Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) (32 page)

“Saylor feeling better?” Caden inquires.

She had a sinus infection that’s knocked her on her ass for the past two days. I know she feels miserable but said she was ready for today. “Yeah, so she says. I can’t wait to get her on the beach and let her relax.”

“Sure. That’s why you want her on the beach. In the private villa,” Mason kids.

“Mason, you’re an idiot. He has sex with her whenever he wants. More than I can say for you.” Caden ribs him.

“Oh, Mace, you in a dry spell?” I love busting his balls. The preacher clears his throat, and we halt conversations. I would say inappropriate conversations, but Mace is involved, so it’s all inappropriate.

The music starts. Julie dashes down the aisle to grab her flowers. She couldn’t stay still or cooped up in the bride’s room. Emberlee comes down the aisle first, and I don’t know who looks at her with more love . . . her father or Brody. I was shocked when she showed up with a date last night to the rehearsal dinner. I was more shocked it was Brody. Her father’s right-hand man.

Avery is next, and I wink at her. While we’re on our honeymoon, she is going to be busy. Creating the mural in the basement Saylor designed, and a mural in Julie’s room I designed. It’s typical, but it’s fitting. A fairytale. Complete with a castle and a princess—Julie. See our life is based off creating dreams and making sure they come true, and it’s important to both of us to pass that on to
our
daughter.

She steps through the door escorted by Jack, and time halts.

Completely stops for a moment.

My breath.

My heart.

My mind.

My life.

She stands in front of me in white, green, and gold meeting gray and blue. Spring day meeting stormy ocean. I wait until I can take her hand, never wanting to let go.

“You’re a vision.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, trying to contain her emotions.

“You wearing red?”

She smiles. “You know it.”

“My weakness.”

“My strength.” I kiss her lips softly, and we turn to begin the age-old journey of uniting us as one. We don’t need vows or a ceremony to do that. We’ve done that ourselves. This is confirmation to the world. And any crazy motherfucker who thinks he has a shot with her.

She wanted traditional and original. That makes our wedding twice as long. I said okay. We get the love, honor, and obey—with Mason snickering—out of the way. I turn to her, and she turns to me.

“Saylor, I can’t remember not loving you. Even when I didn’t know you, I loved you. What you would bring to my life, what you would mean to Julie and me. I didn’t know your name, I didn’t know your face . . . but I knew you. Then one day I saw you. I saw all of you. Your heart. Your pain. Your fears. Your beautiful soul.”

“Revoked for a lifetime,” Mason whispers. Saylor giggles. I roll my eyes. Caden slaps the back of his head.

“You fought against me, then you fought for me. You are the best part of me. You’re my weakness and my strength. For you, I’ll move mountains and carry you up them. Without you, I’ll be able to do nothing.” I squeeze her hands, watch the emotions flutter across her face and inhale, knowing she is going to annihilate me with her words.

“Deacon, meeting you was life-changing. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the only description. You were my lighthouse. You shone your light on me, not allowing me to hide from the love you gave me. When I couldn’t be strong, you gave me your strength. When I tested your patience, you dug deep and exuded calmness.” I pause to get myself together.

“You taught me to dream, and you made them all come true. Some may say we’re young; to them I say commitment doesn’t have a timetable or age criteria. We forged a path, a union specifically for us. We’ll weather the storms of life together because neither one of us is capable of alone.” He wipes my tears and shows me his dimple.

“I once thought the game of life was to be tiptoed across. You crushed that belief. You taught me to pick up a bat, swing for the fences, kick up some dirt, and run. Run to you, never from you. You’re my bases loaded, home run, grand slam. You are my end game.”

“Enough with the baseball metaphors. Overdoing it there, Shortstop,” Mason whispers, contradicting himself.

“This advice from the guy wearing a cup to my wedding so he’s not embarrassed of what he has to offer.” I taunt him back, thanking my lucky stars our ceremony is small. Intimate. That everyone knows our crazy.

“Unc Mas. Pop. Pop. Pop.” At least she can say her M’s now and tattle on the other child in the group.

“This is our life baby, you ready to live it?” Deacon asks. His eyes bright, clear . . . and just like our first meeting, they beacon me to my safety.

“You bet.” I smile.

“You suck at bets,” Mason reminds me.

“Okay, you Matilda.” I glare at him.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, kiss your bride, Mr. Douglas.” And he does. Over and over. ‘Til death do us part.

“Baby, I’ve got errands this morning. You good taking Julie to your parents?” Deacon is in the shower, and Julie is staying at his parents. He wants to celebrate our one-month of being married anniversary. Realistically, he wants loud sex.

“Yep. Netflix and chill is on my agenda.”

“Crude.”

“Matilda wouldn’t have me any other way,” he sputters, and I reach in to pinch his ass. Because I can’t resist.

“Love you!” he calls. It’s always the last thing we say to each other.

Hours later I stroll into our house . . . our quiet house. “Deacon,” I call for him.

“Basement!” I hear his shout. I dig the photo from my purse and take the steps as fast as I dare. The lights are out, and the television is playing ESPN. “Hey baby. You need help with the groceries.”

“No.” I clip. “I didn’t make it to the grocery store. See, I had a doctor’s appointment that took a bit longer than expected because YOU FUCKING KNOCKED ME UP ON OUR HONEYMOON! I told you to pull out. I told you to wear a condom. Your damn rhythm method and had to be inside me bare bullshit.” Tossing the ultrasound picture I’m gripping. I’m not angry I’m carrying his child; that was always our plan, but not until after we graduated. I love Julie. I love being her mom. But we’re starting our second year of college; we both have two more years. It’s hard. I take a deep breath and remember that it’s worth it. It’s so worth it. “I’m sorry.” I begin to sob. “I’m not mad it was just a shock. Fucking antibiotics and birth control.” He pulls me to his chest, rubbing my back as I cry tears of joy and fear into his shirt.

Slow claps fill my ears. I turn in his arms and see all of our friends, our family standing here. “What?”

“The papers came today,
MOMMY
.” He grins.

“Times two.” Mason chirps like a damn irritating bird.

“Where’s Julie?” My mouth was rival to a sailor in that meltdown.

“Napping potty mouth.” Josh winks at me. “Congratulations. Son, good job. Glad to see your little problem doesn’t stop you from knocking randoms up.” I laugh. I don’t know if I’m delirious, happy, fucking freaked out, but I laugh like a maniac.

“Saylor,” my mom’s voice snaps me into sanity. “My baby.” Her eyes are wide, her smile soft. Her happiness evident.

We’re young. We’re still growing. We’re the perfect people for this job.

Avery is smiling. Emberlee is crying. I groan, “Go ahead. If you have something to say, go for it.” I won’t deal with her shit.

“When are you due?” She is curious. I don’t see malicious intent in that generic question.

“March 22
nd
. One month before Julie turns two.” Fuck me.

“I’m due March 20
th
. You have a honeymoon baby. I have a wedding baby. Your fucking wedding.” I can’t.

“Whoa!” Mason . . . so eloquent. “It’s not mine!”

“Looks like I only have to plan one baby shower.” Avery laughs.

“If this one has a twig and berries I’ll give you your card back, and I’ll teach him how to pitch.” Mason . . . I hope the hormones don’t get him killed.

“I’m going to revoke your goddamn card when I rip off your dick!” I shout.

“Stand in line.” Emberlee glares. “Seems Brody may have a few words to say to him.” Mason pales. Caden chuckles.

Seems like Emberlee wasn’t the only one getting busy on my wedding night. “Brody’s baby sister?” I ask Mason.

“Fuck.” He walks to the stairs.

“Hey Matilda, you can run, but you can’t hide.” He flips me off, and I find Deacon’s arms. His heart beats against my ear, his love for me strong.

“Love you, Saylor Douglas.”

“Love you, Double D.” I kiss his chest. “But keep that shit away from me. It’s potent.”

**** More from the Endgame Series coming soon. ****

Next is Kismet – Emberlee’s story. Here is a sneak peek.

Coming Fall 2016.

Prologue

Emberlee

I was sixteen.

He was eighteen.

I was forbidden.

He didn’t play by the rules.

I’m trying to find Adriane. If we aren’t at the officer’s table when dinner is served, our ass will be grass. My dad is receiving a commendation for yet another mission that took him away from us for almost a year. The first thing he said to me when he got back was, “Tone down the makeup, you look like a prostitute. Don’t embarrass me, Emberlee.”