Faith (Hades Angels #1) (9 page)

Chapter Eighteen

It was Saturday, the day I had been looking forward to, yet dreading since Tuesday. I was beyond nervous. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go, I just wasn’t sure how everything was going to turn out. I really liked Bryce, like,
really
liked him. Could I let myself open up to him? Would I even be able to let down my walls for him? Would I ever feel comfortable enough to tell him about my past, or about what could possibly be my future? What if I jumped the gun and told him and a relationship wasn’t what he was looking for? Maybe he was just out to have fun, and I just happened to be the first girl who came into his path.

I tried to shake the nerves as I took a shower, trying not to think about anything but a night out. I would try to make the best of it. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had gone to a wedding. I think it must have been my Aunt Sarah’s when I was twelve.

I finished in the shower and checked the time. It was already one-thirty, and Bryce would be here to pick me up at four. I made sure the cats had plenty of food and water, cleaned out the litter box, and threw my dirty laundry in the washer before getting to work on my hair. I used my flat iron and tried to get it to look somewhat the way Melody had made it look the night before.

When my hair was done, I went to work on my make-up. I dusted my eyelids in a dark gray and added a little bit of silver to brighten them up. I finished with a black eye liner and mascara. I applied a light blush to my cheeks, and then I chose a bright red lipstick, and added a touch of gloss.

I stared at my dress hanging in the closet. I slipped on a strapless bra and pulled the dress over my head. I zipped the side zipper and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. The dress fit like a glove. I glanced at the clock that read three-fifteen. I took my shoes out of the closet and set them down in the living room. I couldn’t sit down so I paced. He would be here soon. I needed to calm myself down.

“Okay, I can do this,” I was telling myself out loud as my cats both sat and stared at me from the couch.

I heard a knock at the door.
Shit, he is early.

I opened the door, but it wasn’t him.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” I asked as she pushed her way in.

“Well, I have come to check on my daughter who doesn’t know how to answer her phone, or call me back.”

“So, you just show up.”

“What else was I going to do? And why are you so dressed up?” She stopped and looked me over. “Laura?”

“I have a date, and I promise I will call you tomorrow, Mom. He will be here any time now.”

“And cats, when did you get cats?” She started walking around my apartment, checking everything.

“I got them a couple of weeks ago. This is Hansel and that is Gretel.”

“Ohhh, so I have grandbabies!” She smiled as she picked up Gretel.

“What are you talking about?
Grandbabies?
Why are you bringing this up?”

“Since you can’t have children, this is the closest thing I will ever have, and you didn’t call and tell me I had grandbabies. Oh, I need to take some pictures so I can show the girls at Bridge tomorrow.” She pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures of the cats. She picked them up and started posing them so she could get better pictures.

“Mom, seriously…can we do this another time? I am getting ready to leave. Mom, they are cats. Not grandbabies.” I stood there staring at her, hoping she would just leave and stop going on about grandbabies. I had finally accepted the fact that I have had too much poison pumped into my body, and that having children at this point was not an option. Why couldn’t she?

“Stop rushing me, Laura,” she said in between taking pictures. “Oh, and have you spoken to your doctor lately? I know you have an appointment next Tuesday. Do you need me to come with?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. It’s at eleven-thirty.” I sat down on the corner of the chair. There was no way I was going to be able to get her to leave before Bryce showed up. She was too curious to see who I was waiting for.

“And that dress, Laura, I must say looks fabulous on you. It’s so rare I see you in anything other than those dreaded yoga pants and hoodies. Unless I can manage to get you to come to your father’s gatherings.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Oh, is that him? I think I hear someone at the door.” She made her way to answer it.

“Mom, I got it.” I got up to answer the door but she had already opened it.

“Hello, there. And who might you be?” she greeted him.

“Bryce. Is Laura here?”

“Oh, yes, come on in.”

“Hi, Bryce, this is my mother who was just leaving.” I smiled as I introduced them, all while hoping my mother would take a hint.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Bryce gave her a friendly smile as he held out his hand.

“It was very nice to meet you too. As Laura was saying, I was just on my way home.” She shook his hand, then turned to me. “Oh, and Laura, dear, don’t forget your Aunt Sarah and her husband are coming over for dinner next Thursday, and I expect you to be there. Oh, and bring your friend with you too. Goodbye now.” She walked out the door.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t know she was stopping by.”

“No problem. You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” I smiled when I really wanted to jump up and down like a little kid.

“So, did I just get invited to dinner with your family?” he asked me with a smirk on his face.

“That you did, and I don’t expect you to go, so don’t worry about it.”

“I would love to go.”

“Are you serious?” I eyed him warily.

“Of course. How bad could it be?” He shrugged.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was standing there wearing an all black suit with gunmetal gray pinstripes, and a button-down shirt that matched the pinstripe perfectly. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated ripping his suit right off him. Now, I was too self-conscious. He was completely fucking gorgeous.
What he sees in me, I have no idea.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked, pulling me out of the dirty thoughts invading my mind.

“Yeah, let me just get my shoes and we can go.” I slipped my feet into my heels and grabbed my black clutch off the table.

He held the door open for me as we walked out of my apartment. I locked the door and we made our way to his car.

I followed him to a blue Ford Mustang. “Ah, a Mustang guy, I definitely would not have guessed.” He held the door open for me.

“Oh yeah, what would you have guessed?”

“Hmmm, I probably would have guessed you drove either an SUV or a truck.”

“Nope, this is my baby. So be nice to her.”

“Does she like it when you talk dirty to her?” I laughed as he started his car.

“No, but she likes it when I sweet-talk her.” He smiled.

I laughed as he put the car in drive and took off toward the hotel.

“Is there anything I should know about before we show up at this wedding?” I asked him.

“Nah, just relax and enjoy yourself.” He smiled as he moved his right hand from the steering wheel and gave my thigh a quick squeeze.

We pulled into the parking lot at the hotel. “Ready?” He put the car in park.

“As ready as I will ever be.” I stepped out of the car.

He came around the front and held out his arm for me to take. “Ah, forever the gentlemen,” I said.

“Only for you.” He smiled as we walked toward the entrance. Fears and nervousness drifted away. When he touched me it was as if everything else went away. I didn’t know what that meant, but whatever it was I liked it. A lot.

We made our way into the hotel and followed the signs that directed us to the ballroom where the reception was being held. I was in awe as soon as we entered.

The reception was beautiful. The tables were draped in teal and silver linens. The centerpieces were vases full of while calla lilies with votive candles and silver and teal glitter surrounding the vase of flowers.

“Come on, let’s get a drink.”

“Sure.”

Still arm in arm, we walked to the bar where a large group of men and women were standing around. I recognized the groom right away. He was standing with his arm around a beautiful woman in a white gown, his bride. I looked up at Bryce and smiled.

We made our way to the bar. “What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

I noticed a sign on the bar top. They were serving the bride and groom’s favorite cocktails. I scanned the list, looking for something I could sip and hold in my hand that wouldn’t get me drunk.

“Peach Bellini, please.” I smiled as Bryce ordered a beer.

Bryce tipped the bartender and handed me my drink. “Shall we?” He motioned with his arm to continue walking.

“Lead the way.” I smiled up at him. My face muscles were in a serious workout. Whenever Bryce was near me, I had the biggest freaking smile on my face.

We walked around, stopping every now and then to say hi to his friends. I sipped my drink and made small talk with the girlfriends. I was surprised no one asked how I knew Bryce or how we met. I excused myself, as I wanted to go to the bathroom. I pulled my phone out of my clutch and checked to see if I had any messages. Nothing. Not surprised, so I placed my phone back in my clutch.

“Laura?” I heard someone call my name.

I stopped. No, it wasn’t me; they must be talking to someone else. I continued walking.

“Laura, is that you?” When I heard the same voice, I turned around and immediately recognized the woman standing there.

“Emily! Hi, how are you?” I smiled at her.

“Good. I haven’t seen you in forever. Where have you been? The last I heard you were sick and in the hospital. I’m so sorry I never made it to come visit you. But you know how busy it is starting college and all that.”

“Yeah. I’m good.”

“So, are you all better or are you still sick or what?” she asked, taking a drink.

I looked around to see if anyone was listening. “Ah…no, actually, I’m fine. So how have you been?” I tried to play nice. I hadn’t seen or heard from Emily since we graduated high school. I got sick soon after graduation and didn’t have time to keep up with everyone. They didn’t try to stay in touch with me. Everyone disappeared, not only Emily, but Mark my high school boyfriend, along with Kelly and the rest of the girls I once considered my friends.

“Oh, I am great. Look, I just got engaged last week.” She shoved her hand in my face, showing me her ring.

“Nice. Who is the lucky guy?”

“His name is Jeff, and he is amazing. We met in college. He is here somewhere. It’s his brother who got married. Who are you here with?” She downed the rest of her drink and snagged another one from the server who was passing by.

“I’m here with Bryce.”

“Oh, I know Bryce. I didn’t know he was seeing anyone, though, especially after Katie. Man, did he dodge a bullet with that one. Talk about crazy. Although, I’m just glad she didn’t show up here. Shit, I may have spoken too soon.” She glanced around the room. “Nope, I don’t see her.”

“Okay. Well, maybe I will see you later. I was actually heading to the bathroom.”

“I’ll come with you,” she said, grabbing my arm as though we never lost touch.

I tried to hurry and ditch her in the bathroom, but she had finished before me and was waiting by the sink.

“Come on, let’s go get a drink.” She latched on yet again and pulled me along with her. “Oh, look, there’s Jeff and he’s talking to Bryce.” She started pulling me toward them.
Shit
. I didn’t know if there was any way to get out of the disaster that was coming.

“Bryce, you didn’t tell us you were bringing a date. And Laura, of all people. I have known Laura since high school, and we lost touch. I must say, though…definitely a step up from crazy.” She twirled her finger in the air.

“It’s okay, Emily.” I pulled my arm out of her grasp.

“No, it’s not. I feel so bad that I never came to see you in the hospital.”

“Emily,
stop
. It’s okay.”

“But Laura, you had cancer.” She kept talking, as I stood there for a second with my mouth hanging open before I turned around and walked away from them. I needed to get some fresh air. I made my way to the closest door and pushed my way outside.

I pulled out my phone and searched through my contacts. I didn’t have anyone to call. I couldn’t call Melody because she was at work, and so was Jade. I sat there staring at my phone when Bryce came up from behind me.

“Laura, are you ready to leave?” he asked.

I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded. He put his arm around me as he walked me to his car, opening my door for me before helping me in.

We drove in silence to my apartment. When we pulled into the parking lot, I already had my seatbelt off, ready to jump out as soon as he rolled to a stop.