Absolute Zero: Soldier of Light Chronicles Book 2

by Ireland Gill

  He ruffled his hair. “Nah. I think I'll get ready first. But if you're still going, could you grab me a bagel or something?”

  “Sure.” I grabbed one of the key cards from the desk. “I'll be back.” I headed for the door, purse still on my shoulder and pulled out my iPod.

  “Okay, but just remember we don't have much time.” He tapped his wrist. “We need to leave here by eleven-thirty-five to get to the church on time and get our seats.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Golly gosh, Hayden. Where would I be without you to keep me organized?” I said sardonically.

  “Definitely not on time. I can tell you that much.” He snickered. He was so right, but I gave him a disapproving look before closing the door on my way out.

  I put in my earbuds and turned on my iPod, scrolling through the music. Let's see. What did I want to listen to? Ah yes, perfect: “Playing With My Heart,” by Kate Voegele. That song hit the spot. It was going to be my new favorite song for the weekend.

  I hit pause as I reached the cafe and prepped two plain bagels with extra cream cheese. I figured we better not overdue it so we'd be hungry for reception food, but I couldn't leave without grabbing two sides of eggs, sausage and two orange juices. I bagged the food and loitered around the lobby looking at brochures of the attractions in Cleveland. It's funny how you live somewhere and don't really take advantage of the place until you're officially gone. When you come back as a tourist, it takes on this whole new light. I discovered there were so many attractions that I'd been oblivious to while I was living there. Cleveland would always be how I left it and it would always be there when I returned. I found comfort in that.

  I was still blaring the same song on repeat while I danced into the room. I looked around and saw the bathroom door was left slightly ajar, steam rising from under it. My curiosity got the best of me, so I crept up to the crack in the door. Hayden was in the shower, his backside facing me. I froze there like a deer in headlights right after pulling my earbuds out and letting them drop to my sides. My heart sped as I stared in awe. The shower curtain had not been completely pulled to the other side, leaving half of his naked body in my line of vision. I had no choice but to let my hungry eyes stare at the beautiful sight, this gorgeous work of art standing there naked in the shower. Water drenched him from head to toe, rolling down his skin in small cascades, layering every perfect curve of his shoulders, back and arms down to his buttocks. My eyes paused there, absentmindedly admiring the build of those cheeks that looked as if they could shatter a rock into a million pieces if brought to the challenge.

  I watched the water fall along his legs, washing over his toned thighs and calves. I glanced back up to his shoulders and saw the movement of his back muscles and arms as he washed his hair, and then felt my bottom jaw drop. Holy. Hell. He was so beautiful and flawless, it hurt. How could one thing in this entire world be so perfectly put together? His charm, his laugh, his smile, his eyes, his tenderness, his willingness to put up with me....and the body of a god! I imagined my hands against his skin as the water sprayed on his body. He started lathering the bar soap and washing his arms, still facing away from me. God, I wanted to be that bar of soap so badly. Dear God, please, just let that water keep running so I can stand here and keep watching this beautiful man.

  “You know, Evika, I doubt I'd be this fascinating to you had you paid closer attention in your anatomy class.”

  I unfroze just enough to let my eyes widen and bug out of my head. Omigod. Omigod. Omigod. He knew I was there! I had to think of something quickly. What would I say? Of course, blame him for the issue at hand. “God, Hayden! Ever heard of locking a door?” I ran away from the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind me, panting heavily.

  “Ever heard of knocking on one?” I heard his muffled voice retort.

  Crap on a stick! This was bad. How could I have let that happen? Ugh! And why couldn't he have just locked that damn door? I was never going to live that one down. My palms and face were sweating profusely.

  After a few minutes of pacing around the room, I heard the water shut off. My hands were sweating like a whore in church. I had to look busy, so I put the television on, and what was on? “Dr. Phil: Teen Sex.” Oh, for the love of heavenly bodies! I flipped through the channels and found something officially boring and couldn't tell you what it was. I quickly pulled my dress from the closet and out of the bag, evaluating if I had time to get into it before he came out of the bathroom. I figured I did. I was quick. Ugh. But Hayden would have to zip it up for me. Jeez! I decided to get into the dress anyway and just act as if nothing happened. Maybe he didn't know how long I was really standing there. Maybe.

  My dress was on and I zipped it up as far as I could, contorting my upper body as I tried to reach my arm around far enough to zip it up completely. It was no use. I stood frustrated and exhausted in front of the mirror. I sighed deeply and made one last attempt at the zipper, but he emerged from the bathroom, steam following behind him. He was in his black pin-striped suit, a dark green shirt that matched my dress, and a black and green striped tie to compliment. I could hardly make myself look him in the eyes, but I relented and caught his most cocky expression.

  “Looks like you could use some help.” He grinned at me.

  I sighed. “Yes, please,” I muttered and gave in. I only wanted to get the zipper up and dash for the bathroom to do my make-up to avoid the awkwardness. But no, I needed him to help me with my dress. He stood behind me, looking at my partially-naked skin.

  “Wow, Evika, isn't it a little early to start celebrating Christmas?” he said as he looked at me in the mirror, bringing the zipper to the top.

  “Huh?” I looked at him through the mirror, confused. Then I saw my beat-red face. Perfect. I was red and green all over. Well, it was obvious then; I looked guilty. I braced myself for anything he might say about the previous event, but he surprised me by ignoring it all together. It threw me off. Not that I didn't appreciate it, but it didn't make things any better for me either. I was sure the subject of my seeing him naked was bound to come up sooner than later.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Hayden walked over to his suitcase and pulled out a thin, black box. “Stay right there,” he said as he proceeded to pull out a piece of jewelry. He walked it over to me and placed it on my neck. It was a thick, silver chain with an emerald square-cut stone as the charm. I lifted my hair up high and watched him close the clasp. It lay just a few inches below my throat and I swear, it couldn't have matched the dress more perfectly – not to mention, how closely the color resembled his gorgeous eyes.

  He placed his warm hands on my shoulders, observing me through the mirror and smiling. “Perfect,” he said.

  I turned and looked at him in awe. “Hayden, where did this come from?”

  He smirked. “Oh, you know, I had to find something to occupy my time while you were trying on dresses. I think it was between dress number thirty-eight and forty-two.”

  “But, how did you---”

  “Oh, come on. Like I didn't know you were going to pick the clover green dress? This was dress number seven, if I remember correctly.” His hands draped along the skirt of my dress, and his eyes looked it over with admiration.

  I shook my head, astonished. “You take great pride in knowing me so well, don't you?”

  He shrugged. “I'm also great at being on time, so don't ruin that for me, Pony-girl.”

  I smiled and squeezed the charm as I grabbed my make-up bag. “Thanks.”

  Hayden nodded with a proud grin. “Looks good on you,” he said, grabbing his breakfast from the desk.

  I skipped to the bathroom. Butterflies were forming, and I'm sure it was a cross between the ones I always had around him, along with my nerves about this wedding, and the fact that I knew that this “shower scene” was not going to dissipate quietly.

  I was done putting on my face after about five minutes and I enough time to eat my food before we were out the door, right on time like Hayden wanted. I took
pride in managing to be ready on time that day. We'd gotten to the church with ten minutes to warm up our seats for the ceremony. We, of course, sat on Brittonia's side of the church. After sitting, I looked around at the beautiful stained-glass windows, depicting stories of the bible. Testaments, Old and New. For a short moment, I felt as though I wanted to go back to knowing those stories as the only truth. But that thought quickly left my mind as I looked over at Hayden, who was smiling at the cross hanging above the alter. He looked so peaceful in that moment, as if he were “home,” and I wondered what he was thinking. I thought that he might be praying or reflecting, something of the sort, so I didn't want to disturb whatever it is that angels do when they are in a church on a wedding day. I was content just watching him as we listened to the organ playing.

  I glanced to the front of the church and saw Christian, a handsome, young blond with a crew cut standing with his groomsmen. He was in a white tux, sporting a violet-colored rose and holding the proudest smile. His best man patted him on his back assuringly as they stood. Then the sound of the music started the ceremony; Ave Maria. It was one of the most beautiful songs. I'd heard it a few times during my childhood, but never really listened as intently as I had in that moment. The flower girl walked by, her blond locks bobbing as she dropped violet petals onto the white runner down the aisle. The bridesmaids, Shelby, Demi and Clara, - aka, the bean poles - were all in their Victorian lilac dresses, holding a modest bouquet of white roses. Demi walked by and offered me a wide smile and I couldn't help but return one. I looked toward the door and saw the matron of honor, Brit's sister, Josie, coming down the aisle. I was eagerly awaiting the moment we'd get to stand to see Brittonia and sure enough, that moment came.

  We all stood and gasped as she came through the church entrance in her strapless, white dress, holding onto her father's arm with such a glowing, confident smile on her face. If she was nervous, you would have never known. She took her time walking down the aisle, holding her bouquet of white and violet-colored roses. She faced the front of the church, keeping her eyes on her future, her love. It was the same face of realness that I'd seen of her in the hospital when she'd visited me, a genuine happiness and innocence. It amazed me that she'd become so mature. You could just see the difference in her, at least, I could. She took my breath away as she walked past me, my eyes followed the train of the dress, admiring the sequins trails of flowers embroidered into it. It looked like it was made for her. It was all so perfect.

  The ceremony began once she reached the alter, her father gave her away and sat down. I listened to the whole thing curiously. I'd never been to a wedding in my life, and the only ones I'd experienced were the cliché ones on television. My curiosity spiked when the nuptials came up. “For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” I'd wondered where it all came from originally. I wondered if that was what it meant to be married. “Till death do you part;” then what? You move on? I guess that's what most people did, but if there was such a thing as a soul mate, then how could you truly be happy without them? Why did death have to end your love for that person? It created a longing, I'm sure, but why would death have to be the end at all?

  I looked over at Hayden, who was also watching just as eagerly as I was. But he spared me one second of his time and glanced my way to smile his five-hundred watter. I melted in place in that pew. God, he drove me crazy. Sometimes it took all I had not to belt out in song or poem about how he made me feel, but even then, I wouldn't even know what to say without being extremely abstract. My lips wanted to tell him, my hands wanted to tell him, hell, my whole body reacted to Hayden. I ached for a way to express to him how much I adored him, how much he meant to me.

  I was disappointed in myself for not taking a hold of one of his hands during the ceremony. However, I would have started thumbing circles into his palm, focusing on his skin, then thinking back on him in the shower at the hotel and, oh, I really wanted a drink. I really, really wanted a drink. Just a beer. One would be okay, and I knew Hayden would be fine with it. Or even a glass of wine, I'd settle for that. There I was, supposed to be witnessing a friend's wedding ceremony, and my ass was thinking about alcohol and Hayden's body. I annoyed myself to no end.

  The ceremony was over, and the priest pronounced them as “Mr and Mrs. Christian Brian Vandelin.” Brittonia May Vandelin. It had a ring to it.

  I grabbed Hayden's arm, and we walked out the doors, grabbing our little container of bubbles.

  “This is a really nice church,” I said casually.

  Hayden smiled at me. “Yes, it's beautiful.”

  And so are you, I thought.

  I hadn't realized how many people had come to the church since we'd sat more towards the front. I had a feeling it was going to be an impossibility to greet Brittonia and Christian before the reception since they'd have to get back into the church for the photographs. They came out and we all blew the bubbles and cheered as the newly-weds emerged from the church doors. I thought Brittonia was beautiful in the church, but when the sunlight hit her, she was astonishing. Maybe it was also this new light I was seeing about her. I mean, she was always beautiful, but that day, she looked magnificent.

  I hadn't met Christian yet, but I watched him watch his bride as she batted playfully at a few of the bubbles floating by her face. I felt my heart swell. You could easily see that he was undeniably in love with this girl. I would give almost anything for someone to see me the way he was looking at her. It was beautiful, that moment.

  I looked to Hayden, who was next to me shaking his empty container of bubbles and puffing out his lower lip. I laughed at him.

  “You want the rest of mine, Angel-man?”

  “Nah. Save them for later. We'll have a bubble-blowing party back at the hotel.” He winked at me.

  A few light raindrops hit his nose. He looked up at the overcast sky and raised his hand out, then looked at me incredulously. “Evika, really?”

  “What? Rain on your wedding day is good luck.”

  He shrugged. “No downpours, though. Keep it to a light sprinkle.”

  I rolled my eyes and grinned at him. “Don't piss me off today and I can fully commit to that.”

  The crowd dissipated and the wedding party ran back into the church. I looked around and saw the Hummer limo waiting across the street.

  “Wow, talk about going all-out,” I said.

  Hayden laughed. “Says the girl with the sixty-thousand dollar Mustang.”

  I smacked his chest playfully. “Whatever. Let's get back the hotel and hang out at the swanky bar! We have some time to kill. Oh, and I think Joel's parents might be coming.” I tugged on his arm.

  He placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked slowly to the pony.

  We reached the car and I dangled the keys from my index finger. “You wanna drive this time?”

  Hayden clutched his chest and faked a mild seizure, adding some choking sounds. “You mean, you are actually going to hand those keys over...willingly today?”

  “Yeah, unless you don't want to.” I headed for the driver's side.

  “Oh, no you don't. Hand them over.” He came up behind me, placing his arm around my waist and lifting me off the ground gently. His other hand tugged at the keys.

  I laughed uncontrollably. “Okay! Okay!” I managed to say through laughs, handing him the keys. He zipped over to the passenger side, holding the door open for me. I sat down and watched him close my door, then shoot over to the driver's side like a little kid. I found it hilarious, how happy he was.

  He sat in the car and closed the door, sighing dramatically with a smile on his face. He started the engine and closed his eyes, grabbing the steering wheel. “Oh. Yeah,” he said.

  I laughed at him, shaking my head. “You are such a goober, you know that?”

  “I hardly ever get to drive this thing.” He flashed his teeth at me, holding his cheesy smile. “Hey, have you let Luka drive yet?”

  �
��Nope,” I said. “Not yet.”

  “Hmm. I should rub it in.”

  “You're terrible.”

  He wagged his eyebrows. “I know.”

  We headed back to the hotel, where the reception was held, and hung out at the bar. I decided to make Hayden happy and only ordered a glass of Riesling. He ordered the same. We sat there waiting for our wine and spun the chairs toward each other. I had a feeling it was the moment; he was going to say something about the “shower scene.” Well, I was right.

  “So,” he looked down and grinned widely, playing with the buttons on his suit jacket, “you didn't think I was just going to let it go, did you?”

  Great. Here we go. “Let what go?” I played dumb.

  “Seems to me that you got quite an eye-full this morning, wouldn't you say?” His chin went up and our eyes met.

  Oh, sweet, baby Jesus. We are going to talk about his naked body. I quickly composed myself. “Hey, forget about my eye-full. I learned that you don't know how to lock a door,” I said defensively.

  Hayden laughed. The bartender set our wine on the counter in front of us and I quickly grabbed my glass, sticking it up to my lips to sip.

  “You know, Evika, this would be so much easier if you would just admit it. It's no big deal, really,” he taunted.

  For cripe's sake, is he proud about this? God, please just open a huge hole in the ground and swallow me up right now. I felt my face flush.

  “Hmm.” Hayden observed my face, “how strange that your face is the same shade of red as it was this morning. Is it all coming back to you now?”

  My jaw flexed. “Hayden, why are you tormenting me about this? I'm sorry. Okay?”

  “I'm only curious.” He shrugged.

  “Curious about what?” I snapped and took another generous sip of my wine.

  “About what you thought.”

  I choked in mid-swallow of my next swig. Oh. My. God. “What. I. Thought. You wanna know what I thought?” I was hoping I hadn't heard him right.

  He sat straighter in the stool and gave me a smug expression. “Yeah, I wanna know.”