Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I definitely hadn’t told Rook how I no longer cared if she choked on her own vomit, how I no longer worried about what might happen when she overdosed again.
Life on my own couldn’t be as bad as life with her.
Part of not wanting to tell Rook those things was because of shame at feeling that way about anyone, let alone my flesh and blood. Another part, though, was because Rook had such a close relationship with his own mother; I couldn’t fathom what he might think of me if he heard that instead of helping my mother through her struggles, I found myself sometimes actively hoping for her demise.
“Last time I wore a suit was for court,” Rook said, coming out of the bathroom, yanking on his collar.
“It looks nice,” I told him, standing there in my robe with my hair in giant curlers.
“That’s a… look,” he said, smiling as his gaze tracked over me.
“I’m hoping this works,” I said, waving toward my head. “I haven’t tried curlers since I chopped all my hair off.”
“You had long hair?”
Whoops.
“Yeah. I cut it a few months back,” I told him, keeping my tone breezy. “Needed a change. But I probably should have gone with smaller rollers for shorter hair. Oh, well. Are you done in there?” I asked, nodding toward the bathroom.
“All yours.”
My dress was already hanging on the back of the door, enjoying the steam from both our showers, making sure all the wrinkles fell out.
I brought my makeup in with me and set to work on a subtle but elegant look before pulling my hair down and combing through it with my fingers until I had the loose waves I was going for.
I’d opted for no veil, choosing instead this gorgeous gold vine and star wedding headband.
By the time I slipped out of my bra, into a pair of nude undies, then into my dress, I was feeling surprisingly shaky.
There was nothing to be nervous about.
It wasn’t a real wedding.
Only, it was, wasn’t it?
Maybe, in our minds, it was only a piece of paper, a contract that worked for the two of us for different reasons.
But in the eyes of the law, we would be married.
I pressed a hand to my wobbly stomach and took a few steadying breaths before slipping into my sandals and then making my way out of the bathroom, expecting Rook.
But the apartment was empty.
For just a moment, my worry about his absence overtook my anxiety about the whole ordeal itself.
“Rook?” I called, glancing into the bedroom before making my way to the door and stepping out onto the top landing of the steps.
Then there he was.
Standing on the sidewalk with several of his club brothers.
It was Raff who noticed me first. He pressed one hand to his heart and shot me a soft look before patting Rook’s arm and gesturing toward me.
Feeling weird standing up there, I began my way down as Rook finally turned.
The look he shot me made my breath catch in my chest and my foot falter just above the next step down.
His gaze slid down, then back up, before I remembered to keep walking down.
Raff shoved Rook’s shoulder from behind. “Tell her how beautiful she looks before I do it for you.”
Rook shook his head and stepped forward to where I was standing on the last step, my skirt dancing around my ankles with the light breeze.
“Wow,” he said, shaking his head.
“You’ve seen me in it already,” I reminded him, belly flip-flopping at the awe still in his eyes.
“Not like this,” he said, reaching out to take my hand, his thumb teasing over the stone of my engagement ring as he helped me down the last stair. “You really do look beautiful,” he said, voice low, before leading me over toward his brothers. Still holding my hand.
“Prettiest bride ever,” Raff declared.
“You’re glowing,” Coach said.
“He’s a lucky guy,” Colter added.
My heart didn’t care that this was all for show. It skipped and swelled at the sweetness these men were showing me.
How different from the men I’d known before.
“The guys just wanted to show up and offer their well wishes. And gripes about not being able to come to the picnic,” Rook explained, nodding toward Raff at the last part.
“It sounds delightful,” Raff said, making a surprised laugh escape me.
I’d known a lot of bikers in my life. I’d never heard one use the word ‘delightful’ before. Then again, I’d never met a biker like Raff before, either.
“It really does,” I agreed.
“Yeah, happy for you. Not jealous at all,” Raff said, smushing his face up at me.
“You guys heading out now?” Colter asked.
“Yeah, we gotta get to the courthouse. The photographer wants to take some pictures before it gets busy.”
“Sorry we can’t come with,” Coach said. “But know we’re there in spirit.”
They genuinely seemed like they were upset they couldn’t be there. For a fake wedding. It was surprisingly sweet.