34. Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-four
Libby
My hands are still shaking from the standoff with my dad.
But Blue’s grip is firm and steady as he pulls me through our friends and family until we get to the kitchen.
Trailing past the stainless pots and endless kegs set up with pressure valves, he pauses us at the back entrance to the stage.
It’s a tiny, dark nook with a dusty set of steps, hidden from the rest of the bar.
Much needed after the chaos of a few minutes ago.
Blue sits on the top stair, then tugs me onto his lap, and hugs me close.
“You know there’s no way I was fighting back against him?” His breath is hot over the nape of my neck. “I’d have taken whatever he wanted to lay out. I can’t imagine what he’s thinking right now.”
The tips of my fingers idly follow the curve of his arm. “I know. And thank you. I hate that the two men I love most were fighting. ”
His soft laugh shakes us both. “Well, you put a fast stop to it. Our kids won’t ever get away with shit.”
“Is it crazy that I can’t wait for that?” I work my nails up his collar, then turn so our lips nearly touch.
His poor nose is already starting to swell. I bet he gets two black eyes from my dad.
“No, it’s not. I want it all with you, Lib. The ups, the downs, and every moment in between.” His hand drifts up to tuck a stray hair behind my ear. “I just know I don’t want to sleep away from you ever again.”
I almost can’t breathe with the crush of raw emotion. Tenderly, I brush his bruised mouth with mine, careful not to cause him any more pain.
But he wraps his palm behind my neck, pulling me into the fever of his kiss. “Don’t ever hold back on me, my little hurricane.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I want you to love me violently, full force, unstoppable. Because that’s how I feel about you.”
How many times can I marry him? Holy shit, this man.
There’s a light knock on the door behind him, then Dixon appears from the dark void. “Devon’s here. It’s time.”
His authoritarian voice booms over the crowd, quieting the room.
He’s the bar’s daddy today.
When he announces us, suddenly my legs feel like noodles and don’t want to work .
But Blue’s solid grip guides me onto the stage.
Is this what he feels like every time he sings? Like a million eyes are watching him? Judging him?
When he turns me to face him, I have no doubt he can see the relief in my expression.
I focus on him as Dixon begins. Blue has become my safe space. My harbor.
“So, now that I have the blessing of her father—” Blue jokingly points at his nose, still with toilet paper wads sticking from his nostrils.
A low laugh runs through the people seated in the tables below us.
But then he pulls me closer, his voice dropping.
“From the moment I met you, I saw your fire. Your passion for life, and the fierce loyalty you showed to those you love.” His palm moves to my hip, then the small of my back until we’re slowly swaying together.
“You’re the sun, Lib. So bright and hot, warming every room you’re in, I thought for sure you wouldn’t want me to shade your light. ”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “I’m thankful every day that your rebellious heart made you ignore the doubters, and your dad—”
“Hey, now,” Dad groans from the quiet room.
But Blue continues on, only looking at me. “—to give me the chance to truly see you. To show me just how damn amazing it is to experience life with you.” His lips brush my forehead, then his knuckle tips my chin so he can stare into my eyes.
His icy-blue irises fade into dark pools. “Marry me?” he whispers.
Tears pour down my cheeks, blurring the handsome vision before me. “Yes,” I squeak out as he slides the slim gold band over my knuckle.
My own vows disappear, lost in the perfection of my man.
“Do I really get to keep you?” I manage to stammer, knotting my fingers into the front of his blood-stained shirt.
“Forever, baby,” he murmurs, then pulls me in for a kiss that makes the noise of the cheering crowd dull until all I can hear is the pounding of my own heart pulsing in my ears.
“May I introduce, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce.” Dixon’s voice carries over the applause.
I don’t want to let go of Blue, but bury myself against his chest.
He nestles me into the hollow of his neck, covering the back of my head with his hot palm.
“Rebel? Where’s my ring?” His words trickle through the loud background. “I want the world to know I belong to you.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” I pull away, fumbling at the tiny pocket I fashioned into the chest of my dress. “Hold out your hand.” My own shake as I push the symbolic jewelry onto his finger.
He’s really mine.
He groans deliciously. “You know I’m going to have to find out how you hid that tonight?”
“Libby Pierce ! Get your butt down here so I can hug you!” Char calls out from below the stage.
Her own cheeks are smeared from crying.
“Fuck, I love the sound of your name.” Blue leads me down the front steps into the waiting throng.
While he gets pulled from me with handshakes and back slaps, I manage to find my way to my best friend.
Her belly shudders against me with her sobs. “That dress looks so much better on you than me.” Her lower lip quivers as she smiles.
“That was the borrowed?” Sophia moves closer, while Lori and April join from the other side.
I give a small nod, stepping back. “My shoes I’ve had since I was a teenager. New lingerie though.” I wink.
April grins. “Atta, girl. He won’t know what hit him.”
She’s so fun. I think we compete on how often we can make Lori blush.
Like now.
“So what’s the blue?” Lori asks as pink flushes her throat .
“Silly.” I gesture to my husband, noticing his eyes following me. “I’m even thinking of making it my new favorite color.”
“Well, that’s huge,” Char gasps. “But totally understandable.”
She gets it.
“I don’t know.” Blue’s hands wrap around my waist. “I like the yellow sundress.” His lips brush the shell of my ear. “We should go.”
A thrill of electricity runs down my body as I lean into his heat.
I can’t get enough of him, and hope that never changes.
Char points at her belly, then at me, and mouths, “You in six months.” But her teasing smile betrays her warning.
My brother emerges from a wall of people and awkwardly gives me a fast squeeze. “This is crazy, Lib. But I’m happy for you. I’ll make sure Dad is taken care of.”
“Dev, we did this so I can stay close and help, but not have to sneak around. I’m not putting Dad squarely on just your shoulders. We’re a team.” I don’t want him to think I’m shirking my responsibilities.
His sigh tells me it was a worry. “Thanks. See you in the morning on the milk line?”
“Yep. I’m glad you made it.” I may give him shit all the time, but I’m pretty proud of how he’s growing up.
Dev glances at Blue, then the corner of his mouth tilts up. “Welcome to the weirdest family in Montana. ”
When they shake hands, it makes tears come back into my eyes.
Blue pushes the door open into the bright spring sun, then scoops me up and cradles me to his chest as he carries me towards his truck. “I can’t wait to get you home,” he growls.
“Lib?” Dad steps from where he was resting against the bumper, his brows knotted in a deep crease across his forehead.
I can feel Blue stiffen as he lets me down slowly.
“Are you still mad?” I ask Dad tentatively.
The last thing I want is them fighting any more.
He shakes his head, then drops his cowboy hat into his hands, fidgeting with the brim. “I just, I gotta know…” His voice trails off and he clears his throat. “I mean, I get it if it’s true. Gotta commend you, buddy, for doing the right thing.”
“What are you trying to say?” I think I have a feeling, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to play along.
“I, um. Am I gonna be a grandpa?” he stammers out.
“No, Dad.” I knew it. My arms cross my chest as I fight the flare of anger.
But Blue laughs. “Not yet, Clay. But I’m damn sure gonna try tonight.”
My dad’s face mottles as he blinks over his rapidly opening and closing mouth .
“I’m glad you married for love,” he finally says quietly with a long sigh.
“This is gonna take me some time to get used to.” Sadness tightens his eyes when he looks at me.
“I’m sorry, Lib. I know I pushed you away.
I just got so wrapped up in wanting you to have a better life than me, I forgot to see that you were more than capable of choosing your own. ”
“So Clay, does this mean I get to call you ‘daddy’ too?” Blue chuckles.
Fuck, that makes me giggle as the change in dynamic hits me.
Even my dad smiles, shaking his head. “Baby steps, buddy. Every time I see you touch her, I’m still trying not to want to punch you again.”
“You know what? If I ever hurt her, I’ll give you every right to.” Blue steps closer, extending his palm.
Dad stares at it for a long moment, before meeting it with his own.
God, I’m crying so much today.
“Dixon offered us a ride home. So you two go on, get out of here before I think too hard about where you’re heading.” Dad backs away, waving his hat at us like he’s herding cattle.
“Love you,” I call out before climbing into my seat.
“Ditto,” he grunts.
Blue’s thumb works up his swollen nose as he checks himself in the rearview mirror. “Well, that went better than expected. And I still got the jackpot after that prizefight.” He flattens his hand, extending his newly decorated ring finger. “The best treasure of all.”