Surviving (Surrender 2)

She tries to act shocked but can’t hold a serious face and starts giggling. Gabe and Harper come back to the table, and he holds her close. Raven gets up to dance and pulls my sisters’ with her. Will and Jimi sit next to me, and I tell them about Harper stealing Gabe’s phone. Jimi gives him shit about it, which we all find funny.

Several hours and drinks later, we finally leave. Chris and another driver have come back to pick us up. I cradle Raven’s body against mine and listen to her breathing even out. Even with all the noise going on around us, Raven passes out against my chest.

The next morning I hear her groaning into the pillow. I get the aspirin and water I set to the side.

“What time is it?” she croaks as she takes the medicine out of my hand.

“Just after eight.”

“Thank God, I have three hours until I have to get up and meet my mom.”

“Come here baby,” I open my arms and she crawls over to me.

“Dec, I’m sorry but I can’t fool around right now.”

“I know, I only want to hold you. Go back to sleep.”

“Will you sing to me? Anything you want, but it’ll help me go back to sleep.”

I sing softly and rub circles on her back until I know she’s asleep again. While she sleeps against me, I think of the words I’m going to say on the beach tomorrow. There’s a good chance I’ll get my mancard revoked, but maybe she will finally understand how much I love her.

Chapter 48

To the Ends of the Earth

Raven

Spa day is awesome! My mom knows right away we were all hung-over so she

orders food, and we eat between treatments. By the time we are done, I feel like a new woman. We head back to the condos to get ready for the rehearsal.

Declan and the rest of the guys are still at the beach so I text him that I will be taking a shower. I know this would get his attention. Since I was too hungover this morning to do anything, I figure he wants some time alone with me this afternoon. Right as I step in the shower, the bathroom door opens behind me. When I see him, I immediately lick my lips. He’s wearing black swim trunks and nothing else. His chest is glistening with sweat, and it makes me want to lick the tattoo across his upper body. Apparently he likes what he sees too because he is stripped and in the shower with me in less than five seconds.

“Hi,” I say softly against his neck as he kisses my shoulder.

“Hey babe, you have a nice day?”

“Yes, but I have a feeling it’s about to get better.”

“You’re right. First I’m gonna taste you then I’m gonna wash you. Once you’re clean, I’m taking you back to that bed and fucking you.”

“We have to be quick and quiet.”

“Quiet yes, but I don’t plan on being quick.”

I don’t argue with him because he places kisses down my body and lowers himself as he goes. He does everything he promised, and we still make it to the rehearsal on time.

When we walk through the hotel, most of our crew is already at the outdoor bar waiting on us. I spot Finn first, and his eyes rake over me before he smiles. He was running this morning when I left for the spa, so I hadn’t seen him yet today. Last night he danced with us a little bit but mostly hung at the table drinking beer with Jimi and Tripp.

Jay and Mike arrived sometime midday, and they were talking to David. Even though Laurie only needed the wedding party, it looks like everyone’s here. We didn’t choose a best man or maid of honor. Neither of us wanted to make that decision.

Laurie gathers the Groomsmen and Bridesmaids to figure out their order based on height. Then she walks us down to the beach where the ceremony is scheduled to take place. She explains where the chairs will be set up, and since our group is so small, she tells everyone to sit where they want. We’re not splitting up the sides. We meet the man officiating the ceremony and give him our wedding license.

Laurie wants to show us the room where the girls will be getting ready, so we follow her while the guys stay behind to wait for the actual rehearsal. The room is already set-up for us tomorrow and my dress is hanging in the corner.

My dad joins us, and we follow Laurie back down to the beach. Declan isn’t at the end of the aisle where I would assume he needs to be, but my dad tells Laurie to go ahead and start, we can practice a few times. When it’s time for my dad and I to walk, Declan still hasn’t appeared. Nate is standing in his place. I look around, and all the guys including Jay and Mike are grinning.

“What did y’all do?” I whisper to my dad. He shakes his head and put my hand in Nate’s as if he’s the groom. The officiate starts talking about the next steps when there’s shouting behind us.