Black Falcon: Complete Series Collection (63 page)

I kiss his lips and rest my forehead against his. “What am I going to do about Isaac?”

He rubs my back. “Tell him you’re with me and he needs to go home.”

I shake my head. “I can’t be rude to him. He’s my boss I still have to deal with him.”

He kisses my neck. “Fuck that job. I want you to stay with me all the time anyway.”

“I didn’t work hard for my degree to flush my first job opportunity down the damn toilet. Can we play it cool for this weekend and I’ll let him down gently Monday.”

He sighs. “We can do that, but if I see his lips touch you, I’ll rip them off his face.”

“You’re impossible,” I say.

After a few last kisses I slip on my panties and try to fix my disheveled hair. We leave the bathroom together while still adjusting our clothes and I freeze in my tracks. Isaac waits down the hall from the bathroom with the gift he had at the table in his hands, waiting for us to come out. The moment our eyes connect, he starts shaking his head and turns on his heel.

Instantly, I feel like total shit because I know what it’s like to want someone who doesn’t fully want you back. I always swore I would never be that person, yet here I am doing the exact thing I hate.

“Isaac?” I call his name as he blasts through the door to the parking lot.

He marches out towards the car, but doesn’t stop as I keep calling his name. When he reaches Lanie’s car he jerks on the locked door handle a few times before yelling, “Fuck,” loud enough for the entire state of Texas to hear him.

I touch his arm. “Will you give me a chance to explain?”

He jerks away from my touch. “Jesus. How could you do this to me? Why did you ask me to come down here if you still have a thing going with him? I ask you point blank and you told me there was nothing going on.”

Tears well in my eyes and my entire body shakes. The look on his face crushes my heart as I realize this game Riff and I played has finally caught up with me and is affecting someone else. I never meant to hurt Isaac and right now the harsh words from his beautiful lips are deserved.

I drop my head, unwilling to face him. I deserve his cruelty, so I don’t defend myself.

The wedding gift he’d bought for Noel and Lane slams into the ground at my feet, tearing open. The crystal vases inside the box shatters upon impact and shards of glass litter the parking lot.

“How long Aubrey? How long have you been sleeping Riff behind my back? Did this go on last weekend, too?”

I lift my chin and find Isaac’s usually delightful blue eyes dark and narrowed. There’s no excuse for me to be crying other then the guilt I feel as the tears glide down my cheeks. “I—I’m sss...orry.” My words are a weak stutter, but I suddenly have no control of the panic wrecking havoc on my body.

He shakes his head. “Sorry? You’re sorry. That’s the best you can do? You lead me on for nearly two weeks and all you offer is a half-assed apology.” He throws his hands out. “And that’s only because you got caught! What? Were you planning on stringing me along until he got tired of you? Because you know he will. You told me yourself he’s the biggest manwhore in the band. What makes you think you’ll be any different? That you mean anything to him?”

This is the most angry I’ve ever seen Isaac and it’s hard for me to witness the nicest man I’ve ever known lose his head right in front of my eyes. The one thing I never wanted to happen did. I’ve ruined this relationship, but I love Zach. I can’t fight my feelings for him.

“I don’t know what else I can say,” I whisper, still at a loss.

“There’s nothing you can say. People at the office were right to gossip about you and call you a fucking whore.” His words tear at my heart and I bury my face in my hands.

“That’s enough!” Zach’s voice cuts across the lot and I suck in a quick breath. “Don’t you say another goddamn word to her or so help me...”

Isaac laughs. “So help you what? She’s
my
date. I can say what ever the fuck I want to her, so butt out!”

“She is mine,” Zach growls as he steps between Isaac and me. “And she’s been
mine
long before you ever came into the fucking picture. She’s only with you because I couldn’t get my shit together. You were a distraction.”

Isaac’s eyes narrow. “Whatever. You’re probably right. She’s not worth it anyhow.”

Without warning, Zach draws back and blasts Isaac square in the nose with his fist, shattering Isaac’s glasses. Isaac grabs his face as blood pours from his nose while shock registers on his face. “Don’t you ever talk about her like that again you son-of-a-bitch.”

“Not a problem.” Isaac’s watering eyes flick to mine. “Aubrey, you’re fired. Don’t bother coming back to the office. I don’t ever want to see your face again. I’ll have your personal belongings shipped to you.”

I nod as the realization I’ve lost more than my companionship with Isaac hits me hard and tears flood down my face.

Zach watches me cry and he growls, “Shut the fuck up and leave already you fucking Ken doll want-to-be or I’ll make sure you never speak another word to her or anyone else ever again.”

Isaac shakes his head and throws his hands up in surrender, clearly not wanting to test Zach’s threat.

The tension in Zach’s drawn fists relaxes as Isaac heeds his warning and walks away. Tears keep falling as I hate myself for being an awful person, but know deep down being with Zach is the right thing to do.

“Don’t cry.” Zach pulls me into a tight hug, wrapping his strong, tattooed arms around my small waist. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

I sniff. “Me too, but if that’s the price I have to pay to be with you, I’d do it all over again.”

“I want you to know, I meant what I said earlier. I love you with every inch of my broken soul. I know it’s a mess, but I’m giving you all the pieces, hoping you can make sense of it. I love you, Kitten.” He kisses my lips and warmth surrounds my entire body and a sense of security flows through me as we stay wrapped in one another’s arms.

I
fluff out Lanie’s wedding dress as we stand in her kitchen waiting for the signal it’s time for her to walk down the aisle. Her dress is bell shaped, showing off her naturally tiny waist and slim arms. The side of the dress has black designs in the tulle and looks very befitting for a rocker wedding.

This is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen her. She’s practically glowing.

“I wish they’d hurry up. I’m starting to sweat,” Lanie complains as she fans herself with her hand to keep the newly applied makeup from melting off.

I lift an eyebrow because I think the temperature is perfectly fine. “It’s not hot in here. You’re nervous.”

She shrugs. “It could be, I guess. I’m thinking it’s because my hormones are all out of whack.”

What dumb luck. “Oh, damn. Did you start your period? That will so suck for the honeymoon.”

She shakes her head and giggles. “I won’t be having another one of those for a long time.”

My eyes widen as a grins spreads across my face. “You’re pregnant? I knew it!”

“Shhhh!” She laughs. “Yes! But no one knows except for our parents and now you.”

“Oh, my god!” I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight. “I’m so happy for you. I’ve been having the feeling you were. No wonder you wanted to rush this wedding along.”

Lanie steps back and pats her flat stomach. “Who knew I would be the one having a shot-gun wedding.”

To say I’m stunned is an understatement, but I’m still ecstatic that everything is finally working out for them. I know she’ll be a great mother.

A throat clears behind me and I turn around.

Noel’s father and Zach walk into the kitchen together both sporting black tuxedos. Zach is dapper with his hair styled into a short all-black Mohawk to match his outfit. His eyes rake over me and linger on my chest a few seconds too long before we lock eyes.

He lets out a low whistle. “You two look amazing. Lanie, Noel is going to lose his shit when he sees you.” He leans in and gives Lanie a peck on the cheek. “I’m really happy for you guys. You’re perfect for each other.”

Lanie smiles and touches his arm. “Thank you, Riff.”

Zach steps back and wraps his arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side.

Noel’s father takes his turn hugging Lanie and whispers into her ear. I think it’s sweet of Noel’s father to walk Lanie down the aisle since her own father had passed away last year. I know she would give anything to have him here today.

Mr. Falcon pulls back and kisses her other cheek. “You’re father would’ve loved to be here.”

A tear leaks from her eye as she quickly grabs a tissue from off the counter and blots her face. “I miss him so much.”

“I know you do, kid,” he tells her.

Emotions flood me and a lump in my throat builds but I swallow it back to keep her from turning into a complete mess five minutes before she says her vows.

Lanie smiles at Zach and me with tears still in her eyes. “I’m glad you two have finally come to your senses and stopped all this craziness and admitted you have feelings for each other. It’s good to see that you’re finally together.”

I laugh and try to lighten her mood. “You’re just happy we’re not going to make your wedding all tense.”

“That, too.”

Zach clears his throat again. “They sent us in here because they’re ready to start.”

Lanie raises her eyebrows and smiles so wide I can nearly see all of her teeth. “Let’s do this.”

“Shall we?” Zach pokes his elbow out towards me.

I tuck my arm through his and stare down at my black bridesmaid dress as I make sure everything is in order before he opens the door and leads us through. The humid evening air of the Texas summer blasts into me as we walk down the hill to the dock and I’m glad I chose an up-do for this event. The sun set in the horizon is the perfect backdrop to make the ceremony magically. Candles flicker all around, providing light while accentuating romance. The sound of Noel’s voice signing a pre-recorded acoustic version
Faithfully
covers the landscape as it plays through the surrounding speakers.

Nearly one hundred wedding guests line the flower covered path at the bottom of the hill. The dock was too narrow for all the guests to sit on, so the wedding planner set up most of the white folding chairs on the grass just before the entrance to the dock.

Trip and Tyke grin at me from the dock entrance, manning their positions as ushers to make sure we don’t trip and bust our faces walking over the threshold. Tyke’s blond hair is styled back off his face while Trips shaggy, black hair falls into his, making his green eyes really stand out. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Trip without something covering the top of his head. If I didn’t know better, I would think there’s a real gentleman inside that tux.

White and red roses line every inch of the wood railing all the way to the end of the dock. A small landing sits at the end, allowing enough chairs for Lanie’s and Noel’s immediate family an intimate seat at the union. A beautiful floral archway filled with more roses creates a backdrop for the ceremony with Noel in his traditional black tux standing underneath it. The pastor stands next to Noel with a Bible in his hand ready to officiate the ceremony.

Zach places his free hand on top of my hand that’s looped through his arm while we walk slowly down the dock. “I can’t wait to do this with you someday.”

I swallow hard and my eyes grow wide. Something so romantic coming from him takes me back.

Zach chuckles as he takes in my shocked expression. “I mean, way in the future, of course.”

A light breeze scoots across the lake and blows my dress around my feet as I peer up at him and smile.

The thought of being with him forever causes my heart to pause for a split second. While we’re nowhere near being ready to make such a huge leap together, it’s nice to know he’s taking our relationship seriously this round.

At the end of the dock, we part ways, and Zach claps Noel on the shoulder as he stands next to him.

I settle into my spot, and the wedding march begins to play. Everyone stands and turns around, directing their line of sight to the top of the hill.

Lanie makes her way down the path in her breathtaking gown, clutching Mr. Falcon’s arm tight. The wedding guests all gasp and let out a collective “aww,” as she comes further into sight. Her mom sits a couple feet away from me in a wheelchair with her injured leg in a cast straining her neck to get a better look. She blots her eyes and lets out a quiet sob as she takes in how beautiful her little girl looks.

Noel’s face lights up as he refolds his hands in front of him while he anxiously waits for Lanie to join him by his side. I smile, knowing he’s perfect for her.

Riff catches my eye and mouths, “I love you,” to me.

The caring part of him is what pulled me in. I knew it was in there, and it’s my job as the woman in his life to help him explore it. I grin at the thought of how special those tender words are coming from him before mouthing it back.

When Lanie makes it to the end of the aisle, Mr. Falcon gently unfolds her hand from around his forearm and guides her hand into the crook of Noel’s arm.

Noel’s gaze never leaves Lanie’s face. It’s in that moment I truly see how much love he has for her. While their relationship has had a rocky path to get to this happy point, kind of like Zach and me. Things for them will work out because they love each other, and as they say, love conquers all.

Lanie hands me her bouquet and joins hands with Noel.

“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here together in the presence of family, friends and loved ones to unite Noel Falcon and Lanie Vance in holy matrimony...”The pastor proceeds with the ceremony while my best friend stares into the eyes of the man she loves.

A tear wells up in my eye and before I know it, I’m batting them away like crazy. I’m happy for her, but it also saddens me to know that our friendship will now change. We’re growing up and she and Noel are starting a family of their own.

Noel grins as he answers, “I do.”

The same vows are directed to Lanie and she half laughs while crying as she answers, “I do.”