AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As most of you know, my little brother Mitch died last month. There was no fancy funeral. He was cremated and his ashes were spread up South Creek Trail, a place he and I used to go to get away from the world. It’s all we could afford. And while there’s been tons of speculation about his death, most of you know it was a drug overdose. Two days before he was supposed to go to rehab. I guess deep down, I always knew he wouldn’t go. He always followed me. Did everything I did. He just never could follow me back out to sobriety again. The one thing he never could do.” Michael’s voice shook and he looked down at the crinkled piece of paper where he had jotted down his notes.
“I guess you were right about Mitch. But I want you all to know that he tried. He wanted to do good. He was not the bad person this town made him out to be. Just like I’m not. Every day I’m sober, I’m proving you all wrong. Every day I go to my job and make an honest living, I’m proving you all wrong. But I’m not doing any of this for you.” His tone turned to anger, his eyes watering as he looked up and around the room.
“I’m doing all of this for her.” He pointed to Haize. “I’m doing it for my son, Jace, who deserves the world. I didn’t even know I had a kid until I got out of prison. I missed the first four years of his life. But I’ll make damn sure I never miss another second, as long as I live. And to Haize, a woman I hope that one day I can call my wife. She saved me. And I’m gonna make damn sure I give her everything she’s ever wanted.”
There were a few murmurs in the crowd and a sigh. They still hadn’t been public about their relationship, though it didn’t take a genius to figure it out. They were living together, and it was a small town. But now it was spoken, out in the open for everyone to know, and there was no backlash. No one had anything mean to say about it. And all Haize could do was smile and burst with pride at the man she could call her own. The man she loved. The man who saved her.
“I wasn’t a good person. You are all right about that. And a lot of you in this room have helped me. I’m sort of preaching to the choir, I guess. But it doesn’t matter. My story is my story. It started out rough. My mother was a prostitute. I have no clue who my father is. I grew up around drugs and bad things. Bad things…” He scrubbed his hand down the side of his face. “Bad things happened to me. Mitch witnessed all of it.” He looked up again, eyes red as the tears threatened to fall. “But it’s never too late. It took prison. It took parole. But I’ve opened my eyes to the possibilities. It took Haize Mullen to save me. You can do it. Keep it going. One second at a time, if that’s what it takes.”
He stepped down off the stage and there were a few claps, and then more followed until everyone stood, and the room filled with cheers. Michael pulled Haize into a tight hug, burying his face in the nape of her neck.
“I mean it, Haize. You’re gonna be my wife one day. And I’m gonna make damn sure you have everything you could ever want.”
She pulled him in close, kissing him deeply. “Our first public kiss.”
“With many more to come.” He smiled and returned the kiss, holding her close.
“I’m so proud of you, Mikey.”
His cheeks reddened and he ducked his head. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Your speech was great. And you’ve sort of made amends with your mom. You’re going through the steps so well. How can I not be proud of you?”
They walked toward the exit of the church, the cool mountain air hitting them as they strolled down the sidewalk. “I almost relapsed, Haize. Needle almost in my arm when you walked in. I still can’t get over it.”
She brushed her hand down the side of his face. “That was a month ago. And you didn’t relapse, Mikey. You held strong.”
“I don’t know what would’ve happened had you not shown up.”
“It’s over. It’s in the past. You didn’t relapse. We’ve all had those moments. Many would’ve already relapsed by now. I relapsed several times in my first year. I’d say you’re doing a damn good job.”
He pulled her in again, hands resting in the small of her back, forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Haize felt safe and secure. Her love for him was so strong, that she felt like she could move the mountains that surrounded them.
“I love you, Haize. More than you’ll ever know.” It was a whisper, but plenty loud for her to hear.
“I love you, Mikey. More than you’ll ever know.”
Epilogue
Eight months later
“Haize Brennan,” Michael said as he pulled her up against him, their naked bodies tangled up under the covers. The curve of her body fit against him perfectly, and he nipped at her collarbone, feeling her shiver against him. “Kissing your collarbone always makes you do that.”
“It’s one of my favorite places to be kissed.” She extended her left hand, twirling the wedding ring on her finger. The diamond glistened in the sunbeam cascading through the window by the bed.
“How am I barely learning that?” He dipped his head and kissed it again, this time skimming his tongue up and down. “Bet it’s not your absolute favorite place.”
“Oh? And where exactly do you think that might be?”
His hand scooted down to her breasts, pinching at each nipple, then slowly caressed her stomach, down her hips, resting just above her intimate area. “Here?”
“A little lower and you have a winner.”
His finger skimmed over her clit, making quick circles, her back arching against him as she hissed through her teeth. “Seems you like to be touched there, too.” He buried his face in her hair, taking in her scent – fresh citrus smell along with sweat from hours of lovemaking after the ceremony.
“We’re married, Haize. Can you believe it?”
“A dream come true.”
