“Jenna’s in love with you, idiot.”
“Sometimes love isn’t enough.”
Trick shakes his head. “Whatever. You want a beer?”
“Nah,” I say, suddenly feeling tired. “I think I’m going to bed.”
Trick drains his beer. “Yeah. Me, too. Tomorrow, my suffering will come to an…explosive end.”
“Too much information, dude!” I mumble as I walk away. “Too much information.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN - Jenna
Spending the entire morning being lavishly pampered, scrubbed, buffed, massaged, made up, curled and dressed with my best friend on her wedding day is a ridiculous amount of fun. And memories of Rusty last night, his hard body between me and a mechanical bull, only make my mood that much lighter.
Once we are as perfect as professional hands can make us, we move into one huge room full of mirrors to get dressed. I pull on my dress, zip it up and spin in front of the mirror.
“You really are the best friend ever,” I tell Cami.
“I know, but what did I do to make you say that this time?” she asks with a mischievous grin.
“Only the bestestest friend in the whole world would take such pains to pick a bridal color that suits both her and her best friend’s complexion, especially when they’re basically polar opposites.” Cami has dark red hair, blue eyes and fair skin, while I have black hair, dark eyes and olive skin. There are, like, ten colors out of a zillion that would look good on both of us. Yet Cami picked one of them to use on arguably the most important day of her life.
Cami shrugs. “I can’t very well have you looking all washed out, standing up there behind me, now can I?”
She winks, but I know that had nothing to do with her choice. She’s just that kind of a person—caring, considerate, selfless. Even on her wedding day.
The royal blue dress complements my coloring surprisingly well. My skin glows like bronze, my eyes sparkle like drops of onyx and my lips needed very little red stain. And the cut of the garment is superb. The pencil slim design makes my waist look narrow, my ass look round and my boobs look like they’re tucked up under my chin. On top of that is my sexy hair-do—black curls pulled up on the sides with tendrils dripping down to kiss my shoulders. All in all, I can’t wait for Rusty to see me.
After my confession last night, I feel the need to knock his socks off. For my self-esteem’s sake as much as anything else.
As we are being herded out of the salon toward the curb, I see the familiar face of Trick’s mom, Leena, hovering at the edge of crowd of giggling girls. I look to my left to find Cami, only she’s not beside me anymore. I turn to find her stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Leena.
“Come on,” I say, reaching back to take her hand. “It’s your wedding day. You can do this.” Her wide eyes dart to mine and I can see in them that she’s not convinced. “You won. Just remember that. You. Won.”
I tug on her hand, pulling her behind me as we make our way to the waiting limo. All the other girls pile in and, before we can duck inside, Leena makes her way to Cami. I start to let go of Cami’s hand and get into the limo to give them some privacy, but she tightens her grip, urging me to stay. So I do.
Leena jumps right in, not giving Cami the chance to say anything. “Cami, I’m not trying to ruin your wedding day and I’m not trying to make your life harder by showing up like this. I just…I just wanted to talk to you beforehand. Without Trick.” She pauses and I see her take a deep breath, like she’s gathering courage to do something she doesn’t want to do. “I love my son more than you can imagine, but I’m not ready to be around your family just yet. I don’t know if that will ever change. I’m working on seeing you for you, not for the mistakes of your family. And that’s why I wanted to come today. I’m sorry I didn’t come to any of the other events. I just didn’t think I could be around…everyone that much just yet. I want to be part of your life, part of my son’s life and the lives of my grandchildren, but I can’t promise much more than that right now. Just know that I’m trying. And that I’m here for Trick.” She pauses, looking away again. “And for you.”
Cami cups her hands over her mouth and squeezes her eyes shut. I see her fingers tremble. I can’t imagine what she must be feeling. But, to her credit, she recovers quickly, dropping her hands and taking Leena’s in both of hers.
“Thank you, Leena. I’ll take whatever you can give.”
Leena glances up, obviously uncomfortable, gives Cami a small smile and then steps away, gesturing toward the limo.
“You’d better get going.”
“Won’t you come with us?”
Leena’s smile is more genuine this time. “That’s no place for an old lady, much less the groom’s mother. You go. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy this day.”
Cami smiles sweetly and nods her head before she turns her glistening eyes on me. “Ready?”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks and she’s not even trying to stop them. But she’s smiling. She doesn’t have to say it, but her wedding will be perfect now. This was all she needed to be the happiest bride on the planet. And I’m glad she got it. I’m glad Trick got it, too. I know it’s been weighing on him more than he’d ever admit. I nod, swallowing the lump of emotion in my throat as we climb into the back of the waiting car.
The ride to the church is pretty… enthusiastic. We ladies chatter and giggle and tease Cami about the pervy gift set we hid in the trunk with her luggage. Since there was no dedicated “bridal shower,” a couple of the girls took it upon themselves to make Cami a bridal… survival kit instead. It’s a lovely cloth covered, keepsake box full of lotions and candles. It just also happens to contain edible body paint, crotchless panties and a few more creative things, some of which involve batteries. In short, it’s a box full of shit that will make Cami’s face turn eight shades of red when she unpacks it in front of Trick.
“Maybe he’ll spank you for being such a naughty girl, Cam,” I taunt playfully.
“Ohmigod, Jenna!” She’s already turning the shade that’s one step up from “beet.”
Such fun being a girl and having a delicate best friend!
When we arrive at the church, all the guests are inside. The neighborhood is quiet and the lawn is empty, as are the steps leading up to the front doors.