Chapter 23

23

June

JAXON

The months are flying by, and as much as we’ve been postponing telling the parents about our upcoming nuptials, today’s the day. I’ve invited everyone over for a cookout, and after everyone has had dessert—get your mind out of the gutter, not that kind I can assure you—we will drop the bomb. I’m hoping once their bellies are full and they’ve had a few cocktails, they won’t take it as hard.

Aria promised to bring a potato salad and dessert. Fuck! We’ll need to change that up when other people are involved. Otherwise, it just sounds weird. Pastry! Yeah, she’s bringing pastry. That’s so much better.

Our moms insisted on bringing something and wouldn’t take no for an answer. We’re going to have a shit ton of food and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to swallow a bite. Funny how I’m still afraid of getting scolded by my mother at my age. It’s that look that gets me.

I’m sure Aria’s appetite will be nil too since she’s been fretting about this for weeks on end. It makes us second guess our decision. Are we just being selfish? I guess we’ll know today when we get their reactions.

Wish us luck. We’re going to need it.

It’s still a bit too early to fire up the grill, so I walk around the backyard making sure that everything’s in place. It’s looking good so there’s not much I can do until they all get here. Why does it feel like I’m forgetting something? If I am, maybe Aria will point it out to me once she gets here. I look in the fridge to make sure the meat’s marinating. Check! Then I make sure I have all the drinks chilled. Check! And last but not least—Oh no! Do I have enough propane to even cook the damn food?

Running back outside, I check my tank. Luckily, I bought one of those gauges last year, so I know how much gas I have left. Fuck. Just what I thought, I’m almost empty. Won’t be enough to cook everything. Should I run out now to pick some up or give Jim a ring hoping he has a spare? I’ll try giving him a shout so I’m home when everyone arrives.

I let it ring a few times and let out a breath when he picks up. “Jaxon, are you canceling the cookout?”

Oh how I wish I could. “It might be a bust if I run out of propane. You wouldn’t happen to have a spare I could buy off you?”

“I do have a spare, but it’s on me. We’ll pop over a tad earlier so you can fire it up.”

“Thanks, you just saved me from having to run out. I’ll see you soon.” After I hang up, the doorbell rings. Perfect timing, but it’s too early for guests.

“Aria, you don’t need to…”

“Hurry, the bowl’s slipping and I’m going to…”

“Got it. You should have called, I would have helped you carry everything inside.” I don’t joke about forgetting something at home or I just might get a black eye. It’s a touchy subject.

“I tried but the line was busy, and I didn’t bother leaving a message. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have tried to carry so much at one time.”

After we put everything where it belongs, I wrap her in my arms. Giving her a great big hug, and she instantly relaxes in my arms. I don’t dare ask her if she’s ready to do this since she’s been so nervous lately.

“Want a glass of wine or is it too early?”

Mumbling into my chest she states, “Too early, but as soon as the food starts, I’m grabbing a bottle. Screw the glass.” God, I love this girl. So damn much. How the fuck am I going to survive without her when I’m on tour?

Tipping her chin up with my fingertips, I brush my lips across hers. Knowing the love shining in her eyes has everything to do with me is like playing to a sold-out crowd. It’s euphoric.

“I love you so much baby, it hurts. Together we can conquer the world but today we just need to worry about our parents.” With a whimper, she holds me tighter. If that’s at all possible. “Aria, do you trust me?”

“Of course I do. Always. It’s myself that I don’t trust. I’m afraid I’ll throw in the towel if they’re hurt about our plans.” Understandable, because I feel the same way.

“I’ll tell you what. If we let them know what we want and they kick it to the curb immediately, we’ll do it their way. Then somewhere down the road, we’ll do it our way without the family. Just our friends. Sound good?” Ah, look at that smile.

“You would do that for me?” Is she kidding?

“Poppet, I would do anything and everything for you. Legal and illegal. Just don’t tell too many people about the last part.”

“You’re the love of my life, Jax. How will I survive without you while you’re on the road?” See, great minds think alike.

“Simple. Come with me. Listen, don’t shake your head. Just listen. Please. I’ll let you pick and choose the leg of the tour you want. How long you want to stay and how many times you want to pop in. When we’re on hiatus, I’ll come home to you. No need to give me an answer now. Think about it. Okay?”

“Okay, I will. Promise. Just not sure how jealous I’d be watching all the girls screaming and grabbing at my man. I might smack a bitch.” I snort-laugh, because my girl very seldom swears. Apparently, though, she’s very territorial. I like.

This time when I dive in, I hold her jaw and devour her mouth. Capturing every breath, every moan, and drinking down her very essence. Our heartbeats sync as one. I’m ready to throw her over my shoulder and carry her upstairs when the crunch of someone stepping on gravel gets our attention.

Breaking apart like a bunch of horny teenagers, I say, “They’re here.”

ARIA

From an outsider’s point of view, we’d look like one big happy family. Cooking out on the grill, eating great food, and spending quality time with our families. They’d be right, but Jax and I have been on edge since they walked in the door. We have too many things running through our minds. Between the wedding plans, his tour, and the fact that Stephanie just got a new job as a columnist at Beautify . Can you believe it? I’m ready to explode. Mom’s thrilled about her new promotion and hasn’t stopped talking about it. Jax looks so uncomfortable, and no matter who tries to change the subject, it always comes back to Stephanie.

I want to scream, “Mom she’s sleeping with the damn boss. That’s how she got the damn job,” but not the time and place.

I can’t take it for one more minute. “Let’s have dessert.” Jax snickers and my face suddenly turns a pretty shade of crimson.

“Sweetie, we’re all stuffed. Let’s wait. Where was I, Oh, yes. Stephanie?—”

I quickly interrupt. “Jax and I decided to switch up our wedding plans since he’s going on tour next month. Wait, I’ll go grab the itinerary I drafted up.”

“Why would you want to change it up, Aria? We planned the perfect wedding for the both of you. It’s ungrateful…”

“Emma, let’s hear them out. After all, it is their wedding. They should have a say.”

I could kiss Trish right now for sticking up for us. I can’t help but notice that my fiancé is scrubbing his hands over his face. Bad timing? Maybe, but if I heard her brag about Stephanie one more time, I would have screamed.

“Here, check this out. It’s not a traditional wedding by any means, but it’s what we want.” I hand everyone our schedule and they go silent. Jax is shaking his head, and I mouth, “Help me.”

“Just think destination wedding combined with a rockin’ good time. We appreciate all that you’ve done for us, but we don’t want to wait for two years to get married. And we don’t want to rush it either. This is the best-case scenario. All we ask is that you keep an open mind.” Standing, he strides over to where I’m standing and grabs me around the waist. Solidarity. I like it.

“I think it’s brilliant,” Jim pipes in.

Trish smiles through her sadness when she looks at her son. “It’s as far as traditional can get, but it’s so you, Jax. I’m all in if it’s the kind of wedding your beautiful fiancée wants.” I can’t help it. I just can’t. I start balling and she slowly walks over and gives us both a hug.

“I do, I really do, Mrs. Mathews.”

Wiping my tears, she says, “It’s Trish. Call me Trish.” I nod because I’m too emotional to speak. And sad that my mom and dad haven’t yet said a word.

Jim walks over for a group hug and that’s when my dad clears his throat.

“I just need to ask one question before I put in my two cents.”

“What’s that, D-Daddy?”

“Can I still walk with you even if there’s no damn aisle?” I’m laughing and sobbing when I leave Jax to give my dad the biggest hug, ever.

“Absolutely. We’ll figure something out as soon as we pinpoint the venue.”

“It’s settled then. The kids will have their wedding, where they want, when they want.”

Well, that’s three out of four votes, but my mom still hasn’t said a thing. It’s def not unanimous.

“Mom, we’re waiting for an answer.” I’m shocked when Jax squats down in front of my mom and grabs her hand.

“Mrs. Mitchell, I swear this was all Aria’s idea. Not mine. I can see why you’re hesitant, because you probably thought I put her up to it. I really didn’t. It’s what she wants, and when she ran it by me, I agreed it was as quirky as us. Isn’t a wedding supposed to be about the couple getting married? I don’t need to wear a tux, and Aria doesn’t want a big poofy white wedding dress that she’ll never wear again. We’re just two people who are madly in love and want to share their special day with their families and friends.”

Damn, I can’t stop crying. I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have a fiancé who understands me. Who loves me enough and will go to bat for me when I need him the most. It’s true, it was my idea, and he’s gracious enough to let me have it. It’s going to be the most beautiful nontraditional wedding that ever was. You just wait and see.

“Aria, is Jax telling me the truth? Remember, I’ve always known when you were fibbing. Is this really what you want?”

“Yes, Mom. It’s what we both want.” She scrutinizes my every move, my every word, and then I watch her deflate right before my eyes. She’s disappointed, I understand. Dress-shopping for a mother and daughter is very special and I’m depriving her of that right. I’ll need to come up with something that the two of us can do to compensate.

“If I disagree, I’m going to be the bad guy. Right, Jax?” She chuckles because in his band, Rebel Riot, it’s always majority rules.

“You won’t be the bad guy, Mrs. Mitchell. But you’d make us the happiest couple in the world if the vote was unanimous. We’d also like your blessing.” Oh, he can shmooze when he wants to, that fiancée of mine.

“Fine. I agree. But I’m warning you both here and now. Trish and I will be in charge of the wedding reception as soon as we learn about the venue. Deal?” I want to scream with joy but there’s one thing missing.

“Mom. Do we have your blessing?” I hold my breath, and I swear Jax does the same.

“Yes, you crazy nontraditional children. You have my blessing. Looks like the vote is unanimous.”