Thisisit.
I couldn’t believe how damn nervousIwas.
Suck it up, buttercup. It’sshowtime.
Standing in the middle of the Unacceptables bar and pool hall in a suit and tie while sweating bullets was making me jittery. It felt wrong not being in my cut, flannel shirt, and worn out jeans, but Raine wanted me dressed in a monkey suit and she wastheboss.
Happy wife, happy life—right?
I couldn’t believe it was finally time to make Raine Hellock my wife. It felt like it had been forever since I asked for her hand in this same bar, and I couldn’t decide if I had been more nervous then or if this moment was going totrumpit.
The whirlwind of our relationship was finally calming, and there I was standing knee deep in my version of a happily ever after. I didn’t know how an outlaw like me could ever deserve someone as perfect as Raine, but I wasn’t going to questionmyluck.
All of my club members and their families were gathered to help witness our big day, donning their Sunday best—well, all except the Unacceptables. They were embracing the complete biker heaven wedding with cuts and beer flowing fromthekegs.
My dad was standing next to me with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. He put his hand on my shoulder as he said, “I’m really proud ofyouson.”
“Thanks Pop.” I gave him aquickhug.
Holton Walsh had become so much more than just a father to me in the short time we had been together. It was strange to think that he hadn’t always been in my life, but better late than never. We had all come a long way since I rode into that small mountain town in the middle of North Carolina. I had nothing more than a name to find a man who hadn’t known I existed. My mom kept my existence a secret from my biological father for the first eighteen years of my life. I didn’t blame my mother for making the choices she had in raising me, but I was happier with the life I had found with the family I hadn’t known I was missing. Holt, along with the rest of the Unacceptables were my true family and I don’t know how I went so long without them in my life. All I knew was that I never wanted to be without anyofthem.
I tugged at the tight-ass collar of my dress shirt as Crickett and Collin walked in through the front doors and down the makeshift aisle. My soon-to-be mother-in-law walked up to me, kissing me on the cheek. “You look like you’re shitting bricks, Ryder. Try to take a few deep breaths orsomething.”
I could always leave it to Crickett to help me relax in her own blunt way. “Thanks, I’m trying.” But there was no way it was going to work this time. I was nervous asallhell.
And then I saw her. Everything faded. Nothing existed except the woman walking through the wooden door. The world seemed to stop spinning—Raine was that damn stunning. She slowly ambled with the biggest smile on her face in a simple lace gown hugging her curves. Abel was being his normal, stoic self as he escorted his little girl in; I knew he was putting on a brave face for the crowd and would tear up sooner rather thanlater.
It felt like forever before they finally made it to the daisy-covered alter, and Raine practically bounced her last steptome.
“Holy! Fucking! Shit!” Raine was laughing her ass off while I was fighting waterworks like a damn pansy. “We’re actuallydoingthis!”
The bar was decorated in something that Crickett and Raine calledshabby chic.We were standing in the middle of the bar with Abel next to us as our wedding was about to start, and there Raine was being hergoofballself.
“Honey, hush.” Abel cleared his throat. “We’re supposed to be taking this seriously.” Abel shook my hand. “Readyson?”
I nodded. “Fuck yeahIam.”
After Abel hugged Raine, he took his spot in between us. Abel put his hand in the air, motioning for everyone to take their seats and be quiet. “As all of you know, Raine asked me to get ordained, and even though my knee-jerk reaction was to say ‘hell fucking no’, here I stand about to marry my precious daughter and one of the best men I know. Ladies and outlaws alike, we have come together today to witness and celebrate the union of Raine Hellock and RyderWalsh.”
Raine sniffled and whispered, “I love you Daddy.Thankyou.”
He flashed a closed-lipped grin over to her before he continued, “Raine and Ryder have been on this journey for longer than I care to know—yes, I knew you were climbing through my daughter’s window long before you thoughtIdid.”
I could feel my cheeks prickle as I looked over to my president and soon-to-be father-in-law. “Well, at least I’m about to make an honest woman outofher.”
Everyone laughed,thankfully.
Abel put his hand on my shoulder. “I should have wrung your neck all those years ago, but in some ways, I’m glad I didn’t, because I have never seen my little girl as happy as she is when she is looking at you. Ryder fought to prove himself worthy of the cut, and that love has led us here today. Their road has been paved with rough patches and fond memories, and their experiences of that togetherness have led them here, to make a public pronouncement that they have each found their onetruelove.”
I could hear his voice start to catch as he read from a binder clutched in his subtly shaking hands. “When you say to each other ‘I love you’, what you are saying is, ‘Hold on tight, the ride is long.’ Be empathetic to your partner’s wants and needs. Hold each other in the highest regard, always. Have a sense of humor as you meet life’s challenges. Honor one another when you are together or apart. Respect each other’s differences and embrace them. Enjoy the good times, and endure the storms. When your heart and the wide-open roads call to you, follow just to see what awaits you both. Don’t be afraid to satisfy your dreams with new and different experiences. Make your dreams come true, together. Most of all, love one another without limits or restriction. Raine? Ryder? Are you ready to make your promises to eachother?”
Raine and I locked eyes as we responded in unison, "Weare."
I closed my eyes, taking a slow breath in, silently praying I wouldn’t forget the vows I wrote for Raine. Grabbing her hands a little tighter, I looked into the eyes of my love as the words leapt from my soul. “Raine, I love you more than the wind whipping through my hair, but never ask me to take back seat while you drive and we will be happy forever. As we take our vows of marriage, I promise to love you and take you anywhere we can ride on two wheels. Please take my heart and ride with meforever.”
Raine wiped a tear from her cheek before replying, “I love my leather, and I love the way I can cuddle up with you on the back of your bike. Being with you, holding you close as you take the turns tightly, I can feel a connection with you, with your spirit, and I love that feeling. I want to hold you forever, riding off down any highway we come to. Our marriage and love will take us through any weather, and it makes me overwhelmingly happy to now become youroldlady.”
Abel’s gruff voice boomed, “May I have the rings,please?”
