Chapter Twenty-Four
Charles
Only a few days have passed since she confronted Methew, and I’m staring down at my phone, typing out a quick response and hitting send.
Thank you, man. I appreciate it.
My text to Arson is quickly met with his support. No worries, man. See you soon.
In moments I'm on the road, on my way to Club Red. I know I told her I'd give the place up. And I absolutely will; I just need to make one more visit there.
I don't remember the drive or even parking as I walk up the front steps to the door of the club. The bouncer nods and steps aside, allowing me into the club, and I make my way into the front room. I see him standing there before he even walked into their room, and I make my way to his side. Touching his shoulder with one hand, I wait for him to turn before smashing my knuckles into his throat.
He grabs his neck, his eyes bulging as he stares at me with rage and hatred. Because he's bent forward, I grab his ear with one hand and pull him close with enough force to make his face contort in agony.
“You are not going to talk to her anymore. You are not going to harass us anymore. You’re not going to call me or stop by my place. Do you understand?”
He nods his head in agreement, but I need to drive home just how serious I am. “If I see you again, I won't pull my punch next time.”
Somehow his eyes widen even more as he realizes the implication of what I'm saying. With that, I let go of his ear and push him away. A couple of bouncers materialize at my elbow, and I lift both hands in surrender. But to my surprise, instead of grabbing me, they both grab him and guide him toward the door, but not before Arson steps in close and speaks into his ear.
Even though he's standing a few feet away in a loud club, I can see his lips move and know exactly what he’s saying. “You’re no longer welcome here. If you show up again, you’ll be removed by cops instead of these nice men.”
With that, they manhandle him to the front door, and he's pushed out into the sunshine. Arson heads my direction, a smile on his face as he claps me on the shoulders. “Things suddenly make so much more sense. I'm just not sure why you made my wife give me the missing pieces.”
I chuckle as he puts an arm around me and we both head for the bar. We both order a drink and he leans a hip against the bar, facing me, his expression curious.
“So, the way I see it is that Methew knocked up your girl years ago. After you left him with egg on his face, he never forgot you. Then you took his backup girl, the one that got away that he fell for that night. So not only does Methew remember you, he fucking hates your guts and wants you dead. Or suffering, at least.” He hesitates, as if hoping I'll give him some clue, but I'm not about to let him give up this fun storytelling adventure. And he continues speaking. “So he starts harassing and antagonizing you. Maybe he doesn't even care about her, but he can't let anybody else have her... and especially not you.”
That's a little hurtful, I'm not going to lie. What's wrong with me?
But I keep quiet, sip my bourbon, and listen to him speak.
“And you're the one that's in love with Alisha. Did I get that right?” He grins, and I can't help but burst his bubble.
“Sounds to me like Laurel figured it out.” I take another sip of my drink, watching as the fireworks happen behind his eyes. Then he catches on that I'm messing with him and he shakes his index finger at me.
“Okay, you might be right. Don't tell her I tried to take credit for her genius.” He chuckles, downing his drink in one quick gulp. “Is it true? You two in love and going to tie the knot? Can I expect a wedding invitation?” He’s rapid firing questions at me and my brain hasn’t even caught up to the fact that he knows the whole truth.
“I haven’t asked yet, she hasn’t said yes yet, but hopefully if everything works out, then yes.” I know my response is fragmented and disjointed, but I'm not feeling particularly articulate right now.
As it is now, I'm just now recognizing that my knuckles hurt from punching Methew. I'm not sure why I have a delayed reaction. Adrenaline maybe? But here we are.
I gently rub my knuckles before finishing my bourbon. Today has been strange all around and I have plans to make things stranger, because why not? Life is fun and crazy and what’s the point if I don’t let myself live a little?
I glance up, and right on cue, Laurel walks into the room with the bouncers.
“What the...?” Arson says as his wife and the bouncers begin clearing out the first room. Some patrons opt to leave, others venture deeper into the club, and I smile at Laurel. She gives me a wink and Arson glares at me.
“Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?” he asks.
I most certainly do not. In response, I lift my glass, realizing that the bartender refilled the damn thing. Good, I’ll need the liquid courage. Arson clearly does not appreciate my response as he gives me an I’m done with you look and makes his way to his wife’s side.
That's fine, I'm about done with me too.
A few moments later, both Laurel and Arson walk up on me. “Everything's ready.” Laurel sounds excited, but Arson just sounds frustrated.
“Everything what? What are you two planning?”
Laurel gives him a playful glance. “You think I'm going to tell you so you can take credit for that too?”
My mouth drops open and I stare at Arson, waiting to see what he's going to say next.
“You're lucky I love you,” he says, leaning in to kiss her.
“I know,” she says with a smile, kissing him again. “And you're lucky I put up with you.”
He nods his head in agreement before turning and looking at me. “That's the missing part. He knew that Alisha was working for you. That's why he was being such an asshole.”
Laurel pats her husband on the chest. “Yeah, that's what we figured.”
He looks at her again, obviously offended once more. “You guys figured that part out already too?” His shoulders droop.
“Yeah, we figured it out a little bit ago.”
He glances from Laurel to me and back again. “So what's about to happen?”
Laurel touches the tip of his nose with her fingertip. “You’ll see.”
Of course, he doesn't seem to like that answer and throws both hands up before turning to the bartender to ask for another drink. He's quickly served, and I can't help but laugh a little bit at his expense. Who knew that Arson doesn't like secrets?
Laurel pulls out her phone and glances at something, then looks up at me. “It's about time.” With that she grabs Arson’s arm and whisks him away, and I realize that the only people left in the room are me and the bartender.
A moment later, the front doors open and I have to catch my breath as Alisha walks through in a dove-gray dress and stunning sapphire jewelry. I know she loves dressing up and it's something she hasn't been able to enjoy as much as I'd like, so I'm going to spend as much time as I have spoiling her with dresses and jewels to enjoy. And tonight, she's dressed to kill.
She scans the room until her gaze lands on me. A beautiful slight smile curves the corners of her lips, and she makes her way in my direction. I notice that my heart is slamming and my mouth has never been so dry.
“What's going on?” She seems confused as she asks the question and I can completely understand why.
“All the time we've been spending together has made me incredibly happy.” I realize now that maybe I should write the script for this whole thing, because winging it probably isn't going to be the best way to go. However, I'm going to give it my best and hope I do right by her.
“You make me incredibly happy too.” She runs her hands up and down her arms glancing around as if aware of the quiet of this room without the pulsating, loud music. We can still hear the music from the next room, but the noise isn’t deafening.
Somehow amidst the large empty space, this moment still feels intimate, as if she and I are the only two people left in the world.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
“Even in a place this empty, I don't feel alone with you by my side. The moment I met you I knew that you were going to be a pain.” As I say the words, I see her eyes narrow, but her smile widens. “I now know that you're actually the missing piece of my life that would complete me in a way that I never thought possible.”
Her expression softens, and I love the way that she's focused on me speaking to her. Her hand finds her chest and rests there while her eyes shimmer and she listens to me.
“Some of the moments we shared together have been difficult, others have been absolutely amazing. But all of it has been an adventure.” I reach out and gently brush a couple of stray hairs away from her face. She closes her eyes and leans into my touch, and I gently run my thumb along her cheekbone, enjoying the softness of her skin. “I want to spend the rest of my life on an adventure with you.”
As I say those words, she turns around, hearing the news across the room. As planned, I quickly drop to one knee, pulling the ring box out of my pocket. She turns to face me again and takes a step back, her mouth dropping open in surprise.
“Will you forever be my plus one to any parties that may come up?”
She lets out a soft laugh at my question, no doubt thinking about that first party I'd taken her to, the beautiful memories we’d made, and the connection we’d shared even then, and I open the box.
She gasps as she stares down at the ring. The white gold band gives way to a beautiful solitaire diamond while two rose gold threads rise up around the diamond and meet on either side of the gem. I had chosen the ring because when I looked at the unique design, it had whispered eternity to me. Or maybe because both threads almost have an infinity pattern to them, or maybe because I can imagine her wearing the ring forever. No matter what the reason, this one just felt right and I trusted my gut.
But now, while she stares at the ring and stares at me, I can't help but wonder if I made the wrong decision. Her eyes sparkle brighter than the diamond and her breath seems to catch in her throat.
“You asked Laurel to lie to me to get me here so you could propose?” She almost sounds ready to laugh, and I wonder if she’s going to leave me hanging forever. Then again, maybe I deserve it for not being upfront and honest with her from the start. Having her best friend trick her to get her here might not have been the best move.
But then again, I'd done this gesture to be sweet, damn it. Surely she'll forgive me for this, right? Part of me wants to tilt the box slightly at angles just so the lights and the club will reflect off the diamond and maybe bring her back to this moment so she can tell me yes or no. Because as it stands, with the silence stretching out between the two of us, I'm starting to get nervous.
My palms begin to sweat, my heart beats harder, and my mouth is so dry my tongue sticks to every surface as I try to move it around. Maybe she's just doing this to mess with me.
“Of course, I asked Laurel to lie to get you here. How else was I going to make sure you'd come so I could do this?” I want to wipe away the sweat on my brow, but I'm afraid to move.
“You seem nervous. Why are you nervous?” She sounds so sweet and concerned she must not realize she hasn't answered me.
“Just wondering if you're going to tell me no.”
Surprise radiates from her and she seems to internalize a moment, as if going back through our conversation in her mind. “Didn't I say yes?” she asks, as if confused.
I shake my head no and she laughs, reaching down to take my face in both her hands and presses a kiss to my lips. “Yes! My answer is yes.” The second she says the words, I see her hesitation, but I take her hand and slip the ring on her finger. The ring fits perfectly, as if it was made just for her finger. Of course, it was made just for her finger, however, I guessed her size.
“I know exactly what you're stressing about. Give me a chance,” I say. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I queue up the video. On screen, my mom, her mom, and Evie all sit smiling.
On video, Evie waves. “Hey, Mom. You'd better say yes to Charles because he is amazing.” She rolls her eyes, a smile on her face as Alisha’s mother speaks up.
“We're all so happy for both of you, my dear. You have our blessing. You deserve to finally be happy and loved.”
And finally my mother speaks up. “Why did you wait so long to propose? You guys had better get things figured out, and soon, because we've all got big feelings about your guys' relationship, and you've been dragging your feet.”
With that, the video cuts out and Alisha laughs, turning to me. “You know, I have a feeling that your mom and my mom are going to be best friends.”
I close my eyes and nod my head yes very quickly, already aware that the pair have become fast friends. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it's certainly a thing.
“You thought of everything, didn't you?” She pulls me into her arms, and I drop my phone in my pocket.
And just like that, we begin to slow dance, with her gazing up adoringly into my eyes and I press a quick kiss on her lips. “I'm sure I didn't think of everything.”
“Well, it sure seems like you did.” She rubs the tip of her nose back and forth against mine.
“Oh, there may be one more thing.” As I say the words, she arches an eyebrow at me, and I wonder if this next surprise is going to be one she loves... or hates.
And just like that, everyone jumps out from their hiding places and shouts “Surprise!” The one missing face is going to be Evie's, but only because we couldn't get her into a bar, thanks to laws and regulations. But she’s having a great time with an equestrian trainer who is going to teach her how to ride horses.
When I'd asked her what other interests she had besides jellyfish, the next thing she'd said was horses. I have no doubt that I’m going to spoil that girl rotten, but I can't wait. She deserves every good thing that happens to her. So even though she can't be here, she's absolutely having a good time and enjoying herself, and I asked the barn to make sure they get plenty of good pictures and videos for her mother.
I know that kills Alisha to be separated from her daughter, but we can make sure that she doesn't miss too much. As people come out of the woodwork, Alisha gives me a big smile. “And the people I love are here too?”
I nod my head. “Evie wasn't able to make it because she is busy getting some horseback riding lessons.”
“Oh, she's going to have so much fun.” I see the shadows cross her eyes and I smile.
“Don't worry, I asked them to get plenty of videos and pictures of her so you'll get to see how she does.” As I say those words, she throws her arms around me and the people we love flock around us, pulling us into a big hug.
Surrounded by the people who care about us most and who we care about most, I remember what’s important. We're going to love each other as hard as we can for as long as we can.
Alisha lets out a slight belch and whispers in my ear, “I feel nauseous. And excited and scared and ready.”
I want to tell her that being nervous is completely normal - I'm nervous too. Nervous that I won't be the man she deserves, or that I’ll fail to make her happy.
I plan to spend every day for the rest of my life making sure that she's as happy as she can be. I'm not about to mess up and let her down, because I can't let her go now. I know that I can do anything as long as I have her by my side.