Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
With a glass of bourbon in his hand, Tristan leaned his back against the bar and stared out at the crowd.
They were at Moody Days Jazz Club which Nyla, Cree’s sister, owned, celebrating Cree’s birthday.
She had rented out the place for the night, and though Tristan had expected a small gathering, there were a hundred and twenty-five people in attendance.
Tristan rarely went out to clubs or parties, but he could honestly say he was having a good time.
The party was jumping. There was plenty of food, drinks and a popular DJ, who’d been flown in from New York.
Cree and her sisters had done a great job party planning and decorating the place.
The black, white, and silver color scheme was sophisticated and elegant, and all the guests were dressed in at least one of those same colors.
He smiled as he spotted Cree moving fluidly on the dance floor.
She was a natural, even with line dancing as she personalized some of the steps while staying in sync with everyone around her.
How she moved with such grace in those super high heels was a mystery, but what really made her stand out was her outfit.
She looked like a goddess in the daring, off-white jumpsuit that showed way more skin than Tristan preferred.
The front of the garment crisscrossed over her breasts, leaving part of her torso and stomach bare, and her back was exposed.
The outfit was hot, and so was she.
“You haven’t taken your eyes off her since I got here,” Bethany, who was wearing all black, said over the music as she approached him, carrying a glass of wine.
“She makes it hard to look away,” he said of Cree and wrapped his arm around Bethany’s shoulders, drawing her close. “Having a good time?”
“I am. It’s a nice party, and Cree’s siblings are cool.”
“They are, and I’m glad you and Quincy were able to make it.”
“Yeah, me too.”
The day after he and Cree returned from Atlanta, he and Bethany had met for lunch at her request. Tristan couldn’t remember the last time he had spent time with his sister without arguing about something.
Yet that day, they’d had a good conversation.
She had apologized to him for her behavior over the last few months, promising she wasn’t as bratty as she’d been acting.
Like him, she was pivoting, trying to figure out her next steps and what else she wanted to do with her life. He understood the headache that came with that, especially when you weren’t quite sure what you wanted to do.
During that conversation, he had also found out she had moved out of the condo in Philly.
She had also found her own place in Chicago that she was moving into shortly before Thanksgiving.
Which was good timing since his parents had found a new home, and Tristan had accepted an offer on the family house.
But what really shocked Tristan was when Bethany had asked to officially meet Cree so she could apologize to her. The three of them had dinner together, which went well, and Cree had invited her and Quincy to her birthday party.
“Oh, I gotta go. Our brother is waving me over, probably wanting to introduce me to yet another person. He’s been networking from the moment we arrive, and he’s forcing me to do the same.”
“Aww, it must be rough being you,” Tristan cracked and dodged her when she swatted at him. “Make sure you guys stick around. I have a surprise for Cree, and I’d like you two to be here.”
Bethany nodded. “I’m sure we will be,” she said over her shoulder as she strolled away.
Tristan had just finished his drink when he spotted Nyla heading his way. Apparently, it was time for that surprise.
“You ready?” she asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He followed her, weaving through groups of people until they neared the stage area.
He normally didn’t play the piano in public, but he thought this would be a fun surprise for Cree.
Whenever they stayed at his place, she insisted he play something for her on his baby grand.
Now he just hoped he didn’t embarrass her or himself when he attempted to play a few songs for her.
Nyla and her husband, Harrison, a talented musician who could play almost every instrument, agreed to help him out. Tristan would play the piano, and Nyla would sing while Harrison played the drums.
When they reached the stage, Harrison was already in position, and Tristan gave him a fist bump before taking a seat at the piano. Suddenly, his nerves were getting the best of him, but he took a deep breath, then released it slowly.
The DJ cut the music when Nyla walked up to the mic. “Excuse me. May I have your attention?” she said and waited for everyone to settle down. “On behalf of my sister and our family, thank you for coming out and celebrating Cree’s birthday with us tonight.”
Cheers went up around the room, and when Tristan found Cree in the crowd, her eyebrows shot up. He gave her a head nod and grinned. By her surprised expression, it was clear Nyla hadn’t told her the plan. Good.
“We have a special treat tonight. In case you didn’t know, Tristan Whitmore is in the house!”
More cheers exploded through the space, and it was almost deafening. Tristan stood slightly and gave a wave before he started playing around on the keys.
“Many of you probably know him as a super star football player, but he’s so much more.
He also has skills on the ivories. Of course, he’s not as good as me, but he’s not too bad.
” Everyone laughed before she continued.
“But seriously, he’s so good on the piano that he decided he wanted to play a few songs for Cree. Isn’t that sweet?”
There was laughter and clapping, and once that died down, Tristan glided his fingers over the piano keys, punctuating every note as he started with “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.
He and Harrison did that song as an instrumental, and Nyla didn’t sing until Tristan started playing, “I’ll Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. It was one of Cree’s favorite songs.
His last song, “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, was the only one he had actually been planning on playing.
As Nyla sang along, her incredible voice as clear as if Alicia Keys was there herself, Tristan closed his eyes and got lost in the melody.
The song was a testament of his love for Cree and one of the first songs he learned to play on the piano.
Only a few people knew he had taken piano lessons while also playing football.
He still remembered how he’d wanted to take lessons as a kid, but his parents had barely been able to keep him and his brother in sports.
So once he had his own money, and a little free time, he purchased a piano and hired a piano teacher.
He currently didn’t play as often as he used to, but he was glad he hadn’t lost his touch.
When the song ended, he stood and gave a wave and a slight bow.
The room exploded in applause. That’s when he noticed most people had their phones out taking pictures or maybe even videotaping.
It had been awhile since he’d been in the media or saw posts of him on social media.
He didn’t mind, but he hadn’t considered that when he decided to play tonight.
He could only imagine what type of comments would come with those posts.
Once the crowd calmed down, Nyla started to speak into the mic, but Tristan stopped her with a hand on her arm. “May I say something?”
She smiled and gestured for him to go ahead. Before he could say a word, someone yelled, “Way to go, Whitmore!” And Tristan laughed.
“Thank you all,” he said, still waiting for the room to get a little quieter before saying more.
While he waited, his gaze collided with Cree’s, and his heart turned over in his chest. The love glimmering in her gorgeous eyes stoked something so powerful and sensual inside of him.
Something Tristan couldn’t put a name to, but it was more than love.
The sensation was so intense he had to grab on to the mic stand to keep his knees from buckling.
Everything around him disappeared as he only had eyes for Cree. She was a few feet from the stage now, and she had her hand on her chest as she stared at him.
God, this woman…
Tristan felt so blessed to have her in his life, and he fell more in love with her with each passing day. He was looking forward to spending the rest of his life showing her just how much she meant to him, and he was never letting her go.
“She’s probably going to kill me for this,” he finally said into the mic, “but I’d like for my wife to come up on stage.”
A gasp sounded from behind him, but Tristan didn’t look back at Nyla. His gaze stayed on Cree as quiet murmuring went around the space, people glancing around trying to figure out who he was claiming to be his wife.
When Cree finally moved away from the crowd and headed to the stairs, her guest realized she was the wife he was referring to. The room erupted with a chorus of gasps, cheering, screaming, and clapping.
“Oh my God!”
“Whaaat?”
“Cree’s married?”
“You go girl!”
Seemed everyone was talking at once, but Tristan’s attention was only on one person. He moved to the stage’s stairs to meet his wife.
My wife, he thought.
He had a wife, a beautiful, sexy, loving wife, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his mouth when she came into view. Thanks to her, he’d been smiling all the time lately.
“Hey, beautiful.” He extended his hand to her, and a sexual charge shot up his arm at her touch. She felt it too if her grin was any indication.
Holding on to him, she carefully climbed the stairs in her sky-high heels. “You were incredible, baby,” she said and cupped his cheek before kissing him thoroughly. “Best birthday present ever. Thank you for playing for me.”
“My pleasure,” he said, and walked hand in hand with her toward the mic.
He wanted to tell the world how much he loved this woman, but he’d start with just telling her friends and family who were in attendance.
They stood at the mic until everyone quieted, and then Tristan lifted his and Cree’s joined hands and said, “Years ago, I met a beautiful, sexy, outspoken woman at a night club, and at first, she wouldn’t give me no play. I think I asked her to dance, and she said something like, thanks, but no.”
Tristan, along with those in the crowd, laughed at the memory.
“But I’m not one for giving up easily. Let’s just say, by the time I left that place, I had her telephone number. And that night, after getting home late, I called her and we talked until the wee hours of the morning.
“I knew then she was going to be mine, but if you know Cree, you already know she didn’t make it easy. It took awhile for us to get to this point. I’m talking years!”
He glanced down at her, and she grinned up at him. Like him, she was probably remembering all that they’d endured during those years, but they made it back to each other.
“I didn’t give up, y’all. A week ago, I professed my undying love to her, and then I asked her to marry me. She said yes. Then the other day, we did the deed, and tonight I’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Tristan Whitmore.”
Cheers and applause exploded throughout the space, and Tristan pulled Cree into his arms and covered her lips with his. Though he was hungry for so much more than a kiss, he took his time loving on her mouth, soaking up her sweetness as their tongues tangled.
Yes, they didn’t get to this moment easily, but Tristan was confident they’d make it this time. They were going to be okay, and if trouble came their way again, they’d handle it… together.
When the kiss ended, he lowered his forehead to hers. “I love you, baby.”
She flashed him a smile that melted his heart. “I love you more, and you’re right. We made it.”
Nyla approached them first. “I can’t believe you got married!” she squealed, and her face broke out into a huge grin. “I’m so happy for you guys! Congratulations, sis!” Then she launched herself at Cree and would’ve knocked her to the floor if Tristan hadn’t been there to catch her.
The sisters hugged and laughed and within seconds, Cree’s other siblings, as well as his brother and sister, joined them on stage.
Neither of their parents had been invited to the birthday party since Cree only wanted her siblings and close friends at this event. Tomorrow, he and she planned to share their marriage news with their parents.
“When did you get married?” Dorian asked when she ran onto the stage. But before he or Cree could respond, their siblings started talking at once, throwing out questions and comments faster than they could answer.
“Mom, is going to kill you!”
“I can’t believe you’re married!”
“Do Mom and Dad know?”
“Oh my God! Mom is going to freak.”
“Oh how the mighty have fallen.”
Tristan laughed and accepted the hugs and well-wishes.
When Cree had suggested they stay in Atlanta a few extra days, he had no idea she would want to get married while they were there.
Though he wanted nothing more than to have her as his wife again, he had tried talking her out of it.
He thought, after eloping to Vegas the first time they married, she’d want at least a small wedding with her family this second time around.
She didn’t.
She claimed she didn’t want the headaches that Dorian was currently experiencing, and then she told him she didn’t want to wait.
She had said they were going to have some things to deal with regarding her job and maybe media attention, but she didn’t care.
All she wanted was to be his wife again, and of course he couldn’t say no to that.
He wanted to give her whatever she wanted. So, Tristan agreed to marry her in Atlanta by a justice of the peace. That day had been the second-best day of his life, only second to the first time they had gotten married.
Zion pushed past the others and approached Tristan with a huge grin on his face. Tristan started chuckling before Cree’s brother uttered a word, knowing it was going to be some nonsense.
“You’re a brave man, my brother,” Zion said, and they both laughed. “But seriously, dude, welcome to the family.”