Crazy Baby

by A. D. Justice

  “I don’t believe that at all,” Luke adamantly refuses my assessment. “You said my initial reaction was genuine. But, I’m telling you, it wasn’t. It took every ounce of strength I had to not rush into your arms and never let you go the very second I heard you were at my door. My heart leaped up into my throat and stayed there. I couldn’t even look at you because I knew you’d have me as soon as I did. I knew I’d forgive you for anything just to have you back again. Is that not why you came here?

  “You’re all broken and banged up, but you struggled to get to me before you saw anyone else. Does that really say there’s no hope for us, Andi?”

  “Do you really mean that, Luke?” I ask, my voice thick, watery, and barely above a whisper. Unconsciously wringing my hands, I wait for his answer while hanging on to a sliver of hope.

  “I mean that with everything that I am, Andi. If I had to walk away from everything right now just to have you, I wouldn’t regret it for a second. It would be a distant memory before we even left the hotel,” he says passionately. “I love you, Andi, more than my own life. More than anyone or anything I’ve ever loved in my life. This is real, and our love didn’t fail the test. It’s still very much alive and fighting. I’m willing to fight for us. I’m willing to fight for my treasure, my heart, my home. Are you?”

  A sob breaks free. All the feelings I’ve kept bottled up—hope, fear, rejection, hopelessness, helplessness, heartbreak, love, desire—they rush to the surface all at once. The feelings are overwhelming, and all I can manage to do is cry uncontrollably. Luke shifts on the bed to lie beside me and pulls my head to rest on his shoulder. He shushes me soothingly as he lovingly rubs my hair.

  “Luke?” I whisper.

  “Yes?”

  “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing.”

  His groan conveys his relief and his love. His lips find mine, and he sweetly kisses me as his thumb wipes the tears from my cheeks. “No more crying, beautiful. You’ll only cry tears of happiness from now on. I’ve missed you so much, Andi. So fucking much. I love you, baby. Please don’t cry anymore.”

  As I get my emotions under control, I search his eyes for my Luke.

  There he is—my protector, my security, my love. My life.

  “There’s one more thing I have to tell you, Andi,” he says tentatively. I cringe but I nod. “No one else has ever had your smile. I was happy I won that fight, but I gave my heart away a long time ago.” He pulls the dog tag necklace out of his shirt and shows me the heart-shaped hole in it. “You have my heart, Andi. You’ve always had it, and I never want it back.”

  Pulling his face to mine, I kiss him like he’s my only lifeline. He is, really. “I love you, Luke.”

  “I love you, baby,” he says before kissing me again. Pulling away, he looks deep into my eyes for a moment. “I have to ask you about something.”

  “Okay. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” I promise.

  “I saw a new tattoo on your back at the concert the night before my fight. Want to tell me about it?”

  “It’s pretty self-explanatory.” I smile. “It’s a pair of boxing gloves, hanging by the strings. Above them are the words ‘Crazy for You.’”

  “That song really was dedicated to me?” he asks, disbelieving.

  “Yes. Every single time I sang it, it was dedicated to you. You are the love of my life,” I explain.

  “I will give you a lifetime of love, Andi,” he says, kissing me again. “You’ll never regret choosing me.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  LUKE

  June

  “Would you be still?” I say for the millionth time.

  “I can’t! I’m ready for this to be over with,” Andi complains.

  “Fidgeting won’t make it go any faster. You can’t get your cast off with that clothes hanger.” I shake my head at her.

  “It itches! This is the only way I can scratch it,” she replies, digging into her cast with the wire hanger again. “Oh my God. I just realized that this leg hasn’t been washed or shaved in six weeks! You can’t look at it when he cuts the cast off,” she says seriously.

  “Andi, I live with you. I’ve seen you in every imaginable way—and some that defy imagination. I think I can handle an unshaved leg,” I gently chide her.

  “What if it’s hairier than yours? How unattractive would that be? No, you need to look away,” she contends.

  I tell her every day, and I will keep telling her every day. “I’ve missed you so much. I love you.”

  She smiles brightly. “I love you, too. I’ll love you more when we get back to the room if you don’t look.”

  “Deal.” I’m no idiot. I’ll take her up on that in a hot second.

  She grins, knowing she’s won in more ways than one. I’ll let her win anything she wants. The months apart were horrible, and I never want to relive that for any reason. “You’re so easy,” she laughs.

  Rubbing my thumb across her cheek, I lean in and thoroughly kiss her. “Are you sure you don’t resent me for not finishing the tour?” I’ve asked her this question every day for the past month, too.

  “No, I don’t resent you at all, and I never will. You are more important to me than anything. I couldn’t perform in the state I was in, anyway. When they said I had to cancel for health reasons, they weren’t lying,” she says. “Thankfully, Travis only had scrapes and bruises so he was able to finish the tour. Imagine how disappointed the fans would’ve been if they’d had to cancel several stops.”

  At first, I thought that hearing Travis’s name or seeing his face would bother me, but it really doesn’t. I know my girl and I know where her heart is. She chose me over the one voted the sexiest man in the world. Knowing that he was in love with her and they would’ve been the ultimate power couple, she walked away from all of that for a chance at a good life with me.

  She gives me all of her love and all of her heart every day. In her every gesture, she shows how important I am to her. Whatever happened between them while we were broken up doesn’t matter now. She feels the same about Syndi, though she’s understandably a little touchier about her name being brought up. Had Syndi and Katelyn not played their games, none of this would’ve happened in the first place.

  Had I not fallen right into their trap, none of it would’ve happened. I remind her of this and take responsibility for my actions. Trust me, she doesn’t let me forget it. She has very imaginative ways of having me make it up to her, and she uses it to her full advantage. I usually benefit from it just as much as she does, though, so I’ll never complain about it at all.

  The doctor finally comes in with her chart and reads over her initial injuries. “You’re a lucky girl,” he says, clearly surprised she doesn’t have worse injuries. “You were in a pretty bad wreck.”

  “Yes, I was. Thanks to a drunk driver,” she says with disdain. “But I’m ready to get this cast off now.”

  The doctor looks over the cast that has obvious wear on the bottom of her foot. “It looks like you’ve already been walking without your crutches,” he chuckles.

  “I didn’t know how my leg would feel after not using it for so long. I have to be able to walk on it and in heels in two weeks,” she dictates.

  “Two weeks?” he asks, eyeing the cast. I can see Andi’s anxiety rising. “You really have to be careful for about six weeks as the bone continues to heal. I’d prefer if you wore flats.”

  “I’m fine with her going barefoot, but she won’t have it,” I chime in. Andi cuts her eyes at me, like I just gave the doctor an out to deny her request.

  “No going barefoot. We’ve already discussed this,” she says, raising her eyebrows at me.

  “Discussed it? You flat out refused it. There was no discussion,” I correct.

  “That’s right. That’s discussing it in my book. Remember what you did,” she adds quickly and smiles sweetly at me.

  “I’m going to pay for that for the rest of my life, huh?”

  “No
, of course not. Only until the next time you royally screw up and I can start using that for a while instead,” she explains.

  “Fair enough,” I wink.

  Both the doctor and I laugh because she’s just too damn cute to get mad at. Besides, it’s not in her to hold a grudge, so I know she’s playing.

  “Flats, huh?” she asks, trying to hide her disappointment.

  “It’d be best. I’d hate for you to reinjure your leg when you just got the cast off,” the doctor explains.

  The details are important to her, and I’d never deny her something she really wants. She asks for so little, so I want to give her everything. But if it means her health, she has to understand that comes first.

  “Andi, you look amazing in whatever you wear. Flats will be okay, right?” I ask, trying to console her.

  “I’ll make it work,” she concedes. I can’t believe I won this one, but I won’t bring that up.

  The doctor starts the cast saw and cuts down the center, cracking it open as he goes. Once he removes it, she makes me turn my head and not look at her hairy leg.

  “Eeeewwww! It’s so gross,” she exclaims. “No peeking, Luke. I mean it.”

  The doctor laughs at her insistence. “It’s not that bad. I’ve seen worse,” he assures her. He performs some range of motion tests and takes another X-ray to make sure it’s healed enough. “You’ll need to wear a splint for a couple of weeks. You can take it off when you’re sleeping and in the shower, but you need to wear it during the day to give that bone extra support.”

  “Okay,” she agrees, but I can see her mind working.

  “Andi,” my tone warns.

  “What? I’ll wear it. Most of the time.” She smiles.

  The nurse fits a boot on her leg to help take some of the pressure off her healing bone. “This will help a lot,” the nurse says as she adjusts the Velcro straps.

  Walking out, Andi smiles at how she can actually walk without the crutches again. Her other scrapes and bruises have healed, and she looks absolutely perfect.

  We take a cab back to the Bellagio, and Andi decides we need to go for a walk together. Walking down the Strip in Vegas, in June, is hot as hell. There are people everywhere, and I’m concerned that someone in the crowd will hit Andi’s leg. She takes my hand and moves closer to me.

  “You can protect me,” she says.

  “You’re willingly letting me protect you?” I ask. “Who are you and what have you done with my Andi?”

  “I’ve been letting you help me and protect me for the past few weeks,” she says while shaking her head. “Did you not realize that?”

  “I realized that you stayed in my suite and ordered room service while I was at the gym,” I admit. John moved in to another room to give us privacy as a reunited couple.

  The first night that Andi felt well enough to make love to me was amazing. I still had to be careful with her leg, but just the slow, rhythmic rocking into her as her body adjusted to accept me was incredible. Our bodies were fused together as one from head to toe. With each thrust I made into her, she cried out in pleasure. Hearing her call my name over and over in my ear was the sweetest sound on earth. When her body shuddered and she came apart in my arms, I quickly followed behind her.

  Thinking about it while walking in the midst of all these people is not helping me at all. Just when I think I may be arrested for indecent exposure soon, I realize I’m in Vegas and that would be unlikely to happen. The problem I have is that Andi insists we now wait before making love again…until our wedding in two weeks.

  That just makes me want her more, and I’m sure she knows that. Sly little minx probably decided that on purpose as further punishment for me. I’ll take it like a man, though. She’s everything to me, and I’d wait as long as I have to for her.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asks as we continue our stroll.

  “When you said you’d marry me here in Vegas,” I admit.

  “I’m not sure your family is thrilled about coming out here for the wedding,” she says, pursing her lips to one side. “Especially Brandon, since he just stayed a month out here with you and already has to come back.”

  “They’ll get over it. It’s a long weekend in Vegas. It won’t hurt them.” I quickly dismiss her worries.

  “I couldn’t believe you proposed to me here,” she says, lacing her fingers with mine. “We’d just gotten back together.”

  “I have no doubt that you’re the one I want to spend my life with, Andi. Do you have any doubts?”

  “Not even one, Luke.”

  She keeps walking, and I can tell that she’s starting to get tired. “You know, you don’t need to overdo it on the day you get your cast off.”

  “We’re close. Just a little more,” she says with a sparkle in her eye.

  “Close to what?” I ask and she stops walking. Her eyes flick to something behind me. When I turn around, I can’t help but smile.

  “Really?” I ask.

  “Are you opposed to having my name tattooed on you?” she asks with all seriousness.

  “Not at all,” I reply without missing a beat. “Just say where you want it.”

  “I want to have our names tattooed on our ring fingers. That way, even if we have to take our rings off, we’re still bound to each other for everyone to see,” she explains. “Do you agree with that?”

  Reaching behind me, I open the door to the tattoo parlor and let her walk in ahead of me. “I do,” I say purposefully.

  When she explains to the tattoo artist what we want, he looks at us both like we’ve lost our minds for a moment. “You know it’s considered bad luck to have someone’s name tattooed on you, right?”

  “I don’t believe in bad luck,” she says resolutely. “I believe that love takes work, but if it’s real, it never dies.” Turning to me, she finishes her statement. “I have no doubt that our love is real.”

  “No doubt about it,” I agree.

  “Okay, they’re your fingers. Have a seat.” He gestures and Andi sits.

  I watch as he permanently inks my name on her ring finger. She holds her hand out and inspects his work like she’s sporting a priceless gem. “It’s perfect.” She smiles and stands for me to go next.

  Making sure to spell her name for him, I watch as he covers the stencil with the black permanent ink. Her name is now etched into my skin for all time. The ink lays just underneath but is forever linked with me now. In mind, in deed, and in heart, we are already one. In everything I do, she is linked to me and is in my heart. Without her, I am lost, and no matter what the cost to me is, I’ll be standing next to her.

  After dinner, we retreat to our suite and enjoy our time together. It’s now late at night, or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it. Andi is lying on her side, dead asleep next to me, but I can’t sleep. The time we were apart haunts me in my dreams, and I wake in a frantic state thinking I’ve lost her for good. Gently turning her over to her back, I kiss her lips. After a couple of seconds, she begins to rouse and kisses me back.

  “Andi,” I whisper.

  “Hmmm,” she replies sleepily.

  “I’m never leaving you again. Ever,” I swear to her. I’m man enough to admit that she’s all I’ll ever need. She’s all I want, and she’s the one thing I can never live without. I’ll gladly let her own me as long as she always stays with me.

  ANDI

  Our big day is finally here, and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. My best friends Christina, Tania, and Katie are all here to be my bridesmaids. Luke has Brandon, Shane, and his dad, Sam, as his groomsmen.

  “Andi, your dress is beautiful,” Katie exclaims.

  I picked a knee length, A-line satin summer dress. It’s all white, strapless with a fitted top and a fun, flowing skirt. Paired with my cute, silver sandals—with a small heel—it’s perfect for our wedding. I had originally wanted to opt for something less traditional since we’re in Vegas, but Linda, Luke’s mom, wouldn’t hear of it.
<
br />   In fact, she kind of shrieked at me when I suggested it.

  So, I opted for the Il Sogno Di Vita wedding package at the Bellagio. The package name is so fitting that Luke and I had it tattooed over our hearts. It means “Dream of Life,” and we both feel like we’re living the dream life. Our vows are written, and even though we still need that signed paper to make it official, we already consider ourselves married in spirit.

  My cell phone chirps, alerting me to a text message. When I pick it up, I see Travis’s name on the lock screen. Smiling, I open the message and read his well wishes for my wedding day.

  “Andi, congratulations on your big day. I’m more than a little jealous that the girl of my dreams has already found her dream man. I wish you all of the love in the world. Yours —Travis.”

  Replying to his text, I can’t help but smile. “Always the charmer. Thank you for the beautiful words, Travis. I wish you could be here, but I also understand. You will find your dream girl. You’re too good of a man not to. Love always ~ Andi.”

  Christina comes into my dressing room, her smile lighting up her beautiful face, and hugs me. “It’s time, Andi. Are you ready?”

  I’m ecstatic and about to bounce off the walls with happiness. “I’m so ready,” I announce. “Let’s go get married!”

  Mack is waiting just outside the door for me. His eyes mist when he sees me in my white wedding dress. “You look so beautiful, Andi. I’m so happy for you and Luke. And I’m so proud of you, my little girl.”

  “Stop before you make me cry!” I exclaim. Rising on my toes, I kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Pop. I love you.”

  “Just so you know, it breaks my heart to give you away. No father should have to give his daughter away. Whoever came up with this is just sadistic,” he grumbles.