Tear Down These Walls (39 page)

The music begins to play. Georgia exclaims, “OH! It’s starting!”

“Let me look,” Leo says. He glances out the door. “Okay, it’s clear for
you to come out.”

The girls spread out Georgia’s veil and skirt and they leave the room.
There is no one left in the entryway to the sanctuary, so they all gather
around the doorway. The groomsmen meet them. Justin immediately walks over to
Teagan. She ignores him.

“Is everyone ready?” Georgia’s father asks.

Everyone nods.

“Okay,” he says. “You guys can start in.”

Fred and Ellen walk over to the doorway and start down the aisle. Justin
sticks his arm out for Teagan. She glares at him, but takes it begrudgingly.
The next couple goes through the doorway. Justin takes a step forward and leads
Teagan over to prepare to enter the door.

“I always thought walking you down the aisle would be different than
this,” Justin whispers, ever so quietly.

“Screw you Justin,” Teagan retorts breathlessly.

“Teagan,” he starts. “I just want to say….I’m so sorry. I know you
shouldn’t forgive me.”

Putting on a big smile, Teagan says, “And I won’t.” With that, they start
their way down. Almost immediately, Teagan’s eyes start to scan the crowd. She
wants to find Kellen but doesn’t see him right away. She looks to the right and
finds him sitting next to her mom.  Her mom waves and mouths, you look
beautiful. Teagan can’t help but look past her and lock her eyes on Kellen. He
gives her a glowing smile, and it melts her heart. His eyes suddenly narrow and
he gives her a devilish smirk making her blush. Kellen starts to chuckle.
Teagan turns her head away from him. A giggle bubbles in her throat, but she
quickly holds it in.

They get to the end of the aisle, and Teagan takes her place, turning her
eyes back to Kellen. He locks his gaze on her, and a few minutes pass while
they stare at each other. A million thoughts run through Teagan’s head. What it
would be like to be up here with Kellen? She wonders what his secret is. Is it
something that will make her hate him? Is he into drugs? Does he have a shady
past? It has to be something bad. Of course, Kellen said it wasn’t bad. It was
just big. What could it be? Teagan’s attention finally snaps back to the
wedding, and her eyes widen. Georgia is already standing near Dwayne. Teagan
quickly turns and faces the minister.

The wedding seems to drag on. Teagan’s aching feet make her wish that
they all hadn’t chosen heels to wear. Finally, Dwayne and Georgia kiss, and the
room erupts in applause. They happily link arms and walk back down the aisle.
The best man and maid of honor are next to exit. Teagan looks up at Justin. He
extends his arm. She glares at him but takes it anyway. They start to walk back
to the doorway. “You should be the one in white,” he murmurs.

“And
Kellen
should be waiting at the end,” Teagan sneers under her
breath. Right then, they pass him. Teagan blows him a kiss. Kellen blows her
one back and makes her burst out laughing. “He’s so damn cute.”

“You go for cute now?” Justin mumbles, his voice laced with contempt.

“No, I go for sexy and seductive,” Teagan snaps with a smile. “Guys that
kick the asses of punks for fun.”

Justin stiffens, “Are you calling me a punk?”

“Oh no, Justin,” Teagan growls. “I have much worse names for you.”

They exit the sanctuary, and Teagan immediately slides her arm from his
and walks over to Georgia. “That was wonderful!”

“Thank you!” She exclaims. “It was perfect!”

“Come on guys,” Dwayne interjects. “Line up for the receiving line.”

They all take their places. Teagan says hi to everyone but impatiently
waits for Kellen. Her parents are first. “You’re beautiful, Honey!” her mom
yells.  She gives her a big hug.

“Thanks, Mom,” Teagan exhales, as her mom grips her hard.

When she lets go, her stepdad steps forward, “You do look great, Baby
Girl.”

“Thanks,” Teagan replies, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I will see you
at the reception.”

“Okay,” her mom sighs happily. “Have fun!” She turns to the next person
and stops.  A look of hatred spreads across her mom’s face. “Justin.”

“Beth,” Justin counters, putting on a smile.

“It’s Mrs. Anderson to you after what you did,” Teagan’s stepdad growls.
He grabs his wife’s hand and leads her farther down the line.

Kellen steps up to Teagan. “Baby, you look radiant.”

“Aw shucks,” Teagan giggles, acting bashful. “You must say that to all
the girls.”

“Well…..” Kellen starts as he grimaces dramatically.

Teagan hits on the arm. “You ass!”

“Rest assured, I’m your ass, no one else’s. And I don’t say girls are
radiant. That wasn’t a pick up line.” Kellen brushes his fingers down her
cheek. “You’re gorgeous.”  Slowly, he bends down and places his lips on
hers. Teagan feels the crowd disappear around them as she kisses him back.

“Teagan,” Justin hisses. “People are passing us by.”

She pulls away from Kellen. Rubbing the lipstick off his lips, she
mumbles, “Sorry.  Honey, I will see you in a bit.”

“Dwayne said I can ride in the limo with you guys,” Kellen replies. “So,
I will wait for you after pictures.”

“Awesome,” Teagan retorts in glee. He smiles and walks on. As Kellen
passes Justin, he sneers at him. Justin backs up a few inches. Kellen smirks
and saunters away.

“If he touches me, I am calling the cops,” Justin hisses.

“Whatever, Justin,” Teagan groans. “Hey!” She says to the next person,
completely ignoring
him.           

When it’s time for pictures, Teagan exhales because she knows she will
have to touch Justin more.  Everyone goes to the front of the sanctuary.
“Okay,” the photographer says. “Let’s do everyone together first.” He instructs
everyone where to stand. Justin has to put his hands on Teagan’s arm, making
ner instantly nauseous. The only thing that makes her feel better is Kellen
standing in the pew. He keeps giving her gentle smiles.

A half an hour later, everyone is piling into the limo. Kellen grabs
Teagan’s hand and helps her in. When he takes his seat next to her, he places
his hand on her leg and squeezes.  Teagan leans over and gives him a kiss
on the cheek. “Time for champagne!” Georgia yells.  Dwayne takes the
bottle.

“Here, let me do it,” Kellen says.

“Sounds good; I have never opened one,” Dwayne laughs.

Kellen takes it from him and unwraps the top. Then in a graceful
movement, Kellen pops the cork away from everyone, and not a drop of champagne
spills over except into the first flute. Everyone starts cheering. “Second
glass,” Kellen instructs. Carefully, he pours each flute and hands them to
everyone. Holding up he toasts, “To the bride and groom and many years of
happiness.” Everyone cheers and drinks.

Dwayne reaches over and starts the music. Teagan smiles and everyone
begins dancing in their seats. They drive around for a while, and they all
drink two glasses of champagne by the time they get to the hotel. “Come on
guys!” Georgia exclaims. 

They get out of the limo and Kellen takes Teagan’s hand. She leans
against him, as they walk into the hall. The crowd starts clapping as Dwayne
and Georgia walk in. Kellen leans down to Teagan. “We should get something into
you other than champagne.”

Scoffing, Teagan goes, “Nooooo, I’m fine. We’ll be eating soon.”

“Teagan,” he chuckles. “We don’t need you puking again. I’m not trying to
be overbearing, but you don’t want to be sick in the morning or drunk before
dinner even starts.”

“I think Gabby already is,” Teagan giggles, pointing to one of the
bridesmaids.

“Yeah, well, let her make a spectacle,” Kellen states, giving her a kiss
on the cheek.  “What would you like to drink?”

“Coke,” Teagan replies.

He starts to pull her over to the bar. When they get there, Kellen
states, “A coke and a Smithwick’s, please.”

“Hey!” Teagan exclaims. “You can drink?”

Kellen smiles.  “Look at my size, and then compare it to yours and
how much alcohol we have each consumed.”

Giving him a pouty face, Teagan mumbles, “Fine.”

“Hey, I have no responsibilities here and don’t have to drive. I may
actually enjoy drinking tonight,” Kellen states. “I don’t get to do that very
often.”

“Ooooo,” Teagan draws out. “Does that mean I can take advantage of you
tonight?”

“Maybe,” Kellen teases.

Teagan smiles and kisses him.  After they have their drinks, they
walk around the room. Teagan introduces Kellen to everyone she knows. He is
very polite and social with each person. Teagan enjoys the looks on their faces
when they see him. 

A little while later, dinner is about to start. “I have to go to the head
table,” Teagan sighs. “I don’t know why bridesmaids are sitting next to their
groomsmen. It’s stupid.”

“You’ll be fine,” Kellen replies. “Stab him in the leg with your fork if
need be.” That makes Teagan laugh. “See, you will be okay.  I promise.”

“Okay,” Teagan says. “Go sit with my parents.”

“Yeah, they are telling me the best stories of your childhood.” Kellen
grins.

Teagan’s jaw drops  “That is totally not cool!”

“I think it is,” Kellen chuckles. “See you after dinner.”

“Okay,” Teagan says, giving him a kiss.

Dinner starts, and everyone takes their seats. When she gets to the head
table, Justin pulls out her chair. She glares at him. “Just sit down, Teagan,”
Justin mumbles.

She takes her seat and ignores him. It is a plated dinner, so waiters
start to bring out the salad. Teagan starts to talk to Fred and Ellen, who are
next to her. “Teagan,” she hears whispered from her side.

Taking in a deep breath, Teagan turns to Justin. “Yes?”

“Can we please be civil for a minute?”

“I think I am being very civil considering the circumstances.” Teagan
glares.

“I figure you can’t run away right now and will have to listen to me.”

Teagan glares at him and hisses, “This is our friends’ wedding. Now is
not the time.”

“Then when is?”

“Next…..” Teagan starts.

“Next?” Justin counters.

Leaning in by him, Teagan whispers in his ear, “Next to never Justin.
Fuck off.” With that, she sits back in her chair and takes a sip of
champagne.  Her eyes fall on Kellen, and he gives her a concerned
look.  Teagan raises her glass to him.  He laughs and shakes his
head.  Smiling, she lifts her fork up like she is going to stab
someone.  Kellen gives her a thumbs up and laughs some more.

Throughout dinner, there is a lot of tapping on glasses, which makes
Dwayne and Georgia kiss every time.  Then the best man and maid of honor
give their speeches.  Teagan finds it all very touching. Finally, dinner
is over, and Teagan makes her way over to Kellen.

“Hey,” he says, as he stands up.

Teagan smiles and goes up on her toes, giving him a big kiss. 

Kellen pulls away. “Are you all right?”

“
Yup
,” Teagan giggles. “Just happy to be by you.”

“Me too,” Kellen murmurs, pulling her close. “Want to have a drink?”

“Sure.”

He takes her hand and leads her to the bar. “What would you like?”

Teagan thinks about it for a minute and says, “Amaretto sour.”

“Sounds good,” Kellen states. He leans in by the bartender. “Amaretto
sour please, and a Jack and Coke.” The bartender nods.

As they wait, a group of guys come up next to them. One of them is
Justin. Teagan rolls her eyes at Kellen. “How you doing, Baby?” Kellen asks.

“Perfectly fine, thank you,” Teagan replies.

Suddenly, she hears, “Dude, not to be rude, but do I know you from
somewhere?”

Teagan and Kellen turn to the guy. “I don’t believe we have met before.”

The guy gives him a quizzical look, obviously trying to place Kellen.
Justin groans and mumbles, “He’s Kellen Grayson, the MMA fighter.”

“Undefeated UFC champion,” Teagan adds on.

“Holy crap,” the guy says. He turns to Justin and starts to laugh. “Your
ex is dating an MMA champion.” The rest of the guys start to laugh with him.
“Wow, way to move up.”

“Anything would be a step up,” Teagan counters.

“OUCH! Burn!”

Glaring at the group, Justin snaps, “Don’t be such a douche.”

“The only douche I see standing here is you,” Teagan quips back.

Justin stands up straighter and steps towards her. Kellen is instantly in
his face. “Say something, do something…..I dare you.”

“All right, all right, settle down,” the guy interjects. “It’s a wedding,
a time to celebrate, not murder.”

“Exactly,” Kellen agrees, as he steps back to Teagan. “Let me buy you a
round.”

“That’s all right,” Justin retorts in anger. “We don’t need it.”

“Screw you,” one of the guys says. “I am up for a free drink, especially
from Kellen Grayson.”

Kellen pulls out money and throws it on the counter. “Order what you
want.”

The bartender comes back with Teagan’s drink. “Thanks,” she giggles
happily.  Teagan takes a sip. “Mmmmmmmm good.”

“Drink up, Buttercup,” Kellen murmurs. “It will make later much more
fun.”

“Sloppy drunk sex,” Justin retorts sarcastically. “How romantic.”

“No, romantic sex, starting with a full body massage by candle light,
moving on to an hour of foreplay, and concluding with hours of soft sex,”
Kellen states.

“Hot damn!” Teagan cheers and raises her glass to toast his idea.

With a glare, Justin says, “Whatever.”

“Let’s go up there right now!” Teagan exclaims. Kellen laughs at her. She
puts on a serious face. “I wasn’t kidding.”

“Go for it man!” One of the guys exclaims.

“No, no, no,” Kellen replies. “We have to dance the night away.”

“Ohhhhh,” Teagan draws out, “Fine.”

“Here you go sir,” the bartender says, handing Kellen his drink.

Pointing to the guys, Kellen declares, “I am buying a round for these
guys.”