Boarded by Love (25 page)

I
know I look dumb sitting in a floor-length gown with my phone glued to my hands waiting for a text from Jude, but I have to know if he will go. While I know it’s superearly to ask him to go to a wedding for my overprotective, crazy uncle and my beautiful aunt, he invited me to meet his mom, and also we basically declared that we’re falling in love with each other. And then I fingered myself in front of him. And he came in his boxers. So, I figure asking him to go to a wedding isn’t that weird. Right? Ah! I don’t know; he isn’t answering me!

Letting my arms fall on my legs against the silky fabric of the royal blue bridesmaid dress, I let out a frustrated breath. I do love this dress, though. I wasn’t sure when Reese pulled it out, but now that it’s on me, I love it. It’s very formfitting all the way to my knees then it goes out in beautiful layers of fabric in a mermaid style. The back goes down to right above my butt, but then the top has this beautiful lace that comes along my shoulders and chest, giving a peekaboo of my chest, but in a very classy and beautiful way. I thought when I came here today that I was going to be wearing some crap dress, but Reese had other plans. It’s a gorgeous dress and I know I should be admiring it, but I can’t help but wonder what the hell is taking so long to answer my text! He can’t be asleep! Or crap, maybe he is?

Ugh! I’m about to toss my damn phone and figure this is his way of saying no when a text comes through.

Hey Jude: I would go with u if all that wasn’t in play. All u have to do is ask. But btw, u look crazy hot in that dress.

Smiling like a complete dork, I type:

Me: Fine, will u, Jude Sinclair, be my date to my crazy uncle and aunt’s impromptu wedding? And btw, thanks. I thought u might like it.

Hey Jude: Yes. I would love to. Crazy uncle and all.

Before I can type back, another text comes through.

Hey Jude: And btw, I can’t wait to peel that dress off ur sexy body.

Feeling all hot, I type back:

Thank u. We’ll talk details later.

Then I send another one.

And btw, I can’t wait for u to do just that.

Hey Jude: btw…I miss u.

Me: btw… I miss u more.

A dreamy grin comes across my face as I lean on my hand, staring at his words. I’ve never been one to daydream, but staring at the simple words, I find myself imagining our life together in the future. Him playing in the NHL while I cheer him on after getting done at the studio that I’ll have, maybe being pregnant and being a big, happy family…

“What are you doing?”

I look up to find Reese coming toward me, and my mouth promptly drops to the ground.

“Oh, Reese,” I gasp, holding back the tears as she walks up on the little platform. She’s gorgeous. That’s all I can say. Simply stunning. When she told me her dress was amazing, she wasn’t lying. With a bright, happy grin on her face, she stands tall in a sheer lace dress with a silk underlay. It’s long-sleeved with the lace coming along her arms to her fingers in a royal, classy way. The front dips all the way down to the middle of her chest, showing a beautiful but elegant view of her breasts. I know that will be Phillip’s favorite part, but then I see the back. Breathtaking. Unlike my plain back, her gorgeous black tree tattoo covers her whole back and is on display since the dress is completely backless. The lace molds to her skin like it was meant to be there and then splays along the floor, making her look like a beautiful princess.

A lady walks behind her, laying the back of the dress out, and I take in every single, beautiful detail. The diamond studded belt, the birdcage veil, the sheer elegance of the dress. It’s stunning. She’s stunning.

“God, Reese, you’re gorgeous,” I breathe as tears well up in my eyes. “So gorgeous.”

Standing, I let my hand fall to my side and she grins at me, holding in her own tears. “Thank you, Claire. I was hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”

“I do.”

“Good, I love your dress too. We’re getting it.”

“Okay,” I say, knowing that she’s right, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I’ve seen her every way, from dolled up to the nines to looking like bear crap with the flu, and she’s always been gorgeous. But seeing her like this, a bride, is mind-blowing. She never wanted this. She never wanted to be tied down to a guy, but she is, and she loves him. And she loves me, the troubled teen who was hell-bent on ruining them all. She never stopped loving me too. I think it was always love at first sight for the both of us. She was my person and I am hers. I may tease her about this wedding, but I’m so excited I can’t contain it.

My two favorite people are becoming one. It gives me hope, really, that not all people are shit. They show me the meaning of love, that people stick things out even when they don’t want to, and I’m so grateful to be there every step of the way. I’m scared shitless of doing this with Jude. Completely trusting him… But I don’t think there is another way. If he breaks my heart, cheats on me, and leaves me, then at least I’ll know I tried. Phillip and Reese tried, and look, now she’s in a wedding dress. You just have to try.

I look back at Reese and her hands come up to her stomach as she takes in a deep breath, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “Do you think Phillip will love it?”

I nod slowly. “He’s gonna be floored. That dress was made for you, Reese. It’s amazing.”

She smiles and my heart comes out of my chest when a tear slowly rolls down her cheek. Coming up on the platform with her, I wrap my arms around her and she hugs me back tightly, kissing my temple before I nuzzle my face in her neck. As I hold her, I can’t believe how much everything has changed. How did I go from having such a crappy life, where I basically didn’t care if I lived or died, to now having all this?

An uncle and aunt who love me.

And now a guy who’s falling for me.

I sorta want to pinch myself to make sure it’s all real.

After getting the dresses packaged up and carried to the car for Reese to take home, we head down the road to our favorite sushi place. Sitting in the booth, we order before settling into easy conversation that comes naturally to us. Everyone always assumes we’re sisters, and while I don’t mind that, I consider her more my mom than anything. She’s stern when she needs to be and loves me unconditionally. It’s a great balance, and I love her for it. My mom was never that way. All she cared about was the men, drugs, and the booze; I was always a ninth thought. It sucked, but I learned from it, and I feel like it’s made me stronger. I thought I didn’t need anyone back then, I thought I was fine on my own, but now I know I was so wrong.

I could have lived without love, but I learned I thrive with it. And now that I’ve have it, I can’t be without it.

“Remember you have that pole class next week,” Reese reminds me as I stuff my face with a piece of sushi.

Nodding while covering my mouth, I chew up the piece and then wash it down with water before saying, “Yeah, Wednesday, is everyone coming?”

She smiles. “Well, Piper is bitching ’cause she’s pregnant and doesn’t know why I’m making her continue the class when she’s getting bigger, but I told her to shut up. We started as a group, we’ll finish as a group.”

“Awesome, I can’t wait to see everyone,” I say, speaking of my Assassins family.

“Yeah, they are excited. I heard Fallon is getting a pole installed in the bedroom,” she laughs and I laugh along.

“I bet Uncle Lucas loves that.”

“You know he does,” she says, shaking her head. “They are crazy, but it’s fun.”

“Agreed. I’m using that dance for one at Ms. Prissy’s. Do you think that’s bad? Like recycling dances?”

“No, not at all. It’s a private class. We’re just testing the waters, no big deal.”

“Okay, cool,” I say. “Ms. Prissy was telling me some investors are coming.”

“Wow,” Reese says, looking up at me. “That’s huge. When I was there, we had some come from Florida and Texas – opened up two new Prissy’s and I even went to train the staff. It’s a lot of fun and lots of money to be made. I actually had the chance to run one of the Prissy’s, but I had just been accepted to the dance company. Make sure those are the best dances you’ve ever come up with for the club. This could be good for your career.”

“Yeah,” I say as my stomach drops. “Do you think it could be a career? Burlesque?”

She nods as she meets my gaze. “Claire, you could be the best burlesque choreographer I’ve ever seen. You have amazing talent. That’s why Ms. Prissy pays you way more than she ever paid me. You’re doing well for yourself. Not everyone can say they make two grand for a two-minute piece at the age of nineteen. Lord knows, I couldn’t. You could own your own club and succeed, so make sure you impress those investors.”

“I will. I really want this. I think that it would be good not only for Ms. Prissy but for me.”

“It can be. Believe me. Big things can happen, babe.”

I smile, excited about it all. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and hoping that maybe this is my break to get into the world of dance. Choreographing amazing dances for Las Vegas shows would be amazing, and I love burlesque. It’s so sexy and fun, and I know I’m good at it.

“Can I come and show you what I’ve got so far?” I ask, needing her support.

“Of course.”

“Thanks,” I say and then I chew on my lip for a moment, mulling over the words in my head before I ask what I’ve been wanting to ask for a while. Reese had worked for Ms. Prissy all summer long for four years when she was home from college. She would also sell pieces to Ms. Prissy by videotaping them and sending them to her when she was gone. Like she’d said, Ms. Prissy paid her well, but she pays me better. Which works great for me – I’m making a lot of money and doing something I love. Not many people can say that.

But that’s not what’s bothering me. I’m good with my money and my work, but I’m not good with hiding it from Jude or even Phillip.

Looking across the table, I ask, “So did anyone know you worked there?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Not even Piper knew until my third year there. Then she started working there,” she says with a laugh.

I smile as I pick up a piece of sushi before throwing it in my mouth. When my phone starts to sound with a text, I chew my piece as I dig my phone out of my pocket to see that it’s a text from Jude.

Hey Jude: Wanna eat some food on a blanket outside?

I laugh.

Like a picnic.

Hey Jude: saying do u want to have a picnic makes me sound like a girl, so wanna eat on a blanket outside?

Me: Weirdo. Will there be waffles?

Hey Jude: there will be now.

Me: Then yes, I’ll love to have a picnic with you.

Hey Jude: haha. 7ish?

Me: sounds good.

Hey Jude: btw…I miss u.

Me. Btw…I miss u way, way more.

Hey Jude: I doubt that.

“Jude?”

I glance up from my phone to meet Reese’s knowing gaze. Tucking my phone in my pocket, I shrug. “Yeah, how did you know?”

A grin pulls at the side of her mouth before she takes a drink of her water. “Only a guy can put that grin on your face. You’re basically glowing, Claire.”

“It’s no big deal,” I say even though I know I’m lying my ass off. I look away shyly. I don’t know why I’m shy about him, but I am, especially in front of Reese. I don’t get why, because with anyone else I’m loud and proud, but she knows me. She can see through me in a heartbeat and will know that he means more to me then I’ll let on.

“Don’t lie to me. He means something to you and that’s good,” she says and then pauses. When I look up, I see that she’s watching me. “Is he the reason you asked who knew about me in the club?”

“Yeah,” I say, picking up a napkin and tearing it apart. “I haven’t told him and I feel like I’m lying to him. I don’t want to do that because this is new and perfect, and oh God, Reese, I’m falling for him. He means so much to me in such a short amount of time, and honestly, I don’t think I could lose him.”

She nods, a smile playing on her lips. “That’s wonderful, Claire. I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see this blossom for you. I didn’t have a boyfriend back then, so it was different for me, but I’m assuming that you think Jude won’t like his girlfriend dancing for a group of men. Even if it is in a classy way like burlesque dancing.”

“I don’t think so,” I say. “But I can’t quit. I need the security of that money.”

Her face scrunches up, and I regret the words I say as soon as they leave my lips. I just got myself in a world of trouble.