Spiked (Blocked #3)

by Jennifer Lane

  Maddie’s hometown pastor and our priest from Houston, Father Jim, had agreed to officiate the ceremony together. When Maddie paused just in front of Alejandro, the pastor said, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

  Though Maddie’s parents had married other people in the past year, her mother stepped up next to her father. “Her mother and I do,” Mr. Brooks said.

  Maddie joined the grinning idiota, and the ceremony began. I kept stealing glances at Jessica, and one time I caught her looking back at me. We maintained eye contact during the reading of a verse. I’d often zoned out when Mom had made me attend mass, but hearing words from the Bible while looking into Jessica’s divine blue eyes made me listen better. The gravitas of the moment struck me. Alejandro and Maddie were committing to each other in front of God and friends and family for the rest of their lives. Could I ever do that?

  Alejandro nudged me. I looked at him, and he gestured to my guitar stand at the side of the altar.

  “Move your ass, Teo,” Dane whispered.

  Whoops, missed my cue. I cleared my throat as I stepped up and walked to my guitar. Bob Dylan might’ve written the song I’d chosen, but Neil Diamond had sung it best at the White House. A few strums of my guitar, then I began a jazzed-up version of “Make You Feel My Love.”

  I directed the lyrics to Jessica, feeling the warmth shining in her bright eyes. I’d do anything for you, Jess, to make you feel my love.

  When I returned to the line of groomsmen, my dad nodded at me, his dark eyes gleaming. Mom was crying, of course. Next came the vows. This time I paid attention and had the rings ready for my brother.

  The ceremony moved quickly after the vows, and soon Father Jim lifted his hands. “May I present Madison and Alejandro Ramirez!”

  Everyone applauded as my brother and his wife scooted down the aisle. They did it. They really did it. I didn’t have much time to ponder the momentous occasion before Jessica grabbed my hand to accompany her back down the aisle.

  “Let’s get to the reception,” she whispered. “I’m starved.”

  I had to keep my swimming star well fed. Karen gave her a snack to placate her while we snapped photos at the church. Then limos carried us off to a downtown Cleveland hotel not far from Lake Erie. Maddie had said the lakefront was fun in the summer but too cold to check out in December.

  As we waited for dinner to be served, I took out my pump.

  “How do you know how much insulin to add?” Jessica asked.

  I explained how the pump helped me calculate, but we replaced talking with shoving food in our mouths once the servers set down our plates at the head table. Given the elegance of the hotel ballroom, the quality of the meal didn’t surprise me. The whipped pesto potatoes were particularly delicious.

  Maddie’s family didn’t have much money, so my parents were footing the bill, but Alejandro insisted he’d pay them back once he started earning a salary as an orthopedic surgeon. I, on the other hand, had no qualms accepting money from my parents. I had my eye on a sweet guitar I was hoping to receive as a Christmas present.

  Later, on my way back from the restroom, I passed by a table filled with Maddie’s family. I paused. “Braxton?”

  Maddie’s brother rose and shook my hand.

  “Or should I call you Dr. Brooks, like my professors?” He’d just finished his doctorate in political science.

  “That is music to the ears, but I probably need a job first. Speaking of music, you killed that Dylan song at the church.”

  I admired his dreads. “Thank you.”

  He looked across the ballroom, and I followed his gaze. Nina stood out in her hot-pink dress as she danced with Jake.

  Braxton stiffened when I caught him staring, and he looked back at me. “Good luck with your band, Mateo.”

  “Good luck finding a job.”

  He nodded.

  The DJ gave me a questioning look once the song ended, and my heart thumped. I returned to my seat a second before he announced, “Your attention, please. Time for a toast from the best man.”

  A smattering of applause greeted me as I stood and accepted the microphone. Lucia looked up at me with gratitude, her hands pressing together under her chin. She’d been too nervous to give a maid-of-honor speech and had asked me to speak for both of us. As I looked over the sea of wedding guests staring at me, agreeing to take one for the team seemed like a bad idea.

  “Thank you for being here tonight. I know it means a lot to Alejandro and Maddie to share this moment with you.” Jessica’s smile bolstered my confidence. “My sister Lucia was supposed to attend the University of Texas on a volleyball scholarship.” I paused and tried not to scowl as I thought about the next line I’d written, but Jessica had made me delete: Thank God the Texas coach had an affair with a player, or Lucia never would’ve made it to Highbanks. Jessica had told me a reception was hardly the place for such a remark. When I looked up and saw the President of the United States watching me, I conceded that she was right.

  “But Alejandro and I are blessed that our sister chose Highbanks instead. Because if Lucia hadn’t played for the Cougars, she wouldn’t have met Dane. And today’s awesome celebration wouldn’t have happened, because Alejandro never would’ve met Maddie.”

  Amid the awws in the ballroom, I silently added, And I wouldn’t have met Jessica. We’d deleted that line, too, preferring to keep our relationship private—as private as it could be in a twenty-four-hour news cycle. I caught her little wink and continued.

  “We’re from Texas, but Lucia and I have found a home in Ohio. Alejandro has found a home here, too, thanks to Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Williams.” I nodded at Maddie’s parents and stepparents. “I’ve learned a lot about Ohio, like how people love to spell the state name.” As I raised my fist, I shouted, “O-H!”

  “I-O!” came the resounding shout, accompanied by cheers and laughs.

  Jessica grinned at me. She’d suggested inserting that.

  I shook my head. “Y’all need help.”

  More laughs.

  “It’s hard for me to admit, but I’ve always looked up to my big brother.” I found his dark eyes and locked on them. “Alex is cranky sometimes, and opinionated all the time, but what shines through is his integrity and compassion. I know where he stands, and that’s right behind me. He’s the responsible one in our family. He’s got my back.”

  His hand drifted up to cover his heart.

  I blinked a few times. “His career-ending baseball injury motivated him to pursue orthopedic surgery, so he can help other athletes. But I suspect another motivation to enter medicine was to take care of people like me. I saw how much it hurt him when he couldn’t take away my diabetes—couldn’t stop the disease from changing my life.”

  His fingers tapped on his chest as he nodded.

  “Now Alejandro is directing all that caring and intensity on Maddie.” I looked at her and smiled. “Lucky you.”

  She chuckled along with the others in the ballroom, then kissed Alejandro’s cheek.

  “Your academic and athletic talent drew him in from day one, Maddie. But I know he will lift you even higher, because that’s what he does. He wants others to succeed just as much as he drives himself to achieve. He got that from our father.”

  Dad tilted his head and gazed at me with a hint of curiosity in his eyes, like he was seeing me in a different light. Yep, Dad, your youngest is all grown up now.

  “And Maddie, thank you. Thank you for becoming part of our family. Gracias for loving my brother. You’ve challenged him to become a better man. You’ve softened his rough edges. I already have one amazing sister, but I’m thrilled to have another. Both of you can spike a volleyball like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

  Maddie beamed at me.

  “But which one is better?” shouted a guy from the back of the ballroom.

  I couldn’t see who had spoken. “Dude, you think I’m stupid enough to answer that?”

  My aunt’s laugh was louder than the res
t. Tia Mari and my mother nodded their approval.

  “Please join me in toasting the newlyweds, Alejandro and Maddie.” I lifted my glass of champagne, and everyone in the ballroom did the same. “Salud, amor, y dinero, y tiempo para disfrutarlos. Health, love, and money, and time to enjoy them.”

  “¡Salud!”

  “Cheers!”

  I clinked Jessica’s glass, then handed the microphone back to the DJ and took a seat.

  “Fantástico,” Jessica said. Her eyes glittered. “Itch is right—you got stage presence, cute boy.”

  “Don’t call me cute.”

  She laughed and leaned in. “Sugar, you’re hotter than the bottom of my laptop.”

  I cringed. “That’s awful!” I tried to think of a worse pick-up line. “Do you have a map? I just keep getting lost in your eyes.”

  Her eyes rolled, and she took a sip of champagne. Her wet lips called for me. “I’m participating in the Sexual Olympics multiple-orgasm relay race, and my partner just died of exhaustion. Would you help me out?”

  My gaze darted around us to make sure nobody was listening, but it appeared everyone focused on the newlyweds’ first dance. Dios. I mustered a glare at her. “Which partner?”

  She giggled.

  “Congratulations!” I said. “You’ve been voted Most Beautiful Girl in This Room, and the grand prize is a night with me.”

  “Ooh, aren’t I lucky?” She batted her eyelashes. “Mom thinks I’m gay. Can you prove her wrong?”

  Karen tapped me on the shoulder. “They want the wedding party to join them on the dance floor soon.”

  I was sure Karen had overheard Jessica’s last pick-up line, but her poker face told me she’d ignored it.

  “Sure.” I took Jessica’s hand and led her to the edge of the dance floor. When we arrived, I spoke in her ear. “I’d be happy to prove your mom wrong.”

  Her eyes blazed.

  I heard a raised voice and looked to the corner of the ballroom, where Jake gestured wildly as he spoke to Nina. Uh-oh. I hoped Nina’s drama wouldn’t infect the reception.

  Lucia’s laugh drew my attention. She and Dane lingered next to us, and to their other side were Allison and China. Allison wore a classy white business suit. I hadn’t realized until she stood next to China that they’d coordinated outfits. After my dad had made sure they didn’t get in trouble for their relationship, they’d married a year ago.

  Karen and Johnny were right behind me. Nothing had been said, but I’d suspected Dad had learned about Johnny’s involvement in the Blake situation and had protected his job, too.

  I watched my brother and his bride on the dance floor. Alejandro’s moves were smooth and confident, and Maddie looked up at him with rapture. I wondered if they’d practiced, or if Alejandro was just a natural. Probably the latter—he excelled at everything he did.

  “What do you think, Mateo?” Karen asked.

  “I think it’s pretty sweet, all of this.” I looked over my shoulder at Johnny, then at Karen. “Thank you for protecting my family.”

  Karen started, like what I’d said surprised her. A soft smile spread on her face.

  “Our pleasure,” Johnny said.

  After the dance, Jessica and I stood in line at the bar. As I accepted two cokes, I noticed Jake and Nina talking to Dane and Lucia.

  “I wonder how that’s going.” I nudged my head in their direction.

  Jessica sipped her drink as she watched them. “Dane looks pretty relaxed.”

  He wrapped his arm around my sister’s shoulders. “So does Lucia.”

  We danced some more, then stood off to the side to catch our breath. Allison and Johnny stood next to us.

  “Is Light in place?” China asked as she approached Allison.

  Allison nodded. “Yeah, she’s where she needs to be.”

  “Wait,” Jessica whispered. “Light’s a person? Who is it?”

  “Lucia,” I said. “Light is her code name.”

  She thought about that a moment. “Oh! The English word for Luz.”

  “Sí.”

  She eyed me up and down. “Me gusta.”

  I took her hand and pulled her closer. “I like what I see, too. What’s your room number, hot stuff?”

  Her eyes got big as she sucked in a breath. “What if your parents catch us?”

  “They’ll survive. They’ll probably be too busy to notice, anyway. Have you seen the looks my mom’s been giving my dad on the dance floor?”

  “Weddings are an aphrodisiac,” she said, then pouted. “And I won’t get to see you for almost a month after this.”

  “Yeah, about that.” She tilted her head, and my heart fluttered. “Dad said I could visit you in Boca.”

  She gasped. “You’re coming down to Florida for my winter training?”

  “Is that okay?”

  “Room five twelve,” was her instant response.

  This damn reception couldn’t end fast enough.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” the DJ said, “Please direct your attention to the head table.”

  Was it time to cut the cake? Wait—they’d already done that.

  But it was Dane and Lucia in the spotlight, not the newlyweds. Lucia’s forehead creased as she looked up at Dane. He shook out his hand in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture. When he knelt and removed a volleyball from under the curtained table, I knew something was up. A volleyball at a wedding reception?

  Dane handed the ball to Lucia. She stared at it for a few moments. Then her head shot up, eyes wide.

  When he lowered to one knee, I heard gasps in the room. As he extracted a small box from his pocket, I realized my jaw hung open. He held up the open box, and the ring flashed in the overhead lights. Lucia clasped her hands together and blinked like crazy.

  “¡Sí!” she cried with a little hop.

  Dane jumped up and engulfed her in a hug as everyone clapped.

  Jessica bounced up and down, her face bright. “I had no idea!” She ran over to Dane and Lucia.

  “Unbelievable.” I shook my head, still in shock.

  Alejandro grinned at me and pulled me in for a side hug. “Isn’t it great?”

  “You’re okay with Dane proposing on your wedding night? Isn’t he stealing your thunder?”

  “Not at all. Here, Mrs. Ramirez will tell you.” He signaled for Maddie, and she snuggled into his side. “Dane asked Maddie and me about proposing at our reception, and we thought it was an excellent idea.”

  “I’m so lucky to see my best friend get engaged,” said Maddie.

  Dad and a couple of agents joined us. “And I’m lucky to see my daughter get engaged. Well done, you two.” He hugged Alejandro, then kissed Maddie on the cheek.

  “¡Dios mio!” Lucia walked toward us with her eyes glued on the rock on her finger.

  Maddie bounded up to her and squealed as she wrapped her in a hug. Jessica joined Maddie in admiring Lucia’s ring.

  “What does it say on the volleyball?” Alejandro asked after he shook Dane’s hand.

  Dane handed him the ball, and my brother read in Spanish, “My love for you will never die, Luz. You are my light, my life, my love, and I want to spend all my days with you.”

  Alejandro tossed the ball up and set it over his head.

  “Not bad, Ramirez,” Dane said. “But you need to position your hands like this…” As Dane showed him a few setting tips, Maddie and Lucia joined them.

  Dad and I watched the two couples—one married and one planning to be married. He surveyed the scene like a well-dressed emperor, a half-smile on his face.

  “You knew,” I said, and Dad looked at me. “You knew Dane would propose.”

  “Of course I knew, Mateo. Dane did the right thing by asking for my permission first. Just like you’re going to ask Mr. DuPont before popping the question to Jessica.”

  My mouth dropped open.

  “In ten years,” he added.

  My mouth closed. “Ten years! But Lucy’s only twenty-one.”
>
  Dad shook his head as he chuckled. “I know, I know. I’m getting old, but not as wise as I ought to be by now. My kids will do what they want regardless of what I tell them. And that’s the way it should be, I guess. Your brother and sister have done well for themselves, and I know you will, too.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Looks like all three of you will marry liberals.” He grunted. “Proof that love really does make you loco.”

  I laughed. I was definitely crazy in love with Jessica.

  “I’m proud of you, Mateo.” Dad thumped my shoulder.

  An agent said, “Mr. President?” Dad stepped away to confer with him.

  The volleyball rolled toward me, and Dane loped over to scoop it up. He fist-bumped me. “Dang, son, that was one sweet speech. You’re definitely in the running for my best man.”

  “Who’s my competition?”

  “Josh, of course.”

  I smiled. “I guess he’s earned a spot.”

  When one of my favorite Neil Diamond songs started, I grabbed Jessica’s hand. “Hello, I’m a thief, and I’m here to steal this dance.”

  She snorted and followed me onto the dance floor. “Yesterday’s Songs” had a slower seventies beat, and I tucked her into me. Her light, sweet scent floated over me as I savored the feel of her body in my arms. Yesterday’s pain and sadness would fade over time. But the good things would remain, like my love for her, and her love for me.

  I paused my soft singing to whisper in her ear. “Chica, my love for you will never end.”

  Special Note from the Author

  As I wrote Spiked, news broke about a sexual assault by a college swimmer in the United States. The story sickened me on many levels—as a swimmer, woman, and mental health advocate. This novel is a work of fiction, but as a psychologist, I have worked with survivors of sexual assault and other traumas. It is up to each survivor to determine the best path forward. Though the character Jessica Monroe chose not to report her rape to the police, reporting can be helpful for many survivors. And whether or not a person chooses to report, telling someone about the trauma is often a way to reduce shame and begin healing.