Epilogue
Lauralyn
Three years later…
“He asked me to marry him. Can you believe that?”
I freeze in my heels, shocked. Not because Hemsworth popped the question—the man is obsessed with her—but because she sounds angry about it.
“Yes, I can believe it. You two have been together for three years, Lo. So, what did you tell him?”
“That I’m not looking to be number four on his ex-wife list.”
That’s fair.
“And what did he say?”
“That to prove I’m the one, he’s not even going to ask me to sign a prenup.”
Wow, that’s absolutely crazy. Although, it’s not crazy when it comes to Lola. She’s an amazing woman, and he’d be lucky to marry her.
“So, what’d you say to that?”
“That I’ll have to think about it.”
Think about it? “Lola!”
“What? I’ve got to make him work for it.”
I burst into a fit of giggles as I make my way toward the casino. I can’t wait to share this with Holt. But after I tell him the other news.
“Thatta girl,” I tell her. “Alright, well, keep me posted. I can’t wait to hear what happens next.”
“Will do, hon. Tell that husband of yours that the club is his if he wants it.”
What? I know Deuce has been vying for it, but he didn’t think she’d ever sell. She built that thing with skin and bones.
“You’re going to sell the club?”
“Yes, I am. Once I get hitched, I’m going to be sipping pina coladas on my yacht. I’m done wrangling the drama and drunk men.”
She is something else. And she certainly deserves to be off on a beach somewhere, being pampered by a billionaire.
“Love you, Lola. I’ll let Holt know.”
“Love you too, hon. And just so you know, you’ll be my maid of honor.”
Sounds to me like Hemsworth isn’t gonna have to work too hard. She’s already halfway down the aisle.
We say our goodbyes and I make my way through the casino, heading to the private room in back: Elysium. The place where only members and Ol’ Ladies are allowed in.
“Why can’t we go back there? I have money.” I hear some guy telling Slade who’s standing watch at the door. This happens every night. Someone wanting to buy their way into the room. Thinking that throwing a few bills around is all it takes.
“Do you know who I am?” The guy now plays his “power” card, but the Steel Sinners couldn’t care less about who he is.
“Excuse me,” I say, trying to push past the group of guys so I can get to the door. My husband’s inside and I have something important to share with him.
“Lauralyn?”
I stop and turn, freezing when I see my past has come back to haunt me. Only, his hair is thinning on top, and he has a beer gut forming.
“Shit. It is you. Lauralyn Prince. Man.” He shakes his head, his eyes roaming down my frame. “I should never have traded you in. You’re still as hot as shit.”
Traded me in? He slept with my best friend and then I broke up with him.
“You know what they say.” He gives me a creepy look. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Right, fellas?” Clearly, that wedding band he’s wearing means nothing to him. I’m so grateful I dodged that bullet.
I’m about to tell the asshole off when strong arms wrap around my waist and that familiar cologne soaks into every nerve. A shiver rocks through my shoulders as the warmth settles over me like a blanket.
Collin’s eyes shoot right up to that receding hairline of his when he sees who’s behind me, and I have to bite back a laugh.
“This fucker giving you trouble, baby?” My husband kisses my neck, staking his claim.
“Holt O’Rork?” Collin’s shoulders stiffen. “You can’t be serious, Laur. This is who you’re with? This trash?”
I can feel my husband’s body tensing behind me. I’m sure if I wasn’t standing in his way, he’d already be beating the shit out of him.
“I think the only trash around here is you, Collin.” I take the lead, having waited for the day to tell the jerk off. “You should leave now. You’re not welcome in my husband’s casino.”
“Shit. You’re a Steel Sinner?” one of his buddies says, taking a step back. They all do, except for Collin. He never was a smart one. One too many concussions on the football field.
“Slade, Torch,” my husband says and the two men flank my sides. “Can you escort this fucker out? And make sure he knows what will happen if he ever shows his face in Vegas again.”
Collin blanches, turning ghost white as he looks to Torch. “You’re the killer.” He looks like he’s about to piss himself. I can’t even hold back the laugh. Collin once thought he was the big guy on campus. Now, it looks like he wants to run and hide. He’s so pathetic.
“Got that right.” Torch steps forward. “Don’t like you disrespecting our girl. Now, you’re coming with us. And if you take your beating like a good soldier, I’ll let you live.”
Another laugh slips from my throat, and it earns one from my husband.
The guys lead the jerk away, and Deuce turns me in his arms.
“You good, babe?”
“I’m fantastic. You?”
“Couldn’t be happier.”
“I bet I know something that could make you happier,” I tease, running my fingers up his chest. My husband is the sexiest man alive. If I hadn’t been told the lies by Collin, I would’ve said yes to going to homecoming with him. I would’ve said yes to everything with him.
He pulls me in closer, tightening his hold. “If it includes my tongue between those legs, I bet you’re right.”
“I’m pregnant.”
“You’re what?” His head jerks back, eyeing me skeptically. “Is this some kind of April fool’s thing?”
Considering it’s August, I don’t see how that would be the case.
“No. It’s an I-just-peed-on-the-stick thing and it turned blue.”
I was starting to feel off, and my breasts are more sensitive than usual. Figured it was time to take a test.
“Damn, I didn’t think I could love you more, babe. But you insist on proving me wrong every day.”
I love proving him wrong about me. It’s my favorite thing to do.