Broken Survivor (24 page)

“I know, and I guess it will happen one day. I just need to know you want to marry me for you, not because your mother wants us to. I would love to be your wife one day, but I’m just as happy with the way things are between us now. So there’s no pressure. Can you understand where I’m coming from with this?”

“I think so. So will you, if I ask?” He smirked and got down on one knee.

“Are you kidding me?” She shoved him off balance playfully and laughed nervously. “I think you already know the answer. Are you seriously asking me right now?”

“No.” He winked. “I think maybe we could start checking out a few places we might like to have a wedding. But I don’t want to ask you when you’re expecting it. That and I still have to get you a ring so I can do this properly.”

“Well, okay then. Thanks for getting my heart racing and my hopes up.” She pouted but he kissed it away. “Aren’t we doing this a little backward?”

“Not backward, just in our own way,” he disagreed. “Who wants to stick with a boring old tradition all of the time, anyway?”

“Not me.” She tugged on his bottom lip gently with her teeth and let it pop out of her mouth. “I love you.”

“Ditto,” he grunted, and then carried her off to bed caveman style while she squealed with delight.

They were somewhat engaged.

***

Zander waited until Christmas of that year before he got down on one knee again with a beautiful ring this time, as promised, to pledge his undying love and devotion. He asked for Holly’s hand in marriage the proper way in front of their son and family members, which she accepted with enthusiasm. His mother would get the gift of a dream fulfilled, and they were about to make their relationship the most official possible. ‘Til death do them part.

***

Every little girl dreams of her big day and imagines who her groom might be, a dashing white knight or a handsome Prince Charming who sweeps them off her feet into her very own happily ever after. Okay, so maybe they all get their illusions from the fairy tales they’re subjected to like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or Beauty and the Beast. Nobody thinks about the wicked stepmother, the witch, or the psycho townsmen out for blood. They fantasize about the beautiful white dress, the pretty hair, the tiara, the flowers, and the moment you walk down the aisle and look into the eyes of your husband-to-be. Because it’s the awe on everyone’s faces and his reaction when he first lays eyes on you, while you’re in that princess attire, that counts the most while you make the long journey to get to that moment in time.

Holly knew all too well of the other side to that illusion, had lived through the dark side of love as a spectator her entire childhood by watching her parents, and knew without a doubt how lucky she was now.

Her wedding was another emotional time, and she missed her mother still more than ever for not sharing the many important moments of her life while they prepared for the big day. She cried through finding the perfect gown and continually longed to fill the emptiness Emma’s absence had left in her. She had tried her best to get through the rest of her planning, and not soon enough the stress of preparing everything was over, and it was her time to shine.

***

June 2005

Six months later

“Happy Birthday!” Chrystal cheered and wrapped her in a big hug. “Are you ready for this?”

“Are you talking the bachelorette party or the wedding?” Holly arched an eyebrow. “Because to tell you the truth, my feet are toasty-warm for the wedding. It’s this right here I’m a little worried about.” She pointed around her cousin Mercedes’s living room to the women already drinking and having a good time. With two weeks to go until the wedding, they all decided it would be cool to celebrate her last remaining single days on her birthday to kill two birds with one stone. She hadn’t been out to party in years, and the last time hadn’t turned out so well when she’d ended up with a steel-toed boot to the face.
Stupid stripper!

Life revolved around her little boy now. Her heart swelled thinking of her two guys at home. Zander had decided to wait until the following weekend for his bachelor party to save on babysitting fees.

“You just wait. I’ve got a couple of surprises in store for you.” Her sister chuckled evilly, and it made Holly think that maybe Chrystal had had a little too much to drink already.

“Okay then, let’s get this party started.” They wandered the room some more so she could greet everyone who had come to celebrate. Tamara, Mercedes, Porshia, Nadia, and a few of her coworkers. Sonya, Andrea, and Cora had come as well, as had Jess and Shayla, and Shayla’s friends Tyra and Leah.

“You look like you could use one of these.” Someone familiar tried handing her a drink.

It can’t be…

Holy crap!
Holly’s eyes widened in disbelief, and then she was tackled into an enthusiastic bear hug, alcoholic beverage forgotten. “Jules? I can’t believe it!” They jumped up and down. It’d been years since they’d seen each other. As a matter of fact, the last time had been Jules’s last night in Ottawa when they’d had the threesome with Zander. They’d spoken a few times over the phone since, but it hadn’t lasted long, and both women had since lost touch with each other.

“I know, right?” Her friend laughed. “Chrystal tracked me down, and when I heard you were marrying Alex, I had to at least be here for this. You’re looking good, Hol.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Holly winked. “It’s so good to see you. Wow, talk about memories, huh?” They’d gotten into a lot of mischievous things together back in her drug-induced days to make her forget the mommy and daddy issues. “So how’ve you been all these years?”

“Pretty good. I’m in a long-term relationship with a great guy. Maybe next time I’ll bring him with me. My mom passed away too about two years after I left here, but otherwise I’m pretty boring now that I’ve grown up.” She pouted.

“Boring is something I highly doubt you’ll ever be, but I’m happy for you. Sorry to hear about your mom. She was a beautiful person inside and out.” They were still standing close, so she embraced Jules again.

“It’s okay, at least she’s at peace now.”

She could sense they needed a subject change. Talking about moms and death would be party over for the both of them. “So how long are you staying?”

“I could only book enough time off for two days, so I’ll have to leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“So I guess we’d better make the most of it, huh? And we’ll have to exchange contact info again before you go back.” She grabbed Jules’s hand and tugged her forward. After introductions, a little mingling, and three drinks, it was time for surprise number two for this shindig her sister had planned.

“Okay, everyone, are you ready to get this party revved up another notch?” Chrystal shushed everyone as she stood by the door. “We all know that the last time Holly really went out it wasn’t a very good experience. And, in case any of you don’t know, I’ll give you a brief rundown.” She snickered. “We were celebrating Tamara’s birthday at Hot Tamales, and she got booted in the head by one of the hunky male dancer’s boots. Landed straight on her butt, she did.”

“They get it,” Nadia, bless her soul intercepted after noticing Holly was turning a good shade of pink thanks to her lovely sister and her big fat mouth.

“Sorry, honey. What I meant is I wanted to turn that last experience into a better one for you this time by bringing some sexy eye candy to you. No boots allowed.” She opened the door, and then the mumbling curiosity of her guests turned into music filling the room and erupting cheers when two very good-looking, incredibly muscular men entered the house.

Her mouth dropped, and the sight of them left her speechless for a second.

“Which one of you pretty ladies is the bride-to-be?”

They all pointed in her direction.
Oh, sweet baby Jesus, here we go!
Both men smirked and sauntered toward her with a confident, cocky sway. She was trapped and became the filling of a sandwich full of hard male flesh surrounding the chair she currently sat in. It was difficult to know where to look sometimes. Before long, male clothing was being taken off, and her hands were being placed on ripples and ripples of sexiness, touching big arms, large pecs, and flat abs. When they tried to make her go lower, she snatched her hands back and shook her head. Pants were soon flung in the direction of the partygoers patiently awaiting their turns, and after Holly dodged a few thrusts of their hips and very aroused male genitalia visible through their boxer shorts, the men finally moved on to give some of the others their loving.

Now at a distance, she could fully appreciate the view of the two fine specimens working the room and approached her sister with another beer for the both of them. “Thanks, Chrys, I’m having crazy, wicked fun tonight.”

“Good. I know you don’t get out much anymore, and I wanted to make this night special for you.” They clinked the top of their bottles together and looked on.

“Well, I think it’s going to be memorable for a few people.” She chuckled. “Check out Jules and Shayla.” The first was grinding just as much as her muscled companion while she danced with him, and the second certainly had no qualms about touching the man in front of her. “You go, ladies!” She blew them a kiss and winked.

It was a great time.

They eventually sent the strippers away, even though they seemed to want to stay, and ended up bar-hopping toward the end. When they were out in public, she was made to wear a sash, a fake veil, and a shot-glass necklace. It was amazing how such simple attire could cause her to receive free drinks all night. At one point she couldn’t take any more and handed the veil over to Jess, who in turn got some freebies for herself, and it wasn’t until about three a.m. that she stumbled home, completely wasted and incoherent. Poor Zander spent the next half hour holding her hair while she vomited everything up until there was nothing left but dry heaves. When she was done he handed her a glass of water so she could rehydrate herself before he carried her to bed and tucked her in.

He was a great man, and all hers.

“Now I know why I don’t go out like I used to. Ugh!” She groaned.

“Why’s that?” She could feel the vibration of his silent laugh when he cuddled up to her from behind.

“I’m getting too old for this shit. I can’t handle the liquor anymore.”

“Sleep, babe. I’ll take care of you.” And by the time he leaned forward just a little to kiss the back of her head, she was already passed out.

Chapter Twenty-One

Zander

It was hot as fuck outside.

He’d taken a shower before he left about twenty minutes ago, and his balls were already drenched with sweat in this scorching-ass car. He squirmed. “What, you don’t have air conditioning in this thing?” Alexander jabbed at the dial to turn it on but got nada in return for his efforts.

“Sorry, man.” Jasper rolled down his window all the way. “I’m getting it fixed on Monday.”

“Well, at least we’re on our way to some central air.” He tried fanning himself. Tonight was his turn to celebrate the last of his single days. With only a week to go until the big day, he was kind of looking forward to a night out with the guys, with one exception to the rule. “You told all of the guys that they better shut up about any bachelor business, right? I’m going to be pissed if I get dragged onto that stage tonight.”

The plan was to grab a couple beers, pig out on wings, and play a few games of pool for a couple hours. Then ’cause it was tradition, they were hitting the strip joint for a few more drinks, a game on the big screen, and a show of tits and ass before they sought out some loving with their ladies at home.
Yep, sounds pretty good to me.

“It’ll be the first thing on my list to do as soon as we get there, bro. I’ve got it covered,” Jasper answered.

When they walked into Dooly’s for some pool, the entourage had already arrived, and they got cheers and grunts as they approached. It was a small group that consisted of his two brothers, a couple close friends, and a few of Holly’s male cousins—eight in total, including him.

“Now that the man of the hour is finally here, let’s get this party started.” Sebastien waved over a waitress and bought a round of beers while Jasper covered their first round of shots and told the boys Zander’s rule. They racked up the balls, chalked up the cues, and placed a few friendly bets on who could kick whose ass in the game. Which was pretty sweet because he made some money from it. Profit was always great. The food was good, the company, the drinks, and cash even better. So far, there was nothing to complain about.

After a few hours, they decided to move the party to their final destination, but he had to warn them again first to so they got the message. “I know Jasper already told most of you, so in case you forgot, I’m warning you motherfuckers right now. I do not, and I repeat N-O-T, want to go up on that stage tonight. I’ve seen what they do to those poor saps who actually go for it. The moment they find out you’re getting married, the strippers like to beat and humiliate a man right in front of the entire club. So don’t ruin my night. Because, I’m telling you now, it
will
just piss me off.” He emphasized the last part, hoping his words sunk into their thick skulls. His friends and Holly’s family were pretty drunk already.

The next thing he knew they were all in a couple of cabs on their way there.

***

The music blared, the drinks kept flowing, and they’d been there a little less than an hour before the shit hit the fan.
Son of a bitch!

“You stupid ass!” Alex stood, tempted to introduce his future wife’s cousin to his fist up close and personal, but one of his brothers held him back.

Jasper.

“It’s not worth it, man. Let’s just leave.”

“Like hell you’re not going up there. From what I heard, my cousin sure had a good time with the strippers at her party, so don’t you think she deserves a little payback? We’ve already paid for it.”

“I don’t care what you did. This night is over, and everyone can thank you for ruining it.” He jabbed her cousin, Devin, in the chest with his finger and got whipped for it from the stripper with the cat-o-nine-tails behind him.

Zander growled, and a couple of douche-bags took his slight distraction as a cue to force him up on stage. He was held down on a chair by some men while the women did their thing. They ripped open his shirt with buttons flying everywhere and gave him a few whips on his chest.

“You bad boy, somebody’s told me you’re getting married. Now let’s see what she gets to work with,” the brunette with the whip said while the other one, a redhead, used her very sharp nails on his marked chest and shoulders. He hissed in displeasure when the bitch scratched across his welts. No thanks to the other one now ripping his shorts open to take a peek inside his boxer-briefs. She checked out his junk and licked her lips, but he was too pissed to care.

He struggled and kicked out, almost connecting with the chick’s shin. “Get me the fuck out of here
now
!”

Three pairs of big, hairy man-hands held him down tighter.

“Hey, relax, man,” one guy said.

“Yeah, says the dickhead holding me here against my will,” he spat.

“Devin, is it?” The redhead asked. “Why don’t you help the other two hold him down on the ground? I think he needs a little more punishment for that mouth.”

They kicked the chair out from under him and he landed face-first on stage. The whip came back out, and they made sure he had several more marks on his bare ass and back before pulling up his ruined clothing again.

“Get off me!” he warned, finding a surge of strength. He fought to get his hands free, and this time succeeded bucking off all three douche-bags who held him down. Go figure, it was the two cousins and some other dude he didn’t know.

After he regained his balance, the two women began to back up. He’d stalked forward, livid and determined to get the fuck out of there, when the stupid brunette got nervous and tried to whip him again. Only he caught the leather strap before she could and yanked hard to bring her closer. “Think long and hard before you hit me with this again, sweetheart. Try it and I’ll give as good as I got.” He pushed her backward while the bouncers approached the group of them.

“Okay, buddy, it’s time for you all to leave,” one said.

“Well, no shit, Sherlock. I was trying to fucking leave before those stupid sluts assaulted me up there.” He banged into them on his way out deliberately and threw door open with his brothers following close behind. The farther he got from that place, the better.

They took him for a slice of pizza before going home to help calm him some, but he was still pissed as he walked through the door to his apartment.

“What are you doing here so early?” Holly stood from the couch when he entered and clearly didn’t notice his sad state at first. “It’s only eleven thirty, what the hell?”

“Don’t even get me started.” He scowled, and then his face softened when he saw the hurt look on her face. “I warned them all not to do this, but your cousins had to ruin it. They tried to rub it in my face that you had fun with your strippers, or some shit, and paid for me to go on stage when I told them I didn’t want to, for fuck’s sake.”

She pulled at his messed-up shirt and yanked it off. “What did you do?” She stepped back, looking horrified at the sight of the marks on his chest.

“Nothing. I told you. Brace yourself, babe, because it gets a bit worse.” It was then she looked down at his open fly where they had busted the zipper and he had a missing button. He pulled them down and then showed her his ass with the same marks across each of his cheeks.

Her hurt expression turned angry. “I can’t believe they did this to you. Jesus Christ, a male stripper just teases and dances. I didn’t realize female strippers like to beat the shit out of you. Stupid sluts. Are you okay?”

He almost laughed and wanted to kiss her stupid for her understanding. She wasn’t mad at him, she was pissed about the situation. That was the little spitfire he loved so much.

“They hurt you.” Her jaw clenched.

“God, I love you.” He pulled her forward and flinched when he hugged her tight. A bit of pain was worth it, though. “Most women would have been upset and blamed their husbands, but no, not you. You get upset because you’re worried I was hurt. You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re awfully chatty.” She gently kissed one of the welts on his chest. “Here, let me clean you up.” Holly led the way to the bathroom to get the first aid kit. He hissed through the touch of antiseptic on each mark, and when she finished, they went to bed and she kissed them all better.

Her last hurrah was obviously much better than his, but hopefully their wedding would make up for it.

***

Holly

“Can you help me with this?” Holly lifted her hair out of the way, stood in front of the mirror, and admired the beautiful woman staring back. Today was her dream day. It was the day she would finally become Mrs. Alexander Harrison.

She let her hands slide to her stomach to ease the butterflies of excitement dancing inside it and watched her reflection as her sister clasped their mother’s pearl choker around her neck from behind.

“There, now you’re perfect,” Chrystal breathed. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Her eyes lit up with mischief, and she smiled wide when she mentioned “something blue.” “Alex is going to swallow his tongue once he’s sees you in that sexy blue lingerie tonight.”

“I’m not sure that’s the effect I want, but I am looking forward to his reaction, and don’t forget the shoes…” Holly lifted the bottom of her dress and pointed down to her matching five-inch heels. “It’s almost time.” She grinned and straightened her veil.

After an entire morning at the salon, her normally straight hair was now a mass of beautiful, bouncy curls that framed her face. A light dusting of makeup beautified her almost flawless pale skin and big green eyes. She bit down on her plump bottom lip as her gaze continued to roam down her strapless satin gown for her final inspection.

The off-white mermaid gown fit her curves to perfection, accentuating her round hips, flat stomach, and generous breasts. It dipped into a sweetheart neckline, showing a slight amount of cleavage, and flared out in layers at the bottom, giving it a modern yet sexy appeal. Simple and elegant, it was exactly what she’d imagined herself in.

“Hey, Hol, are you almost ready for the big moment?” Jess knocked before she let herself into the bridal suit and then gasped at the sight of her. “Honey, you look gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” The bride-to-be gave her a dazzling smile. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we? Is Ashton ready for me?”

“Actually…” She cleared her throat. “It looks like Richard and Skye got lost, so Jasper, Alex and Ashton had to make a detour to go fetch them. They’re not here yet.”

“Tell me you’re kidding. We gave them directions weeks ago.” Holly sat, feeling stunned and helpless. “What else can go wrong?”

“Absolutely nothing,” her sister whispered. They each flanked one side of her on the couch to offer their support.

“First I come here this morning to find out that my outside wedding had to move indoors due to the pouring rain, and now my future in-laws have delayed the wedding because they can’t follow a few simple directions.”

“Nonsense.” Jess wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her close. “You and Alex love each other like crazy, you’ve been together for like ten solid years, and they say that when it rains on someone’s wedding day, it’s supposed to bring them luck. And by the looks of it out there, you’re due to have a ton of it.”

“Yep, that’s it.” Chrystal chuckled. “Take a peek. It’s pouring cats and dogs outside.”

“It is, isn’t it?” She laughed with them and lightly dabbed the moisture from her eyes. “Thanks for the cheer up. Have I told either of you how much I appreciate you yet today?” She wrapped one arm around each and it ended in a group hug. “Now I should have just enough time to spruce up the makeup job I just destroyed, and then count the minutes until I say good-bye to being Miss Holly Hewitt for good.”

“That a girl. Stay positive.” Jess helped her stand, and her sister led the way to the vanity to help Holly freshen up.

“I love you, Hol. Mom would be so proud.”

“Thanks, Chrys!” She blew her a kiss.

A half an hour later, Ashton was escorted inside to walk her down the aisle. He was in a tux that matched his father’s and looked absolutely adorable. Her heart filled with pride, and she had to bite back more tears when she laid eyes on him. She was so proud.

“You ready to go see Daddy, my handsome boy?” She knelt down a placed a kiss on his cheek when he nodded.

Holly smiled and walked with her son down the hall. They waited at the top of the stairs while Chrystal, filling the position of maid of honor, led the way.

She took a deep breath and was blown away by the mixed emotions surfacing. Love and tenderness toward her son; he was growing up way too fast. Her sweet little boy battled with the nerves from the task at hand. It was a long way from where she stood to Zander, or at least it felt that way, and the anxiety was beginning to manifest. Then one thought came to mind and made it all better: she was
his bride
, and he was waiting for her to make it official. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to be next to him.