and Vegas, training Andy on the circuit more than ever now. So I run the gym when he’s away. It’s exciting to see the want in their eyes when guys come in hungry for the fight. I may never fight again on the circuit. but this—seeing the potential and sharing my knowledge—is almost just as rewarding.

  One day while I’m working with a fighter who has lots of potential, Jimmy strolls in. I’m not sure how to take the guy anymore. He came back for the wedding and stood up for me, but I’m not sure I can ever trust him again. As he walks in, I wonder if he got wind that I’m helping Jackson. I won’t turn any fighters in his direction. As he said a long time ago, he’s washed up and he needs to find something new.

  He pulls me away from the fighter for a moment to tell me he just needs a second of my time.

  As I follow him out into the bright winter morning, with the biting cold nipping at my skin, he turns and hands me an envelope. His words are clipped. “I’ve had this since the wedding. I just thought now is a better time. It came in the mail, the day before.”

  I look at the letters on the front—my name scrawled in handwriting that I recognize. I look up, not understanding, but I don’t ask. Instead, I glance at the words on the paper as I unfold it.

  Grey,

  You finally fucking listened to me! Bout time. I love you, buddy. Enjoy your life and never look back.

  Meyer

  I look back up at Jimmy, confused; but then, nothing in this life has happened as I expected. Meyer is still alive.

  About the Author

  Heather is a Florida girl in every sense. She grew up in West Palm Beach with a backyard surrounded by water. She now lives in Melbourne, Florida with her husband and three kids, just minutes from the ocean.

  Heather holds degrees in education. She is a reading coach at an elementary school by day and an author by night and summers, which is her favorite subject. She has been an avid reader of just about every genre her entire life. Her writing career began a short few years ago when she decided to listen to the voices in her head and put them to paper.

  Heather loves coffee and Jelly Belly jellybeans. When she isn’t teaching, writing or reading, Heather can be found at the beach or out on the water boating.

  Heather Allen is the author of seven novels, some that are self-published and some through Limitless Publishing.

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