AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know. Thank you.”
It felt like I needed to tell her I loved her, but the words stuck in my throat. Not because I didn’t feel it, but because the timing felt off. I wasn’t sure why, but this wasn’t the right time or place. Maybe once we got to Vegas? First, I had to find a full-service place where we could get the license and have a small ceremony. Then I had to make a few calls because she needed a ring.
“Hey.” An idea came to me as I followed her into the bathroom. “I know we said no one should be there, but I need a best man. What if we asked Carter to go?”
She turned. “I’d love that. But then I’d need someone to stand up for me or it would feel weird. I’d call Cheyenne, but then we’d have to tell Kingston.”
“And then we’d have to tell the other guys.”
Shit.
Somehow, I wanted Carter to be there. He was more my brother than my actual brother, but if the whole band came, then things would get complicated.
And now I felt bad that she didn’t have any friends here. That had to be lonely, especially when I was working. Taking care of Jeremy and spending time with her elderly aunt wasn’t the same as having friends. I liked that she’d gotten along with Cheyenne, but she wasn’t the type of friend who’d be available for shopping and lunch dates. She barely had time for Kingston.
“We could bring Aunt Meg,” I said finally.
“And leave her in Carter’s care?” she asked, dissolving into laughter.
“They might take care of each other,” I said thoughtfully. “She’ll keep him mostly out of trouble, and he’ll make sure she doesn’t fall or anything. Despite his addiction issues, he’s a good guy. And he seems to adore her.”
“They’ve met twice!” she said, stepping into the shower.
“I know, but he’s like that. And they text every day according to him.”
“All right. Call him or whatever. I’ll talk to Aunt Meg after I shower.”
“Can she keep a secret? Because if my parents get wind of this, it will be chaos. And my mother absolutely cannot keep a secret. I mean, if someone was sick or in real trouble, she would, but something like this? It would explode out of her in diamond- and butterfly-laden vomit.”
She’d just lathered up her hair and snorted so hard shampoo went flying.
“I don’t know if I’m disgusted or intrigued,” she said, rinsing her eyes.
“Sorry.” I decided not to join her in the shower since I needed to call a jeweler without her hearing me.
There was a lot to do.
* * *
Two hours later we were speeding down the highway in my Maserati. Meg was with Carter in his Lamborghini, and we got to Vegas in just under three hours. The traffic and cop gods were apparently on board with this impromptu trip, so we pulled up to the valet at the Bellagio just after five.
With Carter involved, I’d gotten a lot done in a short amount of time. I didn’t know what kind of ring Presley might want, so we’d chosen simple wedding rings online, and they were being delivered to the hotel. Tomorrow, we’d shop together for an engagement ring because I needed her to not just like it, but love it, because I hoped she’d be wearing it forever.
There was a chapel off the strip that would handle both the legalities and the formalities, and we had a seven o’clock appointment. Carter had made dinner reservations for eight o’clock at one of my favorite restaurants. It was almost comical how good he was at taking care of details. I’d never seen him do anything this organized for the band, yet he was planning my wedding like a fucking boss. I’d have to give him shit about at some point. Just not today.
“I packed two different things to wear,” Presley was saying as we got to our suite. “Which do you like better?”
“Neither,” I said. “A local shop is arriving any minute now with a bunch of dresses for you to try on. A bride should have something new, even if she’s eloping.”
“They’re bringing dresses here for me to try on?” she asked.
“Yup.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to my life, baby. And get used to it. I plan to spoil you as much as I can.”
“Zeke.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she threw herself against me. “You make me so happy.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because I’m happy. Duh.”
