Lost in Flames (Lost Series Book 2) (14 page)

Chapter Twenty-one

six months later

Mike shuffled from one foot to the other, rubbing his sweaty hands over his slacks for the thousandth time. The eyes of a full church, the preacher, his brothers, father, and Ryan were not what had his nerves in disarray. He didn't care about how the flowers were set up, or what the cake looked like and if it was white, marble, or chocolate. It could've been tie-dye as long as the day went the way it was meant to. He was shaking inside and out for one reason only: the love of his life was about to come through the double doors and walk down the aisle to bind herself to him for the rest of their lives. To bind him to her. He didn't have cold feet, for he'd never been as happy as he felt right then.

The time had come and he could let out the breath he'd been holding since they began the wedding process. Waiting six months had proved tough and the only reason for that was because she wanted to be almost completely healed from her wreck.

For the rest of his life, his main goal would be to please her and make her feel like the only woman on Earth who deserved his love. He couldn't wait to make her realize how much she made him whole and he prayed she felt the same.

When the melody began, he held his breath, grateful when Jacob grabbed both his arms from behind, because when that door opened, his knees weakened just as he'd feared. If not for his brother, he'd have been on the floor. The fantasies and dreams he'd had of their day never even compared to the real thing. Luckily, no one else noticed with all eyes on Tessa.

She did.

Despite the fact she was a sight to behold in the gorgeous white dress he was seeing for the first time, he didn't remove his gaze from hers. She blushed and he smiled. The rest of their lives began in that very moment. Fate had intervened the day she chose to show up in their town and he was damn happy for it. As soon as she stood in front of him, he kissed her, without really acknowledging Cooper, who'd walked her down the aisle and then walked back to his place beside Sophia and their new little one. She didn't resist and his heart swelled in his chest.

A cleared throat reminded him of where they were. "You might want to wait until I say kiss the bride."

The guests laughed and Tessa turned her head down, a grin spread across her lips. When the preacher was finished with the introduction, it was time for the vows. Mike tried hard to concentrate on all the words, but it proved too hard. Not when all he cared about was getting her home and showing her how much he loved her.

"Mike and Tessa have chosen to say their own vows, so Mike, you can start." The preacher gave a curt nod at him to go ahead.

"Tessa, I know people believe we're crazy for diving headfirst into a life together, but I don't care. Our relationship started out with near death experiences and I refuse to wait out the proper time. I know I love you with every fiber in my body and I'd do anything to be with you for the rest of our lives. You said yes when I asked you the big question and I'll admit I was surprised. And if you haven't changed your mind, I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world, to make you smile every chance I get, to make you laugh all day everyday if possible." He cleared his throat and kissed her cheek where a tear slipped down. "And these hopefully happy tears are the only ones I ever want to see from you again. I can guarantee life will still come with obstacles. I can also guarantee that we'll blow through those obstacles with the love we share. I love you, Tessa."

****

Tessa forgot all about the people watching them, and the preacher beside them. The words flowing so easily from Mike's lips filled her with joy, as well as nervousness when it came to say her own vows. She'd practiced them over and over, but her mind went blank. When he finished, she wanted to yell I do and kiss him again. They were almost there; she just had to get her vows out.

The church was beautiful and when she officially became Tessa Johnson, she'd take the time to admire the work Sophia and her step-mom put into it. All she could think about was Mike at that moment.

Suddenly, she remembered everything she wanted to say.

"Mike, if you think I'd run now, then you lost your mind." The people laughed and he raised a brow, a smirk on his face. "You saved my life, more than once. I never imagined I'd make it here, with a man I love more than I believed possible. You've already given me more than I could ever dream of. I will be more than happy to spend the rest of my life with you, through the great times and the hard times."

She paused and itched to move closer to him. The need to feel his arms around her overwhelmed her. "Words will never be enough to tell you just how perfect we are together, but I'll show it every day and will love to overcome the obstacles with you. I love you and can't wait to say I do."

As soon as the preacher said "Kiss the bride," she practically launched herself in his arms. His lips melted against hers and she hated when they had to separate. Just as well though, because she couldn't just drag him somewhere private and forget about the church full of people. From the way he stared at her, he was thinking the same thing.

With the service over, she changed into her after ceremony dress, with Mike standing outside. Not because she wanted him to, but because he had to. And Sophia was there to help, so they had no choice. It was a good thing, for they were in a church. She didn't want to burn up because she couldn't keep her hands to herself and off her new husband.

Louise, Mike's step-mom, and someone she could consider a mom, came over, with baby Emma in her arms. The curious look in the tiny baby's eyes melted her heart. She saw herself carrying a miracle like Emma or Wyatt one day. Nothing could beat something as amazing as making a baby.

"It was beautiful, you two." Louise leaned sideways to kiss Mike's cheek.

He had to lean down for her to reach and then he kissed Emma's little head. "It was. Thank you."

Louise blushed and waved it off. "It was a pleasure to be able to do this. I loved helping with Sophia and had a blast. Poor thing is tired though. I'm staying at their house tonight so she can sleep. Emma is a fussy thing at night. Still hasn't gotten her nights and days right yet."

"Well, she'll get there. I can't imagine that's easy to learn. She's beautiful." Tessa touched her head and Emma looked straight at her. "Thank you so much for everything, Louise."

Water gleamed in her eyes. "You're welcome, sweetie. I'm just happy Mike found you. Now I just need to work on Jacob and Nick and you can all have me some more grandbabies."

She laughed and hurried off before anyone protested. Not that Tessa would, but from the wide eyes on Jacob's face, who'd walked in on the tail end of the conversation, she'd say he would've protested. He kissed Tessa's cheek and hugged his brother, then everyone took their turns doing the same.

Mike pulled a box from his pocket and opened it for her. "I remember when you saw the roses at my home the first time and when I saw this at the jewelry store, I had to get it."

Inside the box was a silver necklace with a rose charm hanging from it. The diamonds shimmered under the lights and she smiled. "It's beautiful! I can't believe you remember that."

"I'll always be listening to you. Anything that makes you smile, I see it." He kissed her, before another guest came forward.

When most of the guests made it around to them, Cooper got up on stage. "This song is for the bride and groom and hopefully our wedding present."

"You don't get off that easy!" Mike yelled.

"Well, our real gift is in the mail and it might be a little late." He laughed along with everyone else. "This is a song I wrote recently and I really hope you all enjoy this. You two get up, because this is your first dance as husband and wife."

She let Mike lead her to the dance floor and put one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand. They began to flow in unison, the music helping their pace.

You call me your hero

We both know it's not true

You are the one

Who rescued me….

The words seemed to go perfectly with what their relationship had been like—even if they'd spend the rest of their lives fighting over who rescued who.

"I love you, Tessa Johnson."

"I love you too, my hero."

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ryan felt the searing stare and didn't have to search for Jacob, who was sitting with his date. A woman. It wasn't as if he didn't have a date, too, but at least his happened to be someone he was attracted to. Even so, he still knew Jacob's exact location during the whole wedding.

"Will you dance with me?" Harrison broke his concentration with the question.

Jacob stood from his seat across the room and practically strutted to the floor with his date. The closeness, and deliberate way he lowered his hands down her back was obviously for show—either to piss Ryan off or keep people from any suspicion they may have regarding his sexuality. From the sparing glances his way, it seemed all for his benefit. "I would love to dance."

He stood and they walked to the floor, close to Jacob. Suddenly, he became self-conscious and regretted the choice. The only way to calm himself was to ignore Jacob completely. Trying to ignore a man you've loved for so long wasn't an easy feat.

"Are you okay?" his date asked with a frown.

"Of course, why?" Acting unaware had to be better than telling him the truth. The fact was, he and Jacob were playing with fire.

Harrison shrugged. "You seem distracted is all. I didn't mean to sound insecure."

It was unfair of him to let Jacob distract him from a great guy. All because Jacob had waited too long to somewhat make his feelings known and Ryan had moved on. Jacob still never came out to his family, so none of what he said or didn't say mattered. He hadn't changed and Ryan wasn't waiting. "I'm sorry. I'm all yours, I promise."

A glimmer of hope showed in Harrison's eyes. "Good. I'm pretty sure I've fallen hard for you."

Ryan was an idiot. He spent all his time pining after a lost cause when he had a handsome, sweet, and openly gay man into him. Time for him to let his feelings for Jacob fade and take a chance with Harrison. After seeing each other for at least six months, he needed to open his heart to Harrison.

"I like you, too." He kissed him quickly and ignored the hairs standing on the back of his neck. What Jacob thought of him and his date wasn't his problem anymore. He would stay out of Jacob's life and live his own.

Who didn't love hearing the words: I've fallen hard for you?

****

There had never been a time when he felt hatred toward a complete stranger, and yet there was always a first. Though the man really wasn't a stranger since Ryan had brought him around too many times over recent months. The jealousy ate him up inside and he couldn't stand seeing Ryan with anyone else. Jacob always made an excuse to leave when they showed up together. It was easier that way. On both of them.

It sucked to know he was the reason he'd lost Ryan. When he'd told him he'd tell everyone the truth about being gay, he hadn't been lying, but he just didn't care as much since finding out about Ryan's boyfriend. He still wanted to tell Sophia and would when she didn't have as much on her plate with a newborn at home. Telling her at that point seemed selfish.

Or maybe a good excuse to hold it in a little longer.

He looked over at Mike and his new bride, both smiling and so happy. Jacob felt joy for them, as well as a little jealousy. In the future, he might have what they had. It wasn't going to be a breeze, but love didn't seem easy for anyone. He'd seen that first hand with both Mike and Sophia's relationships.

Things could get complicated and he'd just have to wait his turn.

Maybe one day…

Keep an eye out for the third and last in the Lost Series and see what happens with Nick, Jacob, and Ryan.

Chapter One

There he is.

Sophia Johnson twisted her hands together in her lap as she watched Sebastian Cooper. Not that anyone called him Sebastian. With his head dropped and hands covering his face, she couldn't tell if he was crying or not. She couldn't stand the thought of him crying. Not someone as strong as he.

It took every bit of her willpower to stay put. She gripped the red pew beneath her and glanced around. Not one empty spot in the church, except the space next to Cooper. Her brother Jacob walked over with his hands shoved in his dress pants and sat down beside him. Cooper looked up and said something before Jacob stood back up and left. Another person he pushed away. Now she knew the truth. Upon seeing his face, red from crying, the tears that blurred her vision spilled over.

Grandpa Cooper's funeral was the second one she'd been to in four months, the other being his grandma's. He'd lost all his last family in town. The thought of him dealing with it alone caused her chest to tighten painfully. She gave in to tempting thoughts—the ones that urged her to comfort, to get close to him. But that would never work. He'd push her away too, yet she had to try…

The Church seemed too quiet, except for the low whispers and the crackle of memorial papers that were handed out when they arrived. She stood on shaky knees and jerked her head toward Cooper when her brothers all stared at her. Jacob's face had gone pale and she hated how upset he looked. They all loved his grandparents the same, but Jacob and Cooper were closer than any of them and she saw the hurt as he glanced over to their friend. Nick and Mike gave her a small smile as she made her way toward the empty seat next to the one boy she'd loved since she was ten. Her father sat beside his wife Louise who was wiping tears from her face.

When she settled beside Cooper, he kept still and didn't peek up at her. She hesitated before resting her hand on his leg. Holding her breath, she waited for him to push her away. It seemed like hours, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds, and then he moved. His hand covered hers, grabbed it, and pulled both their hands back to his face.

The preacher stepped in front of the podium and started to pray. She bowed her head and tried to listen, but cried when something wet tingled on the hand he held tight. He was crying. Her heart shattered. Pulling her hand back, she wrapped her arms around him the best she could at their angle. Why did he have to go through this again, so soon?

He was her hero. So strong and supposed to be unafraid of anything, yet he still cried. It didn't change how she saw him. To her, he would always be that boy who saved her life and the one and only she loved.

The silent sobs slowed as the preacher finished and everyone stood to leave. She moved back but not completely when the preacher stepped over to place his hand on his shoulder.

She listened to the prayer even as Cooper stayed rigid. "Thank you."

Preacher Marcus walked away and the space around them finally emptied, except for Cooper, her and the urn with his Grandpa's ashes. Both of his grandparents had wanted to be cremated.

"I'll drive you home, okay?" It actually didn't matter if he said no. She wouldn't be letting him drive in his state of mind.

After a few moments, he lifted his head, but didn't focus on her. "Thank you, Baby Bear."

The rasp of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Anytime he spoke to her, she had the same reaction. Not that anything would ever happen between them. By him calling her Baby Bear, it meant he still saw her as the same kid he'd first met—not the adult she was becoming.

He stood and walked over to the urn sitting on display with a picture of his grandpa beside it. Grabbing the urn, he took short steps toward the door.

She followed him. It felt right to be beside him, even if he stood six foot two compared to her five three. The warmth of his hand enveloped hers, the touch leaving her short of breath. Butterflies formed in her stomach as he pulled her a little closer to him and they made it to his old beat-up red Dodge truck.

Everyone was gone from the lot, except for her brother Jacob, who glanced at their held hands and then up at her. One dark brow lifted. If only he had more to worry about than the friendship she and Cooper had.

"I'm going to drive him home. I'll be home right after, okay?"

Jacob grabbed Cooper's free hand and pulled him in for a quick hug. "I'm so sorry, Coop."

When Cooper just cleared his throat and handed over the keys to her, Jacob left, his hands again shoved in his pockets. Sophia knew it hurt for him to leave Cooper like that. It was their friendship that had brought them all together in the first place.

Not that they hadn't had their share of fist fights over childish things. All of them had had at least one or two fights. When that happened, she just tried to let them work it out among themselves. She had been the voice of reason during most of their childhood.

The reason why Cooper wanted her there more than Jacob, Nick, or Mike, was lost to her. He could just not want them to see him so broken. Men sure were weird about crying in front of others, no matter how much pain they went through, physical or emotional. She felt ashamed for being happy that he chose her over everyone else. How sad was that?

They both got into the truck and she pulled out of the parking lot. Silence filled the air and she was tempted to turn the radio on. Then he did it for her.

One of her favorite love songs came on, Brad Paisley's
She's Everything
. Warmth heated her cheeks when she realized she sat beside the one person who came to mind every time she heard it. Wishing he felt that way about her.

She listened to the words and the deep voice that sounded through the speakers. A second voice had her melting when Cooper's joined in. It wasn't perfect, with his voice strained from crying, but the emotion in it tore her in half.

A glance his way turned out to be a mistake when she noticed him fiddling with the crucifix hanging from the rearview mirror—the one his Grandpa made him promise to always keep in the truck.

Sophia couldn't breathe as chill bumps covered her body. Even though he was only singing along, her imagination ran wild and had her feeling like it was all for her. He looked good with his black slacks and black buttoned up dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up as he usually did with any of the plaid shirts he favored. This gave her the perfect view of his thick muscles and sun-tanned skin.

What the hell was wrong with her? He was in mourning and she couldn't keep her thoughts from straying to visions of him holding her with those arms.

When she passed by the road to her house, she fancied herself about to get in trouble and all she was doing was taking Cooper home.

And thinking thoughts she shouldn't.

He only saw her as a sister, but that didn't stop her heart from racing and her palms from sweating.

She hurried out of the truck as soon as she put it in park, rather than wait for the dust to settle. Luckily, it rained earlier that morning and the dust wasn't as bad. She couldn't clear the lump that lodged itself in her throat.

"Are you okay, Sophia?"

She jumped when his large hand rested on her shoulder. Tears filled her eyes and she couldn't turn around. She was supposed to be there to help him, not crying over the fact that she'd never be able to get over her feelings for him. It just proved how much growing up she really needed to do.

"I'm sorry. I just hate to see you upset and lost. I miss your bright smile; it always lights up my day." Not a lie, even if that wasn't the only thing wrong. She turned and stared into his eyes.

"Will you stay a little longer? If you need to get home, I understand. I'll call one of your brothers to come pick you up." Cooper grabbed her hand and pulled her closer until their bodies nearly touched.

Those baby blues of his stared straight into hers, making her melt.

"I–Okay."

And there was that smile—small and rushed, but she didn't miss it. She'd never miss it. "You want me to call your brothers or do you want to stay?"

Smart, Sophia.
"I'll stay."

"I would love for you to help me, if it's not too much. My grandparents wanted their ashes spread across the river." He glanced away and she missed his eyes immediately.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down when he swallowed. "I'll go with you. Always."

The last word came out before she could stop it and she prayed that it was all in her head and didn't just blurt that out. By the way his eyes widened, she'd said it aloud.

"If you want to wait out here, I'll get Grandma's urn." He left quickly without really waiting on her to speak again.

It seemed to take forever as she bounced from one foot to the other. Most of the time when she got to be around Cooper it happened with her brothers tagging along. They were all friends and she was just the little sister they picked on.

"Okay, let's do this."

She felt her feet leave the ground when he showed up behind her. She'd been so distracted, she never heard him coming. The exhausted look in his eyes made her wonder if he'd slept any the night before. How did she miss the dark circles earlier?

"Alright, and then you need to get some rest. Did you sleep at all last night?"

He put the urn into the truck beside the other one and just shook his head. "I couldn't even go into the house last night. Damn it! I wasn't ready for this. Not so soon after Grandma."

This time she heard the sob and watched him squeeze his eyes shut. Feeling his tears on her hand earlier had nearly killed her and now she witnessed them slip down his face. She lifted onto her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Cooper." She kissed his cheek and felt the wet tears against her lips. "Please, don't cry. I'm so used to you laughing and you're killing me with your tears."

He rested his head on her shoulder. "Thank you for being here for me, Sophia. I don't have anyone."

She pulled back, but kept her hands on the back of his neck. "That's not true! You know my brothers would've been here no matter what."

"I know, but it's different. I wouldn't be able to open up to them. You're special." He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

She dropped to her heels and let go. This was too much to handle. His emotions ran wild and she couldn't take advantage of that, especially when she'd be the one hurt in the long run.

"Let's head to the river."

****

Cooper contemplated falling to his knees in front of Sophia and begging her to hold him again. She wore a black dress with shoes that showed her perfect little toes and her hair was partially pulled up. Very little, if any, make-up covered her face. She was a natural beauty.

Funny how, only right over a week ago, his grandpa had pointed that out to Cooper. Not that he'd never noticed, but when his grandpa told him he better not miss that opportunity, it clicked.

He planned on telling her how he felt a few days after that, until his phone rang and his whole world changed. His grandpa had a heart attack while at the store.

That wasn't completely true. Grandpa died from his heart being broken. Losing Grandma had been so hard on Cooper, but even harder on her husband. It didn't matter though; when he broke down after her funeral, Grandpa had been there to comfort him—even though he was the one who should've been comforted.

Now, Cooper was relying on Sophia to help him through another loss.

"I should drive." Her sweet voice stopped him.

Letting her drive would be a mistake. At least he could have some distraction. "I'll be fine."

They loaded the empty urns back into the truck and he couldn't stop himself from helping Sophia into the truck, too. Touching her seemed enough to calm him and ease the tightness in his chest.

"Thank you."

She was a beauty with her long brown hair and those ever-changing eyes that looked green right then.

"My pleasure." Before he did something he'd regret, Cooper walked to the other side and got in. It was a short ride back to the house, but seemed forever when neither of them spoke.

He glanced over and caught her rubbing her hands together. Considering it was at least ninety outside, it had to be her nerves. He's noticed her doing that in the past when she felt upset or nervous. The night he watched her graduate, she actually did it on stage, before giving her speech.

"I didn't get to tell you, but I really enjoyed your speech at your graduation." He parked the truck in front of the house, glad he peeked over in time to catch her blush. Why had he waited so long to realize how perfect she was?

"I was nervous and faltered a few times. I'm just glad to be finished." Those hands of hers kept twisting back and forth.

Cooper jumped out and walked around to help her. The bags he had packed in the house were sitting at the door and once he said goodbye to Sophia, he'd be gone. He wanted to spend whatever time with her that he could and didn't want it to all be bad.

"Do you still want some company?" She didn't turn her gaze up at him.