by Toni Aleo
“I know,” she agreed. “It’s just my family hates you with a passion.”
He nodded. “I get that, but in the end, they’ll see that I’m what’s right for you.”
Placing her hand over his heart, she kissed the side of his mouth. “I know that and that’s all that matters. Finish with your mom while I call the airline.”
“Okay,” he said, going to hit the mute button, but first he met her gaze and smiled. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
He knew she meant it, but something in her eyes seemed off. Deciding that he needed to talk to her more and ease her fears, he clicked unmute as he watched her go into the bathroom with the phone to her ear. He didn’t know what sent her to rush to the bathroom, but he was sure it wasn’t to call the airline.
Letting out a long breath, he said, “Ma, we are gonna see what we can do. I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, baby, I love you and congratulations. I know how much she means to you.”
Karson’s chest ached with love for his mother as he nodded. “She does. Thanks, Ma. I’ll call you.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
He had no doubt. Hanging up the phone, he got out of bed to follow Lacey into the bathroom. He found her leaning against the sink, the phone against her shoulder and, as he expected, her eyes were full of tears. When one slid down her sweet cheek, he took her hips in his hands, pulling her against him.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, holding her close.
She shook her head. “Nothing, give me a minute— Yes, I need to change our flight from Chicago, Illinois, to Mosinee, Wisconsin, please. Yes, can we leave out to Chicago same day? The following morning will be fine. Yes, thank you, charge the Visa on the account. Yes, thank you, goodbye,” she said, hanging up the phone. She then said, “Okay, so we leave out a little earlier, and we have to stay the night with your mom, but it’s no big deal, I think.”
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he demanded.
“Are you even listening to me?”
He nodded. “I heard every word, but I want to know why you are crying.”
Her lip quivered and she looked away, but as quickly as she tried to hide her face, he cupped it, holding her so that he could look in her eyes. “Don’t hide from me,” he said sternly. “I spent the last nine years imagining your face, and now that you are my wife, I don’t want you to ever hide from me.”
Tears rolled down her face and over his hands as her lips continued to quiver. “I’m so excited to meet your family, I am. But they are so happy to meet me, and that’s not the case for you. My family hates you, but yet, you still love me, want to be with me and everything when I can’t offer you what you are offering me from your family.”
Her eyes locked with his, and he could see the pain and stress this was causing. Moving his thumb to catch her tears, he took in a deep breath. “Lacey, you don’t have to offer me anything but your heart. I don’t need your family; I need you.”
“I know, but I just want it to be good the way I know it will be with your family. I mean, they already like me and they haven’t even met me.”
“Because you are amazing.”
“Karson,” she whined, her mouth curving a bit but then it fell. He tipped her face up and met her gaze. She was lying to him and he couldn’t believe it. Didn’t she know that he saw through her when she tried to lie? He could still remember the first time she had tried to lie to him. It was after he had been stalking her for almost a week, begging her to date him. She didn’t want anything to do with him, or at least that was what she told herself and him. Truth was, she wanted him but she was scared, and that was fine, he could ease her fears. He still remembered the way she looked him in the eye as her mouth formed each lie, telling him to stay away. He didn’t listen, obviously. He had one thing on his mind, and that was to love Lacey for the rest of his life.
And just like that moment, he knew that she was lying to him now. He didn’t know why, but he had every intention of finding out and then doing whatever needed to be done to fix it. She only lied when she was scared, and she had no reason to be scared. Not when he was in her corner, loving her with every bit of his heart and soul.
“This isn’t about your family liking me; we both know that won’t ever happen. What’s wrong?” he demanded, and like he knew she would, the tears came faster down her cheeks. He bundled her up in his arms, kissing her temple and whispered, “Tell me, baby. Let me fix it.”
She shuddered against him, wrapping her arms around him as she cried into his neck. Kissing her cheek, he nuzzled his nose in her neck, his stomach churning at the sound of her sobs. Holding onto him tightly, she took in a deep breath and then whispered, “I’m scared.”
His stomach dropped as his heart broke in his chest. He knew this had to do with her family, and he wished that he could fix it. The only problem was he didn’t know how. How did he make people like him when they had spent the last nine years keeping them apart? It seemed unlikely that he would succeed, but when those two words left her sweet mouth, he knew he had no other option but to try.
Lacey didn’t want to cry.
She wanted to be happy. She was married to the man of her dreams, his family was excited to meet her, and they were starting a life together, but all she could think about were the texts and voice mails from her family.
Rachel: Where the hell are you? Are you okay?
Rachel: you’re worrying me. Did Karson hurt you?
Rachel: are you alive?
Rachel: this isn’t funny. I went to your apartment and you’re not there! What is going on? You have an hour to call me or text me because before I tell Grady.
Rachel: only thirty minutes left. Please, Lace, I’m worried.
Rachel: okay, this is insane. I’m calling Grady.
Grady: Hey, what’s going on? Rachel is freaking out.
Rachel: I told him. You better answer now! Next is your dad!
Grady: Seriously, what’s going on? And what’s this shit about you being with that fucktard King?
Grady: Lacey Arielle Martin, I swear to God if you don’t answer my calls or my texts, I’m telling Dad. For real, you’re worrying us.
Rachel: seriously, we don’t want to get your dad involved, please answer us.
Grady: that’s it, I’m telling Dad.
Rachel: he’s calling your dad.
Then started the nasty voice mails from her father since Nate Martin didn’t text. He proceeded to tell her that he was going to call the cops, and then he did call the cops, but they couldn’t do anything until she was missing for twenty-four hours. He threatened to kill Karson, tear him limb from limb, and bury him in a hole with the help of Grady, of course.
She felt horrible for worrying everyone, but she was just caught in the moment. Wrapped up in everything that was Karson, and now her family was freaking out, calling cops and threatening Karson’s life. How was she supposed to just call and be like “Hey, we got married!”? It wasn’t going to go that easy; everything was bound to be a clusterfuck of hell once she made that call. She knew she needed to do it. It would be like ripping off a Band-Aid, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She was scared of what they would say, what they would do. She didn’t want to lose her family, but she refused to lose Karson.
For a second time in her life, she felt like she was flying. Karson made her feel like that. Like she was lost in the clouds and never wanted to let her feet hit the ground. She didn’t want to go back to her life of nothing, her boring existence, only getting excited when she helped someone. Yes, her job was fulfilling, but her life wasn’t complete. But now that she had Karson, it was. Sure, they didn’t have anything figured out, but they would.
Because they had each other.
Lifting her face from his neck, she met his worried gaze and handed him her phone. “They are freaking out.”
He held her in one arm while his other scrolled through the messages. “I can see that.”
“I
know I need to call them, but I’m scared, Karson. They ruined us back then, and I know they are going to try again.”
He tightened his arm around her and said, “But we won’t allow them. Maybe now that we are older, they’ll see we are serious. You need to call and tell them you are okay. If you want to wait to tell them about us, that’s okay, but at least let them know you are all right.”
She shook her head quickly, her heart aching in her chest. She loved him so much and couldn’t believe that he cared enough about them to have her call to ease their worries. They didn’t deserve his kindness, and they sure as hell weren’t going to get it from her. She refused to lie about them too. She was proud of her marriage, the man she chose; she just wished her family would feel the same. She could be wrong and they could surprise her and support them, but if they’d tried so hard to keep them apart, why would they just sit back and let her be happy now? Her father and brother were set in their ways and decided a long time ago that Karson wasn’t good enough for her, which was by far a mistake.
He was made for her.
Meeting his gaze, she shook her head again. “I refuse to hide us.”
He kissed her temple and whispered, “Just call them, baby. I’m right here.”
She nodded slowly and took the phone from him, deciding to call Rachel instead of her father. As Karson held her close, his lips at her ear, whispering how much he loved her, she listened as Rachel picked up on the second ring.
“Lacey! What the hell! Where are you? Are you okay?” she cried in relief. “Yeah, it’s her.”
Shit, she wasn’t alone. Lacey should have known better.
“I’m fine,” she answered. “My phone has been dead. I just charged it and saw all my missed calls and texts.”
“Where are you?” she asked. “Hold on, let me put you on speakerphone. Your dad and Grady are here.”
Wonderful, she thought, but then Karson’s thumb caressed her jaw as he dusted his lips along her temple. Calmness washed over her as she leaned into him, needing the support he offered.
“Are you all right, honey?” her father asked.
“Where are you?” Grady asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered, taking in a deep breath as Karson leaned back to look at her. “I’m in Vegas,” she said slowly, meeting his gaze. “With Karson.”
“Why. The. Hell. Are. You. In. Vegas. With. Him?” Rachel said, enunciating each word.
“Please don’t tell me you’re doing what I think you are doing,” Grady begged.
“Did he drug you? Kidnap you? The cops are waiting,” Nate bellowed. “Speak, Lacey! Tell us what is going on!”
She felt Karson tense up beside her as the tears gathered in her eyes. “We got married this morning at the Chapel in the Clouds, and we are blissfully happy. I wish you guys could have been there, but we just couldn’t wait,” she said happily, trying to keep her voice light, not allowing them to know that she expected them to freak the hell out. She expected yelling, but she swore she could hear a pin drop. She even checked to make sure they hadn’t hung up, but then like she expected them to, the yelling started.
“What the hell do you mean?” Grady yelled.
“I told you not to do anything stupid or impulsive! This is stupid and impulsive!” Rachel screamed.
“No fucking way, Lacey Arielle! Are you crazy?” Her father’s voice boomed.
“No, I love him and he loves me,” she declared, but she doubted they even heard her.
“No, Lacey, you’re not thinking clearly,” Rachel insisted.
“He is a worthless piece of shit, Lacey. He doesn’t deserve someone like you!” Grady yelled. “He broke your heart once! How can you trust him again?”
“He is after your money, your business!” Nate declared, causing Karson to scoff.
“Not that I need to defend myself, but my money is yours, Lacey,” he whispered in her ear. “Everything and anything is yours.”
She met his gaze and smiled. She never once thought he was after her business or money; it had never crossed her mind. She trusted him. “That’s not true. He loves me.”
“He left before. He’ll leave again!” Rachel cried into the phone. “Please, Lacey, you are making such a mistake.”
“He left because of Dad and Grady. He told me what happened,” she said, her own eyes burning with tears at the betrayal. She should be mad at them, not ashamed of her marriage, but her family was making it seem like it was the worst thing possible, like she was an idiot or something. Didn’t they understand how much she loved him? How he was the only person she had ever truly loved and needed?
“You two are supposed to love me. Who does this to someone they love?”
“What is she talking about?” Grady asked, causing Lacey’s heart to pound harder in her chest.
“Don’t act like you didn’t know that Dad threatened Karson’s career so he’d leave. That you two have kept him away from me all these years!”
“What is she talking about?” Grady asked.
“He’s lying,” Nate said calmly. “I wouldn’t hurt you, princess. I love you.”
Lacey shook her head. “If you loved me, you would support me. I love Karson, and I’m moving to Nashville to be with him.”
“What?” Rachel and Grady yelled.
“No! I swear to God, we will fix this. Just come home. We can talk this over. I promise, Lacey, I did it for you,” Nate begged. “Don’t make any more mistakes. Just come home. To your family.”
“I don’t want that, Dad. I am happy.”
“Lacey, no, I swear to God, your mother is probably rolling over in her grave! You are throwing your life away. Come home so I can fix this,” he begged, making her blood boil.
“My mother would be proud and happy that I am doing something to make myself happy.”
“Lacey, stop. This is insane. You don’t even know this douche. He’s a whorebag, sleeps around everywhere,” Grady yelled. “He’ll probably cheat on you in a week. Don’t trust him.”
Karson rolled his eyes as Lacey said, “I trust him. We love each other.”
“No! You are making a bad decision! Come home, I’ll call and get it fixed.”
“Dad, I don’t know if you realize this, but I’m not a scared eighteen-year-old girl any longer. I am twenty-eight years old and can make my own decisions now. I choose Karson.”
“You are making the wrong choice, Lacey Arielle. This is insane. We need to talk this through.”
“No, it’s not. I love Karson; we are husband and wife. I am going to start my life with him. I just wanted to let you guys know I am okay. I love you all, and when you are ready to support us then I will be more than happy to talk to you, but I refuse to sit here and let you bash my husband.”
“Well, when you marry shit, then it’s bound to get bashed,” Grady sneered.
“This is insane. He didn’t love you enough to stay. Why do you think he does now?” her father bit out and that stung, but she ignored him because she forgave Karson for that.
“Lacey, please,” Rachel begged. “Come home.”
“I’ll be back in Chicago on Wednesday to tie up any loose ends that we can’t take care of over the phone. I also want to say bye to the boys, and I guess, figure out how we are going to run the business with me in Nashville. We’ll figure it out, but my husband will be with me, and I expect you all to treat him with respect.”
“I wouldn’t piss on that asshole if he were on fire,” Grady growled. “He stole you from us.”
“No one stole anyone. I went willingly. I love him, Grady,” Lacey answered, running her nose along her husband’s.
“You are making such a mistake, Lacey. We can’t run a business long-distance; we need to be together,” Rachel cried. “Please don’t do this.”
“It’s done and I don’t regret it one bit. For once, I am actually happy, and I hope that you guys will respect that.”
“He is going to hurt you, Lacey,” Nate said, but before she could say a
nything, Karson took the phone from her.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mr. Martin, but I can promise you that I will never hurt her again. I did that, and there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t regret what I did. I’m not going anywhere without her, I love her too much, and we would really like your blessing,” he said and then paused. “Again, I am sorry that you wish me to the fiery depths of hell, but I’m not going anywhere. I have your daughter, my wife, to make happy.”
With a grin on his face, he hung up the phone and laid it on the counter before gathering her in his arms. “That last part was more a jab and completely disrespectful on my part. Sorry about that.”
“It’s the truth, though.”
Why did he care if he disrespected them? They deserved it! They spoke so badly about him when they didn’t even know him. He was a good man, the right man for her, and even though her family treated him like the scum on their shoe, he still cared about their feelings. It was mind-blowing, but she knew it was because he loved her, and that meant the world to her.
Karson nodded. “You’re right, but still I shouldn’t—”
“You know what?” she asked, interrupting him.
“What?”
“I don’t care,” she admitted. “I have allowed them to control me my whole life. Where I went to school. What I wore. When I got new breasts. Who I loved. Everything and anything, I allowed them to have a say. I even allowed them to break my heart, but no more. I will not feel guilty for my love for you. I won’t regret this decision because I am finally happy. I don’t care that it’s going to be hell running a business that is based out of Chicago in Nashville, especially when my sister-in-law is hell-bent on bringing me home. All I care about is us and the life we are going to make.”
Brushing kisses along her bottom lip, he said, “That’s all I care about. But I just want to make you happy, and your family does make you happy when they aren’t being assholes. You need them in your life.”