25 to Wife

by J. C. Robinson

  “Nope. The thought didn’t cross my mind.” She groaned underneath her breath.

  “Hey! Kelsey,” Bradley said, stopping in front of us. “It’s been a while. How’s it going?”

  She shifted from one foot to the other, arms crossed. “It’s good.”

  “Cool, cool. You remember John and Marcin, right?” he asked.

  She nodded. “This is my boyfriend, Paul.” She unfolded her arms and wrapped one around my back. I smiled and nodded a greeting, doing my best to look like eye candy. I couldn’t be ruining her reputation here.

  “Nice to meet ya, Paul.” Bradley held out a hand and I shook it.

  “Likewise.”

  Then he turned and looked to his two friends. “Looks like they’re getting hungry, so we’ll catch you inside?” He flashed a grin that made me uncomfortable. When they left, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

  “Interesting,” I said.

  “Yeah,” she said. “I was young.”

  “He didn’t seem that bad, I guess.” I shrugged.

  “Just wait until you have to talk to him for longer than that. You’ll see.” She grabbed my hand. “Come on, let’s go find Jenna.” She led me out of the parking lot to a small shed.

  “Uh, what’s this?” I asked.

  “It’s where the bride hides out all day,” she answered. She knocked and a girl opened the door.

  “Kelsey!” The two girls hugged. The door opener eyed me once they separated. “Oh, and this must be Paul.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  The girl waved us both in. The shack was small, only containing one room, so Jenna was right there when we walked in. She turned, some sort of makeup in her hands. She dropped it when she saw Kelsey, immediately standing up and giving her yet another hug. At least this was one person I already knew. Tonight would be a long night. Introductions were the worst, especially when they were with people you were trying to somewhat impress.

  “Kelsey, I am so nervous,” she said, slowly emphasizing each word. The bride to be shook her head. “It seems like I’ve been awake for so long. Did you see Bradley? Hope that didn’t bring any bad memories up.” She stopped talking, picked up a glass of dark brown liquid and took a big gulp. “Woo! Are you excited?”

  “I’m excited for you!” Kelsey said.

  They hugged again. I looked around the room, hoping I didn’t look as awkward as I felt. Hopefully Kelsey didn’t mind a mildly introverted boyfriend. Oh, yeah. I had almost forgotten about that. My heart skipped a beat just recalling her say it.

  “Paul… Paul.” I looked up. Jenna was calling me.

  “Yep?” I blinked and smiled. “Sorry, still thinking about blond Bradley.”

  Jenna giggled. “Poor guy. Hopefully you didn’t have to talk to him for too long.” She took another three sips of her drink. “I’m glad you could come, though!”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” I said. “As for Bradley, it’s your wedding day. Don’t worry about me. I was prepared for her mother,” I gestured to Kelsey, “so I’m ready for anything.”

  “That’s too true.” Jenna let out a small cackle before sitting back in the chair in front of the mirror. “Okay, let me finish my makeup. You guys will have me chatting all night long.”

  We said our goodbyes and headed out of the bride’s makeup shack.

  “I’m guessing that was alcohol?” I asked.

  “You’d probably be right,” Kelsey said. “Hopefully she can get down the aisle in one piece.”

  “She’ll be fine. So where do we get some of this alcohol?” I asked. “I think I might need it if I have to meet all these friends of yours.”

  “That’s a great question. Let’s go take a look.”

  We found the bar inside the venue a few minutes later, and Kelsey picked up two glasses of something for us. I assumed it was wine. Whatever it was, it did make meeting people easier. After a few introductions of people I couldn’t remember after leaving them, I asked Kelsey about her mother.

  “Is it going to be okay when she gets here?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “At least I think so. We’ll see.” She shrugged, smiling.

  I took a few more sips of my wine. “How long until the wedding starts?” I had no idea of the timeframe for these things.

  “I’d guess it should be starting in a few minutes,” she answered.

  With that being said, I coerced her to come sit with me while we waited. I picked a nice visible table where people could come up if they wanted introductions, but I figured I had to save my energy for the dancing later. At the thought of that, I took a couple gulps of the wine. “I might need more soon,” I said offhandedly.

  “Are you that terrified of my mother?” She laid a hand on mine and laughed.

  “Among other things,” I answered.

  ---

  The ceremony took place alongside the water, just out the doors from the indoor venue. It went along smoothly, the view of the water and breeze helped to sooth any nerves I had. I spent most of it watching Kelsey’s hair react to the wind. It was strangely mesmerizing. She caught me a few times, which would have brought a blush to my face if possible. Drew and Jenna were wed, and everyone clapped as the wedding party exited the marriage… podium area. I needed to work on my wedding terminology. But they exited and then proceeded to take pictures for what seemed like hours. The entire bridal party, then just the groomsmen, followed by the bridesmaids, then just the bride and groom. This continued with variations and combinations I would have never thought possible. I spent the time again admiring Kelsey, my “girlfriend.” Thinking of her that way got me through the standing with her purse.

  Once the pictures ended, everyone dispersed, leaving us to relax until the announcement. I’m sure the smile on my face was huge – having Kelsey back made me feel less awkward. I should have gotten another glass of wine. Especially because Kelsey’s mother made her appearance at that moment. As a result, my smile was fairly short-lived. Was she going to cause trouble? “Only one way to find out,” I muttered to myself.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Kelsey said, latching her arm to mine. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “If you insist,” I said, smiling weakly. What I meant was, Okay, let’s do this. I apologize for my sweaty palms and any stuttering that may come out of my mouth.

  We walked over, ignoring the weird looks her mother was giving us the entire time. Before we could reach her mother, though, a girl stopped us.

  “Your mom is going around talking about you and asking who Paul is… in less than savory words.”

  “Thanks,” Kelsey said to the girl before we continued along. Kelsey turned to me as we got close. “Looks like we had the right idea nipping this in the bud.”

  “Hello, Kelsey.” Her mother slurred the second half of Kelsey’s name. She held a glass of wine and there was an empty glass on the table behind her, which I presumed was hers as well.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  Her mother’s eyes turned to me, undoubtedly not for the first time tonight. She certainly wasn’t wasting any time.

  “This is Paul, my date and boyfriend.” Kelsey kept her glare on her mother, almost challenging her to say something.

  “You didn’t come with Bradley?” her mother asked.

  “Are you kidding?” Kelsey asked. “Are you already losing your mind? I haven’t talked to that frat baby in years.”

  So, I was right – he was a frat guy.

  “You should talk to him.” Her mother ignored her comments. “Don’t fall for someone that’ll trap you like your father did to me.”

  “Excuse me?” Kelsey took a step back in shock before stepping back into her mother’s personal space. I walked away. After making a detour to the bar, I went looking for a nice secluded view.

  Walking away, my thoughts went a mile a minute. Her mother wasn’t wrong, assuming I’d be involved with the prison system, despite my innocence. I was framed. My jaw quickly went from slackened to clenc
hed. What had I done to deserve these circumstances? Things were going wonderfully with Kelsey, and I had just begun to believe I might be good enough for her when I had to be reminded of my trip behind bars.

  I reached a wall that overlooked the water and leaned against it, unclenching my fists. I took a breath, suddenly aware of the tension in my shoulders. “Damnit.” Trapping Kelsey was the last thing I wanted. She seemed to know that. She had continuously defended me and trusted me, but everyone had their limit. I was sure Kelsey’s mom would be relentless, what would stop Kelsey from letting that seep in? I shook my head and dropped my head to the palms of my hands. “Ugh.” I should give her more credit. If she hadn’t given into her mother’s beliefs by now, it wouldn’t happen, right? I took a sip of the wine and recoiled. I did not expect it to be that sweet. I drank it anyway.

  Thirteen

  Kelsey

  “What do Dad and Paul even have in common?” I asked my moronic mother.

  She didn’t answer at first, taking an extended drink of her wine. She smacked her lips once finished. “Ah.” Setting the glass down, she said, “Your father is in prison. I have no doubt Paul will be joining him there before you know it.”

  “Dad is trash! Dad has proven time and time again that he is useless. So say that all you like. But what are you basing the Paul statement off of? Please, do tell.” My mom was prejudiced beyond belief, but I’d never heard her come out and say it outright. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she did now, for the first time. But she didn’t.

  “I just have your best interest in mind, Kelsey.” She reached out and wiped a strand of hair from my face. I knocked her hand away.

  “I have no desire to take any advice from you, especially when you’re probably five glasses of wine deep.” I pressed my lips tightly shut and crossed my arms, preparing for the inevitable drivel she would spew.

  “It’s a shame,” she said, “because I’ve been there, done that.”

  In a dismissive gesture, I blew air from my nose, briefly laughing. “Yeah, okay. Don’t compare Dad with Paul again. One is actually in jail. One just happens to have darker skin than you’re used to. Why don’t you go chat up Bradley if you miss him so much? Oh! Probably because you’re still married to my trashcan of a father. Why don’t you take your own advice and ditch him?” I turned and walked away. I had to find Paul.

  I found him outside, hunched over a wall, staring into the distance. I walked over to him, but he didn’t notice me until I wrapped my arms around him from behind.

  “Woah,” he said, with an intonation of surprise in his voice. He glanced over his shoulder. “In the brief half a second there, my life flashed before my eyes. Bradley with a knife, your mom with a wine bottle… I thought I was a goner.” He turned around with a closed-mouth smile on his face. At least he wasn’t frowning.

  “They may be crappy people,” I said, “but I don’t think they’d kill anyone. At least, I hope not. I am sorry my mom’s insane though, and, well, racist.”

  His arms enveloped me, as he rubbed my back. “It’s okay. Thank you for backing me up,” he said. “You did back me up, right?”

  “Of course!”

  “Whew,” he said. He sounded like he was kidding, but inside I wondered if he wasn’t sure.

  “It’s been hard to imagine someone trusting me again.” He pulled me a little tighter.

  “It hasn’t exactly been hard,” I said, pulling away briefly and looking him in the eyes. That got him to smile, and he leaned down and kissed me. “I like that.” I stood on my toes, giving him another kiss.

  My phone buzzed and I jumped, startled. It was probably Will getting back to me. “One second,” I said, pulling my phone out. It was Will, and it contained an address. Perfect. I smiled, which I imagined looked quite mischievous and/or suspicious to Paul. “I have a surprise for you later.” I placed my hands inside his tux jacket, rubbing them over his shirt. “Are you excited?”

  “I think so,” he said. “I have no idea what it could be though. More hiking?” His face lit up briefly. Maybe I had underestimated his enjoyment of hiking.

  “Nope!” I said. “But we can go soon if you like it so much.”

  “I feel good after a hike,” he said. “It’s like sex, but with fresh air.”

  “What in the world?” I barely contained my laughter. “Where did you get that from?”

  “The chemicals release in your brain after exercise, like sex.” He shrugged and smiled. “Plus, the fresh air, because sex is definitely not fresh.”

  “Unless you’re doing it wrong,” I added.

  “Right,” he said. I would have loved a candid picture of the moment. He had a wide goofy grin and I didn’t doubt I wore the same.

  “I didn’t know you liked sex, though,” I said, still grinning. “Fresh or not.”

  “Who doesn’t?” His hands rubbed my back with a bit more strength.

  “I must be used to the wrong guys.” I brought myself closer into his chest. He was leaning against the wall, his chin now on the top of my head.

  “Are you saying they would have brought it up by now?” he asked.

  I nodded. I felt his chin move slightly. Was he smiling?

  “Sorry,” he said. “I think I was too busy worrying to think about that with you.”

  “It’s ok—”

  “But,” he interrupted, “you are gorgeous, and don’t think I haven’t noticed. I’ve just been focused on keep you around. I suppose now I can focus on…”

  “Dicking me down? Giving me the pipe?”

  He broke out into laughter, pushing me away. “Kelsey! I didn’t know you had such a potty mouth.”

  I held my hands up innocently. “I think you deserve to know all parts of me. And let’s not forget you probably deserve to laugh over my ridiculous vocabulary after the way you’ve been treated today.” Anything to make him smile. I sat down on the wall, patting the spot next to me. He joined me. Placing my head on his shoulder, I closed my eyes and sighed. It was one of those content sighs, like when you’ve had a long day and finally fall back into your bed.

  Silence took over for a few minutes while I thought about him. He was a bit tough to get a read on. Just when I thought he was quiet, he showed me an outgoing part of him. When I figured him as confident, he showed me a vulnerable side. I had underestimated the time it would take to understand him, again likely because of the guys I had been on dates with before. They were simple-minded. I couldn’t wait to learn more about Paul.

  Looking up at him, I asked, “Want to dance? And then after one song you can have your surprise.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” he said. “It has to be a good song though, otherwise you wouldn’t get all the benefits of dancing with me.”

  Once again we took each other’s hand and walked back inside. We reached the edge of the dance floor, not paying attention to anyone there. I had had enough of everyone else, so I know Paul likely felt the same. As we arrived at the dance floor, the songs were changing. I looked up at him. “Fingers crossed.” I wondered what song it would be. We both laughed when we heard the familiar intro to Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’.

  “I feel like I need another drink to do this justice,” he said, “but I’m eager to get to the surprise, so let’s just do it.” He grabbed both of my hands and we joined the small mass of people dancing. His hips began to swing with the music, his rhythm then spreading to his shoulders. He still held my hand and I did my best to move with him.

  “I hope I can keep up,” I said. I had been a shower dancer for as long as I could remember, but I didn’t know if that prepared me for this.

  Paul’s body rolled with the music, still holding my hands. As the song reached the first chorus, I was starting to get the hang of it. He made it easy. My eyes watched his body and I looked to mimic him, doing my best. Eventually, my eyes made their way to his face and I was lost my rhythm for a moment. His face was a mix of concentration and, well, sex. He bit his lip as I watched his face, his gaze
seemingly on my body. When he noticed my eyes on him, he smiled, and it was a sexy smirk. Suddenly, he took one of my hands and guided it in a twirl, turning me around. I was now facing away from him, both of my hands still in his. I felt his body press into mine and my cheeks went flush. I moved my hips with his despite being momentarily flustered.

  “If I would have known you were this enticing when dancing…” I heard him whisper in my ear. I smiled with pride – maybe I was doing this right after all. The song continued on in the background, and I wiggled my backside into him with fervor, looking to impress him.

  “I hope your mom is watching,” he said, chuckling in my ear. She would be fuming if so. But at that moment I didn’t care. The rational side of me didn’t care, and the side of me that was incredibly hot for Paul now didn’t care. This would make the surprise interesting.

  The song was winding down and Paul had let go of my hands. Instead, he grabbed my hips and guided them back and forth, also pulling them into him. I was sure I could feel him through his pants, unless he’d brought his TV remote to the wedding. I assumed he hadn’t, and continued to tempt him. I ran my hands over his thighs, feeling the muscle under his pants flex as he danced behind me.

  Unexpectedly, he kissed my neck, once and then two more times. It was then that I knew it was time to leave. I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck, engaging in an extended kiss. I broke it off before I got any more hot and my tongue got any ideas. I didn’t hear the music any longer. I didn’t know if the song was even still on, but we both made our way off the dance floor. I glanced around for Jenna, giving her a quick hug before leaving. She, of course, gave me a wicked smile and I winked – which was quite unlike me, but I was really feeling it.

  Paul and I made it to the parking lot in record time. He untucked his shirt and wiped his forehead with the bottom. His stomach was visible for those few seconds, showing off briefs hints of muscle. It was dark so I’d have to explore more of that later.

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