by EJ Logan
Ari
The rehearsal went well; this is going to be one beautiful wedding. Afterward, we went to a luau for the rehearsal dinner. We all had a blast dancing, drinking and eating some amazing food. All the girls and I even got on stage to do a hula dance competition, which I won might I add. Though I don't think my amazing dance moves are why I won. That would have to do with having more curves and a louder cheering team than all the other girls dancing. Caleb got the crowd into it when it was my turn. I still can't believe we're together, and he loves me. This messed up boy who couldn't or wouldn't love, fell for his small town PA, now doesn't that sound cliché.
Caleb and I spent the night in bed just holding each other. It was a perfect day. Now I'm sitting in the room that was reserved for Tess and me to get ready for the wedding. The stylist just left and Tess is putting her dress on as we speak. "Ari I need some help,” She said as she came out from behind the curtain.
She looked gorgeous. Her dress wasn't big or fancy just a simple white gown that was open in the back except for some straps that tied, which is where she needed the help. "Of course, turn around. You look amazing, by the way,” I told her as I finished tying her straps.
“You do too, I love that dress on you,” She said smiling at the dress I had on. We decided to go with a lavender strapless sundress that fell to about mid-thigh. I loved it.
“Thank you. Now my dear, we have some tradition to uphold,” I said walking to the door and opening it to reveal Tess' mom, Callie, Lizzy and Kelly. They all walked in telling us how beautiful we looked.
"Okay, so first your mom has something old,”
"Oh honey you look radiant, I am so happy for you. Now what I brought has been passed down on this day for five generations. I know you have seen it in your father and I's wedding picture, and now it belongs to you,” She said as she pulled out a gorgeous Pearl and diamond flower hair comb.
"Oh, mom it's beautiful" She whispered as her mom helped to put it in her hair.
"Okay, now for something new, before you start crying and ruin your beautiful makeup,” Callie said as the three girls walked up with a little black box. Tess opened it to reveal a beautiful pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings.
“Oh my god, these are amazing. Did you guys buy these for me?”
“All four of us went in on them for you. So you like them?” Lizzy asked
"I love them, thank you guys,” Tess exclaimed as she made her rounds hugging each of us.
"Now I bring to you something borrowed,” I told her as I opened a jewelry case and pulling out the bracelet inside. "This was my great-grandmothers and my mom and I wanted to let you borrow it for today. Also, it went well with all the pearl and diamond accessories,” I said as I helped to clasp the diamond and pearl tennis bracelet onto her wrist.
"Oh, thank you Ari, its perfect,” She said fanning her face to keep from crying.
"Okay, time to lighten the mood, boys we need our blue,” I yelled out the door as seven of the 'elite eight' all but Jake, of course, came piling into the small room.
“So we have your blue, my dear,” Aiden said as he pulled a blue garter out of his pocket.
"Actually, we just wanted to see a little leg before it's officially off the market,” Trey laughed as Drew smacked him.
“Who's going to put it on her?” Aiden asked
All the guys said, "Not me" simultaneity.
"Hey, maybe Caleb should do it. Jake can't get mad if her cousin puts it on her,” Came Dan's response.
“Hey, I'm not putting something on my cousin's thigh. That's just weird,”
"Oh, we don't have time for this, give it here,” I said taking the garter from Aiden and getting down to put it on Tess.
As I made my way up her leg, the guys couldn't help but be the pervs they are. "Damn girl that's hot,” I heard and a chorus of whistles and cat calls. It's not like I even did it in a sexy way. Seriously I just brought it up her leg, and I was done, but boys will be boys.
"Enjoy the show boys?" I asked as I stood. They all nodded except Caleb, who just laughed at me as I rolled my eyes. "All right time for everyone to leave now. We have a wedding to get to,” Everyone made their way out giving Tess small hugs as they went.
As Caleb left, he pulled me to him, giving me a sweet kiss on the forehead. “You look beautiful babe,” He said as he walked out the door.
"Okay, you ready for this girl?" I asked turning to Tess.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Oh and Ari, thank you,” She said hugging me.
“For what?” I asked
"Well, for everything, for being an amazing friend and amazing maid of honor. Mostly though I want to thank you for saving Caleb. He was so messed up from his dad until you came into his life. So I guess just thanks for being you,”
"Awe Tess, stop you're going to make me cry, and you know Caleb saved me too,” I said wiping at my eyes. "Okay, it's time to head out,” I said grabbing her hand as we made our way to the main room, where Caleb and Tess' dad were waiting for us. From here, you could only see a path surrounded by beautiful foliage.
“You guys look amazing. I can't believe my baby girl is getting married. Where has the time gone?” Tess' dad said pulling her into a small hug just as the music began to play.
"My dear," Caleb said formally as I wrapped my arm around his. I just looked at him and smiled. The whole way up the isle Caleb would whisper stupid things making me smile big and laugh a little. I'm sure the pictures being taken were going to be interesting.
As we approached Jake and the minister Caleb stopped and kissed my cheek, before we went to our separate sides. The music changed, and moments later Tess' came into view with a huge smile on her face. I looked over to the guys to see Jake was lit up just as much, but when I looked at Caleb, I was surprised to see he wasn't looking at his cousin at all. No, his eyes were directly on me, the way he looked at me with such intensity, sent shivers down my spine and my nipples to pebble in want. How this boy could do this with just a look was beyond me, but I loved the way it made me feel.
The wedding went beautifully and as they kissed I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be up there with Caleb one day. As we made our way back down the aisle, Caleb looked down at me. "I couldn't help but picture the two of us up there saying our vows one day,” I must have looked pretty shocked at his words. "Babe, I'm not asking you to marry me today but like I said I'm not letting you go. So one day we'll be up there confessing our love for each other too. Don't act so surprised, I. Love. You. Ariana Berkley,”
“I love you too Caleb Carter,” I said reaching up to give him a small kiss.
After what felt like hundreds of pictures later, we met everyone at another part of the beach for the reception. We all had an amazing time. At one, point when I was out dancing with the girls, I saw Caleb talk to the DJ, and just a few moments later the song changed just as Caleb asked me to dance.
I loved it when he sings to me, and this was Kiss Me one of my favorite Ed Sheeran songs. As he sang the song, he looked me right in the eyes, and I felt my heart melt all over again.
EPILOGUE
Ari
It's hard to believe I've been living here in San Francisco for nearly nine months now, and Caleb and I have officially been an item for about five of those. As soon as we were back from Hawaii Caleb literally threw all my clothes into his closet, moving his out of the way. When I asked him what the hell he was doing, he just shrugged and said something about moving my stuff to "our” bedroom. Just hearing “our” made me so happy. How this beautiful man was able to let go of everything and learn to love me so deeply and with so much passion blew me away.
That was another thing soon after we came back he told me everything about his past, his mom and little sister's death. How his father drowned his pain with alcohol and blamed Caleb just because he had no one else to blame. He also told me about the talk him and his father had the day I went back to my mom's. I was glad to hear his father apologized re
alizing all he had done. He's been working hard to mend fences with Caleb. He comes into town about once a month now, and we go there about the same. He's been great to me and seems to like me. Though, before I met him I was so worried about what he would think of me. Caleb helped me to calm down, when he told me it really didn't matter what his dad thought about me, only what we felt for each other.
My mom and Christian came at Christmas, and she took the time to get to know Caleb, and now she loves him almost as much as me. Though she did have Christian give him a warning about not hurting me, which I thought was pretty funny considering Caleb was a good four inches and twenty pounds heavier than him.
Tess and Jake are doing great. They bought a house that is only two doors down from ours. We all had a blast fixing it up. Having painting parties. We still have house parties too, just more like once a month now, and all the guys have been cool with it as well as cool with us being a couple. Well, all but Dan, he seems to be annoyed by it¸ Caleb asked him about it once, and he just shrugged it off saying he had no problem. Still I see it, I think he's just mad all his friends are finding someone and leaving him behind. What annoys me though, is that he still will bring a couple groupies to our parties and is always trying to push one towards Caleb but I trust Caleb and he has never shown even the slightest interest in any of them. He truly seems only to have eyes for me.
I do have to say my faith has wavered just a bit this past week. Caleb went back to Houston and even though he wanted me to come Dan had other plans in mind. Since he was one of the lead Architects, he made a big deal of wanting to go see the site for himself. So that left me needing to stay back and look after the office while they were gone. Usually I wouldn't care about it, but twice now I've been on the phone with Caleb and heard girls talking right next to him. Of course, when I would ask him who it was, he would say that some girl was talking to Dan. Then he would usually sit on the phone with me the rest of the night anyways, but it still bothers me just knowing how much Dan's always trying to undermine our relationship.
But today is my birthday the big twenty-three and my baby will be back. He said it would be tight, but he would be at my dinner tonight, that everyone was taking me to.
Even Callie came in for the weekend. I haven't seen her since New Year’s, and I miss her. Talk about missing Callie, Aiden can't seem to get her out of his head. The problem is he always ends up in bed with her every time she's around and then she just blows him off and runs back home like she always does. I told him to quit sleeping with her, but he said he would rather have some of her than none. Man what a sweetie, he can be.
I had just brewed a cup of coffee when my cell rang. Picking it up, I saw it was Caleb and my heart skipped as usual. "Hey, Baby girl, happy birthday,”
"Awe thanks, babe, I just can't wait to see you tonight. I miss you,”
"I miss you too, more than you could ever know. We just have this meeting at eleven, and then we should be boarding at about one to head back home,” He had just finished talking, when the next thing I heard literally crushed me.
"Hey, Caleb thanks again for last night. I had a lot of fun. Oh, are you on the phone?" A sickly sweet voice purred. No, he wouldn't, would he?
"Ari babe, that's not what you think. I don't even know who this ch..,” But I didn't even wait for him to finish his sentence before my phone slammed against the wall shattering to a thousand pieces.
I fell to my knees, not knowing what to do. It was always in the back of my head that this could happen, I mean he was used to being with a different woman practically every night. Of course, he would get bored of being with the same one for so long. I guess I just hoped I could be enough for him.
I sat back against the counter letting the tears fall, for I don't even know how long until I heard the doorbell. I just sat there ignoring it until I heard keys and the door opening "Beautiful; it's me,”
Aiden of course, I knew when Caleb couldn't get a hold of me he would either go for Aiden or Tess. "I'm in here Aid," I said standing and wiping at my face.
I saw his face drop as he made his way around the corner. "Awe beautiful, what happened?" He said pulling me into his arms. "All Caleb said was there was a misunderstanding and he asked if I could check on you. I asked what happened, but he said he couldn't get into, because he had to take care of something, but he would explain everything to you tonight. He said to please just listen to your voice mail,” Aiden said as he stroked my hair. Leading me to the couch, he asked, "Where is your phone?"
I looked up at him "I... In a million pieces on the kitchen floor. I was so mad I just chucked it,” Aiden brought me down on his lap on the couch, and I buried my face in his shoulder "How could he?" I mumbled into his shirt.
“Beautiful why don't you tell me what happened and we can try and figure this out together,” He said softly to me.
Rubbing my nose, I sat up slightly to look at him. "Th...There was a girl. She spent the night,” I said before losing it again.
Caleb
I couldn't fucking believe Dan and his stupid shit. What the hell? I know he set that up. After I practically threw the chick out the door, I tried to call Ari back about a dozen times but it would just go straight to voice mail every time. So I did the only other thing I could think to do which was call someone to go check on her. I was a little hurt she didn't even give me a chance to explain, but I also know how hard it is for her to trust with the past she has. Plus I know I would probably have reacted the same way. I knew everyone, but Aiden would freak and ask a ton of questions, so I called him and he didn't ask anything just said sure man and that was it.
Now that I had that taken care of it was time to take care of Dan. “Dan” I growled banging on his door. A moment later a shirtless Dan answered.
“Hey man, did you see that little hottie leave my room? You could have had her friend if you weren't so pussy whooped,” He scoffed
"Don't try and act dumb. You know I saw that nasty slut come out of your room because you purposely had her come out and thank me for last night when I was on the phone with Ari,” I spat
"Calm down man it’s no big deal. I was just messing around anyways if the girl doesn't trust you enough to know you wouldn't mess around on her maybe you shouldn't be with her.” Not even thinking about it I literally threw Dan against the wall and punched him in the face.
"What the hell is your problem man? I fucking love her, why can't you get that through your thick head. She's it for me; I don't want any other woman. Not even for sex, I am done with the way I was. Never again. It will always only be her. You and I,” I said gesturing between us "We've been friends since we were eighteen, and I love you like a brother but if I can't fix this or if you do one more thing to try and mess up my relationship, I'm done,”
“How can you say that man, you would seriously end a ten year friendship over some chick,” Dan asked as he wiped the blood from his face.
"That's the thing you don't seem to get Dan, she's not just some chick and if you were truly a friend, you wouldn't be trying to mess up the best thing to ever happen to me. And why? Just because you feel like you’re losing all your boys. We don't have to be single to hangman. Shit you’re not some college kid anymore grow the hell up,”
He just ran his hand through his hair and nodded. I hope to god this will sink in this time. “Okay man, when we get back I'll explain everything to her,”
“Actually Dan I need her to hear the truth now, call her and explain and if it goes to voice mail leave a message,” I told him handing over my phone with Ari's number already pulled up.
She didn't answer, but he left a message explaining what happened as I got ready to go to this meeting.
We decided he would just wait here and then meet me at the plane by one since his face was a little messed up, and we didn't want the investors seeing it.
Plus I think if they heard one of us hurt their Ari, it might be the end of our business relationship with these guys. Seriously that was all they a
sked about for the past week.
The meeting went well and in no time I was on the plane about to head home to my girl.
Ari
I ended up finally being able to tell Aiden about the whole phone call from this morning, after another good bit of crying.
“Oh, Ari I really think you should let him explain or at least listen to the voice mail on your phone. Here let's do that,” He said as he called my number and then I put in my info to listen to my voice mail. I had like thirteen messages. Twelve from Caleb asking me to call him and one from Dan.
"Ari listen I need to apologize. I've done everything in my power to break you and Caleb up since you got together. Throwing chicks at him, treating you like crap and then this morning, I sent the girl I had hooked up with the night before out while you and Caleb were talking and told her what to say. It took a good punch to the face, but I realize what an ignorant, immature ass I have been and honestly I'm sorry. I guess I was just scared of losing my boy. You need to know that Caleb hasn't even looked at another girl since you two have been together. Even before you were together, he has only had eyes for you and still does. Just talk to him when we get home. Again I'm sorry I did this and hurt you. I really like you, and think you’re a cool girl. So please don't let my stupid actions ruin what the two of you have,”
“Oh god, now I feel like such an idiot for not letting him explain. I should have trusted him. Ugh why does love have to be so hard?” I asked as I looked over at Aiden.
He shook his head “I don't know, and don't kick yourself for jumping to conclusions. I think just about everyone would have in that kind of situation, now add in your past and Caleb's and how could you not,”
“Thanks, Aiden for everything,” I said wrapping my arms around his neck for a hug. Just as my front door opened and in walked Callie.