Exposed: Book One of The Love Seekers Series (37 page)

And then something occurred to me. “What are you really afraid of?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter.” I’d been sitting on end of the bed, and moved to sit next to her. Nudging her, I pleaded, “Talk to me. Please.”

“I just…A lot of my single MG friends find that after they start dating someone, the other party eventually realizes they can’t handle someone who’s sick. Chronic illnesses don’t go away. And for a lot of people, it gets really old really fast. Cancelling dates last minute, because I’m not having a good day. The walker, the cane, the meds, the fatigue, and all the doctor appointments.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of being with you?”

“No, but—”

“Yes, you are.” I chuckled. “We really need to work on your self-esteem. When you finally land the guy, you’re supposed to sit back, enjoy it all, and be happy. I don’t care about any of that. If you want me to go with you to doctor appointments, I will. Hell, it might help me understand everything a little more. If you have to cancel our dates, I’ll come over and take care of you. And if you have to take a nap or lie down because you’re feeling fatigued, I’ll lie down with you.”

She furrowed her brow in confusion. “How?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, how can you do all of that? You don’t even live here.”

Grinning, I wrapped my arms around her, and lifted her onto my lap. “Well, even if I wasn’t transferring to Charleston, we’d make it work somehow.”

I saw the moment everything clicked. A smile slowly formed, tugging her lips upwards. I loved her smile, the way her eyes seemed brighter with a little more gold when she honestly felt happy. There was so much about Emma Taylor I still needed to discover, and I estimated it would take a lifetime to find out what made the woman I loved so unique.

“You’re transferring?” she asked. Eagerness lit up her expressive eyes. She wanted this, wanted me to transfer. Maybe some of her hesitation sprung out of her uncertainty over the physical distance that would’ve separated us. 

“Yes. Two more months and I’ll be here full time…or as full time as the Navy allows me to be.” My own smile grew, mirroring hers, and I leaned down to kiss her again, feasting on her lips. And now that she had her medicine in her system, I could dine on her.

If only we didn’t know Mel.

In the middle of our kiss, my phone started to ring. I ignored it, intent on kissing my girl. Another ring. Based on the ringtone, Mel decided to be insistent this morning. I didn’t care if it was her wedding day, Emma in my arms was heaven on earth, and I was reluctant to let her go. 

I ignored it again, but seconds later, another call.  This time Emma’s phone started to ring, and a second later, mine joined hers, this time with my sister’s ringtone.

A man’s ego could be a delicate thing. In other words, it hurt a man’s pride when his new girlfriend laughed with his tongue in her mouth. But, that was exactly what happened when our cell phones kept ringing. As they both began ringing simultaneously for a third time, she couldn’t stop giggling and our kiss was cut short.

“You know they won’t leave us alone, and if I don’t start getting ready, I won’t make it to Mel’s on time.”

“Five more minutes.”

“Mel will probably drive over here if we don’t answer.”

“We’ll barricade the door.”

“I’m in. We can skip the wedding.”

Groaning, my forehead fell to her shoulder. “Fuck! We can’t. I’m going to need help moving into my new place.”

“I thought the Navy paid for all that. Always did for my dad.”

“They do, but I’m going to need to buy some new furniture. I planned on putting Luke to work. Plus, Mel knows my parents. They’ll kick my ass if I don’t show.”

“Big bad Navy man afraid of his parents.”

“More afraid of Mel. She’s scary.”

Emma stated laughing again. “She seriously is.”

The fourth time they rang, I unwound myself from Emma’s body and grabbed my phone from the floor. Fucking Mel and her demands. The fact she knew my sister, only made it worse.  Before Emma’s own phone sent the call to voicemail, she answered. I left her in the bedroom to deal with Mel, while I went into the kitchen to make coffee and deal with my sister. “What do you want?” I demanded.

“About time you picked up your phone.” Rayne’s snooty tone was not lost on me. I pushed down the urge to reach through the phone and strangle her. What exactly was her problem with Emma anyway?

“Did you need something, or did you feel like giving me attitude before I’ve even had my coffee?”

“Rawr.” She mimicked a pissed off cat.

“What the fuck do you want, Rayne? You’ve got three seconds before I hang up.”

“Fine! Don’t get your panties in a twist. I called because Mel asked me to try your phone. Apparently she’s been trying to call you and that girl all morning. She got worried when no one picked up.”

“That girl is Emma, and we’re both fine. We couldn’t answer because I was helping her do something, and the phones were in the other room.” I’d always been a pretty good liar when it came to my sister—for the most part—so I prayed she bought my story.

“Yeah, sure you were.”

“I’m serious about what I said yesterday, Rayne.”

“It’s not like she’s going to stick around long enough. You’ve introduced me to girls before and they never lasted beyond that. What’s the big deal about her?”

“The big deal is I love her and plan on spending the rest of my life with her. If you don’t like that, you better start looking for a way to deal with it.”

“Bryan—”

“No. That’s how it is. Period.” I hung up before she could say anything else.

Damn it!
My emotions were all over the place this morning. Scared, relieved, happy, ecstatic, irritated, pissed off, and every other fucking emotion in between. I would’ve probably thrown my phone if I didn’t have a use for it.

I couldn’t understand why Rayne had a problem with Emma when they’d never met before. Had Mel or Luke said something to Rayne that my sister took offense to? No. I knew Mel better than most, and I believed beyond the shadow of a doubt, she’d never said anything derogatory about Emma. So then what the hell was Rayne’s issue?

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I released a sigh and sagged against the kitchen counter. I loved my sister, and no matter what happened in life that would never change. But Emma…this was different. If I lost her, part of me would disappear as well.

“You okay?” her voice called out from behind me.

A slow smile appeared on my lips as I turned around. Being with her, having her here, lifted a weight off my shoulders, and my mood instantly brightened. How did she hold so much power over my mood? I neither knew nor cared. This was the affect she had on me, and I embraced it.

Walking around the counter, I carefully pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly as I kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, just a small sibling squabble.”

“You sure?” she asked, her concern evident in her tone as she returned my embrace.

“I’m sure. She’ll get over it.”

“What happened?”

I opened my mouth to speak and snapped it closed. Finally, I admitted, “I don’t know. A bee flew up her ass about something, but I can’t tell you why.”

“It’s about me, isn’t it?”

I didn’t want to lie to her, but at the same time, I didn’t want to tell her that yes, my sister had an issue with her for some unknown reason. I needed to navigate this properly, and I hadn’t a clue as to how to manage it.

***

Emma

Bryan stiffened in my arms. He said everything he didn’t want to say in that one action, but I didn’t blame him for his sister. I couldn’t. If anything, I probably understood more than he did about his sister’s behavior. First, she probably had a brother complex. Most younger sisters I had met did. Second, she probably didn’t know what to think of me. She more than likely felt unnerved by the fact I was disabled and sick. Most people found it hard to deal with illnesses, diseases, or disabilities. I was different, and her brother showed an interest in me.

To Rayne, her brother had picked someone beneath him because on paper, Bryan was the cream of the crop. A Navy pilot with a killer personality and a hero complex. He was tall, good-looking, tall, dark, and handsome. Compared to him, I was average. After I got sick, I was unable to return to work, so I tried to keep busy by writing a little as my hobby, and reading. Comparing both of us side by side, I wasn’t exactly sure why he fell for me. That said, after last night, I did not doubt him.

His hands rub up and down my spine, relaxing me to the point that I accidentally dropped my cane. I probably should have selected my walker today, but once again I chose to pretend I’d be fine with less. I knew it was prideful, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to walk down the aisle today with my walker. I didn’t want all of the pictures from Mel’s wedding to have a walker in them. It was bad enough that I, at the bare minimum, needed a cane. Using a walker, would have called too much attention to myself, and honestly, I was slightly embarrassed to have my walker in Mel’s wedding. The guests should be focused on the bride, not me.

Most of the time, I used my walker without complaint, however, there had been a few times, like today, when it bothered me to use it. People staring, whispering, pointing, and jeering. I could only ignore them for so long before the pressure got to me.

When Mel first asked me to be a bridesmaid, I gave her every excuse in the book so she would allow me to bow out gracefully, but she was pigheaded and refused my request. Thus, Id wear my bridesmaid dress with pride, and support her. I actually did want to stand up there with her, but my issue was with my walker and cane. It was precious moments like these that I wished they weren’t needed.

He continued to rub my back, but I had a feeling it might have been more for him than for me. “I’m sure there’s a lot going on right now with your parents’ divorce and Mel’s wedding. She probably feels like she’s losing everything, and you’re supposed to be her constant.” I wasn’t lying. That could very well be the reason.

“I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe,” he murmured. In his voice though, I could tell he didn’t quite believe the load of bullshit I fed him, but honestly, a lot of changes were happening in the Sampson household, which were overwhelming for someone who hadn’t experienced a lot of upheaval in her life. My understanding of the situation was they never moved, their parents had always been together, same friends throughout most of their life, same schools…nothing different. Time had changed things for her. She had a friend getting married, her brother fell in love, and her parents were getting a divorce. It was a lot to process for anyone.

“Yeah,” I agreed quietly.

As much as I wanted to stay right there in his arms for the moment—the day, the week, forever—if I didn’t leave soon, Mel would hunt me down and serve my head on a silver platter. Because when she wanted something, she got it. She was adamant about showing up at her house pronto. Reluctantly, I asked, “You going to be all right?”

His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, which reverberated throughout his body and mine. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I can’t say the same for my sister, but I promise not to shed any blood on Mel’s big day.”

“She might shed yours if you did.”

“She would.”

“Now, before she guts both of us like fishes, I need to get out of here and get over to the hotel. Can you bend down and get my cane for me?”

Bending down, he picked it up and handed it to me as I supported myself on the counter. We had no time for breakfast or coffee, and I wanted to stay in bed all day with Bryan. I both cursed and loved Mel today, because she was a contributing factor to my new relationship.

“You got it?” He made sure I was steady before he took a step away from me.

“Yeah.”

I’ll drop you off. I need to head over to Luke and Mel’s place anyway. It’s my job to make sure the groom is up. I was supposed to be there last night, but priorities and all that.” Glancing behind him toward my coffee pot, he grumbled something that I could not understand.

“What?” I saw the coffee out on the counter, but he had not been able to start brewing a pot…sadly.

“Nothing.” He faced me again with a smile and wink. “Go get your shower and start getting ready.”

His broad grin made me tingle. This man knew how to make me melt and leave me breathless. Unable to say anything else, I somehow managed a nod before I shuffled off toward the bathroom to rush through my shower as much as I could. I was moving slowly this morning, a little sore and stiff after last night’s events, but I wouldn’t have changed anything for the world. Dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, I was ready to go. My hair and makeup would be done at the hotel, as well as my interrogation. I both dreaded and anticipated seeing Mel this morning.

Chapter 37

Emma

I swear Mel possessed X-ray vision or something. After Bryan dropped me off, and insisted he walk me up to the room, the door swung open before I ever knocked. And my wonderful new boyfriend did not stick around for the Spanish Inquisition.
Coward.
He hightailed it to the elevator, and made his escape without another word.

If I’d been anyone else, Mel would’ve probably jerked me into the room, however, me being me, and the fact I had my cane in my hand, she anxiously tapped her foot on the floor as I leisurely sauntered inside. I might’ve moved a little slower due to her impatience, but, I would never admit to that even under duress or torture.

For the wedding, Mel and Luke had reserved the honeymoon suite and would be staying in it after they left the reception, which would take place downstairs in the ballroom. The room itself had a living room, small kitchen, and off to the right, there were three stairs that led to the spacious bedroom complete with king size bed, hot tub, and a bathtub big enough to fit four. If I wanted, I could use the excuse that the suite was too large and it’d take me a while to get to the couch, but I didn’t think she would believe that one for a second. Her eagerness already showed on her face.

“Will you hurry up?” she snapped, losing her patience completely.

“I’m trying,” I retorted. I wasn’t trying that hard, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Did you take your meds? Is it time for more?” Suddenly, Mel switched from annoyed and anxious for answers, to a mother hen.

“No. Just a little weak today.”

“Then why the hell aren’t you using your walker?”

“I’m fine with my cane!” I spat a little harsher than I intended. “Sorry, but I’ll be fine.”

Her eyes raked me from top to bottom as I plopped down onto the couch next to another bridesmaid, Krista, and the maid of honor, Jamie. Thankfully, Rayne didn’t appear to be in residence yet. “Maybe we should call Bryan and ask him to grab your walker for later just in case?”

The worry in her voice bothered me. Plastering on a smile, I assured her once again. “It’ll be all right. And besides, Bryan is one step ahead of you. He insisted on loading it into his car before we left.”

“Excellent. I know you don’t always like to use it, but sometimes it’s necessary.”

I swallowed my prideful retort. I didn’t want to start anything with the bride, and I didn’t want to get into it at all with anyone. I knew I needed it. I understood my limitations better than anyone. Even when I wanted to pretend they didn’t exist, I understood them. And I hated it when other people reminded me about them. “I know.”

And now that Mel had determined I was relatively okay, the time for my interrogation had arrived. She crossed her arms over her chest and her foot stated to tap again. The countdown began in my head.
Five, four, three, two, one…

“What happened last night and this morning? Bryan called and woke me up freaking out. He asked about calling for an ambulance.”

“He didn’t realize that’s how it is in the morning.”

“I could tell. I had to talk him off a ledge. Though I will admit, that part was kind of funny.”

“Glad you think so.” I rolled my eyes, but still giggled. “It was.”

“And?”

“And what?” I played coy.

The tapping intensified, and the other two girls in the room smartly remained silent. Although, their heads did swing back and forth as if they were watching a tennis match.

Huffing, Mel demanded, “Tell me! He shows up with you, doesn’t say a word to me, just kisses your head and runs away like a scared little mouse?”

“Maybe you scare him. You can be kind of terrifying at times. Plus, he said he needed to make sure Luke was awake and sober because that was the task you gave him. He also informed me you told him that you’d castrate him if Luke was late or drunk at the altar. I think he was trying to preserve the family jewels.”

“You’re not funny.”

“I thought I was. Bryan laughed at me this morning.”

“What the hell happened, Em?”

“Who says anything happened?”

“You’re not funny! Just tell me already. You left last night with Chad because you were upset. This morning Bryan calls me in a panic. So tell me.”

Her annoyance with me showed on her face as it turned an unbecoming shade of red. My fun was over. “Bryan showed up last night. I didn’t want to talk to him, but when it started to rain I felt sorry for him, and let him inside the apartment. Then he confessed, and that’s about it.”

“And you believed him? What did he say?” Mel had a romantic side that craved sweet romance and everything that went with it. Her book collection could rival that of the local library.

“Eventually I did. He said that he loved me and that he wants to spend his life with me—”

She gasped. “Woah! Hold it right there! He told you he wants to spend his life with you? I mean, I knew he confessed at the church, but to hear him do all this. Wow.”

I blinked in surprise. “Why?”

“I don’t think he’s ever told a girl anything like that before. He’s never really made long-term plans with a girl.” She fell into a chair, stunned.

Her reveal made me feel giddy like a schoolgirl. It also made me want him all that much more. Could it really be this easy? After years of searching for someone who would love, understand, and accept me, I finally found him because of a misdirected message through FaceSpace? He volunteered to help me only to fall in love with me? Did things like this actually happen? If I believed everything that had happened in the past twelve hours, then yes. However, I couldn’t help but wonder when my bubble would burst. I hoped it never did.

After that, no one really had time to discuss Bryan and I, or the status of our relationship, any further. Rayne arrived, and right on her heels, the hair and makeup people appeared with a flourish. Ignoring the daggers Bryan’s sister shot my way, we were all poked, prodded, hair pulled, face painted, and used a can of hairspray each so that our hair would not move. And then the bridal party—minus the bride—were shoved into our dresses. The whole time we were tortured…I meant, prepared for the wedding, the photographer happily snapped away, creating photo opportunities when I didn’t think one existed.

I said shoved…no, we were shoved by the various people around into our dresses. Thankfully, they were fairly comfortable, long, and gorgeous. Mel had picked wisely. Her choice for our bridesmaid dresses had sweetheart necklines with one shoulder covered in a Grecian style, and they flowed down to our ankles in a lovely periwinkle color. It was pretty, unlike the dress I was forced to wear at my sister’s wedding. Orange was not my color. I honestly believed some brides picked ugly dresses and ugly colors on purpose.

Once we were completely groomed and ready, everyone helped get the bride dressed. While the others assisted with the dress, I held the veil, and pinned it to the top of her head when she decided she was ready for it. I had to admit, I was a little jealous. Her gown was something I dreamed of wearing. When Mel and I had gone dress shopping, I found my dream dress, announcing that was the dress I would wear if I were getting married. Little did I realize, the moment she saw it, she would insist on trying it on. It was love at first sight for both of us. White, with a sweetheart strapless neckline on an A-line frame that fell to the floor in the same light gauzy material our dresses were made of. It had pearl and silver jeweled accents which lined the top of the bodice, and moved down one side to line the hips. Finally, a sash tied around the waist. Luke would appreciate the way it accentuated her curves, and then he would breathe a sigh of relief when he saw a simple zipper instead of a row of buttons. I easily pictured him pulling out a knife if the dress were difficult to remove, and then the dream wedding dress would lay dead at his feet. Then again, Mel might have appreciated his aggressive show of masculinity.

“If everyone is ready, it’s time to head downstairs to the limo,” the wedding planner announced.

It was time to attend Mel’s wedding.

I was probably more excited to see Bryan in his tuxedo than to see the groom. Not that I didn’t want to see Luke’s face the moment Mel appeared at the back of the church. I did, but Bryan in a tuxedo held a certain allure for me. Plus, I was in love with the man, and couldn’t get enough of him. Everything was still so new and exciting. Maybe with time it would diminish, but until then, I would relish in these feelings…at least until I woke up and realized I’d been trapped in a damn good dream this whole time.

I should’ve known Mel would think of me even when it came to her wedding. As each bridesmaid stepped into the sanctuary of the church, one of the groomsmen stood there ready to escort us down the aisle. Not a normal occurrence, and when my head whipped around as the first girl took her march down the aisle, Mel gave me a wink and a thumb’s up. This had been set up for me. I should be mad, or irritated, but I wasn’t. I needed the extra support today. I only wished I was the maid of honor so I could walk with the best man, who happened to be Bryan, instead of the bridesmaid in line right before the maid of honor.

And then another surprise.

I carefully stepped over the small bump in the doorway where the hallway met the sanctuary, ready to hold on for dear life to John’s arm—the groomsman who should have been my escort—only I found Bryan waiting for me.

I frowned. “Bry—”

His smile blinded me as his finger pressed against my lips to shush me, silently telling me to ask later. I would acquiesce, but later, I wanted answers. For now, I’d bask in the joy and warmth of him escorting me down the aisle, supporting me physically the same way he did the day we went skydiving.

Slowly and carefully we marched to the front of the sanctuary. He never rushed me, or tried to make me move faster. He moved at my pace, and when we arrived, he helped me into a chair that had been placed there for me. Mel thought of everything. Normally, I would have fought her on all of this. But today, I was thankful I didn’t have to risk falling while they recited their vows.

As soon as the maid of honor hit her mark, everyone in the church stood up, except me. All eyes turned to the back of the church, waiting with baited breath until the doors opened. When they did, a collective gasp could be heard throughout the sanctuary. Mel was stunning.

I tore my eyes away from her and focused on Luke, enjoying the fact that Bryan happened to be in my view as well. Luke’s jaw dropped open, his breath caught, and tears starting to form. Mel’s fiancé couldn’t take his eyes off of her. In them, the love and devotion he felt for her was on display for all the world to see.

Focusing on Bryan, I noticed he returned my stare, making my cheeks blush. Like Luke with Mel, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Bryan. I wondered, when people glanced at him, did they see love shining brightly in his eyes? I could see it, but did others? Did it really matter? Despite the newness of our relationship, I knew we’d somehow manage to make it work no matter what anyone else said or thought.

The wedding was perfect. Unable to fight them any longer, Luke let a couple tears slip while he pledged his vows. Mel on the other hand, had two raging rivers flowing down her face from the moment she placed her hands in Luke’s.
Bless whoever invented waterproof makeup.
And in true Mel fashion, when the preacher pronounced, “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Ransom,” she yelled, “Time to get this party started! Let’s get our drink on y’all!”
Only Mel.

***

After the reception, after we’d done everything we were supposed to do as part of the wedding party, Bryan, wrapped his arm around me and swept me out of the ballroom. Without my knowledge, he’d asked my sister to watch Curley for another night, which she’d planned on doing anyway.

His arm held me so tightly, he carried most of my weight, and it felt like I was floating on air beside him. After ushering me onto one of the elevators, he pressed five, swung me into his arms and carried me to one of the rooms when the doors opened. “Bryan?”

“You’re tired and I figured why drive across town when there’s this big hotel right here with empty rooms,” he said as he dropped my legs and I slid down his body.

“What about my medicine. I only brought enough for today.”

“I grabbed everything you’d need while you were in the shower. I even brought clothes for you to wear tomorrow.”

I could feel my blush coloring my cheeks. As much as I wanted him, my body didn’t want to cooperate. It was too exhausted.

He must have seen my inner struggle plastered on my face, because he leaned down and gave me a brief kiss. “Not tonight. Tonight, we are going to lie in bed, watch TV, and talk. Nothing else. You’ve been going all day and you look like you’re about to collapse. You need to rest.”

I opened my mouth to deny everything, but instead nodded. I couldn’t argue with him.

“Come on. We’ll take a bath and then get into bed.”

“I can bathe myself.”

His grin showed off his gleaming white teeth, and his wink made the butterflies in my stomach dance. “I know you can, but I this will be even more fun.” He was right.

After starting the bath water and adding bubble bath to the tub, he helped me undress. Sweeping me up into his arms, he placed me in the warm water, stripped, and climbed in behind me. God how I wished I could do more than sit there with him, but having him there, feeling him behind me…I loved these moments with him too.