Home Town Hero (Pink Springs 2)

“Damn it, Cooper. Now I’m turned on and offended.” She stomps away, but I smack her ass, and she turns around to glare at me while trying to hide her smile.

I stand there for a few more minutes checking my watch and trying to get my cock under control. Thankfully I’m calm enough that when Selma comes down the hall, I’m able to behave like a normal person and not the animal my wife creates when she gets close to me.

“Hey Cooper, you all set?” Selma asks as she grabs her flower bouquet from the table beside me. She’s one of Lux’s bridesmaids, and she’s wearing a dress that’s similar to Juno’s but not exactly.

“I’ll be much better when my brother arrives.” I say the last part through gritted teeth, but then relax when I see the front doors of the church open, and Luca struts in. “Thank fuck.”

“I’m guessing that’s him?” she asks as she turns to see where I’m staring.

“Yep, and it’s about damn time.” Luca walks quickly to where I’m standing and is fumbling with tying his bow tie the whole way.

“Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t get this damn thing to work.” He fights with it one more time before letting it fall open and his arms fall to his side. “It’s just not going to happen.”

“Want some help?” Selma offers, and Luca turns to her to say yes, but then he stops speaking.

For a moment he’s struck silent, which for Luca has honestly probably never happened. And I stand there staring at the two of them. Have they not met before? I didn’t meet Selma officially until the rehearsal last night, but Luca was delayed because of weather, and his flight didn’t land until this morning.

Selma is the first to react and goes right up to Luca and begins to fix his bow tie. He doesn't say a word, and I fight a smile as I stand there and watch it happen. I can’t remember the last time someone surprised my brother, but it seems Selma might have finally shut him up. I’ll think about all the ways to give him hell about this later, because right now the show is starting.

Lux comes walking out of the dressing room in her wedding dress, and tears sting my eyes. I love my sister so much, and I know this is truly the happiest day of her life.

“You look beautiful,” I say to her as I put her arm in my elbow and kiss her cheek. “I know Mom and Dad would have loved to be here, but I’m glad I could take their place.”

“Stop it or I’ll start crying and then so will Juno,” Lux says and sniffs.

Juno slaps me on my arm, and I see tears forming in hers. “She’s right.”

“You look beautiful too, baby.” I lean down and kiss her cheek and then nod to Luca. “Go make sure he stands in the right place.”

“I’m on it.” She winks at me, and I feel her swat my ass.

“You’ll pay for that,” I hiss at her, and she sticks her tongue out at me.

“Ready?” I ask Lux, and she nods.

“Take me to Bastian before he comes storming through the doors.”

When we’re all lined up and ready to go, I glance over at my brother. Luca is standing next to Juno, but his eyes are on Selma. I’ve never seen him look at a woman that way before, and I can’t help but wonder…is she the one for him?

Epilogue

Juno

“I think I need this one too.” Lux points to one of my paintings on the wall of my studio.

“You don’t have any more wall space,” I laugh.

Lux might be my biggest customer. She’s a dork. She must generally enjoy my work. I wasn't in need of help. I was actually doing very well. A lot of stuff is done online, but some customers still come in. Plus, everyone in town loves the classes. A few people have even rented out the space for a party because it’s so beautiful in here.

“Bastian got a place up north. I have room.” She rolls her eyes as she says it. “The kids love the snow, though. You guys should come out there sometime.”

“I’m sure we will.” I shake my head. “How many houses does that make for you?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Between Bastian and Selma, I can’t keep up on the real estate, but I do love some of those places.”

“Did you ever think this would be our lives?” We’ve done so much growing up over the last five years. How can all my dreams have already come true? I suppose I’d gotten a shitty hand early in life. Now the universe is making it up to me.

“Not a chance in hell.” I start to shut stuff down, powering off my computer. “What’s the plan here? We sneak out or play it cool?”