First Love (26 page)

Zeus yells into the dressing room. "I think I’ve found what you are looking for, doll. Try this one." I take the dress he slides through the opening of the door and hang it up. Before I can get it off the hanger, I already know this is it. I quickly put the dress on. I stand in front of the mirror with tears in my eyes. This is the perfect dress. The one I have imagined since I was little. It is white satin with a V-neck that is off the shoulders. The train is long but will come apart for the reception. The skirt is very full. The skirt and bodice are adorned with hand-sewn beading. The back buttons from my waist to the middle of my back. It is just beautiful. I call Zeus in to help me button it.

"You are stunning. This is the one, isn't it, doll? I knew we would find it!" he squeals in excitement. I walk out of the dressing room, anxious to show everyone. As I step out and stand in front of them, they all stop talking and their mouths hang open. I immediately start looking down, wondering what is wrong. I thought it was perfect. Did it look better in the mirror to me than it really does?

"You don't like it?" I ask nervously. I notice Holly and Taryn start crying and shaking their heads. Were they saying they didn't like it? I am starting to freak out a little. When Paul steps up to me and grabs my hands and twirls me around so everyone can see the dress from all sides, I get the feeling that I am wrong.

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. My friend is one lucky man. He is going to be blown away when he sees you coming down that aisle," he says as he places a kiss on my cheek. I start crying as Holly and Taryn come over to hug me, still shaking their heads.

Finally, Holly finds her voice. “Oh my God, Amber, you are beautiful. That dress is perfect. I didn't mean to scare you. I was speechless." She cries as she hugs me again.

"Yeah … what she said." Poor Taryn still can’t speak. Have I mentioned that I have the best friends ever?

We all pick out shoes and jewelry. The girls choose black pumps and black pearl necklaces and earrings. I go with white pumps and diamond earrings that dangle from my ears and a v-shaped diamond necklace. We find a diamond tiara with a veil that lies beautifully at the back of my head. I plan on wearing my hair up, so it should work perfectly.

We pay for our things and head out. We are all starving and decide to have lunch before we head back to Oakville. It has been a really amazing day. I was worried at first with Paul coming along that it would be strange having a guy with us, but he ended up making it so much better.

B
EASLEY AND
I have been trying everything we can think of to track down Beau. How this fucker can stay hidden in such a small town is beyond me. I think old Beasley is more determined than I am to get the son of a bitch. I am really curious to know what it is that has him feeling responsible for the death of Amber's parents. I’ve tried a couple times to get him to tell me, but he keeps saying after the wedding he will tell Amber and I together. He must think she will take it hard if he is afraid it will ruin the wedding for her.

At least I know she is safe and having a good time today in Miami. At the party last night Paul and I came up with the idea of him going with the girls today to watch over them. Even though the security guys would be following close behind, I felt better knowing Paul was right there within arm’s reach at all times. There was no way Beau could get anywhere near her with Paul there. Paul was also worried about Holly's safety, seeing that she is always with Amber, especially now with all of the wedding planning they are doing. We thought it would be best that she knew what was going on so she could be alert to her surroundings. I don't know the whole story, but Holly had a very abusive ex-husband, so she has dealt with this shit before. Plus, she doesn't go anywhere without her gun on her. From what I have seen from a couple visits to the shooting range, she is an expert marksman. I sure as hell wouldn't want to be on the barrel end of her gun.

Paul has been texting me all day to let me know how Amber is doing. It sounds like they are all having a great time. I am so grateful for my friend. He has taken her in like she is his little sister. There is no doubt in my mind that he would protect her just as fiercely as he would Holly. Shit, from what I have witnessed these last few weeks, all my bandmates would do the same for her. It just proves the four of us have a bond more like brothers. I would do anything to protect them or anyone they loved, as well.

It's like Angel said to me the other day … who couldn't love Amber? You can't know her and not instantly love her and feel like you want to keep her safe and happy. I must have looked at him funny when he said it, because he quickly threw in, “Ya know, like a sister.” I know what he meant, though. I fell for her instantly. You just can't help it.

I got a lot accomplished today. I hired a caterer for the reception. Amber said she didn't want anything pretentious and fancy, but she did want food people didn't get to eat every day. So, I found a caterer that brings in these huge grills and cooks the food right there like a giant barbecue. Nothing pretentious about that. The menu, however, will consist of bacon-wrapped filets, scallops, shrimp, lobster tails, and, for the kids, hot dogs and burgers. There will also be all kinds of sides and salads. I think I was able to get exactly what she had in mind.

I also hired a band. When we were in L.A. we played a lot of clubs with a group of guys called Deuce. They had a sound similar to us, and we all got along great. I called Jake, their singer, and they just happen to be on a break right now and were more than happy to come and do this for us. It will be awesome to see them all again.

Though the best accomplishment of today, which will be a total surprise to Amber, is booking our honeymoon. We were watching some travel channel on television the other night, and they were doing a show on Bora Bora. Amber fell in love with the place. I just booked us two weeks in one of those villas that sit above the ocean. It has 1022 square feet and a private water-side balcony. There is also a glass floor with viewing panels and a private swimming pool. She is going to love it. I printed out pictures and put them in a box. Then, I wrapped the box in sparkly purple wrapping paper with a big bow. I am going to give it to her during our reception. She thinks we are going to wait and plan a honeymoon for some time next year, but I think getting the hell away from here is the best thing for both of us, even if it is only for two weeks. I already spoke with Jax and he said he could handle the center while she was gone. I have to admit, he has really stepped up lately. I think he is finally realizing he doesn't have a chance with Amber. Hopefully someone else will come along for him. He isn't that bad of a guy when he's not trying to steal my girl.

I
T WAS
about six o'clock in the evening when we pull up to my house and I notice Kyle's truck isn’t here yet. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I am a little nervous about being alone. I am trying to think of a way to ask Paul and Holly to come in without it sounding like I’m scared. I don’t want to add any more stress on Kyle. I knew that the fact that Beau was still out there was enough for him to deal with, he didn't need to know I was a nervous wreck all the time, too. Luckily, Holly knows me all too well.

"How about Paul and I come in for a while? We can call Kyle and have him bring home some dinner from the bar. It would give the four of us a chance to go over our wedding checklists and see what is left to be done." She isn’t asking, she is telling.

"That sounds good to me as long as you guys aren't too tired."

"Nope, not at all," Paul says as he turns off his truck.

As I get closer to the front porch, I can see a huge bouquet of flowers in a crystal vase. Paul takes my keys from me to unlock the door while I grab the flowers. I assume they are from Kyle, but I still can’t wait to open the card. I place the vase on the counter in the kitchen and pull the card out. Paul is on the phone with Kyle telling him we were at the house and to bring home some food. As I pull the card from the envelope, I realize the flowers aren't from Kyle. Beau. Everything around me starts to fade in and out. I hear the vase crash to the floor as I follow it. The last words I hear are Paul's as he yells to Kyle. "Fuck the food! Get home now!" Then everything is black.

"Princess … wake up. Please, baby? Open your eyes." I can hear Kyle and he sounds a little panicked. Then I feel something wet and cold on my forehead. As I open my eyes I can see the relief flash over Kyle's face. I smile at him to try and reassure him that I am okay. I think I am okay anyway.

“What the hell happened?" I ask.

"You fainted, Princess," Kyle says as I try to get up from the kitchen floor. Kyle has other ideas, though. He picks me up and carries me into the living room and sits me on the couch. Paul and Holly are close behind. Holly with a wet cloth in her hand’ and Paul with a glass of water in his. I take a sip of the water and look at the three guilty faces staring back at me.