Face-Off at the Altar

by Toni Aleo

  Everyone nodded as Benji kissed the side of Lucy’s head, his eyes full of pure adoration for her.

  “Thanks, Dad,” Lucy said and he smiled.

  “As much as I want to say that her mother, I, or even her brothers were her biggest strength through the last year, I can’t. Because it wasn’t us. It was that man right there sitting beside her, Benji Paxton.” Lucy looked at Benji as Jayden slapped him on the back, nodding his head. “When I met him, I felt good. I didn’t get that ‘who’s this fucker’ kind of vibe. I got a good feeling because that’s Benji. He’s a good dude, and God, the love he has for not only Lucy but Angie too radiates off him. He stood right in the middle of the fire with Lucy, and he helped put out the flames, protecting her and loving her through it all. Because of that, I owe Benji everything. I owe him for loving my grandbaby and my baby girl, but also for giving them the life they deserve. So while I want to toast to my lovely daughter for all her accomplishments, this is mainly for Benji because, let’s all be honest, loving my daughter is not easy, but he does it better than anyone else.”

  Everyone raised their glass as Benji looked at Lucy, his lips curving up. “I hate to speak for Autumn, but I’m sure she agrees when I say we, along with River, are so thankful and happy to have you in our family. To be the one who will love my daughter and grandbaby for the rest of their lives. So thank you, Benji Paxton, for all you do. I wish you two all the happiness, all the love, and a long, beautiful life together. To Benji and Lucy.”

  “To Benji and Lucy,” everyone repeated. Lucy got up, coming around and hugging her father, kissing his cheek as her eyes filled with tears. When Benji came around, shaking the man’s hand, Mark wiped a tear as he nodded, waving them off.

  “Enough of all this. Let’s get another couple bottles to the table!”

  Everyone agreed, the tears flowing just as much as the wine was.

  Mekena was so involved in the speech and the love that surrounded Benji and Lucy she hadn’t even realized Markus had gotten up, or that he was standing beside her, until his fingers ran up the back of her thigh.

  “Markus!” she squealed and he smiled.

  “I like this spot,” he said, running the pad of his finger along her thigh. “It’s sexy.”

  Giggling, she smacked his hand away. “I’m working.”

  “Take a break. You get a break, don’t you?”

  She looked to Libby, who was watching her but acting as if she wasn’t. “Probably not. Libby is pissed.”

  “Oh?” he said, and she snapped a picture of Angie kissing Benji’s cheek.

  “Yeah, long story.”

  “Well, you can tell me as we dance,” he said, taking her hand in his before setting her camera on the table behind them as she protested.

  “I don’t want to piss her off any more than I already have,” she said, but he ignored her, pulling her out to the terrace where “When We Were Young” by Adele was playing. “Markus,” she moaned, but then they were dancing, their bodies pressed together as his eyes bored into hers.

  “Tell me what happened,” he said, sliding his hands along the opening in the back of her dress, his touch sending chills down her spine.

  Inhaling, she shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

  “I know. Tell me.”

  “But I’m working.”

  He shrugged. “I know the people paying you. Tell me.”

  She knew she couldn’t get away, nor did she want to. So she did what he asked; she rehashed the whole conversation and he listened. He didn’t say anything. He just let her talk as she went on and on through two more songs before she looked up at him. “I don’t want to be unhappy anymore, and being with you makes me happy. I mean, I’ve basically got this job. Elli said, ‘If things go well, can you start right away?’ And I said yes. I’m looking at apartments, and I just want to be happy. I’ve said that, right?”

  Nodding his head, he said, “Are you looking at apartments by the arena or practice arena? I hear the Gulch has good ones.”

  She eyed him as she fought back a grin. “Why would I look at those?”

  “Because those are where we’re gonna live.”

  “We’re?”

  “Yeah, me, you, and Mr. Right. I think the Gulch has ones that accept pets.”

  “Who said I want to live with you?”

  “Who said I care?” he retorted, and her face broke into a grin as she shook her head.

  “See? We just work. It’s good, right? Like, you feel it?”

  He nodded. “Mekena, I’ve felt it since the moment I met you. I don’t care what Libby says. We will make this work because I don’t want to love anyone else but you.” Her heart did a flip, followed by a dance, and then promptly blew up in her chest. “So, yeah, we have no clue what’s going to happen, but I don’t care. I want this. I want you. Mekena, do you want the same thing? I know you’re young, and hell, you might want to try sucking off someone else. Maybe he’ll taste good, but just the thought makes me want to kill the guy who doesn’t exist, but—”

  “I don’t want to suck off anyone else but you,” she said, cutting him off from his nervous rant. “I know I’m young and stuff, but my mom always told me ‘the biggest risk you’ll ever take is not taking the risk,’ and I want to take this risk.”

  Leaning his head to hers, he kissed her nose. “I want to too.”

  “Then we will.”

  “And we’ll make it work?”

  “We’ll make it work.”

  “Because I love you, Mekena, I do.”

  Her heart soared as she nodded, her forehead pressing against his. “I love you too.”

  She always had and always would.

  She only hoped it was enough to withstand anything that came at them.

  Markus woke before Mekena did.

  Reaching over, he moved a piece of hair out of her eyes and smiled. She was so beautiful and all his. He’d finally told her. Finally told her he loved her, something that had been true for so long but he never was able to tell her. That chance was taken from him, but not any longer. Now she knew, and he knew she loved him. Man, he’d never forget that moment either. The way her eyes lit up, or how her lips curved in such a sweet, delicate way.

  She loved him.

  As she slept, he couldn’t even take how right he felt. They were finally good and had the future at their fingertips. They were going to move in together, they were going to make a life, and he couldn’t believe how different he felt. How everything had changed in the blink of an eye. He was finally getting everything he wanted.

  He had her.

  His girl.

  He kissed the side of her mouth before getting out of bed. Since he knew they both had a long, big day, especially her, he decided to get up and start breakfast, giving her a little longer to sleep. Lucy and Benji’s wedding started at one, but she had to be there earlier for pictures of everyone getting ready. He was excited to see his friends get married, but even more than that, he was excited to dance with Mekena later that night. She had promised she’d make time, and he couldn’t wait. Really, he was just thrilled to be with her. It was like it was all new again, and he was giddy with anticipation for the rest of their lives.

  But he also heard Lucy loud and clear. Her words had rattled him a bit, but he realized she was right. As good as he felt now, that could change. He refused to allow what happened with Baylor after she was almost raped to happen with him. He wouldn’t put Mekena through that. It wasn’t fair, not when he could avoid it. So he would go to therapy. He had already made the appointment with the team therapist and was eager to make sure he never hurt anyone who loved him. He knew Baylor hadn’t meant to scare everyone, but with her being so headstrong, it was inevitable. Markus had learned from her mistake, and the gentle reminder from Lucy was needed. He wouldn’t let Mekena down. He already did that once by not fighting for her, and he wouldn’t do it again.

  Never again.

  Stretching his arms above his head, he left Mekena in
bed and went into the kitchen to start breakfast. As he walked toward the kitchen, Mr. Right moved in and out of his legs, almost tripping him as he meowed loudly.

  “Dude, I hear you,” he said, rolling his eyes as he went straight for the cat’s food. As he opened the can, Mr. Right meowed louder, his eyes watching as Markus scooped out the can. “Just to let you know, bro, when we move in to the apartment, you’re going on a diet.”

  Pain shot up his leg, and he glared down at the devil cat as he hissed. Now, he understood it was insane to think the cat understood him, but he was having a hard time not believing it. Laying the plate on the floor for the cat, he shook his head as Mr. Right attacked the plate, eating it as if he hadn’t just eaten twelve hours ago.

  “Happy now?”

  Mr. Right hissed and Markus glared.

  Little asshole.

  Rolling his eyes, he went to work on breakfast. It didn’t take much thought, which meant Markus’s mind wandered back to the fact that he hadn’t answered his parents. They had texted him twice more and even tried calling, but he ignored them, unable to answer their questions. As much as he would love for them to be there since he did miss them, he hadn’t brought it up again to Mekena, and he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. He was a little torn on what to do.

  As he plated some eggs beside the pancakes he had just finished, he heard footsteps behind him. He smiled when a pair of arms came around his waist. When she kissed his back, chills ran down his spine as Mekena said, “I love a man who cooks.”

  “You mean, this man?”

  “That’s what I meant,” she said, kissing him once more as he chuckled, setting the plate down. Turning in her arms, he gathered her up before pressing his lips to hers. As they parted, she smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Morning, gorgeous. Have a good sleep?”

  “Dead to the world,” she laughed as she pulled away, grabbing her plate. “I sleep better with you.”

  “I hear ya,” he agreed as he leaned against the counter, cutting some pancakes as she hopped on the counter and placed her plate on her legs. As they ate, he kept looking at her, loving everything about this. Yeah, there was a table not a couple steps away, but standing there as she sat on the counter felt right. Felt perfect.

  “This is really nice,” she said, glancing up at him, her face blushing a bit. “Like, really nice.”

  “I know.” He smiled.

  “We shouldn’t get a table when we get an apartment.”

  He laughed. “I can’t make love to you on the counter, too high.”

  She was fully blushing as she laughed loudly. “Perv!”

  “Your fault for being so sexy,” he accused, and she giggled, kicking her legs happily.

  “Why don’t you have any sausage on your plate?”

  He shrugged. “There were only two links. Guess someone ate it all.”

  She shot him a guilty smile. “It’s my fave.”

  “I know.” Cutting into a piece of sausage, she held it out for him. “I made that for you,” he said, shaking his head.

  “But it’s your favorite too.”

  Grinning at her, he took the bite before she smiled back happily, going back to her food. Clearing his throat, he didn’t return to eating. Instead, he drank in the lovely color on her face and the way she smiled as she ate. How he ever lived a second without her would forever be the question of his life. This girl completed him. But he did miss his parents, and that was a problem. Could he have both?

  “Hey.”

  She looked over at him, her lips still curved happily. “Hey.”

  “I never answered my parents.”

  Her smile faltered a bit as she nodded, cutting into a piece of pancake. “Oh.”

  “Yeah,” he said, sucking in a deep breath. “I kinda want them to come.”

  She looked up once more and nodded. “You can get tickets, right?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Well, then good.”

  But was it? As she ate, he paused, watching her once more before he asked, “Would that be okay with you?”

  Meeting his gaze, she paused. “It’s your parents, Markus.”

  “I know this, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

  Her face wrinkled. “I appreciate that, but they’re your parents, you’re making your debut. I don’t matter.”

  He scoffed. “You always matter, and if you don’t want them there, I won’t invite them.”

  She gave him an incredulous look. “As sweet as that is, it’s ridiculous. Invite them.”

  He held her gaze. “Are you comfortable with it?”

  She swallowed hard as she nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

  “You’re lying,” he accused, and she let out a breath as she shook her head.

  “They hurt my feelings, Markus, but I refuse to allow you not to invite them because of me. I don’t have to see them.”

  “But if I reach out like this, they’re coming back into my life.”

  She paused. “I thought they got divorced?”

  “They worked it out,” he said, running his hand along his head, scratching the back of it. “Which is good, I guess.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed, and he noticed she had stopped kicking her legs as she chewed on her lip. “I mean, it was stupid to divorce when he didn’t even cheat.”

  “That’s what I said,” he agreed, rolling his eyes at his parents’ drama. His mother had accused his father of cheating with one of the waitresses at their restaurant, but it wasn’t true, and he did everything to prove that. His mother had still wanted the divorce, though. That was, until his father basically wooed her into staying. It was nice and sweet, but then everything happened with Mekena, and Markus didn’t care about their drama any longer.

  “You want them to come?” Mekena asked, and he looked up, meeting her soulful gaze.

  Nodding, he said, “Yeah, I would.”

  She cupped his cheek. “Then invite them. This is your day, and if you want it, I want it. Maybe they’ll be nice to me.”

  When she winked, he smiled. “They will. I promise.”

  Putting her empty plate on the counter, she jumped off and kissed his cheek. “Well, I’m only worried about you anyway. They didn’t chase me off before, and they won’t now.”

  Catching her in his arms before she could get away, he held her close. “Seriously. I’ll cut them out before they’re mean to you.”

  Kissing his jaw, she nodded. “Thank you.” He pressed his lips to hers again as she smiled. “I gotta get ready.”

  “Okay,” he said, kissing her once more before letting her go since he knew she had to. She couldn’t be late, and he understood that. As he watched her head back to the bedroom, he pressed his palms into the counter and let out a breath. That hadn’t gone as well as he wanted. He knew she wouldn’t be keen on it, but he wanted her to be comfortable, so he would keep his promise. His parents wouldn’t be shitty to her.

  Reaching for his phone, he dialed his dad’s number and waited for him to answer. When his dad’s deep voice filled the line, he closed his eyes. It reminded him so much of his grandfather’s.

  “Markus.”

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Wow, it’s good to hear your voice.”

  “Yours too,” he said, and he meant it. “Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. Lucy is getting married this weekend, so we’ve been doing wedding stuff.”

  “Yeah, we hate that we can’t come. We sent a card since Mom has the ladies’ luncheon at church and I have to work.”

  “I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.”

  “Yeah,” he said, and Markus hated the awkwardness. He’d never really had a good relationship with his parents since their restaurant always seemed more important than him, but he loved them. “So, wow, you’ve been called up. We’re proud.”

  “Yeah, thanks. I’m excited.”

  “Game is Wednesday?”

  “Yeah, I’m going to get my family tickets fo
r you guys. I’ll have them up at the box office for you.”

  “Or you can drop them by the restaurant?”

  “Eh, I might not have time, but I’ll try.”

  “We’d love to see you. We miss you.”

  “I miss you guys,” he admitted as he drew in a breath. “How is Mom?”

  “She’s good. Missing you.”

  “Yeah, maybe we can try to be better about communication.”

  “Son, it’s pretty one-sided. You stopped talking to us.”

  “For good reason,” he said bluntly, and his father cleared his throat.

  “Maybe so.”

  “No maybe, and I need to make one thing clear.”

  “Okay?” he said, and Markus’s heart pounded.

  “If either of you is rude or disrespectful to Mekena, I will never speak to either of you again.”

  His father paused, and Markus almost chewed a hole through his lip. “I hadn’t realized you were still with her.”

  “I am.” He figured he’d leave out that they had been apart for longer than a year. His father didn’t need to know that because it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they were together and Mekena was his. If his parents wanted to be in his life, they had to accept Mekena.

  Clearing his throat, Markus’s father said, “We look forward to seeing you play.”

  He wasn’t sure what that meant. “I mean it, Dad. She means the world to me.”

  “I hear you, and I understand. We will see you Wednesday if you can’t swing by the restaurant.”

  As he let out a breath, he nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Great, see ya soon.”

  “Bye.” He laid his phone down and squeezed the edge of the counter. He wasn’t sure how he felt. He wanted to be excited; he had both his parents and Mekena in his life.