“Something tells me, he's good at more than just wielding a gun.” Latoya elbows Keri. “Go shoot your shot and get him to knock some dust off your coochie.”
Keri snorts and rolls her eyes good naturally. “Or, you could give yours a break.”
Latoya lets out a bark of laughter. “That’s a good one. No, really. Go to the good officer and spread ‘em.”
“Leave Keri alone,” Heaven admonishes Latoya. “She’ll get some when she wants.”
“Thank you,” Keri says, then sticks her tongue out at Latoya. “Okay, Celeste. You can tell me to mind my business, but why do you need protection?”
I stretch out to give my belly space after inhaling my meal. I hold up a finger and take a sip of water. “Make your drinks if you want my story—strong ones.” They perk up like anyone on the verge of good tea and do what they’re told. “While y’all do that, I’m going to change into pajamas.”
Keri pops up and grabs her bag. “Why don’t we all change into pajamas—pajama party!”
“Why not? I doubt we can go out, and even if we could, I can’t be the only one popping my pussy in the club,” Latoya admits.
The girls run back to their rooms, and Heaven goes with them to borrow something after she confesses to not having pajamas due to Axel’s rate of pouncing. Once she mentioned it, I’ve noticed that my pajama-wearing frequency has dropped considerably since living with Beau.
Donned in pajamas and with drinks in hand, the girls gathered around for my tale of woe that I've been sharing a lot lately. One of the perks is it gets easier to tell each time. Latoya pops up in the middle of it.
“Hold on, I need some popcorn. This is a damn thriller.”
We pass the bowl of popcorn as I finish telling them everything.
Keri dabs her eyes with a tissue. “Poor Beau. His loss is tragic and you can’t seem to lose this crazy man; yet, you two manage to fall in love during all of this. That’s a beautiful thing.”
“They make us look real basic. We can’t find significant others, and we just have regular, people problems,” Latoya gives me a soft smile. She’s just as affected as Keri but doesn’t want to dwell on it. “Did Heaven give you the download?”
“No. Oh, and there’s this woman, Emma. She’s Beau’s late wife’s best friend. She thinks Beau is hers. In the beginning, we caught her watching us have sex…”
“No she fucking didn’t!” We all pause because that came from Keri. I haven’t been friends with them for long, but I know that isn't’ the norm for her. She continues like she didn’t just cuss. “You really have to hear Heaven’s and Axel’s story. They’re crazy women magnets.”
I sigh. “Well...look at them.”
We laugh then Heaven launches into her and Axel’s story, and I understand why Latoya wanted popcorn, because I gorged myself while listening. I started clapping when Heaven told me she beat Allie’s ass. She’s despicable.
“Man, I hope Emma never escalates to that. After tomorrow, Beau will be my husband. I don’t want to shoot anyone; I can’t fight pregnant.”
“If she does, put two caps in that bitch’s ass,” Latoya suggests.
Just like any good girls night, we ran through all emotions. After a good cry about our luck getting to marry good guys after having loser exes, we all fall asleep.
Beau
It’sa beautiful day on the beach. The noon sun hits the water and sand just right. The waves are calm and so am I. It may have been Axel’s idea to elope, but Celeste and I are up first. The arrangements are last-minute and inexpensive compared to what someone of my station can afford for a wedding, but my gigantic smile matches my bride’s as she floats toward me. Her curls are loose with flowers in her hair. Her knee-length dress is simple with a lace-bodice that gives way to soft tulle that flows around her thighs. Clutching her dad’s arm is the only thing keeping me from fantasizing about slipping the hem up her thighs.
Not once did I think I’d get married in khaki shorts and a buttoned-down shirt with less than twenty people present and be ridiculously happy about it. I squeeze her hands once her dad hands her over, to convey my faith in us and our decision. I know I’ll love her forever. Although we repeat the standard vows, the love and energy flowing between us make them our own special promise to each other.
“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant declares.
Those words don’t strike me with bittersweet déjà vu. Instead, they pump me full of happiness that would have me dragging my bride off to our room if my best friend wasn’t also about to get married.
We smile during our kiss while our attendants clap and cheer, but I pull back to keep it PG. I feel sorry for Heaven’s parents because I cannot guarantee Axel will show the same decency.
Luckily, they’ve spent time together; Axel has the comfort of not being the new man and soon-to-be husband in his woman’s life. Axel, who’s dressed similarly—his shirt is white, and mine is light blue—pats me on the back and kisses Celeste’s forehead as we switch places.
Holding her hand, I rub my thumb over the simple gold band now adorning her finger. I left it simple since her custom ring is being made. I just needed something for the ceremony. We accept hugs and congratulations from Axel’s and Heaven’s parents since they arrived this morning.
We take our place to witness Axel and Heaven wed when someone yells for us to “Wait!”
