Page 9 of Three Not-So-Little Words (The Lawson’s #3)

nine

There’s Always a New Dick Right Around the Corner

Ronnie

I hate weddings.

And no, I’m not being dramatic because I don’t want to have one. Despite all the shit that I talk, I understand the concept of wanting to find that one special person you want to spend your entire life with. I may not yearn for that myself, but I get the sentiment.

The problem I have with these blessed occasions is how much pressure everybody puts on them.

People will go into obscene amounts of debt.

They freak out if everything isn’t exactly perfect, and it rarely ever goes according to plan.

It seems like an awful lot of work for something that often ends badly.

But I’m forcing myself to put on a happy face for the sake of my sister. One, I know she and Jack truly love each other, and two this wedding was more our mother’s idea.

Plus, once we get the boring vows over with, we can move onto the fun part.

The reception. AKA: the party. That’s more my speed.

Booze, dancing, and the possibility of hooking up with someone?

Sign me up—especially since the hottie from last night disappeared before things could get good.

I have no idea why. I know I saw him watching me while I was on the bull, but then he was gone.

Oh well.

Today is a new day. There’s always a new dick right around the corner.

I take a look in the mirror at my bridesmaid dress. Thankfully, Liz let us pick out whatever ones we wanted as long as they were all the same color. No frills or ruffles here.

Michelle joins me in front of the mirror. “Can you come help me with my makeup?” She asks.

I nod and follow her. Mom is at one end of the room, helping Liz get ready, so Michelle and I go to the other. I start doing her makeup, not doing anything too heavy because Michelle is naturally pretty.

I say, “You know, I remember when I was younger, and you were the one helping me with my makeup.”

“I remember. Back then, I was obsessed with blue eyeshadow and black lipstick. What a combination.”

“Remember when Mom came home to me trying to put on that black lipstick of yours?”

She laughs. “Oh yeah, she was pissed. She thought you were going to end up boy crazy just like I was.”

“Well, she was right.” I smile.

“But you didn’t end up with a kid while still in high school.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, Michelle. Having Eve makes you far more interesting,” I joke.

“Shut up,” she says. Looking over at Liz, she says, “Man, she looks beautiful.”

“Yeah, she does,” I agree.

“Do you really never want to get married?” She asks.

“I doubt it. I doubt I could ever find someone who I could stand to be around indefinitely.”

“I remember when we were younger, and you would talk about your wedding. You actually wanted to get married. What changed?”

My eyes glance into hers. “You know what changed.”

Knowing she hit a sore spot, she tries to overcompensate. “I’m just saying that you can’t avoid happiness because of something that happened in your past.”

I stop her before she can dig herself into a bigger hole. “Michelle, while I appreciate you trying to do the supportive big sister thing, I’m begging you to stop. I’m fine. I’m happy with my life. Please don’t try to change me.”

For a moment, she looks like she’s going to keep going, but thankfully, she reconsiders. I’m not trying to get into a battle with her at this wedding, nor do I want to have a therapy session.

Trying to get the attention off of myself, I ask, “You think you’ll ever walk down the aisle?”

She lets out a small laugh. “Would I like to get married? Sure. But I doubt I’ll ever get there.”

“Why not?”

“Because my dating record isn’t something to cheer about. I have a long track record of being with jerks. I’m trying to hold out hope for Prince Charming, but it’s hard.”

“Eh, maybe you’re due for a break,” I say with a wink.

Our mother interrupts our conversation by announcing, “It’s showtime, ladies. Time to get Lizzie married.”

We spend the next few minutes getting lined up to walk down the aisle.

Eve goes first, followed by Leah, Jo, and Michelle.

Then, it’s my turn. I step through the doorway and feel all the eyes in the room suddenly on me.

I work quick enough to keep this train moving but slow enough to not make it look weird.

My eyes glance around the room and land on a familiar face.

The hottie from last night.

What the hell is he doing here?

We hold eye contact for a moment. The look he’s giving me is the same one he wore the last time I saw him. I’ve been with enough men to know when one is interested, and this man is silently screaming it.

I add a little extra sway to my hips as I finish my walk. I step up on the altar and wait for Liz. As my sister walks down the aisle, I stare at her. She’s beautiful—always has been. When I was little, I would admire her long legs and crazy, kinky curls. Hell, I still do.

And now, she’s getting married. Crazy how fast time passes us all by.

I try my hardest to keep my attention on the ceremony and not on Mr. Sexy—which becomes a little easier when they start to read their vows.

Liz starts, “Jack, when you and I first met, you drove me absolutely insane. I know you thought I was nothing more than a spoiled princess. I was so mad because you couldn’t see the real me.

It took me a while to realize that you’re the only one who sees the real me.

You took all of my broken parts and put them back together.

You’re an amazing partner and an even better father.

I promise to spend my life trying to make you happy. ”

Liz has always been a force to be reckoned with, so it’s a little odd to hear her being a bit more vulnerable.

Jack goes next. “Liz, I had a whole speech of what I was going to stand up here and say to you, but after hearing yours, I can’t remember a damn word of it.

Baby, you already make me the happiest man in the world.

From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were going to shake up my world.

I never dreamed it would be in the best way imaginable.

I love you so much, and I love the life that we’re building together. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

By the time he’s done, there’s not a dry eye in the house. Even I’m getting misty-eyed, with my cold heart. I may not want that sappy love for myself, but I’m glad my sister got it. She’s had a hard road and deserves all the happiness in the world.

I’m so engrossed in the ceremony that I almost forgot about the mysterious hottie.

Almost.

When Liz and Jack seal their union with a kiss, we all walk back down the aisle.

The man and I flirt with our stares the entire time.

I still have no idea who this guy is or why I keep seeing him everywhere I go.

Our small town is a pretty tight-knit community to a point where everyone seems to know everyone else.

So, the fact that none of my sisters recognized him tells me he must be new around here.

I have no idea who he is, but I sure as hell intend to find out.

The next hour is spent eating a fancy chicken dinner and then listening to the toasts. Needless to say, Liz did not ask me to speak. She probably worried that I would say something about marriage being dumb. Or that I would make an inappropriate joke.

Honestly, I’d probably do both.

When it’s all done, the party can actually begin.

Thank God.

After the obligatory first dance between the bride and groom, everyone else slowly funnels onto the dancefloor.

Since the music switches to more of the upbeat party stuff, the slow dancing takes a break. I’m technically dancing by myself, but I don’t care. I put on one hell of a show. God gave me curvy hips and a big ass, and I learned how to use them.

I’m hoping to get the attention of the hot stranger, but I don’t see him anywhere. Maybe he came just for the ceremony and skipped the reception. Wouldn’t that just be my luck?

The only other eligible guys here are ones that I’ve known forever. Most are friends of Jack and my brother. If I’m being honest, I’ve fucked a couple of them after a few too many drinks. Believe me when I say none of them were memorable enough to want a second round.

Maybe tonight is another time when my vibrator will fill in to play the role of boyfriend. At least that way, I know I’ll get off.

I decide to take a break from dancing and hit the bar. A stiff drink will make everything better.

I stand at the bar and order a Jack Daniels, neat. While the bartender gets it ready, a man who smells amazing steps next to me.

Looking over, I’m shocked to see the sexy stranger. We make eye-contact, and he smiles. The kind of smile that can make a woman go weak at the knees.

Unable to contain my own smile, I say, “Hey, I’ve been looking for you.”

“Is that right?”

Before I can answer, the bartender asks what he wants. He replies by requesting a beer and shoving a twenty in the tip jar.

When he has his drink, we walk over to an empty table and take a seat.

I say, “Pardon me if this comes out as rude, but who the hell are you?”

He chuckles, “My name is Drew.”

“Well, Drew, I may not always be around, but in this small town, everyone knows everyone else. And I don’t remember seeing you.”

“I’m new in town. Just moved from Florida.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Out of all the places in the world, you choose Lilly Leaf Falls?”

“You don’t like your town?” he asks.

“I love my town. But most people don't know how great it is until they’re here. Hell, most people don’t even know Lilly Leaf Falls is here. I’m surprised you just pulled it out of a hat.”

“Actually, I know someone here.”

“Oh? Who?”

“The groom.”

“Jack?”

He swigs his beer and nods. “I’m going to work at the shop with him.”

“You’re a mechanic?” I ask.

That gets me another smile—this one a bit more shy. “Something like that.”

“Well, Jack is my new brother-in-law.”

“I guess it’s true what they say about small towns—everyone is connected in one way or another.”

I lift my glass to my lips. “Honey, you have no idea.”

I quickly down all of the whiskey that’s left. Drew’s eyes stay glued to me as I lick a drop of my bottom lip.

Holding out his hand for my glass, he asks, “Can I get you a refill?”

“Sure.”

As he walks to the bar, it’s my turn to stare. Last night, he wore jeans and a t-shirt, but tonight, he wears a white dress shirt and black pants. The sleeves on his shirt are rolled up almost to his elbows, showing off his tats.

He’s not super tall, but he’s solid. I wouldn’t mind taking a turn on that ride.

It doesn’t take long for him to return with my drink in hand.

He gives it to me and says, “You know I’m not sure I should trust a woman who doesn’t wince when drinking whiskey.”

“Guess that means I’m really bad news because I don’t flinch while drinking anything.”

He grins. “You know, you still haven’t told me your name.”

“Veronica. But my friends call me Ronnie.”

“Can I call you Ronnie?”

“Do you want to be my friend?” I ask with a raised brow.

“That depends.”

“Oh?”

“On what kinds of things you do with your friends.”

Maybe some could question whether or not his words have a double meaning, but with the way he’s looking at me, I know exactly what he means.

“I could have shown you last night if you hadn’t run off at the bar.”

He breaks eye contact for a moment and runs his hand over the stubble on his chin. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize. Just thought we could have some fun.”

“You looked busy with your friends. I didn’t want to interrupt.” He pauses to take a drink. “Plus, I figured I probably shouldn’t get into trouble.”

As his eyes find mine again, I catch them glancing over my body. I know he’s thinking the same dirty thoughts that I am.

“So, Drew…what about now? Still think you shouldn’t get into trouble?”