Page 32 of Hold ‘Em Tight (Solidarity Academy #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

T here are so many different emotions running through my head right now.

Shock, after watching that video. Repulsion, because of the fucked up lengths that bitch has gone to in order to destroy so many lives.

Relief, like a weight has been lifted off my chest at the fact that Lennox didn’t cheat on me and Mateo.

Fury, that we’ve missed out on so much time with the man we love, because of that evil bitch, and pure fucking glee over what’s about to happen next.

It’s nearly impossible for me to keep the shit-eating grin off my face as we walk out of the room and into the church lobby.

Missi wanted a day she would never forget, and we’re more than happy to give her exactly that.

The guys follow behind me, except for Lennox, who hangs back, waiting for his time to shine.

“I’m so happy. I’m practically vibrating with excitement.” Donny rubs his hands together like an excited kid on Christmas morning.

“Me too, but we need to get our asses in those seats.” Mateo guides Donny toward the door to the main part of the church, where the ceremony is being held. “We’re going to want front row seats for this.”

“Fuck yes, we are.” Donny cackles.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Colton asks, concern written on his handsome face.

“Oh, I’m going to be just fine, baby.” I grin widely, lifting up onto my tip-toes to press a kiss to his lips. “Go on. We have a wedding to watch.” I wink.

Colton grins, before following after the guys.

Now it’s time to do my job. Letting out a deep breath, I allow my face to fall into a neutral expression, and try to calm my racing heart.

As I walk toward the bridal suite, I don’t have to bother knocking on the door as it swings open and I practically crash into Missi.

“Watch it!” she barks, realization dawning on her.

Her lips curl into a sneer. “What the fuck are you still doing here? You and your merry men of freaks need to leave. Before I get angry and kick you out on your asses.”

“No need to worry your pretty little head.” I bat my eyelashes at her mockingly. “We found your man. He said he’s going to be right out. So you better get ready to walk down that aisle.”

Her face lights up. “Really?” She lets out a breath of relief.

“Thank God. He better be happy that I love him so much.” She gives me a pained smile, and I can see now how fake it is.

She might like the idea of having Lennox, but she never actually cared about him.

She doesn’t care about anyone else but herself.

And after watching that video, it’s taking everything in me not to claw her face off. It’s that baby in her stomach that’s saving her crazy ass.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Anyways, I’ll let you get ready. Bye.”

Missi slams the door shut. I can hear her screaming at someone on the other side about needing her hair and make-up fixed.

Rolling my eyes, I leave to sit with the guys.

“Eveything good?” Mateo asks.

“Yup.” I grin up at him as I take a seat between him and Colton. “She’s getting ready. Any moment now.”

“I’m so excited, I might pee,” Donny says from Mateo’s other side, practically bouncing in his seat.

“Please don’t,” Mateo grumbles. “You're not a damn puppy. Although, you follow after Rylee like one.”

“She loves it.” Donny grins over at me. “Woof.”

A very unlady-like snort slips free from my lips as I grin so wide it hurts. We’re all filled with this bubbling happiness. Which is a dramatic contrast to how we’ve felt over the past six months.

My laugh sets off a chain reaction, and before you know it, we’re all laughing like a bunch of hyenas, getting odd looks from the people around us.

“Can we have your attention?” the preacher says, and we all shut up. “The groom has been found, and the wedding will continue as planned. Please, take your seats, the ceremony will now begin.”

My stomach flips as nerves take over—excited ones for once.

Alright everyone, it’s show time.

To say that shit’s been crazy over the last month is the biggest understatement of my life, but having my family here by my side is everything. We leave the room and I slip outside, wandering toward the cemetery.

That’s where Missi’s father finds me. “Where the fuck have you been? The ceremony was supposed to start thirty minutes ago,” he roars, coming over to me and tugging on my arm. “Let’s go, you have hurt my baby enough!”

“I just needed some time to myself. This is my last moment as a single man. You understand how I’m feeling, right?” I ask him, and he pauses, then nods.

“Yeah, I can see how this next step would be frightening. Your life is changing, and that’s scary. Are you good now, or should I ask for a few more minutes? Missi currently has hair and make-up with her in her room. She had a tiny fit when we couldn’t find you.”

“I’m good now. I’m ready,” I tell him with a huge, fake-ass smile on my face.

“Thatta boy, or should I start calling you ‘Son’ now?” he jokes, and I have to fight to swallow down the bile.

We walk back to the church, and I nod to a few surprise guests in the back pew, as I head for my place at the front, beside the preacher. He seems rattled, and I feel bad. I look toward our guests and laugh.

“Sorry, I had a case of cold feet, but they are toasty now.” A few people laugh, and a guy in the back shouts that it’s not too late to run.

Rylee and the guys are sitting in the front row on my side, and she gives me a wink, licking her cherry-red lips. Damn, she's so sexy.

I haven't been able to get her out of my head since Thanksgiving… but having an erection in front of all of these people probably isn't the best idea.

Donny snorts as I put my hands in my pants pockets and try to discreetly adjust myself.

“Are you ready?” the preacher asks and I nod, before glancing at the person in the back row again. They give me a smirk, and I know it’s ready.

“Showtime,” I say loudly, and a few people giggle.

I wait until the music starts and the doors at the end of the aisle open. Her bridesmaids begin to move down the aisle, and when the music changes to the traditional Wedding March, my jaw drops and I have to glance away from Missi when she enters.

I can't believe that is the dress she chose for this ‘special’ day. She has been raving to everyone about having a custom design, but I don't know what we paid for.

It's see-through. That's the best way to explain it. There is a large slit up the center, and when she starts to walk, I can see her upper thigh.

She's not even wearing underwear. What the fuck was she thinking? I may not be overly religious, but we are in a house of God!

The preacher clears his throat and looks down at his Bible. I don't blame him. This is fucking uncomfortable.

Missi gives me a wink, and I think I might throw up. This is so much worse than I thought. Isla finishes walking down the aisle, standing off to the side, waiting for Missi.

I take in her sheer orange dress, but it seems the bridesmaids have a protective lining covering themselves. I guess Missi just needed to be the center of attention, like always.

I can hear murmurs about how indecent she looks. Not only is she pregnant at her wedding, but she's showing off her body in such a distasteful way. They think her mother must be rolling in her grave.

Missi begins her strut down the aisle and I have to close my eyes. There's no denying she is a beautiful woman, but this is too much.

Not only is she incredibly swollen from her preeclampsia, but she decided to self tan, and is almost as orange as our color scheme.

That's when I realize what she looks like. A pregnant Oompa-fucking-Loompa. Fuck my life. At least after today this sham will be over and I can leave her crazy ass.

Donny hops out of his seat, pulling out his phone and getting low to photograph her, while shouting ridiculous things.

“Over here, Love, show me that bump. Yes, work it, you overgrown hag. Perfect. Oh, these are going on the interwebs,” he shouts, and Missi's face turns red.

Her cheeks puff out, and she looks on the verge of murder.

I cover my mouth to hide my grin, then yell at Donny to cut it out, trying to keep up the act. But damn, it’s hard. Rylee is cackling in her seat as Colt holds her up. Donny returns to his seat, placing his hands in his lap, like the perfect gentleman he is.

Teo is smirking, and I give him a discreet wink.

Missi finally reaches me and I lean in to press a kiss to her sweaty cheek. “You look incredible, Mis,” I whisper just for her, lying through my teeth.

She preens, then hands Isla her bouquet and takes my hand, as the preacher clears his throat and begins the ceremony.

When it’s time for our vows, she goes first.

“Lenny, this is the greatest time of my life, and it's all because of you.

I always knew we were meant to be, but others tried to get in the way, and now they can't, because you are mine. You will never get away from me now. I promise to love you, cherish you, listen to you, and correct you when you decide to go off the right path. Now, hurry up and marry me so we can get to the honeymoon.”

My eyes get wider the longer she speaks, and I have to release one of her clammy hands and rub the back of my head.

The church is silent, and I think people are as surprised as I am by her vows. They don't know how crazy she really is. But they are about to get a show like they've never seen before.

Okay, time to get this started… I turn toward the preacher and lean over to speak just to him. He nods and I pull away.

Missi looks confused, but she won't be for long.

“Lennox has prepared a video to accompany his vows. He's asked for us all to watch. Says it's something you won't want to miss.”

I look at my partner in crime in the back and nod. He gives me a thumbs up, then leaves through the side door to wait for another special guest to arrive.

I am practically vibrating with excitement, and Missi gasps as a screen lowers behind us and the projector begins to play.