Reckless (66 page)

While Mom held Gibson and Anna supervised from the only semi-comfortable chair in the room, a handful of us tried to hide some of the unsightly machinery. Riley and I were standing on step
stools, awkwardly attempting to hang a superlong linen sheet from the ceiling; I was trying to keep my shoulder rested by not lifting my right arm too high, which made decorating a bit challenging.
Kellan frowned while he watched me. “I feel completely and totally useless.”

Dropping the sheet, I huffed a stray lock of hair out of my eyes and smirked at Kellan. “Well, that’s what happens when you go and tear an internal organ. Maybe next time you should
be more careful.”

Kellan’s lips curled into a sexy half-smile. “The next time we’re hit by a floral truck, I’ll be sure to do that.”

My mother’s face paled. “Not funny, you two.”

The clerk from the city arrived when we were halfway done with decorations. She seemed flustered to be near Kellan, and even though he wasn’t feeling all that hot, he did his best to put
her at ease. Perhaps excited that there was finally something he could do to help, Kellan even flirted with the woman a little. Her cheeks flamed bright red, and Kellan shot me an amused glance.
Just like the clerk, I had been a blushing mess when Kellan had first started flirting with me. There was nothing that I could have done about it, though. Kellan was just too sensuous for his own
good.

By the end of the day everyone was tired, but everything was all set, and I was ready to marry the man of my dreams.

I couldn’t sleep at all that night, especially since Anna had made me go back to the hotel with her and the girls. She said I couldn’t spend the night before my wedding with my
fiancé. When I told her she’d spent the night before her wedding with hers, she scoffed in my face. “Griffin and I are way different than you and Kellan.” Pointing a finger
at Mom holding Gibson, she’d added, “We did everything back-asswards.”

The next morning, Abby disappeared for a few hours to go watch the parade with Denny while the other girls prepped me for my big event. Even though it was a holiday, we were
able to get manicures, pedicures, and relaxing facials. New York City really did never sleep. Abby returned while Mom was getting my dress ready, and Jenny and Kate were curling my hair into long
loose ringlets. Saying that the natural look suited me better than a fancy updo, they left my hair flowing down my back and across my shoulders. When they were content with my finished look, Anna
went to town on my makeup. I reminded her that I was a pretty simple person, so my makeup shouldn’t be too much.

Without skipping a beat, she told me, “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the whore makeup for your wedding
night
.” Leaning in she added, “By the way, I asked a nurse
for you, and you guys will be able to start knockin’ boots again in four to six weeks.”

Even though she’d just done my mascara, I closed my eyes in embarrassment as all the girls in the room tittered, our mother included. TMI, Anna. T. M. I.

Seeing my mortification, Anna giggled and merrily stated, “You’re welcome.” A laugh escaped me, and opening my eyes, I gave my sister a warm smile. I suppose that
was
information I needed to know.

Mom helped me slip into my dress when the girls were all done beautifying me. Anna and I had found a very simple satin, tank-top dress. It was a brilliant white color that had a bit of a shimmer
to it—it was elegant and modest, but stunning too; Anna said it suited me to a tee, but I personally thought it suited Kellan to a tee. They were no frills on it—no lace, no beads, no
ribbons, no elaborate sleeves. It was beautiful simply because it was beautiful. Like Kellan, the dress didn’t need any enhancements.

I slipped on a pair of simple white shoes, then turned to look at myself in the mirror. I almost couldn’t believe it was me I was looking at. With bouncing curls, moderately smoky eyes,
and a gleaming white dress, I looked like something straight out of a fairy tale—the princess about to marry her prince. Except, instead of a crown, this princess had a sparkling guitar
necklace draped around her neck. Even I had to admit . . . I was gorgeous.

Mom had tears rolling down her cheeks as she snapped pictures of me on her phone with one hand while juggling Gibson with her other. If she was crying already, she was going to be a wreck by the
actual wedding. She might need a Valium. Good thing we were going to a hospital. Feeling my eyes start to fill, I warned her, “Stop it, you’re going to make me cry and ruin my
makeup.”

Mom sniffed as she made a valiant attempt to control herself. “Sorry, honey, you’re just so beautiful.”

Grabbing her elbow, I inhaled a deep, calming breath. “I’m ready. Take me to my husband so I can finally marry him.”

My dad had arranged for a limo to pick us all up. It was a plain one, clearly on the bottom of the rental scale. There were no real frills on the inside except a shelf in the wall holding
bottled water. It was perfect, and I greatly preferred this simplicity to the overdone elegance of Sienna’s limo.

The limo dropped us off right in front of the hospital. The fans outside went ballistic when they saw me. They tossed out such flowery compliments that my cheeks felt heated, but I smiled and
gave them a gracious curtsy anyway. I even waved for the paparazzi. Let them splash my face all over the magazines. It would only give me more photos to use for my wedding album.

Our entourage walking through the halls had to have been a strange sight, but all I saw everywhere I looked were smiles. The nurses, the doctors, the other patients—everyone seemed as
excited about this moment as I was. Well, maybe not as much as I was. I was nearly bursting at the seams as I clung to Mom’s arm. When we got to Kellan’s floor, rose petals were
scattered along the ground. My eyes misted up just seeing the bright red velvet. My vision watery, I followed the path marked in flowers.

When I reached the hallway that led to Kellan’s room, the moisture in my eyes grew disastrously thick. Dressed in gray slacks and a dark blue button-up top, my dad was waiting for me at
the end of the hall. He looked ten years younger as pride filled his face. New tears spilling from her eyes, Mom handed me off to Dad. Whispering, “I have never been more proud of you,”
in my ear, he enclosed me in a warm hug. It took everything in me to not start crying.

Holding on to Dad for dear life, I looked down the hallway toward where the injured love of my life was waiting for me. The corridor was lined with at least a dozen nurses, doctors, technicians,
and other staff members, and all of them were holding the softly glowing vigil candlesticks that the fans outside were using. Some patients’ doors were open, with curious faces peeking
through the cracks, but I didn’t care one tiny little bit if strangers were watching this bizarre spectacle.
I was getting married today.

The hallway floor was also littered with red rose petals, and at the end of the hallway, standing right in front of Kellan’s door, was Deacon. He had Kellan’s acoustic guitar
strapped around his neck. The minute he saw me, his face split into a wide smile. “You’re beautiful,” he mouthed, then he started to strum my favorite D-Bags song. I just about
lost it. My mother did.

Carly handed Anna and Jenny small bouquets that had been gifts from Kellan’s fans; she gave Kate, Cheyenne, Rachel, Abby, and Hailey flickering candles. She handed me a bouquet of white
and yellow Cala Lillies. I hadn’t seen these in Kellan’s room. Seeing my confusion, she shrugged. “I ordered them this morning.”

Awed and impressed, I gave her a swift hug as each of my bridesmaids started drifting across the petal-strewn tile; their dresses perfectly matched the roses. Once they disappeared into the
room, Deacon’s song shifted to the traditional wedding march. I couldn’t stop the tears then, and Mom quickly dabbed my eyes before running to the end of the hall so she could film my
father walking me to my husband.

I had no idea how I did it, but I made it to the end of the hallway upright. I was shaking so bad, I was sure Dad could feel it. He patted my arm in reassurance as he helped me along. I gave
Deacon a brief smile, then turned toward Kellan’s room. Even though I’d helped set it up, the room marveled me. Long, silky tablecloths were hung from the ceiling all the way around the
sides of the room, hiding the telltale signs that we were in a hospital. Strands of tube lighting were hung along the tops of each sheet-curtain and in between the seams. It bathed the dimly lit
room in warmth.

The hospital had placed red industrial carpets from the door to the other end of the room where the minister, dressed in a sharp black pantsuit, was waiting by the wide window. Linens wrapped
with tube lighting and flowers were hung in a way that framed the window, like an altar; outside the window, I could see the swarms of fans in the background. The floor was covered with the rest of
Nick’s ostentatious floral arrangement. The remainder of the bouquets lined the windowsill.

Except for Kellan’s bed, all of the furniture had been removed from the room, creating space for the guests to stand. As my eyes drifted around the area packed full of witnesses who loved
Kellan and me, each of whom was holding a flickering candlestick, I was overwhelmed with love.

The remaining members of Holeshot and Avoiding Redemption were here, clustered near the door. Still playing the guitar, Deacon moved into the room behind me. Jenny and Anna were standing to the
left of the minister; both of their cheeks were wet. Evan was standing on the right side, and Denny was standing in a spot of great honor beside him. Grinning ear to ear, Denny nodded at me and
minutely lifted his candle.

The rest of our massive wedding party was lining the carpet leading to Kellan’s bed, boys on one side, girls on the other. Faces full of pride, Matt and Griffin were standing beside
Justin, Gavin, and Riley. Opposite them were the rest of my girls, Rachel, Kate, Cheyenne, Abby, and Hailey. Griffin was rocking Gibson back and forth, the tiny baby fast asleep in her
father’s arms. And much to my relief, Griffin was dressed similarly to the other boys in a solid black dress shirt with matching black slacks that I’m assuming had a back to them.

My blurry vision drifted to my husband as my father and I passed by the bridal party and stepped to the foot of the hospital bed. Kellan’s eyes were glossy as he stared back at me.
“You’re breathtaking,” he murmured. While I’d been gone, someone had helped Kellan put on real clothes. He was lying on top of the covers and had on a loose, white button-up
shirt draped over dark black slacks. And he was barefoot. Even a little banged up, I thought he looked pretty breathtaking too.

I stood at the end of his bed, fully prepared to climb in with him and get married lying down, but Kellan held his hand up to stop me. “Wait.”

Preparing himself for pain, he started to sit up. I immediately took a step away from my father. “No, Kellan, don’t. You’re still weak, you can lie down. You don’t have
to stand for this.”

Cringing in discomfort, he grabbed onto his IV stand with white knuckles. “I’ve been waiting my entire life to marry you, Kiera. I think I’ll stand.”

Gavin instantly handed his candle to Riley and rushed to Kellan’s side. It almost made me laugh that
both
of our fathers were helping us to the altar, but I was too touched by
Kellan’s actions to do anything but cry—a happy, pride-filled cry.

After Kellan jerkily made his way to the nurse marrying us, his father stepped back. My dad kissed my cheek before letting me go. Fearful of Kellan toppling over, I rushed in to take the void
left by Gavin. Kellan smiled down at me, then let out a low, controlled exhale. “I’m okay.”

Wanting to match Kellan, I kicked off my shoes and tossed them out of the way; rose petals stuck to the soles of my feet. Aside from the IV stand Kellan was holding on to for support, we looked
like we were getting married on a beach, and I could easily imagine the sound of the ocean in the background—although that could have been the rustling of all the people trying to pack
themselves around the door so they could watch.

Kellan laughed as I curled my toes on the carpet, and he didn’t cringe as much as he had yesterday. While the minister thanked everyone for being there, Kellan reached into his pocket and
placed something in my palm. Discretely looking, I saw a rose petal with the words
Forever Your Husband
written in bold black letters.

I clenched it in my hand as the tears mercilessly rolled down my cheeks. I wanted to lean up and kiss him, but we weren’t at that part yet, so I restrained myself.
Not
kissing
Kellan Kyle is very hard to do, especially when he was looking at me like I was the most miraculous thing he’d ever seen.

I clasped Kellan’s free hand with both of mine as the minister directed her speech toward us. “Kellan Kyle, Kiera Allen, your friends and family are gathered here today to watch your
two separate lives merge into one. From this point forward, you will face the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of life as one being. You will be bound together, body and soul, and the desires of
the one will be forsaken for the needs of the two. But there is strength to be gained from this bond, for each of you. Where one might break, two can stand tall. Where one might fold, two can hold
firm. From here until the end of your days on earth, you will have someone to support you during times of weakness, comfort you during times of grief, encourage you during times of fear, and
celebrate with you during times of joy. That is a gift, one that should never be abused or taken for granted. Cherish each other as God cherishes you, and you will both know peace.”

I squeezed Kellan’s hand as I glanced up at him. We’d been through so much already, but she was right—we were strongest when we were together. We lifted each other up, brought
out the best in each other. We were better people together. From somewhere behind me, I could hear my mother sobbing.

Looking to the Best Man and Maid of Honor, the minister asked, “Do you have the rings?”

Anna nodded as she wiped her tears away with a knuckle. Kellan and I had handed over our rings while decorating. I was a bit relieved that Anna hadn’t lost Kellan’s. Motherhood had
done wonders for her responsibility. Her eyes swimming with more tears waiting to fall, Anna handed me Kellan’s promise ring. Evan’s face was equally emotional as he handed Kellan my
wedding ring.