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I was certain there would be one.

“Now that...” she squeezed my hand, “. . . is my area of expertise. Let’s go.”

Chapter 38

LEWIS

I led Tia straight to the bar and we downed two bourbon shots. I didn’t need the drink for liquid courage; it was more to enhance my ability to tolerate some of my less-than-favorable relatives. Just holding Tia’s hand on the way into the room had raised many eyebrows. Most of my extended family shared my parents’ views on sexuality—that anything aside from being hetero was the devil’s doing, an illness, and downright wrong. During the wedding ceremony and dinner, they’d kept their distance, ignored me, or been civil but fear had flickered in their eyes. I was used to it. I’d grown immune to their behavior. But my heart hurt for Lee. The people he’d cared about had turned their backs on him.

I had no time for narrow-mindedness.

I was here for Lucy and to see the handful of family and friends who didn’t give a shit about a person’s sexuality...and now, so I could introduce them to my girlfriend.

I snaked my hand around Tia’s waist and pulled her close. “Are you ready for this?”

She rubbed her hands up and down my forearms. “Yes. I want to meet all your family. They can’t be as bad as you say they are.”

I puffed air through my nose. “Do you want to place a bet on that?”

“Okay.” Mischief ignited in her eyes. “If I lose, I’ll take you back to the hotel, use that tie you have stuffed in your pocket, bind you to the bed, and have my way with you again.”

Hugging her close, I chuckled against her ear. God, I loved her. “How is that a bad thing?”

“It’s not. I’m hoping I don’t win.”

“So do I.” I held out my hand for her to take. “Let’s get this over with. We’ll start with the nice members of my family. Come meet the bride and groom.”

I led her over to them, sitting at a table, talking to friends. “Excuse me, Lucy. Blaine. I’d like you to meet Tia.”

Blaine’s eyes widened, and he jumped to his feet. The chair went sliding backward into the person sitting at the table behind him. He stuttered a quick apology then spun around to face Tia. “Holy shit. Hi. I love your show.”

Tia shook his hand, taking his fluster in her stride. “Thank you. But congratulations. Sorry for the very late arrival. It’s nice to meet you. I hope you’ve had a fabulous day.”

Lucy stood and drew Tia into a huge hug. “Oh, wow.” Her voice came out a touch shaky. “I didn’t know Lewis hung out with huge TV stars as well as famous rock stars.”

Tia giggled. But before she could say anything, I cut in. “Actually, Tia’s my girlfriend.”

Lucy’s jaw hit the floor with a thud. “Did...did you say girlfriend?”

“Yes.” Tia hooked her arm around my back and tucked into my side.

Lucy blinked and shook her head. “How? What? Since when?”

“We’ve been together for a couple months,” I said. There was no need to go into all the sordid, finer details. “There was a lot of craziness involved, trust me.”

“There certainly was.” Tia placed her hand on my stomach and drew closer. Her beaming smile and touch were all the comfort I needed. “But we made it.”

“Well, holy shit.” Lucy’s voice ricocheted off the roof. I laughed; I’d never heard my sister swear. I guess marrying a military man had changed her. She flicked the back of her fingers against my arm. “You’re going to tell me all about this when I get back from the honeymoon. We’re going to Niagara Falls.”

“Okay, I promise.” I nodded, slipping my free hand into my suit pants pocket. “You’ll have fun there. It’s awesome. Make sure you go ziplining and check out the bar at the top entrance to the boats.”

Lucy threw a raunchy smile at Blaine. “We don’t plan on seeing anything outside the bedroom. Right, pumpkin?”

He blushed, turning red and bashful. “We’ll at least get to the Falls.”

After a quick chat and a couple of photos with their starstruck friends, Tia and I continued around the room. I headed toward Lee and Lyndon next. With each step I took holding Tia’s hand, my parents’ glares drilled into the back of my head. They weren’t friendly, come-over-here-and-introduce-us stares—more like they wanted to banish me to hell. My brothers sat at the farthest table from the bridal table, downing a ton of beer. The surface was littered with a dozen empty glasses. Go, boys!

“Argh.” Lee jumped to his feet and bear-hugged Tia. “I finally meet the infamous Tia. The woman who stole my brother’s heart. I’ve heard all about you.”