Use Me

by Kimberly Knight

  She was shocked.

  Some might think that getting engaged six months after we met might be a little too soon. But when you know, you fucking know, and I didn’t want another day to go by where she wasn’t mine. Officially mine.

  I was nervous because even though we’d bought a house together, I wasn’t sure if Ashtyn wanted to be that committed in such a short amount of time. There was still a chance that in front of nineteen thousand people, she might crush my heart. Luckily for me, she said yes.

  I skated off the ice with Ashtyn in my arms, and once we cleared the lip of the rink, I sat her down so I could walk in the skates.

  “How did you do all of this?” Ashtyn asked, looking down at the round, pavé halo engagement ring that had a setting with small diamonds encrusted around the larger diamond and along the top of the white gold band. I wasn’t sure if she’d like it, but the guy at the jewelry store said it was called the “Center of My Universe” engagement ring and Ashtyn was definitely the center of my entire galaxy.

  “I know a guy who knows a guy.”

  Ashtyn laughed. “Pulling that line on me?”

  “It’s true.” I smirked and took her hand in mine. “You know what this ring is called?”

  She shook her head, still staring down at the sparkling diamond.

  “The Center of My Universe.”

  She looked up at me. “It is?”

  “True story. I had to get it because, Cupcake, you’re the center of my universe.”

  Ashtyn smiled warmly. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  I took her lips with mine and kissed her until I had to forcefully make myself stop because we had shit to do and I was in a fucking mascot costume. Taking her hand again, we walked to Tommy Hawk’s dressing room and entered. He was sitting on a couch, watching the intermission show.

  “Hey, man.”

  “Well?” he asked, standing. Ashtyn walked around me and flashed her hand. “Right on. Congrats!”

  “Thanks,” Ashtyn and I both replied.

  I started to strip out of the costume and handed each piece to Tommy. That wasn’t his real name, but I didn’t need to know it. I only needed his getup to do my thing.

  “Jett seems to be doing a good job without you,” Ashtyn stated, watching the TV.

  “He had practice when I got shot, remember?” Tommy’s brows furrowed. “I’m kind of a badass.”

  “More like a lucky ass,” Ashtyn corrected.

  I chuckled. “I better be getting lucky tonight.”

  “Get it.” Tommy laughed.

  “We’ll see. Do you have to go back to work?”

  “Nope. Jett’s handling everything.”

  “Okay. Then let’s go to our people.”

  “Our people already know.” I nodded goodbye at Tommy.

  “True. Let’s go show them my ring!”

  For the past six months, Ashtyn, her mom, my mom, and Ashtyn’s girlfriends have all been planning our wedding. Ashtyn mentioned she had some ideas on Pinterest and the girls went crazy. I stayed out of it. The only say I got in the matter was …

  Who was I kidding? I didn’t have a say in shit, and I was okay with that because all I cared about was marrying Ashtyn.

  After the season ended, the Blackhawks were in the playoffs, but in the end, they didn’t make it past round two and therefore, didn’t go to the Stanley Cup. This year, the season was starting out strong and I was hopeful it would be their year. In my time off between seasons, I spent my days on the golf course with the guys followed by my nights with my fiancé.

  Life was good.

  I had my girl, my boys, and Romi had her baby. I was now the proud uncle of a little girl who I couldn’t wait to spoil. Romi and Shane named her Margaret. I was going to call her Maggie or Mags. It was already a done deal.

  Today though, I was making Ashtyn my wife. Our entire relationship has been on overdrive, but with all the action we’d faced, making her my wife on the anniversary of us meeting was the best fucking date ever.

  Corey was still MIA, so to be safe, Ashtyn and I didn’t have the traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties because we didn’t know what Corey was capable of. I didn’t feel like getting shot again, and with my luck, even with a large crowd somewhere, he’d open fire.

  Being at home with Ashtyn was all worth it, though. While she addressed envelopes, we’d watch movies. When she’d look online for wedding dresses she liked, we’d catch up on our DVR. When she was making the seating chart, we’d cook dinner together. And when we were picking our first dance song, we danced on the back patio under the stars.

  Life was definitely good.

  Especially today.

  “Here.” I looked in the mirror of the bathroom I was standing in to see Kenny walk in. He was holding a drink. “Thought you could use a seven and seven.”

  “Thanks.” I took the drink from him, took a sip, and then turned back to the mirror to straighten my black tie. I’d rented a suite at the Westin down the street from the venue, and Kenny, Jett, Clark, and I were using it to get ready before heading to the sports museum so I could get hitched. Ashtyn was in a suite of her own on a different floor getting ready, though my executive suite would be used to consummate our marriage—all fucking night.

  “You getting nervous?”

  “Should I be?”

  Kenny shrugged. “I’ve heard some guys do.”

  “Not me, man. This is my girl.”

  “Well, drink up and let’s seal your fate.”

  I rolled my eyes at his joke and chugged my drink, ready to start the next chapter of my life.

  Not only had Ashtyn agreed to get married in a sports museum, but it was her idea. My love of sports was rubbing off on her.

  The guys and I walked into the Chicago Sports Museum, and we were greeted by a guy in a black suit.

  “Mr. Cole.” He stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand. “Kenny, Jett, Clark, this is Matt. He’ll be in charge of security tonight.”

  Two more guys dressed in black suits walked out from the museum. “Only people in there are workers setting up for the wedding, and the minister.”

  “Perfect,” Matt replied. “This is Noah and Liam. They will help me be the eyes and ears tonight.”

  Ashtyn and I, including her father and brother Ethan, agreed that we should hire security for the night just in case since Corey was still in Chicago. It was better to be safe than sorry, and if that meant I had to hire security for the night, I would.

  “Awesome.”

  “You’re free to go in now,” Matt gestured for us to enter the museum.

  The night before for our rehearsal, Ashtyn and I had walked through the venue and was told where everything would be set up. But seeing it as I entered the venue felt surreal. There were interactive exhibits, we were going to have an open bar, and it overlooked the lake.

  It was perfect.

  As we made our way through the venue, we walked past tables that were set up alongside the memorabilia. Each table had white linens draped across them, and in the center were purple roses and what smelled like lavender. Votive candles were placed around the flowers, but not yet lit, and each place setting had a place card in gold stock paper with our guest’s names written in purple. It was beautiful. The girls had outdone themselves.

  I continued my way past the wood dance floor and to the back of the building where chairs were set up looking in the direction of Lake Michigan. A white cloth walkway separated two sides.

  “Rhys,” the minister greeted, extending his hand.

  I took it. “Mason.”

  “Nice suits.”

  I looked down at myself, straightening the dark grey jacket of my suit. Under it was a dark grey vest, white dress shirt, and a black neck tie. The guys were dressed similarly, except instead of a black tie, theirs were purple to match Ashtyn’s color scheme as well as purple vests. “Thank you.”

  “Guests shou
ld be arriving soon—”

  “Shit,” Kenny muttered, cutting off Mason. “I almost forgot.” He ran back in the direction we came, and then a few seconds later he was running back with a small box in his hands. “Put this shit on your lapel.”

  I took a boutonniere he handed me. It had dried lavender and a purple rose arranged in a bundle. I pinned it to my jacket, and the boys followed suit.

  “Like I was saying,” Mason started again, “the guests should be arriving soon. Feel free to escort them all to their seats.”

  We nodded and went back to the entrance where we slowly took mine and Ashtyn’s family and friends to their seats.

  Then it was time.

  The guys went back down the aisle, and then a slow melody started to play. They reentered with bridesmaids on their arms, two at a time. Each bridesmaid was wearing an eggplant-colored, haltered-style dress that matched the guy’s ties and vests. We didn’t have a flower girl or ring bearer, so I knew that the next person I would see would be Ashtyn. A different song started to play from speakers, and time stood still. I didn’t know what song it was, but the woman was singing about how long she would love the person. The answer was as long as the stars are above them.

  But all the other words faded away as soon as I saw Ashtyn.

  I took in her white, strapless gown that had ruffles in the shape of giant roses on the skirt. Now I knew why men weren’t allowed to see the dress before their fiancée walked down the aisle. They were trying to kill us. Ashtyn was fucking breathtaking, and I literally couldn’t breathe as she took each step toward me with her father next to her.

  Was this really happening?

  I hope she doesn’t trip.

  I sucked in a deep breath, trying to fill my lungs with oxygen again, but it wasn’t working. She was a vision. This was my best friend, and I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else. And I wasn’t ever going to.

  I was a real lucky sonofabitch to have walked into Judy’s that night.

  I took Ashtyn’s hand from her father’s and kissed her cheek. “You tryin’ to kill me, Cupcake?” I whispered.

  She furrowed her brow and whispered back, “What?”

  “You took my breath away as you walked toward me.” She probably thought it was a line, but I fucking meant it.

  “Welcome, family, friends and loved ones,” Mason began. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Ashtyn and Rhys. You’ve come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Ashtyn and Rhys to start their married life together surrounded by the people most important to them. Will you, Rhys, take this woman to be your wedded wife?”

  “Absofuckinlutley.” Everyone chuckled, and Mason glared at me. “I will, man. I fuckin’ will.”

  He shook his head slightly and proceeded. “Will you, Ashtyn, take this man to be your wedded husband?”

  She smiled and looked straight into my eyes. “I will.”

  I grinned back.

  Mason continued. “Does anyone object to the union of this marriage between Rhys and Ashtyn? Speak now—”

  “I fucking do!”

  My gaze turned to the sound of the voice to see Corey standing at the end of the aisle pointing his gun at me.

  Again.

  Some brides feared it would rain on their big day.

  I now feared dying.

  I also feared losing the love of my life before we could eventually start our lives together as man and wife. We were seconds away from it being official, and now I was seconds away from learning the fate of this game we were in.

  “You’ve got to be fucking shitting me!” Rhys spat, pulling me to him.

  I heard everyone around us scream, and chairs were being scooted across the floor as everyone scrambled to move out of the way. Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion as though I was watching an epic fight scene on TV. My dad, who was sitting in the front row, moved to us while Ethan, who was sitting in the second row, turned and pulled his gun.

  “Put the weapon down!” Ethan ordered.

  Corey looked haggard and almost strung out. His grin was evil. “No.”

  I didn’t know how he got in with three security guards, but as I took in his clothes, I realized he’d been one of the people working the event. He was dressed in the same black slacks and white shirt as the rest of them.

  “I said, drop your fucking weapon!” Ethan bellowed again.

  “And I said, no. This asshole has stolen everything from me.”

  “If you don’t drop your weapon, I will shoot you,” Ethan stated.

  “Do you know what it’s like to be on track for a full ride, but then have someone come in and suddenly find yourself benched?”

  “He’s still harboring bad feelings from high school,” Rhys stated.

  What the hell? So this had nothing to do with me?

  “Yes, I am. I could be in the pros right now instead of in hiding and couch surfing to avoid the cops.”

  “This is your final warning,” Ethan stated.

  “I don’t give a fuck. It’s time Rhys learns what it’s like to lose everything.”

  Corey slightly turned the gun, and it faced me, but before he could shoot, one of the security guards knocked him to the ground. The gun Corey was holding skidded across the floor, and Ethan rushed to grab it.

  Corey was now standing and restrained by two of the security guys, one on each side of him holding his arms, and Ethan was on the phone calling 911.

  Anger boiled in my blood. I didn’t want this man to think he’d ruined my day.

  My day that had taken six months to plan.

  My day that had taken me seven hours to get ready for.

  My day when I was marrying my best friend.

  It wasn’t the day that Corey Pritchett was going to ruin no matter how hard he tried.

  I pulled out of Rhys’s arms and moved, running past my father who was holding onto my mother and the people who were still in their seats.

  “Ashtyn!” I heard people yell.

  I didn’t stop as I hurried down the white linen carpet to Corey. His gaze met mine and he smirked. He actually smiled. That only caused me to become angrier. Arms tried to grab me, but I shrugged them off. I faintly heard Ethan call my name too. Nothing and no one was going to stop me. I was the bride, and this was my day.

  I pushed hard at Corey’s chest and yelled, “I’m going to kill you!” Arms wrapped around my waist, but I continued to hit Corey’s chest. “Who are you to show up here? You shoot Rhys, go on the run and now you think you can show up here and what? Finish the job?”

  “I planned to kill you, bitch.”

  “You two haven’t seen each other except this year and now, all of a sudden, you have a vendetta against him?”

  “Ashtyn,” Rhys whispered, and I realized it was his arms trying to pull me back. I didn’t budge. I wanted answers.

  Corey didn’t respond.

  “Answer me!” I yelled and slapped him across the face.

  “Fuck off.”

  I kicked him in his balls.

  It felt good to see Corey in pain. He tried to double over, but the guards held him upright. Cops started to rush in, and finally I let Rhys pull me back.

  “It’s over, Cupcake. He’s going to jail.”

  “So much for hiring security,” I sighed. At least I could walk outside tonight and not have to worry Corey was going to show up out of nowhere … again.

  “I’ll talk to the coordinator and find out how he started working for them.”

  “Do you still want to marry me?” I asked, looking up into Rhys’s blue eyes, not wanting him to leave me.

  He furrowed his brow in confusion. “Of course I do.”

  “What if we still do it now?”

  “Are you serious?”

  I was. Maybe shock hadn’t set in yet, but I wasn’t going to let this moment pass. “Yes.”

  “Okay.”
/>   Rhys took my hand, and we moved to where Mason was talking to our parents. “We’re still getting married.”

  “Of course you will, honey.” Claire smiled tightly.

  “No.” Rhys shook his head. “Now. We’re getting married now.”

  They all balked at his words and Mason echoed, “Now?”

  “Now,” I affirmed.

  “How?” Claire and my mother asked at the same time.

  I looked around for Ethan. He was talking to the cops. “Let me ask Ethan.”

  I broke away from Rhys and walked to Ethan. “Can we still get married?”

  “We need to get everyone’s statement.”

  “I figured that, but can’t something be done? This is my wedding.” A tear started to roll down my cheek. Fuck, I couldn’t cry. This was my wedding day … at least I hoped it was.

  “Let me see what I can do.”

  I hugged him then I went back to Rhys and everyone. “He’s going to call a guy who knows a guy,” I joked.

  Dad spoke up. “He’ll just get the okay from the arresting officer.”

  And that was what he did. “Everyone will be interviewed on the way out after the wedding, or they can do it during the reception. During the ceremony, they are going to get the statements of the security guards you hired and staff.”

  “Thank you!” I hugged Ethan again.

  “Okay,” Mason said. “Let’s get everyone seated and start again.”

  Rhys turned to our friend and family. “Everyone, if you could please take your seats again, I want to marry the love of my life now.”

  People hesitated for a split second, but then they moved back to the room that looked as though nothing had happened. Rhys walked me back down the aisle, and then we grabbed each other’s hands and stared into the other’s eyes. The girls and guys resumed their places on either side of Rhys and me.

  Mason cleared his throat. “All right, where were we?”

  “No one objects!” Kenny stated from beside Rhys.

  I chuckled without sound, and Rhys grinned. At least we could laugh about the situation. We stayed silent as Mason continued.

  “Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?” We nodded. “Will everyone please rise?” Everyone did. “Will you, who are present here today, surround Rhys and Ashtyn in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and support them in their marriage?”