CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CODIE
“I knew the mermaid cut was the right choice. I can’t get over how beautiful you are, Storm. Rebel is going to faint dead away when he sees you.” I clapped my hands together, motioning for Storm to turn around so I could scrutinize every angle of her dress.
She glanced down at the beautiful gown, adjusting her cleavage in the strapless top. “This feels so surreal. I can’t believe I’m getting married. So many people think it’s crazy to get married so young. It just feels right though, you know?”
Storm smiled nervously at us girls. The five of us were gathered in a makeshift tent that had been erected for us to get ready for the wedding.
The ceremony itself was taking place in the same park where Stray had chased me down.
Storm wanted to say her vows beneath the trees, their yellow and orange leaves providing the perfect autumn backdrop.
Her dark red hair had been swept up into a twist with a few tendrils hanging down around her face.
She had gone with a neutral beige eye makeup that was offset with a pop of bright red lips.
A diamond necklace borrowed from her mother hung around her neck.
The clip in her hair was something old from her grandmother.
Athena had gifted her a lovely Pandora charm bracelet as something new.
Hidden beneath her dress was the blue garter I’d gifted her.
“Honestly, I can’t imagine getting married at any age,” Athena said. “But that’s a me problem. I’m so genuinely happy for you. He better take good fucking care of you or I’ll have to take him out.”
She put up her fists, pretending to fight an imaginary Rebel. We all burst into laughter. We were almost ready.
The rest of us wore blue bridesmaids dresses. Strapless with a simple yet sleek design. I’d pulled half my hair back into an intricate braid, the rest flowing in gentle waves. My makeup was simple with pale pink lips and soft silver eyeshadow.
“Codie will be the next one to get hitched. She pretty much has to after getting that tattoo.” Luna smirked, wrinkling her nose like the mischievous little shit she could be.
Ripley nodded. “Yeah, there’s no going back from that.”
I glanced down at the ink on my wrist. My first tattoo. The letter S wrapped around the letter C, both letters in beautiful script. Stray had the same one. We got them a week ago.
Possibly a reckless and rash decision on my part. It had only been a couple weeks since he chased me into his backyard. We’d been almost inseparable since. Spending every night together and almost every day. Waking up in his arms felt incredible.
Now we were firmly on the same page. Committed to going forward and seeing this crazy relationship through. We had something magical here. Together we explored the darkest parts of ourselves and each other. There was no one else I would rather do that with.
“He hasn’t asked me yet. It’s way too soon for that. We’re not in any rush.” I smiled wistfully at the tattoo, feeling ridiculous but happy.
“Is that why you’re moving out on me and leaving me all alone?” Athena pressed the back of her hand to her forehead in dramatic fashion.
“Rude,” Ripley quipped. “I’m moving in next week. You won’t be alone for long.”
Even though she’d been living with her mother, Ripley had jumped at the chance to move out of her mom’s house. They didn’t get along well. That made me feel a lot better about moving out. As much as I loved living with my friend, I wanted to take this next step with Stray.
Of course that meant living with his friends.
The house was big enough for all of us, and I didn’t expect him to kick them out because of me.
It would give me a chance to get to know the other Kings better.
Although Stray had offered to throw them out, I told him no.
I didn’t want his friends to hate me. When we finished up with school next year, we could revisit the idea of living alone, just the two of us.
“How’s it going in here?” Rebel’s voice made us all jump.
I rushed over to the tent door, shoving him away before he could enter. “What are you doing? Get out of here. You know you can’t see the bride before the ceremony.”
Rebel grinned. Even I had to admit he looked damn good in his suit. His brown hair with a blonde streak in front had been freshly cut and styled.
“Oh please. That’s a ridiculous old superstition. I don’t buy into that shit.” He jokingly made an attempt to peek around me into the tent.
I shook my head, having none of it. “Nope. I don’t care. Get going. Away from here.”
I shooed him away with my hands, flapping them wildly until he retreated.
We were only a few minutes away from getting started now.
Everyone was seated. The officiant stood beneath the vine wrapped arch at the end of the makeshift aisle.
Storm’s stepfather waited nearby to walk her down the aisle to Rebel. It was all so exciting.
“Don’t worry,” I said, popping back into the tent. “I got rid of him. Are you ready?”
“I think so.” Storm tightly twisted her fingers together. “I’m so nervous. What if I trip and fall on my face in front of everyone?”
“That’s not going to happen. Everything will be just fine.” Athena took her role of best friend seriously. She stood in front of Storm, gently smoothing a loose hair back behind her ear. Clasping Storm’s hands in hers, she said, “Breathe with me.”
The two of them did some deep breathing exercises in an effort to calm Storm down. I couldn’t imagine what she was feeling. If I ever did get married, I may have to elope. I wasn’t sure I could handle this kind of pressure.
“It’s time,” Luna announced. “We better get moving.”
I placed Storm’s fancy bouquet of black, white, and red flowers into her hands before picking up my smaller bouquet. When I emerged from the tent, I found Stray waiting for me. He cleaned up damn well.
Wearing a suit, his black hair freshly combed, he held out an arm to me. “Goddamn, strawberry. If you look this fucking fantastic as a bridesmaid, I can only imagine how you would look as a bride.”
“Let’s not get too carried away,” I laughed. “One thing at a time. We still have to try living together.”
The rest of the girls emerged, each pairing up with one of Rebel’s friends. As the music started, we got into position. Luna and Casper went first followed by Dominik and Ripley. Stray and I were next.
As we made our way down the aisle, Stray leaned in close and whispered, “I’m going to marry you someday, Codie Edwards.”
My insides lit up. A rush of joy that made me feel like I would burst. I saw in his eyes that he meant every word.
As the maid of honor, Athena came last with Auryn at her side. Being Rebel’s closest friend, he was the best man.
We all waited eagerly, watching for Storm.
The music played, an edgy version of “A Thousand Years” on an electric guitar.
Storm appeared on Larry’s arm. She glanced around nervously, her gaze travelling over the many guests from both families and fellow students from school.
Then her eyes locked on Rebel, and her nerves seemed to fade.
Storm reached the front, and Larry handed her off to Rebel. The two of them clasped hands, staring deep into each other. The officiant spoke, going through the vows and having them each recite their vow to one another as they exchanged rings.
I felt myself tearing up. Tugging a tissue from my cleavage, I daintily dabbed the corners of my eyes so as not to ruin my makeup.
In the front row, Storm’s mother openly cried.
When the officiant announced them as husband and wife, Rebel tipped Storm back and kissed her like his life depended on it. A cheer went up from the guests.
It didn’t take long for the ceremony to turn into a wild party. Now that the formal part was over, everyone was ready to let loose and celebrate. We all moved from the park to a hall that Larry had rented. A live band played on the stage. An open bar in the corner kept everyone plied with alcohol.
Most of us had changed from formal wedding wear to something more casual. I’d exchanged my bridesmaid dress for a little black baby doll style dress. Stray ditched his suit for jeans, a T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. A bad boy look that he wore so well.
Several people took turns giving toasts and warm wishes to the bride and groom. Rebel’s parents presented them with the gift of a down payment for a house. As the night went on, the revelry continued until some people were literally falling down drunk.
I danced with the girls until my feet ached. Stray’s watchful stare followed me around the dance floor as he lingered near the bar with his friends. Rebel and Storm were highly sought after as everyone wanted to give their personal congratulations and gifts.
When I finally needed a break, I joined Stray. He held out a drink to me which I readily accepted, downing half of it in one go.
“You should come and dance with me.” I affected a dramatic pout.
“Stray dance?” Auryn snickered. “Now that I would like to see.”
Stray promptly punched him in the gut. “I can dance. I choose not to.”
“Come on,” I whined. “Just one dance.”
The band changed songs as if right on cue. As Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” started, several couples made their way to the dance floor.
I chugged back the rest of my drink, handing the empty cup to Stray. Backing toward the dance floor, I said, “All right then. If you insist on making me dance to a slow song alone, someone else will take your place.”
“Maybe even me,” Auryn taunted, earning himself another punch.
“Hopefully you’re too drunk to remember this,” Stray muttered, shoving my empty cup into Auryn’s hand.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me onto the dance floor and into his arms. Feeling victorious, I drunkenly grinned up at him. He rolled his eyes before dragging his lips across mine in a teasing kiss.
Stray wasn’t a bad dancer at all. Together we moved to the music, swaying gently while holding tight to one another. Surrounded by other couples doing the same, I felt a little giddy. I also felt a little loopy. More so than just alcohol.
Peering up at Stray, I asked, “Did you do something to my drink?”
My tongue felt heavier than it should have. My entire body began to tingle.
“Would that be a problem?” Stray quirked a playful brow. “You’re safe with me.”
As the drug took hold, I found it more difficult to move my feet to the music. Whatever he’d done, it was hitting hard and fast now. I trusted Stray implicitly. He knew all of my secret fantasies. The strange experiences I wanted to have. Only with him.
Looking back on how our relationship had started, I knew how lucky I was that he’d been at the rave that night.
I’d been on a path to destruction. Seeking out sick thrills with sick people.
Stray wasn’t squeaky clean. He would never be the romcom hero, and I didn’t want him to be. That would be boring as hell.
Instead, he was the black market criminal. The stalker. The man who held a gun to my head while he fucked me. My perfect match.
When he scooped me into his arms, the room spun around me. I giggled, looping my arms around his neck as he carried me from the hall.
“Don’t worry, strawberry. I’ll take good care of you.”