King (Sydney Storm MC 7)

I hadn’t thought of that. Not that I would be, because I made sure to take my pill religiously. “No. I’m just crazy. And lucky that you all put up with my crazy.”

Brynn squeezed my hand. “Your life has changed so fast over the last few months, Lil. I don’t blame you for being crazy. And as much as I could never live with King, you two are perfect for each other, because you’re both as fucking crazy as the other.”

Mum nodded and then arched her brow. “Yes, and he and I have some ground rules to establish as to how I will be treated going forward. You, my darling, might be willing to put up with his dictatorial ways, but I will not.”

Brynn laughed. “Oh God, Mum, good luck with that. I don’t think King even knows the meaning of ground rules.”

As Brynn laughed and Mum continued on with her rant about how King bossed her around, I tried to slow time so I could truly appreciate the bond the three of us shared. It was something I didn’t do enough of. Life with a busy family ran at full steam ahead most of the time, and I found myself missing these rare moments. I made a decision to find ways to intentionally bring more of them into my life, because when all was said and done, the best part of life was love and family.

11

Lily

“Lily, girl, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so fucking calm. Tell me what drugs you’re on,” Monroe said when she arrived Saturday morning holding a big bag full of gumboots.

Taking a quick glance at all the boots, I said, “No drugs, just love.” I pointed at the bag. “What’s with all those?”

“Ah, it’s almost 10:00 a.m. and King’s nowhere to be seen, there’s still no confirmed venue for the wedding, and you’re not a ball of stress. I’m not buying it. You snuck some weed, didn’t you? Or maybe some Valium?”

I laughed and shook my head. “I’ve taken nothing. But I’m completely intrigued by the gumboots. Are we planning on wading through some water?”

It wouldn’t surprise me, thanks to all the rain we’d had this week. The best news was the rain stopped last night and the flooding eased. King called me just after six this morning to let me know he was finally on the road again. The wedding was planned for 2:00 p.m. but since he still wouldn’t tell me where it would take place, and since he probably wouldn’t be home by then, I had no clue where or when I would say my vows to him.

I didn’t care, though. So long as he got home today, I knew we’d be married by the time we went to sleep tonight. This chopping and changing of plans was how King lived his life, so it was now how I lived my life. I’d made peace with that somewhere along the way this week and would embrace it as hard as I’d embraced him.

Monroe eyed the bag of gumboots. “I honestly don’t know why we need these, but Kick turned up at my place this morning and dropped them off. He told me to bring them here.”

Tatum joined us in the lounge room. “Roe, we’re going to need your make-up expertise. The make-up artist can’t get through the flood waters.”

“Shit, I would have brought all my stuff if I’d known,” Monroe said.

“She just called now. We’ll have to make do with what we can find. Brynn’s just gone to her place to grab her stuff, and Adelaide has a lot here, so between all of us, I think we’ll be okay,” Tatum said.

Monroe glanced between us. “Is the hairdresser here?”

I nodded. “Yes. We’re all going to have amazing hair, so long as it doesn’t rain again.”

“You’re never going to forget your wedding,” she said.

A loud crash at the front door drew our attention there. Hailee smiled at us as she entered the house lugging a bag of gumboots the same as Monroe had and a few other smaller bags. “Sorry, Lily, I hope I didn’t just break your door, but these bags are out of control. And what the hell are these gumboots for? Devil made me bring them.”

I t

ook the bag of boots from her. “I have no idea.” Peaking inside the bag, I counted five pairs, the same as in Monroe’s bag.

Before we could discuss the boots more, Mum waltzed in and with a clap of her hands said, “Girls, we need to get through all this hair. Who’s going next?”

“Have Zara and Holly had theirs done?” I asked.

“Yes, and I’ve laid their dresses out on their beds,” Mum said. Her eyes softened as she met mine. “Those dresses are beautiful, Lily. But are you really sure about the leather jackets? For a wedding?”

“Yes, Mum, it’s cold outside. And they’ll match me and the girls.”

Brynn and Adelaide were my bridesmaids, and the three of us were all wearing biker jackets over our dresses. Both Zara and Holly had told me how much they loved that, so I’d made sure to get them some, too.

“I’ll go next,” Monroe said.

“Good,” Mum said and waltzed back out of the room with a twirl.