Damaged and the Knight (8 page)

When Bailey smiled, she seemed younger than earlier. Her angry bitch wall was down and I just saw the insecure girl underneath. We returned to the kitchen where she fake apologized to Maddy. Jodi laughed through the whole thing while Sawyer threw chips at her older sister. Yet, Bailey fake laughed like she wasn’t irritated by her family.

Farah caught my gaze and I saw pride in her eyes. I wasn’t sure why she was proud of me, but I’d take the compliment. Farah’s love was the only thing I really had to hold onto anymore. Well, now I had Bailey’s friendship.

Chapter Eight

On a Tuesday while I napped through
Charmed
, Cooper returned home without Farah. I tried to ignore him while I dozed, but he hovered over me and kept talking really loudly to the dogs that were also ignoring him while napping. Finally, Cooper knelt in front of me and sighed loud enough in my face to blow my hair around.

“I’m proposing to Farah this Friday.”

My eyes popped open. “Hot shit.”

“I’ve got the ring,” he said, opening a little box and showing off the big shiny rock my sister would likely piss herself over. “I’m taking her out to dinner and popping the question. She’ll say yes, of course, but I want her to come home and squeal with you.”

Sitting up, I looked at the ring and shivered. “She’s going to lose her mind.”

“Yeah,” Cooper said, grinning. “I need you to keep my secret and deck the place out with rose petals. Oh, and light candles. You know, really romance the place up while we’re gone. Can you do that?”

“Hell yeah.”

“Hell yeah indeed.”

Imagining Farah’s reaction, we shared a conspiratorial smile. Three days later, everything was in place for her surprise. It had taken all of my self-control not to say anything. I did tell the dogs at one point, just so I could tell someone. The dogs weren’t impressed.

Farah appeared for their fancy dinner, wearing a red dress. I stared in awe at her as she walked downstairs.

“What?” she asked, running her fingers through her hair. “Do I look like shit?”

“You look like a goddess.”

Farah gave me the most beautiful smile. “Wait until you see Cooper. We had to get dressed three times because he looked so damn hot.”

“That’s right,” Cooper said, strutting down the stairs in a slick black suit. “Feel free to shudder in awe, ladies.”

Laughing, we both admired how finely the suit fit his strong body. Farah glanced at me and squinted.

“You’re lucky you’re my sister or else I’d be outraged at you looking at him like that.”

“Hey, I’m lonely and there’s eye candy shaking his ass. How can you expect me not to drool?”

Farah grinned then looked at Cooper who really was shaking his ass. “I’m dancing tonight, Farah,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’m sexing you up on the dance floor with everyone watching, so get ready to be embarrassed and horny at the same time.”

Laughing again, I hugged Farah who looked flustered by Cooper’s hotness. “Have fun tonight.”

“If you’re really lonely, you could come with us.”

Standing behind Farah, Cooper signaled how I might be killed slowly if I said yes. I flipped him off and smiled at a confused Farah.

“I’ll be fine. In fact, Bailey might come over later. Just have fun with Coop the Poop over there.”

Farah hugged me once more then took Cooper’s arm as they left for their special dinner. The minute the door closed, I started running around the house. Lighting scented candles in their bedroom and bathroom was first, so they’d have plenty of time to smell up the place. A CD with romantic songs from Journey and Asia sat ready to play. Finally, I spread fresh pink and red rose petals on the bed, bedroom floor, and hallway. It smelled like a garden, almost nauseatingly so. Yet, Farah was going to love it.

Bailey didn’t come over because I told her I had a stomach ache and might spend most of the night on the toilet. She still offered to hang out and hold my hair, but I said no. Mostly, I worried if she knew what was happening that she would tell everyone. Cooper wanted the proposal to be private. Only Tucker and Jodi knew. Cooper trusted his mother to keep a secret and knew his brother wasn’t keen on having his face bashed in, so they were safe. Anyone else might blab including Bailey.

Sitting alone in the living room with the dogs, I watched
Arrested Development
reruns and ate Ramen noodles. I really was living the dream.

Even bored, I couldn’t wait to see Farah’s face when they returned. Some days, all I could remember was how afraid she had been growing up. I hoped seeing her so happy might help erase a few of those horrible memories.

Farah entered the house swinging in Cooper’s arms. Laughing and kissing his neck, she nearly lunged at me when I appeared at the foyer.

“We’re getting married!” she squealed and Cooper smirked.

Her excitement infectious, we both squealed and jumped up and down while Cooper enjoyed his girl’s happiness.

“We already set a date,” she finally said when our squeals ended. “Valentine’s Day. How romantic.”

When Farah looked to Cooper, a moment passed between them and I knew they needed alone time. A lot of naked alone time, preferably upstairs behind closed doors.

“We’ll start planning tomorrow,” I said, allowing her to make her getaway with Cooper who did look pretty fantastic in his suit.

Farah smiled then took Cooper’s hand as they hurried upstairs. The minute she saw the rose petals, she started cooing over him and I doubted they made it to the bed before stripping naked.

Returning to the living room where the dogs sat annoyed by all of the squealing, I got comfortable with the remote. Upstairs my sister was desperately in love and starting a beautiful life with a man who accepted her completely. I had been so certain I would find the same joy with Judd, but nearly two weeks had passed and he hadn’t found a single lame excuse to see me. I really was out of his life and he’d moved on as if we’d never met.

Excitement over Farah’s engagement mixed with a growing sadness over how I was simply mooching off her life. Besides cleaning the house and taking care of the dogs, I had no purpose. Soon, I’d have to step away from Farah and build a life of my own.

Chapter Nine

For my upcoming birthday, Cooper agreed to pay for me to get a tattoo, but only if I went to Aaron. Considering the angel tattoo on Cooper was my inspiration and Aaron was the artist who inked it, I wasn’t planning to go to anyone else.

The tattoo shop was between a sub sandwich place and a pawn shop in a rather new shopping center. Bailey opened the door then glared at a girl walking by on the sidewalk.

Noticing my confusion, she shrugged. “The bitch knows what she did.”

Nodding, we walked into the waiting area where the walls were covered with designs.

“So do you want a flash tattoo?” Bailey asked.

“What’s that?”

“A standard type tattoo like on the wall. A heart or eagle head. Aaron can churn those out in a few hours.”

I looked at the walls with the flash designs. “I want a fallen angel.”

“Sounds complicated. Good thing Aaron is good because I wouldn’t trust just anyone to ink you.”

Likely hearing his name, Aaron appeared from the back of the shop. Having met him in passing, I found Cooper’s childhood friend to be a curious mix between gentle poet and scary biker. On one hand, he had a shaved head, a cobra tattoo up his neck, and tended to ride his Harley so fast through town that he was forever getting ticketed. On the other hand, he dressed rather preppy and was considered an amazing artist.

“Sorry,” Aaron said. “The girl who worked out front quit and I’m here alone.”

“She wants a really cool tat. Don’t fuck it up,” Bailey nearly yelled. Frowning, I shook my head at Bailey who sighed. “Please, don’t fuck it up.”

Aaron just grinned. “I heard you were training Bailey, so this should be fun. Do you know what kind of tattoo you’re interested in?”

“A fallen angel on my back, around the right shoulder. I like how sad the angel looks on Cooper’s tattoo, but I don’t know what else it should be like.”

Aaron gestured for me to come back into his work space. We talked over a few ideas. Fortunately, Aaron was more creative than me.

“I have a high tolerance for pain,” I said while he worked on the design.

“But you’ve never had a tattoo before.”

“No, but I can take a punch. Does it hurt more than that?” I said, touching the snake tattoo up his neck.

“A punch might hurt more, but it’s one hit then it gets numb. With a tattoo, the pain isn’t as bad, but it lasts longer.”

“I really want the tattoo.”

“If it’s too painful, we’ll break the tat into parts. That way, you can get what you want, but the pain won’t be overbearing.”

Nodding, I sat quietly while Aaron sketched. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. “Did you do Judd’s tattoos?”

“A few of them. The pirate ship and cross. His mom’s name and the eagle on his chest he got back in Memphis.”

“I really love those tattoos you did. Will mine have that dark shaded look?”

“Black and gray style is what you want. I might use a little color if it’s okay, so where Heaven opens up, it’ll be a bit brighter.”

Aaron turned his sketch pad around and showed me what he worked up. For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

It’s so beautiful,” I finally said, taking the sketch pad. “You can tattoo that on me?”

“If you want me to change anything, let me know.”

Smiling, I studied the drawing of an angel falling from Heaven. Heartbreakingly beautiful, it was more amazing than I could have ever dreamed.

“I love it exactly the way it is.”

Aaron watched me for a few minutes while I traced the sketch. “Does the angel have anything to do with Judd?” he asked.

Meeting his gaze, I shrugged. “Why?”

“He came in a few weeks ago and asked for an angel tat.”

“Oh,” I mumbled.

“Seemed like he was basing the face on a specific girl.”

“Was he with anyone?”

Aaron grinned. “Judd doesn’t do the girlfriend thing, Tawny. He just sleeps with women. I’ve never even heard of him going on a date.”

“What about you?” I asked. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Aaron’s grin widened. “Coop would never let this happen. Besides, I’ve already been someone’s second choice before and I’m not a fan.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Having a pretty girl show interest isn’t something a guy needs an apology for.”

Smiling awkwardly, I sighed. “I wanted Judd, but he didn’t want me. I’m trying to get over him.”

“I understand.”

“You had your heart broken too?”

“Yeah,” Aaron said, rolling back on his chair to his computer. “She held my heart in her hand. Unfortunately, she held a lot of guys’ hearts in her hand.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Life is about disappointments. Without the pain, how will we appreciate the good stuff?”

“True.”

“You and I are young. We’ll find someone else who won’t shit on our hearts.”

Smiling, I tried to imagine being close to someone like I felt with Judd, but it seemed impossible. Even Aaron with his pretty blue eyes and easy smile didn’t inspire me to be in his arms. Yet, maybe I could learn to want someone else with enough practice.

Chapter Ten

David’s Bridal smelled rich with flowers and Bailey frowned at me like she was prone to do when things stunk. Farah stood on my other side, looking ready to run for the door. The place was filled with so many dresses and accessories that I understood why Farah felt overwhelmed.

“How will I choose?” she finally muttered.

“Pick something that doesn’t make you look like a slut. That’ll narrow it down,” Bailey said, now frowning at a headless mannequin wearing a tiny wedding dress with a long train. “Oh, and stay away from too much lace. Don’t want to look like someone’s grandma.”

A wide-eyed Farah looked at me as I took her hand. “This is fun. We’re going to look at them all and pick our favorites. Then, you’ll try them on and narrow them down. With so many to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect dress.”

“I just don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.”

“You’re an idiot,” Bailey snorted. “Try too hard to what?”

“Look fancy.”

“You’re wearing a fucking wedding dress. You’re supposed to look fancy. It’s not like you’re ever getting married again. If things don’t work out with Coop, he’ll never let you go. Nope, you’ll be heading for a shallow grave.” While Farah rolled her eyes, I stared at Bailey who shrugged. “Too honest?

“Is that a real question?”

Bailey grinned. “What I meant to say was Farah and Cooper are so fucking perfect for each other that they’ll never get divorced, so she should wear the fanciest damn dress she can find. It’s what I would do if I was once dirt poor and now had money.”

“Great effort, but you lost a little bit of your fake niceness at the end.”

Bailey grinned. “Great effort is still something.”

“Yes, it is,” I said, taking Farah’s hand. “Let’s start narrowing things down. I’ll show you a dress and you decide if it’s too poofy or not poofy enough. We’ll eventually hit the right level of poofy.”

Farah laughed. “I want a good amount of poofy. It’s rare that a girl can be poofy without looking stupid.”

“Maddy will be poofy no matter what she wears,” Bailey said as Maddy entered with Jodi and Sawyer. “I don’t even know how she can get a bridesmaid dress if she’s going to swell up more before the wedding.” Everyone frowned at Bailey who glanced at me then back at Maddy and added, “You’re swelling with the gift of life.”

Maddy laughed. “Was that you being nice?”

“That was me trying, yes.”

“Ah,” Maddy said, forcing Bailey into a hug. “I get so emotional these days. I sure hope I don’t get snot on you.”

Bailey glared at me over Maddy’s shoulder. “Snot away. It’s the least I can do when you’re cooking my niece.”

Leaving Maddy to snot up Bailey, I joined Farah at the racks. We quickly narrowed down the not poofy enough dresses and the sales clerk helped us towards a more poofy section of the store. The too poofy dresses were soon added to the no-go list. Finally, we narrowed it down to around ten dresses.