Reservation preservation.., p.24
Reservation (Preservation Series), page 24
Persistent fingers tapped at my shoulder, and I swiveled around to find Sam, with Jess right at her side. They both beamed at me, their funky, matching blazers showing just a hint of their tattooed arms. Ivory roses were pinned to their jackets’ lapels, signifying their bridal status.
“How are my Best Women?” I grinned, leaning in to kiss them. “You ladies hungry? Looks like the food is being served.”
“Absolutely, my man. But hold the champagne for Jess.” Sam slid her girl a sly glance, then directed it at me, waiting for my reaction.
“No,” I laughed. “No way!”
“Yes way,” Jess squealed. “I’m due in the fall.”
“Holy shit, get out of here, woman!” I moved in and tackled them both in a massive bear hug, my joy explosive. “I marry my girl and get this news on the same day…oh yeah, this deserves a toast. Come on,” I took Jess’s hand, “you can have water.” I towed them both over to our table and we took a seat with my parents, toasting and digging into our meal while Kate continued her gab session with the other girls.
Before I knew it, Kari was informing me it was time for the dance, and at the sound of the first infectious strum of the guitar, I stood from my chair and grabbed Kate, dragging her out onto the floor. Kari winked as I folded Kate into my arms, and I mouthed a “thank you” before giving my bride my full attention. The shimmy of the tambourine mixed with the folksy vocals and filled the room with intoxicating energy.
“Is this our song?” Kate asked, beaming up at me.
“I think it should be.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Kate Parker, are you actually surrendering without a fight?”
“Oh, there’ll be a fight.” She pressed her lips to my chin as we swayed back and forth. “When you see the other entertainment I have planned for the evening.”
My brow arched but I didn’t comment, instead dipping her and then spinning her on a twirl, reeling her back into my arms to the rhythm of the music. We continued to get lost in the earthy beats, mouthing the words to each other as we moved. I motioned for the others to join us, smiling in satisfaction when Jackson pulled Emma out on the floor, followed by Carter and Whitney, then Dean and Crystal. Sam and Jess were next, and the rest of the song was spent twirling our loved ones around the dance floor, with a few off-key shouts of “hey” and “ho” thrown in between the chorus.
When the song was over, Carter and Dean hurried over to the small stage near the cake table, and out came two guitars and mics. A drum set was set up near the back, and a drummer I immediately recognized as a member of The Hellions appeared to take a seat and position himself with his sticks. The next thing I knew, I was being shoved up on the stage with them by Kate. Emma, Whitney, and Jackson were hooting and hollering as they cheered us on.
“What’s this?” I asked dizzily.
“Our very own karaoke session, hosted by my favorite musicians. And you get the first song.” Kate smiled deviously, darting away before I could object, returning only to hand me a beer. “Here, baby. You’re going to need this.”
“Kate Parker,” I warned.
A faux British accent boomed from beside me, drowning me out. “Good day, ladies and gents. We are The Hellions, and we’d think it quite lovely if you’d give it up for the one and only Mr. Campbell!” Our friends erupted into laughter and cheers, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jackson jumped up on stage with me, grabbing a spare mic.
“You hate this spotlight shit, don’t you man?”
I nodded.
“No worries. I got your back. Let’s hope I know whatever song they pick. Just make me look good for my girl, okay?” He found Emma in the crowd and winked at her, rustling his wild dark hair with his free hand. She blew him a kiss and he pretended to catch it, tucking it into his shirt.
“Deal,” I said, tightening my grip around the mic handle.
The sound of a Nirvana cover started to fill the room, and Jackson and I jumped in, giving the lyrics all we had, while everyone continued to clap and bob their heads to the music. My gaze gravitated to Kate near the front of the stage, and there was nothing but certainty in my eyes.
We belonged together, and she was my sweetheart.
THE END
THANK YOU FOR READING. IF YOU ENJOYED THE STORY, PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW ON AMAZON AND GOODREADS.
DECLARATION
BOOK 3 OF THE PRESERVATION SERIES
Featuring characters from Love and Relativity.
Carter Montgomery spent most of his life blending in, and he liked it that way. It was always better to be seen, not heard. And while a theatric streak and friendly demeanor might have fooled most people, he knew the truth—he was the shy one. The quiet kid most people forgot about. Some might have considered that a bad thing, but those people all wanted to be in the spotlight.
The only place Carter didn’t mind attention was on stage, with The Hellions. Once content in his comfort zone in Seattle, Washington, he only knew three things: confrontation was to be avoided, keeping the peace was priority, and the moment he lost Kate Parker to Professor Ryan Campbell, he had no clue what to do with his life. Playing gigs, working at Pike’s Place Market, and watching BBC after the love of his life sailed off into the sunset just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.
Desperate to escape his rut, he takes a cue from Kate and chooses a random place to relocate—a small island across the country, where no one knows his name and memories of unrequited love aren’t found at every turn. Just when he thinks he’s found the perfect place to unwind and sink back into the shadows, in bursts Whitney Sinclair, a saucy firecracker who loves life and refuses to settle for second best. Full of contagious energy, she dares him to be brave, convincing him that it might finally be time to tell the world what he wants.
It might be time to make a declaration.
COMING 2013
AVAILABLE NOW FROM AMAZON.COM
THE KEEPERS TRILOGY
BOOK ONE
COMING 2013
Table of Contents
Reservation
Prologue
01. Redemption
02. Bridges
03. Hero
04. Pressure
05. Detour
06. Rumors
07. Skeletons
08. Cement
09. Boundaries
10. Patterns
11. Dirt
12. Buried
13. Famine
14. Sunrise
Epilogue
Wade, Rachael, Reservation (Preservation Series)
