Headstrong Like Us (Like Us 6)

“No,” he says firmly. “It’s just nice over here.” He crosses his arms, then uncrosses to gesture to himself. “And you have a better view of me, which I know you love.”

“Sure.” I can’t stop smiling. I haven’t been able to all night.

A great feeling: Kaden isn’t here. He was fired. So there’s no chance of accidentally running into him. And Maximoff did ask for a play-by-play of what he said before I punched him.

I rehashed the conversation, and it was hard seeing the hurt flash in Maximoff’s eyes. His anger and frustration, I expected. I held him for a while.

The rehearsal dinner has been lighter. And as we’re in the quiet corner, I watch his eyes descend to my fingers. I’m peeling foil off a piece of gum, and he spaces out for a second.

Where’d you go? I wave a hand.

He blinks into hard focus.

I smile and put gum in my mouth. “Dreaming of your lips around my cock?”

“Your hands,” Maximoff says under his breath in tender want and hot affection. “On me.”

“Yeah?” I sweep him, my blood cranking up. “On your ass.”

“My ass, my face, my cock.” He’s unabashed, his eyes on mine in desire that swells my veins. “Everywhere.”

Damn. Many facets of our relationship are rock solid, and our physical attraction is definitely among them. A candle that can’t flame out.

“Okay.”

“But not tonight,” Maximoff says. “Let’s wait for…you know.”

I raise my brows. He either can’t say the words or he just wants to hear me say them. “You want your husband to touch you?”

His chest collapses in an aching breath.

I laugh. “Too easy.”

“You’re the one who’s hard, man.”

I suck in a breath. “Not yet, but nice effort.”

He almost glances at my cock, and he growls, irritated. I watch him scan the tables, trying to ignore me. It lasts a millisecond. “You think Ripley is doing okay over there?”

I pop a bubble in my mouth and locate our son with the parents, aunts, and uncles. Ryke cradles the sleeping baby, lips parted in breathy snores.

They all wanted to spend time with Ripley during the dinner, and thankfully he’s more used to the families. But he has his favorites.

Ryke and Lo.

It’s clear to me why. They have the most similar energy as Maximoff, and so Ripley is the most comfortable in their arms.

“He’s good; he’s sleeping…” My voice tapers out as I eagle-eye an old woman, a strand of pearls at her wrinkled throat. “Shit.” I chew gum slower and watch Grandmother Calloway play tug-of-war with a microphone Jack is holding.

Maximoff sees. “Fuck.”

We push away from our spot. About to approach and resolve that shit, but Donnelly, Jane, and Thatcher cut us off.

“We have this handled,” Jane assures. “Just go enjoy yourselves.”

Maximoff’s brows knit. “Is she trying to make a toast?”

“She’s been trying the past five minutes,” Donnelly admits.

Jane is wide-eyed like he revealed shit he shouldn’t have.

“Paul,” Thatcher snaps.

I jump in. “Are we surprised?” I say with arched brows. “The old bat loves being the center of attention.”

Maximoff’s jaw slowly falls. “Wait, my mom is going over there.” He animates like someone stuck a hot poker to his spine, about to charge forward and stop his mom.

“Hold on,” I tell him, noticing Lily trekking forward. No fear in her stance. Determination lifts her shoulders and chin.

Maximoff is cemented beside me, watching too, and the entire venue falls hushed as Lily faces her mom underneath the lemon trees.

“I need to speak to you privately,” Lily says with confidence.

Everyone can hear.

Grandmother Calloway still has her claws on the microphone. Jack isn’t letting go. He’s the MVP tonight.

“Another time, I’m in the middle of something—”

“I wasn’t asking,” Lily interjects. “Either you speak with me privately or you’ll need to leave the wedding.”

She huffs. “It’s early still—”

“The wedding,” Lily emphasizes. “Meaning, you won’t be in attendance tomorrow.”

My lip rises. Looks like there’s another MVP.

Grandmother Calloway releases her grip of the microphone and assesses her daughter with a curled lip. “What is this about? If you have grievances with me, this isn’t the place, Li—”

“You’re not the authority here. This is my son’s wedding.” Her eyes glass with anger, with emotion. “You can go. Go.” Lily points at the door.

“Fine.” She sneers lowly, “I don’t deserve to be treated this way.” At this, she flings her purse off the chair and onto her shoulder. Extra security leads her out.

Lily exhales a big breath and turns, her glassy gaze meeting mine and her son’s. An apology almost fills her eyes, but it fades.

Because I start clapping with deep pride.

Maximoff joins in, and others do too, the sound growing. She walks over to us, being led by applause from all directions.

We hug Lily together.

There are reasons why Maximoff says his parents are the strongest people he knows. Why he believes in them endlessly and faithfully.

Every time they’re kicked down, they crawl to a stance and fight towards courage. And I’m lucky as hell that I can call them my family.