Chapter 37 Collie
COLLIE
“Mr. and Mrs. Archer, eh? Has a nice ring to it!”
“It better, because it’s permanent,” Jones tells me, smirk at large as he pulls his bride into his side. “Right, sweetheart?”
Capri smiles at him, her bliss contagious to all around the reception hall. “Fits me just right, Captain.”
The wedding was absolutely stunning. But then again, I expected nothing less when Jones Archer fits the bill. I anticipated that with them living in Capri, Italy, they would have wanted something a bit more extravagant for a wedding, but what Capri planned was the opposite—in the best way possible.
I remember the day Capri told me they were going to be married in Timber Heights.
I screamed and cheered, then proceeded to cry, because I love that she chose home to seal the deal with Jones.
It makes sense given he’s actually from the same town.
But Jones also takes care of his mother with dementia, so traveling isn’t as easy as it once was for them.
But Dolly Archer is here, that hilariously erotic woman. Since the ceremony was on a small private beach, Dolly’s home health aid wheeled her through the white sand, parking her directly beside Easton.
The moment I witnessed her whisper something in his ear, I knew I had a funny story to look forward to. Lucky for us, patchouli incense didn’t make its way into the ceremony decor. Although, Capri said she requested it.
Easton looked completely caught off guard by the fiercely enigmatic woman and my heart lit up in my chest just watching him be a listening ear for her. Seeing him with my family, blood or by marriage, only confirms what I already knew—he’s my forever.
I want him to be.
The reception carried over into the small clubhouse along the dunes of the beach. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows surround us, giving a three-sixty view of the South Carolina coast. Easton was whisked away by my Aunt Barb for a dance, being tossed between her and my cousin Mariah on the dance floor.
It feels good to know he doesn’t need saving. The man has blossomed into a full-blown golden retriever with no plans to return to his old broody ways. I take out my phone and snap a picture of him.
My favorite smile painted across his scruffy face. His beard is a bit longer now. I love it.
“You really love him, don’t you?” Capri asks, stealing my attention away.
“I do,” I sigh confidently. “Wild, right? Your sister is in love…who would have ever thunk it?”
Capri giggles. “Me. I did.” She brings me in for a hug. “He fits right in.”
“Seems like a good dude,” Jones comments at the same time Romeo and Luca make their way over. “Aye, boss man. Can’t believe you’re hitched,” Romeo says before turning to Capri. “He’s a lucky fucker, boss lady.”
“Oh, so I’m boss lady to you now, Romeo?” my sister questions him.
“He practiced the whole way here,” Luca chimes in, causing us all to chuckle.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” I tell Romeo and Luca, thankful we’ve been able to keep in touch since leaving Italy. “Staying out of trouble over there?”
“Never.” Romeo smirks. “You know how we do, blondie. Making our way through the Amalfi, one beautiful tourist at a time.”
Sounds about right.
My attention wavers as a strong arm pulls me close. I know who’s there without having to look. Not only does Easton’s warm scent act as a dead giveaway, but the scruff along his cheeks, nuzzling into my hair, sets my body on fire.
I know what he’s doing here.
“Hi, beautiful,” he murmurs loud enough for everyone to hear. But Easton doesn’t give a shit about anyone else, his eyes focused on me.
“Hi, Ranger.” I smile up at him, my arm finding his waist.
It’s then we turn to face the group around us. And much to my surprise, they’re all smiling like they’ve witnessed a forbidden secret.
Capri lifts her brows up and down, looking like she’s spazzing out or something, while Jones catches onto her awkwardness and intervenes to speak for both of them. “Easton. It’s nice to officially meet you, man. Jones Archer.” He reaches out to shake his hand.
Easton returns the gesture, introducing himself.
“Easton Voss. Good to meet you. And congrats to you both. Capri.” He turns toward my sister and reaches for her hand.
Capri holds her hand out, shock rolling through her as Easton kisses it softly.
“You make a beautiful bride. Thank you both for having me.”
Okay…pulling out all the gentleman stops.
“Show-off,” I tease, earning a pinch on my ass.
“It’s no trouble at all. We know how important you are to Collie, which makes you just as important to us,” Jones replies.
Easton and I share a look. We’re treading into unfamiliar territory, and for the first time, something is at stake here.
The possibility of losing this. Losing what we have together if we can’t work out a plan. A conversation I know we still need to have.
“You make my sister very happy,” Capri tells Easton.
“Likewise. I adore Collie. I can promise you that. In fact, I’d really like to have a chance to talk with you sometime today, if that would be okay?”
“Of course. Yes,” Capri says. “Let us get through making our rounds, then I’ll come find you.” Easton nods, and Capri pulls him into a hug. “Talk soon, Easton.”
Watching them retreat, I almost forget about Romeo and Luca still standing here, but not Easton. He turns to greet them next. “Easton.” He reaches out to shake their hands.
“Ah, Italians don’t shake hands, brother,” Romeo quips before pulling Easton into a man-hug. I don’t know the correct terminology, but the thing where their forearms meet and shoulders tap. Whatever it’s called…Easton goes along with it.
“I’m Romeo. This is Luca. Collie and us go way back.” Romeo winks, and I can feel the tension rolling off Easton from here.
“Is that so?” he counters.
“He’s fucking with you,” Luca blurts, reading the room. “Collie wouldn’t give us the time of day. I think that’s what you Americans say, yes?”
I laugh, Easton following suit. “I’m so proud.” My hand meets my chest.
“Nice to meet you. At first, I wasn’t sure if it actually would be,” Easton admits, causing everyone to laugh loudly.
“Collie, darling.” All conversation stops at the sound of my mother’s voice. I spin around, coming face-to-face with the woman who cooked me. I have to make jokes around her motherly nature because it truly is comical at this point in our relationship.
“Mother. Hi.”
As he turns to face her, Easton mumbles in my ear, “Introduce us and watch me work.”
I chuckle to myself, knowing exactly what he means.
Our little bet.
“This is Easton Voss. He’s the man I met in Yellowstone a few months ago.”
“Is that right?” Mom speculates. Her judgement stinks. “So, what brings you all this way, Easton?”
Easton smiles wide, and I just know he’s about to crank up his charm a thousand notches. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Meadows. Collie has nothing but sarcastic things to say about you.”
Mom had the look in her eyes like she knew what was coming—what to expect in regard to me.
But it’s evident that nothing about Easton’s response was what she thought.
Her head rears back, and a tick at her lips threatens to break out in a smile.
“That’s the most honest thing I’ve heard all day, young man. ”
I nudge my knuckle into his side, earning myself a hand hold instead.
What is he doing?
Mother doesn’t miss the affection, her eyes dialing into the joining of our fingers before rising again. “I had my cock in your ass last night, and you can’t handle holding my hand?” Easton whispers into my ear before turning back to my mother.
I almost choke on my gum. “You know how much I love to talk about you, Mother. My favorite woman since college.”
Mom shakes her head. “How long ago was college?” Easton questions.
“Hmm. Eleven years ago?”
“Eleven years of being important enough for Collie to talk about you?” Easton teases. “You’re a lucky woman, Mrs. Meadows. I’m on three months and counting. Hoping she’ll at least consider me worthy for another few months.”
I don’t know how he did it, but the Trunchbull smiles. White teeth brightened to perfection as she belts out a laugh. My mother just laughed. “I like you, Easton.”
“I’m sorry,” I sputter. “I must have misunderstood. Did you just say you like him, Mother? I’m trying to figure out where I am right now. Is this the world coming to an end? Shit. I never got to get my tits done.”
She rolls her eyes. “I know it can’t be that shocking.”
“No, actually it’s really fucking shocking,” I retort.
“Couth, Collie Charlotte,” she scolds me. Meanwhile, Easton is practically in tears from laughing so hard. “And I question why I have so much gray hair. A hairdresser’s worst nightmare. Meanwhile, my daughter is worried about her breasts.”
“Tits, Mother. Get it right,” I correct her, searching for a laugh I definitely won’t find. “And it’s called aging. Pretty sure you can only go down from here.”
She shakes her head, clearly appalled by my behavior. “Good luck with that one, Easton. God help you.”
I send her a cheesy grin, my skin growing tougher and tougher every time I’m blessed by her proximity. Mom turns to walk away, but stops at the sound of Easton’s firm voice. “Mrs. Meadows.”
She gives him her attention, careful not to appear overly taken aback. “Yes?”
“I just want to be clear about something, and I mean this in the most respectful way possible. I know you may mean well by your actions when it comes to Collie. You’re her mother, and I’d like to think you love her as much as a mother should.
But have you ever considered what the outcome of your relationship with her would be if you appreciated her quirks a bit more than seeing them as flaws?
Maybe put the same effort you make insulting her into complimenting her instead.
It might surprise you how much your opinion of her would change. Just a thought.”
Oh, she’s definitely about to shit herself.
But me? My heart soars.
“Collie is my daughter, Easton. What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t appreciate her?”
“A mother missing out on one hell of a woman. The things she has to offer the world? Well, they’ve already made me into a better man just in the short time I’ve known her. I can’t imagine the effects loving her for thirty-three years would bring.”
Mom nods, and I see the wheels spinning. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone speak up to her before. It’s refreshing to feel validated by the scrutiny I’ve felt throughout my whole life.
“I suppose you’re right. All I’ve ever wanted as a mother is for my daughters to be happy. To have a prosperous life. Collie has always been my wild card. I’m not like her, so I find it hard to relate.”
There’s so much kindness and love seeping through Easton’s words.
“All I ask is that you try harder. For both of your sakes. We only get one life. Trust me. I lost my brother over two years ago, and I’ve done nothing but live in the past with regret.
Your daughter is the one who showed me I’m deserving of so much more than I ever gave myself credit for. ”
“Is that true, Collie?” Mom turns toward me, sentiment in her eyes.
I nod solemnly. “We’ve helped each other through a lot, Mom. I invited Easton here because I love him. He understands me in a way I’ve never felt. Like you said before, I’m the wild card. I know I’m a difficult person to love, but I still deserve it, right?” A loose sob threatens to break free.
“Honey,” Mom sighs, holding her arms out for me to hug her, and I don’t waste a moment.
“I’m sorry. I should have been the mother you needed.
You just…you remind me a lot of my younger self.
A woman I worked hard to change. I was you thirty years ago, Collie.
Extroverted to my core. I guess I need to put myself in check.
But I do love you just the way you are, and I promise to work on my delivery of that love. Do you forgive me?”
“Always, Mom,” I murmur into her hair, my emotions erupting tenfold.
“Good.” She kisses my head. “And Easton? Don’t be a stranger, okay? It’s clear my daughter has needed a strong man like you around for quite some time now.”
“I have no plans to be anywhere but where Collie is.”
Everything around me fades as his words resonate in my heart. Easton wants to be wherever I am…and damn, that feels good.