Beautifully Broken

by Christa Simpson

  Matthew Knight is a passionate, all-consuming force, and she feels like misery unfolded into a glamorous package.

  Felicia’s eyes fall shut as she sinks into her more pleasant memories of that weekend. Their lips touch in a way that angels can appreciate, but they fuck like starving, sweat-soaked devils, like they’re dependent upon each other for survival. Everything that happens in Matt’s presence is amplified. Every memory is crisp, every sensation bigger and better.

  Destiny nearly knocks her over trying to get her attention, while she’s lost in her own dirty memories. When her eyes flash open, Matt is smirking at her. And it hasn’t lost its striking effect. If he only knew the depths of her movie-like depiction of what they have done together. The look in his eye suggests he does know.

  “As I was saying,” Destiny repeats, clearing her throat again to regain Felicia’s attention. “The ladies have come up with a few games for us to play tonight, rather than the usual unwrapping of gifts.”

  “Thank God,” Skylar mumbles under his breath, getting a chuckle out of the front few tables. “No, but honestly, Destiny has spent a lot of time preparing for this, so I hope some of you will participate. Let’s have a good time tonight. Thanks for coming out.”

  Destiny looks so proud of Skylar. She’s looking up at him with loving eyes, and he leans down to kiss her again. They linger, smiling at each other, and everyone notices.

  Awwwws echo throughout the room.

  Now Felicia’s the one clearing her throat. She has to keep it together. This is her task, getting the crowd involved. She’ll be damned if she lets Matt get her flustered. She watches Matt leave her side as she spins off to retrieve another microphone from the D.J. booth in the corner of the room.

  “Let’s get this party started with love duets. Any takers?” Felicia asks. She already knows that no one’s nearly drunk enough yet, but Destiny has insisted that it be first up on the block as a warm-up for the rest of the night’s festivities. “Come on, people. Are you afraid of a little karaoke?” Her voice is playful, but no one is biting.

  Skylar looks half as worried as Destiny. Felicia is seriously distraught. She does not sing. “Anyone?” she pleads. She is not beyond begging on her knees.

  Matt had always liked her on her knees.

  My God! What is it going to take to steer my mind from everything about that man?

  Chapter 4: Let Me Sleep On It, Baby

  Sarkis elbows Matt like he should do something. “Go on, man.”

  Matt looks over each of his shoulders, like there must be someone else to do it. “I just sat down.”

  Sarkis laughs at him. “Really? All you do is sit down. Get your ass back up there. The girl needs you.”

  Matt stares long and hard at Felicia. Even when she’s flustered she looks completely stunning. He remembers the way she parted her lips when she rested her eyes for a moment. It reminded him of many other things he shouldn’t be thinking about. No matter how hard he tries to put the girl out of his head, she rolls right back in, buck naked.

  “You know what? I’ll do it.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” Sarkis starts clapping loudly, garnering the attention from surrounding tables.

  Matt is ready to take things into his own hands, for Skylar’s sake, so he downs his beer and rolls back toward the front of the room. Sarkis keeps on with his clapping and when he hollers out, a few other disorderly relatives follow suit. Skylar nods his head, smiling at his brother.

  Matt points at him and mouths, “You owe me.” Then he retrieves the microphone from Felicia’s hand. “I’ve got this,” he states, without making eye contact with her.

  She yanks it right back. “We have an eager one here. But maybe he’s forgotten. This is love duets. You need a partner for this one,” she snaps.

  Her voice splashes across the room. Matt grows slightly nervous, having not thought of that small issue. No one is volunteering.

  “Oh, I have a partner,” he decides, smirking. “I’m looking right at her.”

  Felicia grows sarcastic, in an attempt to ignore him. “Here. Let’s pick a song. Then maybe someone will grow the courage to sing with Matty boy.”

  She seems to let that slip, but the guests just love it. Matt is left looking a little shocked. Again, she ignores that and picks out a song that is sure to get everyone in the karaoke mood. She flashes him a smile.

  “Some good old Sonny and Cher,” she says.

  Matt curls a finger at Felicia, asking her to come closer. She dares lower the microphone for him to have his say.

  “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”

  She looks confused now. “Pardon me?”

  “That’s the song I’m singing and you’re singing it with me.”

  The crowd goes wild. Felicia shakes her head, but is smiling really big. “That’s hardly a love song.”

  “Relax, sweetheart. I’ll serenade you later. For now, hit it, Ron!”

  The D.J. starts the song and holds the second microphone out for Matt. He whirls over and takes it, loving how he’s able to shock Felicia into conformity.

  “Fine. Let’s do this,” Felicia announces, before covering the microphone to whisper to Matt. “So what if I haven’t even heard of the song before.”

  Destiny is clapping like crazy. She looks so happy. That alone makes his charade worth it.

  “Don’t you worry. I’ll be plenty entertaining for the both of us.”

  When the song kicks on, Matt lets her have it. He can see her watching the screen waiting for her part, while everyone else laughs hysterically at his dramatic interpretation of the song.

  Oh, is she ever going to be surprised.

  Felicia’s mouth drops when she reads the next lyrics. She can’t believe he’s singing this song, but she joins right in with a horrendous tone that hits all the wrong notes. Matt continues with his enthusiastic portrayal and she’s watching him now, smiling. He stands from his wheelchair and gets his hands going, until it’s her turn to cringe.

  She does know this song!

  She shouts the lyrics out devotedly. “Stop right there. I gotta know right now! Before we go any further. Do you love me? Will you love me forever?”

  By the end of the song, everyone is laughing except for Matt and Felicia. They’re just staring at each other with heavy breaths. Neither knows how to explain the intensity of the attraction they’re exhibiting. All he wants to do is touch that body. He knows she wants the same. He can see it in her eyes. But she quickly masks it when she realizes that everyone’s watching them.

  Natalie steals the microphone from Felicia’s hand and leaves her standing there awkwardly.

  Matt falls down into his chair. Standing all that time was a dumb idea. His knees were already riddled with pins and needles, but now they’re sore all over. Felicia watches every twitch in his face.

  “Let’s give these two another hand. Seriously, guys, that was great.”

  Natalie’s still laughing about it. She even manages to get another couple up there, but she’s forced to sing the following song solo, dedicating it to Destiny and Skylar. It sounds like she’s been practicing that one for a while too. The girl sounds like the next big pop star.

  Sarkis pulls Matt aside as the ladies begin to set up the next game. “I’m gonna take off. I’m afraid this place is lacking in the single ladies department. Looks like you might get to keep dibs on that one though.” He nods his chin toward Natalie who had insisted on clinging to his biceps while she sang the last two songs.

  Matt’s legs are feeling the results, after forcing himself to stay on foot for another song. He doesn’t let Felicia know it, but just finishing off their song on his feet had him winded. No one knows as well as Sarkis that he is hurting now.

  “Take it easy, boy. Don’t push yourself too hard or you’ll land yourself back in the hospital.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  Sarkis slaps him on the shoulder. “There’s no hurry. You’ve got the rest of your li
fe ahead of you. Don’t forget it.”

  The two of them bump chests with a quick clasp of their hands, and Sarkis leaves him with one more free tip. “You don’t have to fix everything in one night. Give it some time. She’ll come around. I can see it already.”

  Matt slowly makes his way to the front of the room where loads of wedding gear is being piled up on the floor. “What’s this?” he asks Natalie.

  I should have kept my mouth shut.

  Natalie explains it to the guests. “Couples have to dress each other right down to the veil, garter and cufflinks. The first couple to get the attire right wins a special prize. So, who’s up for it?”

  People aren’t getting into it, so Matt decides to put the other groomsman to work. “Yo, Grant. Grab yourself a partner and let’s do this.”

  Destiny tugs Skylar toward the front. “Can we play too?”

  “Uh, yeah!” Natalie shouts, like she’s excited they’re getting involved.

  Grant waltzes up to the front of the room. “You don’t actually expect me to wear this dirty thrift shop shit, do you?”

  Natalie takes his hand and pulls him to a pile of clothes. “Hey, if I have to do this, then so do you.”

  Suddenly Grant is less concerned about the dirty clothes, taking a profound interest in Natalie.

  Matt glances around, playing dumb. “Who’s going to be my partner?”

  Felicia is the only other seemingly single person around, with Kyla off hitting on his cousin.

  Suddenly Aunt Bea hollers from her seat. “I’ll be your girl, Matty!”

  Felicia cuts Aunt Bea off, stopping her before she can reach him. “Actually, he’s already got his girl.” She glances back and he gladly nods his head in acknowledgement.

  Aunt Bea returns disappointedly to her chair.

  Felicia has saved his ass. Why did she do that? He wants to kiss the girl. Hell, he’s thought of little else since she’d asked him whether he’d love her forever in their duet.

  Felicia lifts her perfectly plucked eyebrows. “Let’s kick some ass.”

  The D.J. clicks on his microphone and pipes up. “Oh, wait. There’s a little twist to this game. Skylar, as for you and the other gentlemen, you’ll be the brides this evening. That’s right, the men will be the ones wearing the wedding gowns and ladies, you’ll be fussing with the tie. Have fun, everyone. Ready? And go!”

  The wedding shower photos are priceless. Matt’s arms are much too large to fit into the dress and it starts to rip when Felicia tries to force him into it. The veil won’t stick in his spiky hair and she refuses to put the garter on him for fear of hurting his leg.

  When Matt takes his turn and wraps the tie around Felicia’s neck, he tugs her closer to him. Even though he’s wearing a woman’s used dress he still feels very masculine when their eyes connect. Felicia’s weakened knees are proof that he’s still got it. She can’t even tear her eyes away from his.

  Wanting badly to kiss her, but fighting to save it for another time, he deftly loops the tie around her neck. He grips it and tugs to tighten it. When he pulls her closer this time, it’s too much. Felicia outright moans. She knows, as well as he, what they’d done with a tie very similar to that one. As memories sear their minds, Destiny and Skylar claim a hilarious victory.

  Kyla hangs out behind the D.J. booth and everyone can see the way it’s bothering Destiny.

  “Okay. This is the last game of the night. I promise,” Kyla teases.

  “Wait. That’s all of the games,” Destiny informs her.

  “No, actually. We have one more. You didn’t have a bachelorette party so let me have a little fun here.”

  Kyla lines up all the groomsmen, including Skylar, without telling any of them what’s going on. Suddenly, she pulls out a silky red blindfold. “No, Matty. This isn’t for you.”

  “Aww,” he teases, smirking at Felicia.

  He can see the way she responds to him. Nothing they haven’t tried before. He can still remember the way the silk slid across her velvet skin at her wrists and across her eyes.

  Kyla quickly wraps the sash around her sister’s eyes before Destiny can call it off.

  Destiny is even less impressed now. “What are you doing, Kyla?”

  “Just do this. It won’t kill you. Skylar’s playing along. Lighten up, will you?”

  “Fine. What do I have to do?” Destiny asks. Her voice echoes across the room over the loud speaker.

  “Okay. Here’s how it works,” Kyla tells everyone. “All of the groomsmen have to line up and kiss Destiny on the cheek, including good old Skylar. She has to guess which one is her hubby-to-be.”

  “Oh my gosh. This is so embarrassing.” Destiny’s hand covers over the sash.

  “It’s okay, Destiny,” Matt announces. “This is your last chance to see what it’s like to kiss a real man.”

  Skylar smacks him and everyone laughs.

  Kyla makes a straight face. “Okay, guys. You have to quit laughing or she’s going to know right away.” She grabs onto Grant’s arm and pulls him closer to Destiny. “Bachelor #1.”

  Grant gives her a simple peck on the cheek, knowing that Skylar will have his ass if he dares try anything friskier.

  “And so? Any guesses?”

  “I’m going to go with Grant.”

  Everyone claps.

  “Am I right?” Destiny asks.

  “You are. Good one. That was easy. But will you be able to tell the difference between the Knight boys?”

  “I sure hope so,” Destiny admits anxiously.

  Matt approaches her, careful not to click his cane when it hits the floor next to Destiny’s feet. He hovers next to Destiny’s neck before brushing his lips across her skin there. Her lips part for a breath.

  Kyla and Matt are smiling, but Skylar and Felicia don’t appear too impressed by the sensual display. Felicia tries to disguise her horror, but the hurt is evident in her facial expression; it’s like he’s doing it to make her jealous.

  That’s exactly what he’s doing.

  When Skylar shoves Matt aside, he almost takes a dive. Starting along her jawline, Skylar slowly kisses his woman and finally lands on her lips. The two kiss eloquently. Destiny pulls the blindfold from her eyes and smiles up at Skylar.

  Kyla’s voice sparkles over the speakers. “How did you know it was him?”

  “Skylar knows what I like. Not that Matt doesn’t give him a run for his money.” She giggles, making Skylar rage with bitterness. “You know you’re the only one for me, Sky.” She cups a hand over one of his cheeks. “I love you.”

  Skylar’s expression softens as quickly as it had raged. It is crazy how Destiny has such a powerful hold on him.

  “Before we wrap this night up, I just want to say a few words,” Felicia announces, taking over the microphone.

  That gets Matt’s attention. He immediately ends his short conversation with his mother and rolls toward Felicia to get a front row seat for this.

  “Destiny and I have been best friends for what feels like an eternity. For a while there, I was starting to wonder if she’d ever find Mr. Right. Ever since the moment she met Skylar, I just knew he was that guy. I can still remember the spark from the moment they first met.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Matt interrupts, rolling forward and waving his free hand. “If you’re going to tell a story, at least get it right. If you recall, I was there too. And I believe it was my snowmobile Destiny was riding.”

  Felicia props a hand on one of her hips, just like she had when they had first met. She is not impressed with him right now. “I figured your memories from that weekend would be a little skewed from what happened after we met."

  The room is suddenly quiet. Someone coughs from a far corner. The tension consumes the room like a thick fog. Did she just bring up the accident?

  "I mean, they. I meant to say when they met.”

  Matt doesn't skip a beat. “Oh, I remember every last detail, sweetheart, right down to the small heart-shaped mole just
above your left ass cheek.”

  Felicia’s mouth drops open, but she doesn’t appear embarrassed. “How dare you make this about us?”

  “Me? You’re the one that brought up the spark. If you want to get back to the story, let me tell you all how it really went down.” Matt takes the microphone from Felicia and holds a hand in the direction of her face to block her out. “There were sparks, alright. Between Destiny and Skylar . . . between you and me . . . and between those two trucks when they smashed my legs. Remember that, Felicia?”

  “That’s quite enough, Matt. Give me that back. You’ve obviously had too much to drink.”

  “Wrong again, sweetheart. I’m not drinking tonight, but how could you know that with the way you’ve been ignoring me tonight?”

  Felicia folds her arms across her exceptionally beautiful breasts and scowls at him.

  “There is no doubt in my mind that Skylar and Destiny are made for each other. That weekend, the one when we all met, was one to remember. Their relationship just clicked. I’m sure they have very fond memories from that time. We all do.”

  He glances at Felicia to be sure she is listening. She doesn’t lighten up her scowling eyes. That only encourages him to press harder for a response from her.

  “I for one will never forget that weekend.” He glances at Felicia again and says it loud enough for the entire bar to hear. “That was the last time I felt free . . . before you made me broken.”

  He notices when the anger turns into something else that seems to suck the life right out of her. Her emotions explode. They must have been hiding just beneath her steely surface. She doesn’t even acknowledge the crowd before storming out of the room like a tornado.

  Everyone blames Matt. He hears all the mumbling amongst the guests about how big of an ass he is. Even he knows he’s crossed the line. He doesn’t actually blame her for what happened. But that’s exactly how it came out.

  She couldn’t possibly know that his body wasn’t the only thing that was broken that day.

  Destiny steals the microphone from Matt’s hand and manages to wipe the grumpy look from her face for her guests. “Thanks for coming out. You’re all welcome to stay and mingle. We hope you’ve all had a good time.”