27. Kris
27
KRIS
My eyes slowly blink open. The sun is raging through the bedroom windows, and you might as well stick a hot fork in my eye because that’s what it feels like this bright with little sleep.
Hair tickles my chin, and I grin to myself. Kameron is pressed against my side, her arm draped across my stomach, and her lips are pooched slightly.
Shit, she’s cute.
I sit for a few minutes, staring at her and hoping she doesn’t wake up because this moment could become awkward really fucking fast.
A million things run through my mind, especially the night we had last night. It’s not lost on me how easy things are with her, how everything just sort of fits and works together.
It could easily be like this every single day, and I wouldn’t hate it a bit. Until it all blew up in my face. The smallest thing could tear us apart, that’s how it was with my parents. Granted, their story is a little more contrast than that, but still, you get the picture.
And Kameron is going to want to be a mother, and I’m not sure that I ever want to have kids.
Sure, I’d enjoy being a dad, I’d love my kids and hope I’d be a much better father than the one I was blessed with.
But, having kids in a marriage and then having to rip their lives apart and force them to endure the turmoil of a nasty custody case, or a parent that is absent… I can’t do it.
Even the idea of having a kid out of wedlock isn’t appealing to me. The kid would still be torn between two places, and that shit isn’t healthy.
Which is why relationships are just a no go. From now until forever.
But damn if I don’t really wish I could have it all with her.
I glance at the clock sitting on the nightstand beside me and realize I’ve got to get up and start moving. My brother is coming to pick me up, and then Kam is going to drive my truck to the venue later, closer to the wedding time.
Shifting her off of me, I gently pull my arm from under her. I’m surprised she doesn’t budge through the maneuver, but a soft little moan escapes her lips before she whispers my name in her sleep and snuggles further into the pillow. I pull the comforter up higher over her shoulder, she always slept with her entire head nearly covered when we were in college, I doubt much of that has changed.
Her soft snore makes me smile, and the way she looks like she’s wrapped in a marshmallow. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I snap a quick picture of her so I don’t forget this moment. It’s probably creepy as fuck of me, but at least we did date, right?
I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her temple before leaving the room and letting her get some rest. She needs it after last night.
Forty minutes later, I’m dressed and have all of my things for the wedding by the door. I peek in on Kameron one more time. She hasn’t moved from her spot on the bed. I’m torn between waking her up, letting her know I’m leaving or letting her sleep and sending her a text so she doesn’t panic.
We talked about this yesterday, but she had a bit to drink last night, and we hit the pillows hard after our shower last night.
My phone vibrates in my hand. Kaleb is here, waiting.
I grab my garment bag and my duffle, opening the door before locking it behind me and checking to make sure it’s secure.
We’re on a mountain, but you never know.
Walking toward his truck, I put my stuff in the backseat before climbing into the passenger seat and looking at him.
“You ready to get hitched?” I laugh at his face.
“Please don’t ever say that again.” He groans, shifting into reverse. “But yes, I’m more than ready. Last night was absolute hell being away from Ruby.”
“She’s following the traditional wedding shit?”
“Unlucky for me. Man, we haven’t not shared a bed in years. I tossed and turned all night.” He chuckles, pulling onto the main road that winds up the mountain. “How was your night? That was pretty intense at the bar.” He glances over at me briefly before refocusing on the road.
“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t how I thought the night was going to go.” I think back to the way Kameron put Lauren in her place. “You think she’ll be with Dad today?”
He shakes his head. “He’s stupid if she is, but yeah, I think she’ll be there.” He sighs. “I mean, where else is she going to go? They’re hours from home, and she seems to have her hooks pretty deep into him.”
“I’m just not over the fact she felt comfortable enough to act that way with Dad less than two feet away, not to mention Kameron being there. And Ruby,” I point out.
“Nothing about it surprises me. Other than Kameron threatening to beat her ass.” He laughs, hitting his blinker and taking our turn. “She still asleep?”
“Out cold, man.” I laugh, thinking of the way she was snuggled into the pillows. “I need to shoot her a text, letting her know where the key to my truck is.”
“You’re letting her drive your truck?” His head snaps to the side, eyes wide as he stares at me like I’ve completely lost my mind.
“How else is she going to get to the wedding?” I brush his question off.
It’s not lost on me how easy it was to hand my keys over to her. No one drives my truck, ever. The only people that have ever been behind the wheel are me, and my mechanic who handles all the oil changes. That’s it.
“Interesting.” He tosses the word between us, but I don’t respond. Instead I pull my phone up to shoot the text off to Kameron.
Me
Hey, Kaleb picked me up for the wedding. My truck keys are on the island in the kitchen for you. The address is already programmed in for you in the GPS. You looked too cute sleeping for me to wake you, and I know I wore you out last night. See you shortly.
I chuckle at the part where I tell her I wore her out. She’s going to roll her eyes so hard, and I’m excited for it.
The venue is fully decorated today. White and red flowers are placed everywhere.
Literally everywhere, it looks like a floral shop threw up in here.
I stare at my brother, watching him take it all in. He turns in a circle, looking at every single detail before heading to the front where he will stand for the ceremony.
“Man, this feeling.” He pauses, getting choked up. “I’m so ready, man.”
I nod, unsure what he’s feeling but I’m happy for him. Even if I’m fearful of his future at the same time.
Kaleb is the absolute best of both Mom and Dad. He didn’t get any of their ugly traits, only the good. All the bad was saved for me, I guess.
Although, if Kameron were here listening to my thoughts she’d disagree.
“Have you talked to her today?” I ask, he shakes his head no.
“I sent her a text when I woke up this morning, telling her I couldn’t wait to make her my wife, but knowing her she’s probably snoozing away. She loves her sleep.” He smiles to himself before bending to grab the bag he tossed on the ground when he took his spot.
I follow him through the venue until we reach a room labeled Groom and Groomsmen. We step inside and are the first ones here. There’s a complete bar set up to one side, and four leather couches with a large tv on the other. A poker table is nestled directly behind the couch, complete with a poker set.
“This place is nice.” I stare around the room before settling my eyes on Kaleb.
“So was the price tag.” He chuckles.
I don’t doubt it. I’m sure this place is more than a pretty penny, but Ruby comes from old money so I doubt it was much of a feat for her parents to swing this place.
I’m not sure that my parents actually did much. And if they did, it was the bare minimum on dad’s end. Besides, there is no way my parents could get along long enough to agree on wedding details for something like that.
We sit for a while, flipping through the channels before the rest of the guys finally show up. The day goes by quickly, and I start to worry when I don’t hear from Kameron. I figured she’d be up by now, we’re well into the afternoon and the wedding starts at five.
Davidson moves toward the couch, taking the seat next to me. I avoid looking over at him, and if I move immediately it’d be obvious I was being a dick on purpose.
“Where’s Kameron?” he asks, turning his head to look at me.
I continue clicking through the channels, settling on a random rerun of a game from last week.
“She’ll be here shortly.” If he says anything else after that, I don’t hear him because I’m on my feet and heading toward one of the open corners to call her.
I dial her number, holding the phone to my ear and listen to the ringing. Just when I think it’s going to go to voicemail, her sweet voice fills the line.
“Hey.” She’s breathless.
“I was starting to get worried.” I glance around the room, making sure no one is listening to me.
“I’m fine, Kris.” I can’t see her, but I can hear the hint of a smile in her voice.
“I didn’t hear back from you, and it’s a decent drive to the venue.”
“The wedding doesn’t start for another hour and a half, Kris.” She giggles. “I promise I’m fine, I slept in and I may have taken a long bath.”
Her words aren’t meant to be sexual, but all I can think about is her sitting in a bath. Wet and naked. Fucking missed opportunity.
“What opportunity?”
Shit, I said that out loud.
“Nothing.” I clear my throat. “Will you text me when you’re on your way?”
“Sir. Yes, sir.” I can tell she’s rolling her eyes at me and that makes me smile.
“See you shortly, baby.”
“Bye, Kris.”
We disconnect, and I turn my attention back to my brother. At least I know she’s okay, and she’ll be here shortly. Hopefully, sooner than that.