Devil's Despair Box Set: Books 1-3 (72 page)

“My heart is full. You’re everything I didn’t expect and everything I didn’t know I wanted,” he told me shyly and kissed me again. “I’ll make you happy.”

“I know,” I replied without any doubt.

“Thank you for doing this.”

“Thank you for acting surprised.”

“You’re welcome.” He winked and thought his day couldn’t get any better . . . he was wrong.

Still standing at the altar, I broke the news of what was coming his way next. “Raegan says you owe her. So, at the reception, she said your payment is due.”

Raegan, hearing what I had told him, clapped her hands in excitement at my side as she balanced my bouquet of flowers in her hand. Ace smiled at her sweetly and Trav and Marlee laughed at Hayden’s expense.

“Shit,” he replied. “I’ve been married a minute and I’m already feeling like I’ve been had.”

* * *

Lacey

The reception has a few more people in attendance than the wedding did. Some of the lawyers from Brian’s firm and their wives are mingling throughout the crowd, looking lost and unsure among the younger generation’s crazy antics.

Bean’s cast of characters from bridge and bingo came to tell us congratulations and extend their apologies for Bean not being able to enjoy this with us. The rest, including Mel and Shelby, make up our core group of close friends.

I’m alone, sitting at the head table watching the dance floor with appreciative reflection. These people I hadn’t known a year ago have melded themselves as much into my life as I have theirs. I can’t remember what I was like or how I filled my days before meeting them.

Brian and Cathy are standing at the bar. He’s touching the small of her back in adoration as she smiles up at him half-tipsy from the wine she’s allowed herself to drink as part of the celebration. Brian has had nothing tonight but water, so his looks of longing and familiarity as he stares at her are all things genuine.

Ace and Rae are dancing close. His hands are positioned securely at her waist, and from here, I can see how tight his grasp on her is. His knuckles whiten each time she pulls even a hair’s breadth away from him. I never thought I’d know that kind of unwavering love. After a long and unsteady road with Hayden, I know I have it now.

Decklan and Maddux are playing tag and weaving themselves through the small crowd of guests, steering clear of Ace and Rae. Their giggles echo as they rush past me sitting alone time and time again.

Toby and Marlee are seated at an intimate table enjoying their time together.

Hayden has Olivia in his arms in the center of the dance floor. He’s swaying with her to the slow music and when the crowd parts enough for me to see them, I watch as he bends his neck and kisses her head sweetly as she lays against his chest. Watching the two of them together stings my eyes and causes a lump in my throat.

“Are you having a good time, Mrs. Flynn?” Brian interrupts my thought as he comes up behind me and places his hand on my shoulder. I turn and find him without Cathy for the first time tonight.

“I am. Are you?”

“Yes, but I’d like to dance with my daughter-in-law if she’d let me,” he states, offering his hand for me to take.

Leading us onto the dance floor, we pass Sarah and Travis. His arms are at his side as he reluctantly allows her to wrap her arms around his waist and rest her head on his chest. He allows a small smile to escape once I wink at him as we make our way past them.

“He hates this, doesn’t he?” Turning me to face him, Brian smirks as he says the words while looking at Travis.

“He doesn’t hate it, but he’s not used to it. It’s not his thing.”

His blue eyes light up and he looks down at me, asking, “Does Travis have a thing?”

“I think he looks content.”

“Sarah looks a little . . .”

“What?” I ask, moving my head in their direction.

“She’s been drinking.”

“You’re sure?”

Brian looks down, smiles, and reminds me, “I used to be a bit of a drinker, remember? Scotch was one of my favorites.” He stops, then finalizes, “She’s been drinking.”

“Shit.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. We’re all friends here, but poor Travis.”

“Yeah. Poor Travis,” I confirm, staring holes into the back of his head as he still stands motionless with Sarah wrapped around his middle.

A few minutes and my raising concern later, Hayden stands at our side alone and appears to be sulking. “Cathy took her,” he tells us.

“Son, you’re going to have a long life being a father if you don’t let go a little bit. She’s fine.”

“Cathy had a glass of wine. I saw her drink it.”

“Cathy is an adult, Hayden. Again, she’s fine.”

Hayden ignores Brian’s attempts to calm him and grabs my hand resting on Brian’s lapel. “I want to dance with Lace.”

I look to Brian for permission and he nods with a smirk. “I’ll go check on Cathy and Liv.”

“Thank fuck,” Hayden mutters, pulling me into him.

“You’re not in a very good mood,” I tell him, feeling his fingers dig into my sides.

“My daughter was taken from me. My dad was dancing with my wife and my apology to Rae is about to start in the next hour. I want to go home. I like our bubble there.”

Brushing back the hair from his forehead, I leave my palm to rest on his cheek. “I love you.”

“That helps,” he states with a sullen tone.

“I miss you.”

“That helps, too. Keep going.”

“I can’t wait to feel the weight of you on top of me again.” His body tenses, and he looks down with furrowed brows. I continue. “I’ll say your name for you when I come.”

Pushing me away, he steps back and out of reach. “Stop it,” he states loudly. “Stop doing that. That’s fucked.”

I laugh in response; he doesn’t.

Before I can think of what to say, Hayden pulls me back to him and devours my mouth with his. The room stills as I open and let him take what he’s so desperate for. The crowd around us hollers and claps, but it doesn’t deter Hayden’s attempt to grope me in front of our guests.

Brian’s voice over the speaker silences the crowd. “Son,” it starts, and Hayden pulls away like a teenager who’s been caught making out in his room on a Friday night. His dad smiles into the microphone and continues. “If I could take you away from your beautiful girl for a few minutes, I have something to say.”

The crowd laughs and I feel my face turn red from the attention. Brian breaks in with what he intends to finish. “I know it’s the best man’s place to make the toast, and I thank Ace for giving me the floor.”

All eyes go to Ace. He nods with a straight face then looks to Hayden standing beside me and nods again.

“My son and his new wife mean something to each of us, or we wouldn’t be here tonight to help them celebrate.” Brian stops, tilts his head to Hayden and lifts his glass of water. “Hayden saved my life many times and in many ways throughout his years. He knows why and how, so I don’t need to explain. Then he met a beautiful,
sweet
girl. In turn, she did for him what I couldn’t; she saved him from living his life as I had.”

Brian’s eyes start to water as his voice begins to tremble. Cathy wraps her arm around his waist and eases his tension as she does. “Hayden, your life’s potential was put on hold because of what I had let myself become. I lost focus and you suffered because of it. I gave a lot of thought about what to get you and your new family in honor of your wedding. I couldn’t think of anything more fitting than to get you something that would flourish under the care you and Lacey would be able to give it.”

Ace’s body stands straight on the other side of Hayden with Rae at his side. When I look to my right, I see Trav standing beside me. He’s got Sarah around the shoulders, resting her on the other side of him in a casual hold as she holds my sleeping daughter in her arms.

“When I asked Mel what it would take to let me buy The Ward and sign it over to you, he didn’t hesitate. Not even for a moment.” The crowd gasps and all eyes go to Mel as he stands near the exit with a smile on his now reddened face.

“No fucking way,” Hayden whispers as he takes a step back, taking me along with him.

“Hayden, son, you spent four very long years earning the rights to that business degree. It’s time you use it. Make The Ward into what you and I both know you can.”

“He fuckin’ did, brother,” Ace says, slapping Hayden on the back.

“Congrats, man,” Trav says over me to Hayden.

Decklan must not have known about this or he would’ve enlightened Hayden and me. I’m overwhelmed.

Hayden stands speechless, looking to his dad who’s now handing the microphone to Cathy, lost with so much emotion he can no longer continue his speech. Cathy clears her throat and her voice comes over the speakers next, quietly but assuredly.

“Congratulations, kids.” Cathy raises her wine glass and finishes, “I’m so proud of you, Hayden.”

Hayden kisses my cheek and lets me go. He starts walking in Brian’s direction as Brian makes his way to us. Hayden’s arms open at the same time his dad reaches out for him. The embrace is strong and expressive. I see Brian patting Hayden’s back then pulling on his shoulders to break free. Hayden wipes his face with both hands before turning back to take a quick glance at me.

No more pain, only happiness.

EPILOGUE

Hayden

I DIDN’T BELIEVE in love at first sight. I do now.

The moment my daughter was placed in my arms and opened those beautiful blue eyes that stared back at me in wonder, I knew it was possible to love someone you just met. The day I met her was the day I was born a different man; I was now a father. I look forward to telling her stories of my childhood with my friends, and how I met and fell, not so easily, in love with her mother. I’ll live my life protecting her as Ace and Travis have lived theirs protecting those they love, because I understand them now. I relate to that condition in a way I never thought possible.

I didn’t believe in love at all. I was wrong about this, too.

Lacey and I haven’t had the fairy-tale courtship you find others to have. We’ve laughed, cried, struggled, and fought but after all was said and done, I’m lucky enough to have her promised to me for the rest of our lives. Lacey didn’t give up on us, long after even I did. She filled a place inside me I knew was there all along, but refused to acknowledge it for what it was: loneliness. I’ll spend the rest of my life in her debt, and I plan to repay it by ensuring she sleeps with contentment and wakes up happy.

Love makes people crazy. This, I was
right
about.

Throughout the past year, my life has turned completely around. Not so long ago, I was a lonely man in search of nothing. I was lost amidst nameless faces I allowed to fill a void I thought was meant to be there. I wasted a lot of years avoiding ‘the one’ I was so certain would never come.

But she did.

She’s looking back at me now through the crowd of people as they start to say their goodbyes. Her smile is small, and it’s aimed for only me. Her physical beauty, which once held me captive, has become only a compliment to the beauty I see inside her. Although my wife is stunning, it’s her giving heart and kind character that binds me to her.

The slap to my back hits hard and jolts me from thought. “I don’t want to be a downer, but I want to head over to see Bean again before going home. Just want to see if she’s made any progress today.” Ace’s defeated tone is not well-hidden under the mask of casual conversation.

Remembering my groveling promise to Rae, I tell him what I need. “I’ve got a song to sing. So, you gotta let me do it.”

Ace’s eyes reflect the recognition he knows to be true. “You’re doin’ it?”

“Have to. I told Rae I’d do anything she asked after being such a dick to her.”

“Fuck, good luck with that.”

“Thanks, ass.”

Making my way up to the stage, I hop up and turn to the crowd. Most of the people here know I sing, but they aren’t going to be ready to hear the words of Elton John come from
my
vocal chords.

I take a mental note: never be at Rae’s emotional mercy again.
Ever.

The music starts and the crowd stops dancing and turns to face me. This is going to hurt, so I rip the Band-Aid quickly and start belting the verses of “Crocodile Rock” faster than the band can play them.

I want this over with.

The older members of the crowd smile, swing, and dance accordingly. Even the kids catch on and start to move themselves to the beat of the music. The generation I was born into, though, stares at me with wide, disbelieving eyes. My friends, also now known as traitors, hold their stomachs and laugh at my angered pose.

Such bullshit.

Once the song is over, Rae rushes to the stage and wraps me in her arms. “Forgiven!” she states loudly.

“Thank fuck for that.”

“I loved it! Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I tell her with little patience.

“We’re heading out. Are you sure it’s still okay for Sarah to crash here? We can take her home.”

“No, leave her. She needs a break from Ace. She looks as stressed as he does.”

“Where’s Liv staying tonight?”

I hate the thought, but it
is
my wedding night. Even though I can’t have my wife the way I want her, I will still enjoy our time alone, understanding it’s important.

“She’s staying with Dad and Cathy.”

“Dad and Cathy?” Rae’s eyes shine with mischief.

“Don’t.” I hold my hand up to stop her from talking. “I’m trying not to think about it. Cathy wants Liv for the night and I trust her. That’s all that’s happening over there. Let it go, Raegan.”

Rae kisses my cheek and smirks before she starts to turn away. “Guess Dad’s getting more sex tonight than his son is.”

God, women are fucking cruel.

* * *

“Ready for bed?” Lacey asks innocently in the same tone she’s asked before bed over the last four long weeks.

“Yeah, just left Travis and Sarah and some of the other lingerers downstairs. He’s too drunk to drive tonight.” Taking off my shoes and putting them by the nightstand, I finish explaining. “He’ll take Sarah home tomorrow morning for me so we can sleep in.”