LOLA, AKA SHE WHO IS VAGINALLY BRAVE
Kerrie’s arrival a week early sends me running into her arms. I can’t believe she surprised me!
My mom looks beautiful in a long denim skirt, a blue bohemian-style shirt, and cowboy boots. Her long dark hair hangs loosely around her shoulders. Her red lips can’t stop smiling.
As I cling to her in the hotel lobby, Kerrie strokes my hair and coos, “My baby is getting married. I heard he’s crazy about you.”
I finally release my mom from the bear hug and smile at her. “Val is everything.”
Looking back at him, I find my hunk dying to get into the mix. I wave him over and make a quick introduction.
“Oh, you’re very handsome,” Kerrie says, staring all wide-eyed. “I don’t know why I didn’t think you would be.”
Kerrie frowns back at Duke who shrugs. “I might have described Val as a doofus. That was back in the beginning, and I never got around to correcting any misconceptions.”
“Thank you, sir,” Val says without missing a beat.
“Oh, he’s being sarcastic,” Kerrie tells me and smiles up at Val. “Are you giving Duke grief? You’ve got to stay on top of him or he’ll just bulldoze right through your feelings.”
“I’ve never found that to be true,” I say and look at my dad. “He’s always been a pushover with me.”
Duke grins before gesturing at Val’s family nearby. “Better introduce Kerrie to his people, so we can get this party started.”
Val wraps an arm around my shoulders and signals for his mom to approach.
“My ma is also a looker,” Val explains to Kerrie.
My mom gives me an odd frown. I suspect the version of Val in her head was far less gorgeous. She’s a little stumped right now as Val does introductions.
Poppy frowns at my mom. “I thought you were showing up last minute because you didn’t care to be here earlier.”
Kerrie’s expression freezes as she looks at me.
“I never said that,” I lie.
“I just assumed because you weren’t around for the dress shopping or hair fixing,” Poppy says casually, though I know her well enough by now to understand she’s purposely stirring up trouble to see how Kerrie will react.
“I admit I figured Val was probably a loser who couldn’t get a wife without an arranged marriage,” Kerrie explains while holding my hand. “But Duke explained how Lola loved the doofus, and I needed to get here to enjoy the show. I apologize for misreading things.”
Poppy immediately frowns at Duke. “Don’t call my son a doofus.”
“During our first meeting, your son called my daughter a slut. So, yeah, I thought he was a doofus,” Duke mutters before adding, “Among other things.”
Poppy turns her scowl to Val who shrugs. “I was hiding my heart. I’m sensitive, Ma.”
“Yes, you are,” she says and then looks at me. “Are you a slut?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, well, okay, then, but still Val should have implied you were simply vaginally brave like we describe Tuesday. Anyway, I can't tell who I’m mad at anymore, so here’s my husband, Emmett, to take over.”
Val’s dad leans in to shake Kerrie’s hand. “Nothing wrong with honing your sex skills before meeting Missus Right.”
“Are you talking about Val or you?” Poppy grumbles.
“No.”
Val smiles at me as his parents eyeball each other while my parents also seem irritated.
“I’m saving myself for spinsterhood,” Clover announces. “I own that choice.”
Val grins at her. “Hell yeah, little one.”
“I’m nineteen.”
“I’m twenty-five. What’s your point?”
“I’m not a baby.”
“You are little , though.”
“I bet I could beat you up,” Clover insists, surprising me. “I’ve learned your tickle spots from Roxie. I could throw you off with that and then kick your ass.”
Val smiles warmly. “No, baby, there’d be no need to cheat. I’d let you win. That’s what big brothers do for their little sisters-in-law.”
Clover frowns at Duke as if he should make Val stop teasing her.
Our dad shrugs. “Look, I gave you a sister so you wouldn’t have to endure a brother. What more do you want from me?”
“No one is mad!” Val announces loud enough to be heard in the conference room. People poke their heads out to see what the hell he’s talking about. “No one is holding a grudge.”
“I don’t know about that,” Poppy grumbles.
“No, Pa put his dick away once he met you. You can’t be mad he wasn’t a virgin when you met. As for Kerrie, she simply got her wires crossed, but now they’re straightened out, and she’s come to spend time with her girl. As for Duke thinking I’m a doofus, I will allow that. Now everyone needs to stop fussing so we can plan this wedding.”
“Such a leader,” Poppy coos while I wrap my arms around Val’s waist and swoon.
“Yeah, he’s certainly leader-like,” Clover grumbles. “But I’m not a kid.”
“I’m sorry,” Val says, leaning down so they’re eye to eye. “I view you as my little sister now, and that makes me obnoxious. Think you can yank that stick out of your butt and forgive me?”
Clover can’t deny Val’s charms and smiles sheepishly. “I always wanted a brother.”
Duke rolls his eyes, refusing to be charmed by anyone. He’s in a lowkey shitty mood, but I appreciate how he’s pretending otherwise.
I take turns clinging to Val and then Kerrie as he introduces her to the rest of his family.
“We have people coming in for the wedding,” Justice announces. “They’ll stay at the hotel just to make it easier. We’re also bunking here the night before.”
“Should we do the same?” I ask Val and glance at Duke.
My father doesn’t want to make any decisions, so he looks to Val to choose.
Val nods. “I think it would be fun to take over this hotel.”
Erin and Christine offer to organize who wants what room among our group and figure it out with the hotel. I’m relieved to have so many people involved. Dress shopping and goofing around with my bridesmaids was fun, but I don’t care about seating charts and DJ playlists.
“I’ll handle it,” Val says when I get flustered with making decisions. “You just go hang out with your mom.”
“I should help.”
“Kerrie won’t be in town for long. You should focus on her,” Val insists and then smiles at his mom standing nearby. “My ma can help me choose stuff.”
Poppy overhears him—not a difficult task considering she’s been eavesdropping since we arrived—and smiles full of excitement. I suspect Poppy fears I’ll steal Val from the family in a way Alexis and Bullet didn’t.
Giving our moms the attention they both need, Val and I walk in separate directions. I snicker when I overhear Poppy's remark about Val smelling like candy.
Kerrie leans into me and whispers, “Duke undersold Val.”
“He’s more than hot. Val’s funny, smart, and sweet. Look, at the necklace he got me.”
Kerrie tears up when she sees the butterfly pendant. She cups my face and seems stuck between guilt and relief.
Hugging her to me, I whisper, “I’ve missed you.”
Kerrie stops eyeing Val nearby with Poppy and hugs me back. “I hate how we live so far apart. I wish you’d move up to Minnesota. But that’s not feasible with you getting married now.”
I relax in my mom’s arms, wishing things had worked out differently. Val’s family see each other every day. That’s how I always thought my life would be with my parents, grandma, and sister. But Kerrie fell in love and followed her heart. I’ve always resented her a little for making that choice, even if Clover and I were old enough to understand.
As my gaze takes in the sight of Val getting bossed around by his mom and aunts, I let go of my resentment toward Kerrie. I have no doubt I’d follow Val wherever he went. The best kind of love refuses to be reasoned with.