Taking a calming breath she nods “Go ahead.” She’s ready to hear it now.
“Ryan Winters committed suicide this morning in his cell.” She sits bolt upright.
“He did?” She almost sounds hopeful. I know he still gives her nightmares now and again. Every time she has one I want to rip the bastard’s throat out for what he’s done. It may not be right but I’m glad he’s dead.
“Yes. Ralph was contacted this morning after it happened. They left it in his charge to inform you and he rang me.”
“Does it make me a terrible person that I don’t care? I hated him, Asher. Not just for me, for all of us. What he did impacted on everyone. Now we are all back to normal, like it never even happened and I’ve just been waiting for the trial date to be announced and stir everything up again. It was like a dark cloud hanging over me and now the sun is shining again. I was dreading the trial and now I don’t have to hold myself together through another big public spectacle, I’m happy.”
“None of that makes you a bad person, baby. It makes you human. I never wanted you to have to face that fucking monster again. I knew you’d have to at the trial so I’m with you on everything you just said. We can really move on now. There’s no where to look but forward.”
We told everyone the news later when we were all together. You could literally feel a pressure lift in the room. It’s awful to think how one twisted person affected our lives so much. More than even we realised until now. Ryan Winters couldn’t touch our lives again. That knowledge gave me peace. Bow never worries about herself, always others so I do it for her. We all deserve a break from worrying.
Walking up to our bedroom, I’m excited to show Bow what I’ve done. It’s not very often I get to surprise her so this is really a novelty. I strip down ready for bed, leaving my t-shirt on. Bow climbs in next to me. She snuggles up and then realises what’s different.
“Why are you wearing your t-shirt? Are you cold?”
“No. I just hurt my chest this morning and I didn’t want you worrying about it.”
“Asher, don’t be stupid. You know I’ll look after you. What happened? Let me see.”
I pull my t-shirt over my head and throw it on the floor giving her an unobstructed view of the new tattoo that covers the half of my chest over my heart; two bells tied together with a ribbon bow. My Bow Bells.
Epilogue
Five years later
Bow
I’m so excited for today. I helped to plan everything yet I’m still incredibly giddy. Asher’s just let me loose at this point. Not even he could reign me in. It’s Tate and Radley’s wedding day. They’ve had quite a journey to this point and this celebration is thoroughly deserved. I even have Nathan Fillion from Firefly officiating the ceremony. I had to tell them in advance because Asher said he was afraid they’d both pass out at the altar if I left it a surprise.
Surprisingly, all of us Oddballs have stayed in Texas. We’ve spread out, other than Colby and Pepper who live next door to us, but we see each other and meet up all the time. The holidays are something else entirely now that everyone meets up with their families in tow. They’re huge events yet so personal to us all.
“Mom, do I have to wear this suit? I don’t like it. Dad says he doesn’t like his either.” I smile down at my beautiful three year old son, Mikey. He’s a double of Asher with my mis-matched eyes.
“Yes you do. It’s only for one day. Don’t you want to look smart for your Uncle Tate and Uncle Radley?”
“I guess so.” He looks sheepish and sighs. My moody little man.
“I promise tomorrow you can wear whatever you want, even your Captain America suit.”
“Yay!” Bargaining always works.
Pepper walks in looking stunning but very uncomfortable. I remember the eight month mark of pregnancy. It’s incredibly warm today too, that won’t be helping. I’m going to make sure she takes it easy.
“Bow, Colby and I are going to get to our seats and I’m told I’ve got to leave these pair with you. You sure you can manage? They’re being a bit wild this morning.” Holding her hands are her and Colby’s three year old twins, Parker and Reece. They were born two months after Mikey.
“Of course. I’ll be fine. Asher’s still with me until we walk them down to the wedding coordinator, it’s her I’m worried about.” We both giggle imagining the poor woman trying to organise our four wily kids. The twins run off to go and find Mikey.
It’s going to be a great day. I’ve been so happy since I met all these crazy people. It all seems like a dream.
Asher
Oh shit. Bow’s going to kill me. My baby girl has gotten hold of a chocolate mint from the hotel bedroom and her face and hands are covered. Fortunately, after a quick check I can see that miraculously none has gotten on her bridesmaid dress. Phew. She smiles up at me, looking the spit of her Mom with my brown eyes.
“Have you had some chocolate, Evie?”
“One, Daddy. Mikey say yes.”
Mikey will give anything to his sister. Always has since the day she was born. He’s as weak with her as I am with Bow. You just can’t say no to them. I clean her up quickly with a wipe and pick her up. She’s my angel and she knows it. It’s the same with her Grandpa Ralph. He dotes on her like no one else. I’m sure it’s because she looks so much like Bow did at two years old.
I stop the boys from wrestling and take them to find Bow. We’ve got to be down at the ceremony in five minutes.
And there she is, my stunningly gorgeous wife. Bow hasn’t changed a bit since the day I met her. Shes still as kind, caring and generous as ever but she’s got something more now, a new glow that she’s had since becoming a mom. She’s still modelling and more popular than ever but her life is our kids.
I’m reminded constantly by anyone that meets her that I’m a lucky bastard. I don’t need reminding. I know it every day when I wake up with her in my arms.
The End.
Note from author
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Model Student (Oddball #1) and I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear what you think so please leave a review on Amazon or on Goodreads.
You can contact me through facebook or via my email:
[email protected]
Find out about updates and new books from my blog:
cjwashingtonbooks.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks again.
C. J. Washington
Also available:
Duke (Fallen MC)
Coming soon:
Honour Student (Oddball #2) – Colby and Pepper’s story
Untitled (Oddball #3) - Tate and Radley’s story
Musketeers (Fallen MC #2)
Razor (Fallen MC #3)
Model Student Page 21