Sweet Sins (16 page)

“What are these scars from?”

She stilled at my touch. “The dick of my necklace.”

I wasn’t so certain.

“Look how happy Mike and Cassandra are,” she said quickly, looking at them kissing on the beach.

“Yeah…” My mind was whirling a thousand miles an hour. I had
a suspicion she was lying to me, even though she never did.

Monnique was pressing herself into Cortland, about to pounce on him. “So beautiful.”

“It was.” He pressed his head to hers and stared at her for a long time. No words were said, but the emotion they both felt for each other filled the enclosure. If someone didn’t feel it, they were clueless to their surroundings.

Scarlet stared at my brother and new sister, lost in their moment.

“Baby?”

“Hmm?”

“Tell me the truth.”

She sighed then looked at me. “No
t today, okay?” Her eyes held her determination. “I won’t let my past ruin my happiness.”

She confirmed what I suspected. And there was no point in discussing it. While it made me livid, there was nothing I could about it. And expressing my anger would damper the day. I didn’t want that. I leaned in and kissed her gently. “Okay.”

“Thank you.”

“Isn’t it weird to think that Mike wouldn’t be married if it weren’t for us?”

“I don’t believe that,” she said simply. “He would have met Cassandra anyway and this day would still be happening.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.”

We took a few pictures with the bride and groom, and my parents joined in.

“So proud of you, baby.” My mom hugged Mike and got teary-eyed again.

“Thanks, Mom.” He rubbed her back then pulled away, back to Cassandra, like usual.

My dad turned to Cassandra. “Call me Dad.”

“Okay.” Cassandra smiled at him. “I can do that.”

We took a few more pictures before the bridesmaids and other groomsmen joined.

“Any names yet?” my mom asked.

If they chosen a name, Scarlet and I didn’t know what it was.

Mike and Cassandra shared a look before Mike spoke for both of them. “Not yet.”

“Take your time,” my dad said. “A strong name is important.”

“How about Mufasa?” Ryan asked. “That’s cool.”

“From the
Lion King
?” I asked incredulously.

“Oh, it is?” Ryan asked. “Whatever. It’s still cool.”

“Do you think my brother and sister hate their kid or something?” I asked.

“What?” Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “It’s a cool name.”

Janice’s eyes were wide with fear. “Oh no. You’re going to give our kids weird names, aren’t you?”

“We can save Mufasa for us,” Ryan said.

“Keep it,” Mike said quickly.

Janice looked horrified. “Can you get a tattoo removed?”

Ryan smirked. “It’s permanent, baby. You’re stuck with me and I will knock you up.”

“We’re naming our kid something normal,” Cassandra said. “Like Bill or John.”

I cringed. “Both plain and horrible names.”

“You know what I mean,” she said quickly.

We took a few more pictures until I saw stars in my eyes. I couldn’t see anymore. I grabbed Scarlet’s hand and walked her up the beach, making sure she wouldn’t fall and hit the sand.

We took our seats at the table and I got he
r a glass of apple cider.

“Cassandra looks so pretty,” Scarlet said as she stared at her.

“Yeah. But you look definitely outshine her. Honestly, I’m surprised she asked you to be her maid of honor.”

She rolled her eyes. “She outshined everyone.”

“Not in my eyes.” I kept my arm over the back of her chair and gave her a firm look. “I wish you knew how beautiful you are when you’re pregnant. Like, your hotness level skyrockets, and it’s already pretty damn high.”

She smirked. “We both know I’m nothing special.”

“Yes, you are. I remember what I was thinking the first time I saw you. Believe me, I wanted to fuck you.”

“How sweet,” she said sarcastically.

“But now I’m obsessed with you. I want to lock you up so I’m the only person who gets to look at you.”

“And creepy…”

I smirked then rubbed my nose against hers. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Scarlet. All these women have nothing on you.”

“I think you’re a little blinded.”

“Maybe by love. But my cock speaks for itself.” I grabbed her hand and placed it over my hard-on through my slacks.

She grinned then pulled her hand back. “It’s probably because my damn boobs won’t fit in this dress.”

I looked down at her cleavage. “Well, that helps.”

She hit my arm playfully. “Don’t stare.”

I kept looking. “I put a ring on your finger. I get to stare all I want.”

“How would you feel if I stared at your crotch all day?”

I cocked an eyebrow.

“Nevermind. Don’t answer that.”

I put my hand on her stomach. “You doing okay? I know you’ve been running around a lot.”

“I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

I rubbed the back of her neck then moved to her shoulders. “Can I get you anything? Something to eat?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Anything you want, I’ll run out and get it. Just say the word.”

“I know.”

I continued to rub her back, trying to make her as comfortable as possible.

Everyone else sat at the table. Couples were paired together, except for Kirk, who was at the very end. I didn’t care about his loneliness. I never liked him much. Okay, after the comment he made about my wife, I hated him. The only reason I wasn’t stirring up drama was because it was my brother’s wedding. If I were ever alone with him again, my fist would break his nose.

The food was served and the wedding party got their meal first. It was chicken with greens. I immediately grabbed my fork and knife and started cutting Scarlet’s chicken for her.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Helping you.”
What else did she think I was doing?

“I’m not handicapped. I can eat my own food.” She pushed my arm away and gave me a firm look, silently telling me not to
argue with her.

I backed off, realizing I was taking it a little too far. My constant need to take care of her could sometimes be excessive. It was a habit that I would never break.

Scarlet ate her food quietly then sipped her apple cider. Everyone laughed at the table and had a good time. Mike kept kissing Cassandra when she tried to eat, distracting her. She laughed then wiped some potatoes on his mouth so he wouldn’t kiss her anymore.

Mike wiggled his eyebrows then leaned in to smear it on her face. She laughed and pushed him away. “Don’t get me dirty.”

“You’re already dirty, baby.”

She hit his arm playfully. “You’re lucky we’re already married.”

“Nothing could stop you from becoming my wife,” he challenged.

A second later, they were back to kissing like a couple deeply in love.

I turned back to Scarlet. “We’ll always be this way, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You and I will always be in love, never getting tired of being with each other.”

“I’m sure we will. Look at your parents.”

I cringed. “Just when I got those gross old people out of my head.”

“They aren’t old. They’re like fifty.”

“Still disgusting.”

It was time to do the speeches, and since I was the best man, I went first. After I cleared my throat, I took the microphone and started talking. I didn’t prepare a speech because I liked to wing it. It seemed more spontaneous and natural that way.

“My brother and I have had our ups and downs over the years. There was a time when he and I didn’t even speak to each other, but since those dark times are over, I won’t even mention them other than to say I’m glad we aren’t in that place anymore. Growing up, he was my best friend, and now twenty something years later, he’s still my best friend—other than my wife.

“Mike and I weren’t always the nice guys we are now. My dad can tell you how crazy we were. We definitely didn’t make him proud
while we were on this journey becoming men. Most of the stories I have with my brother aren’t PG, so I can’t even share them.” The crowd laughed at my words.

“Mike claims the reason he settled down was because I settled down and ended up with an amazing woman, and while that influenced him, I’m sure, I don’t think that has anything
to do with his relationship with Cassandra. The moment he laid eyes on her, he was hooked. Even if I never married, I’m certain they still would have ended up together. If you’ve seen them around, you’ll know they are soul mates. It’s pretty obvious.

“
Cassandra is an awesome girl. When my brother told me he wanted her, I wasn’t surprised. But I was grateful he picked someone so smart and fierce. I knew Mike needed a woman that would put him in his place and tell him off.” I raised my glass to her. “Bravo.”

Cassandra laughed at my words.

“When it comes down to it, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my brother and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for me.” I remembered that horrific night a week ago. It still echoed in my mind, a memory I’d never forget. I didn’t want to address it because no one knew about it. We didn’t want anyone to panic, and Cassandra was embarrassed because her ex was the one responsible. I kept her secret. “It’s really been an honor standing beside my brother and watching him get married. I know they’ll be very happy together. The most exciting part is the fact our kids will be so close in age, and we only live a mile apart. I suspect we’ll drive each other crazy.” I looked at my brother. “I love you, man. And you did a great job picking her.”

The audience clapped and I sat down. The rest of the party gave their speeches. Cortland’s w
as the best, because, well, it was Cortland. He always knew how to make something more emotional than it needed to be. When he sat down, Monnique practically moved into his lap. Those two were in love all over again.

When the dancing started, I cut in and pushed my brother back. “Payback time, bitch.”

His eyes burned in irritation.

I took Cassandra by the hand and twirled her. “You’ll da
nce with me?”

“I will,” she said with a smile.

Mike stood there, pissed that his toy had been taken away. Then he marched to Scarlet and started dancing with her.

“Looks like he has some collateral,” Cassandra said with a laugh.

I smiled. “We can switch back when we’re done.”

She swayed with me then looked across the crowd.

“Thank you for marrying my brother. I know he’s a lot to handle sometimes.”

She shook her head. “He’s wonderful.”

“And I’m really glad you’re a part of our family. I’m sorry about before…”

“It’s okay,” she said quickly. “It’s in the past, Sean.”

“So…we’re okay?”

“You’re my brother. Of course, we’re okay.” She rubbed my shoulder. “You saved my husband’s life. I’ll be forever indebted to you.”

“How about we just call it even?”

“That’s even better.” She gave me a wide smile and kept dancing with me.

“My turn.” My dad came to us and cut in.

“Hey, Dad,” Cassandra said.

“My beautiful daughter.” He took her and spun her, giving her his best moves.

Mike came back to me, pulling Scarlet with him. “Where’d my wife go?”

I shrugged. “She started crying and took off, saying something about the biggest mistake of her life.”

His eyes were bigger than I’d ever seen them. “What the—”

“Kidding,” I said before he exploded.

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Where is she?”

“Dancing with dad.”

He growled. “I’m never going to get her back now.”

“Probably not,” I said honestly.

“So, how does it feel to be a married man?” Scarlet asked.

“So far, so good,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to tonight…” He gave us a wink. “Then I’ll really be a man.”

“Too much info, dude,” I said.

He looked around the sea of people, his hands on his hips. “Where the hell is my wife?”

“I don’t think she’s looking for you,” I said. “So I’d forget about her.”

“You’re lucky I can’t hit you right now,” Mike threatened.

Scarlet rolled her eyes. “I’m going to get a drink while you two deck it out.” She marched off.

“See?” I said. “You scare away everyone around you.”

“I think she took off because of you. I saw you cutting her chicken like she’s too inept to do it on her own.”

“How about you stare at your wife’s plate instead of mine?” I snapped.