Shattered Chances: A Breaking Black Companion Novel (22 page)

“How do you know?”

Averi grabbed my cheeks with her hands and squeezed tight.

“Because I know you. You’re a total pain in the ass. You’re stubborn. You’re moody. But you’re also one of the best damn men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. You did good, Randy. Mom and Dad would be proud. Go get your girl.”

I gave myself one last look in the mirror before I finally had the courage to walk outside and take my bride.

Epilogue

Randy

I waited under the arbor with Colt, Tim and Paul by my side as I waited for Cheyenne to come out of the house. Averi and Shelly had decorated the yard with flowers, a sleek white runner led Cheyenne’s aisle to me. About sixty white chairs held our closest friends and family. Softly, the Beatles
All You Need Is Love
began to play.

Cheyenne had no shortage of bridesmaids with each of her girls from Nebraska standing up for her on her big day. Distance hadn’t dulled their connection. If anything, it strengthened it. Ashley was escorted by my cousin Josh. They walked down the aisle looking like they had known each other for years. Carly and Danny smiled as they marched down the aisle, Danny playfully stole Carly’s bouquet, and carried it as he batted his eyes as everyone. They looked like they belonged on a Hollywood red carpet. The rest of the girls came down the aisle single file, Dana, Mandy and Melissa smiling at everyone as they took the spots near the arbor. Paul and Tessa walked down the aisle fresh smiles on their faces as if they had just been up to something especially gossip-worthy. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me. Averi walked down the aisle alone, but before she did, she turned around and gave Cheyenne a kiss on her cheek and whispered, “Take care of my brother.”

Cheyenne descended from the porch looking nothing like I thought she would. I imagined something like her spunky prom get up. I was wrong. In a sleek strapless lace bodice gown, she carefully maneuvered the stairs. The train of her gown followed gracefully behind her. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders in soft waves. I couldn’t look at anything else. I couldn’t even tell you what day it was. All I could see was her. The girl that broke me. The girl that made me who I am. Infuriating. Beautiful. Stubborn. Fun. Prismatic. Mine. 

She didn’t look nervous at all and she didn’t freeze when it was her turn to say her vows. We stuck with the traditional vows. Our real vows were said in private the night before, and on many other nights prior.

Patience. Honestly. Love.

We would work through the rest.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Randy, you know what to do.”

My brain was so loud that I was barely paying attention to anything the minister was saying. But when he said my name, I jumped into action. I swooped Cheyenne up in my arms and kissed her long and hard, our lips electric, the charge still as strong as the very first time. Not waiting for the recessional music, I ran with her in my arms, her laughing each step of the way, as we made our way down the aisle, past our wedding guests, across the lawn and to our house. I burst through the door and made a beeline for the bedroom. I would not be waiting to consummate this marriage. But before I had the chance, something shiny had caught my attention. Hanging on the wall, it was the painting of us from so many years ago, only with some major changes. It was the piece that Cheyenne had created in the guest bedroom of the scene of us kissing amidst the marching band. Cheyenne had added pieces of the broken mirror, the very mirror that she had broken when I left, along with shards of glass and pieces of crystal. She had taken something ugly and broken and made it beautiful again. Every chance we had was shattered… only to allow us to build something more beautiful.

-The End-

Bonus Content!

What, you thought it was over? ;)

On this week’s episode of the Fun and Reckless, we will traverse through the trials and tribulations of bridesmaids. Will Tessa finally meet her match in Paul? Can anyone get Carly off the stage with Danny? And where on earth have Josh and Ashley gotten off to?! Stay tuned… for these are the fun and reckless.

Cue sappy soap opera music.

Hall Ranch was lit up brilliantly under the twinkle of soft white lights. Colt and Tim had constructed a huge white tent in the center of the yard. The reception was just warming up and the bride and groom were simply glowing. Randy swayed with Cheyenne under the soft twinkle of the lights. Billy Joel’s
Always A Woman
played from the stage. Guests were seated at round tables clothed in white linens, simple arrangements of gerbera daisies and floating candles that swayed in a crystal dish. The bridesmaids had left their table to get some drinks with Tessa leading the pack.

“What’s on tap?” Tessa asked as she flounced her dress and scooted up to the bar. Carly and Ashley were right on her heels.

Carly shouted over the music, “Chocolate martini!”

Ashley quipped, “Give me a cosmo!”

The bartender smiled at Tessa. She rolled her eyes at him.

“Get the girly girl drinks for them.”

“And what will you have, miss?”

“Jack. Straight up.”

“Now
that’s
a woman,” a rough voice came from behind Tessa. Paul’s deep, husky voice sent shivers down her spine.

Tessa whipped around with a self-assured smile. Paul was standing there, dapper and debonaire in his black tux. He had lost his tie and had undone several buttons allowing Tessa a small glimpse of the tattoos that mapped his chest.

“Paul… what can I get you?” Tessa asked with a wink.

“Same as you. My drink of choice,” he said as he placed a firm hand on Tessa’s waist.

“You have excellent taste, sir.”

Paul stared at Tessa under deep hooded eyes, his steely gaze telling a story that only Tessa seemed to understand. Carly and Ashley giggled as they sipped their drinks and scooted off, leaving Tessa and Paul alone at the bar. As Ashley turned around she laughed because Tessa had grabbed hold of Paul’s shirt and began to drag him to the dance floor. He followed with an amused look on his face, his tongue tracing his teeth and his eyes on Tessa’s frame.

“Ten bucks says that’s the next wedding,” Ashley said to Carly and Mandy.

“Fifty bucks says it’s in Vegas,” Mandy quipped.

“Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s in for,” Carly said with a laugh.

Suddenly, Averi came up beside them. “Oh, yeah he does.” Averi laughed. “Paul is crazier than my brother, believe it or not. Extreme sport enthusiast. Loco shit.”

“Sounds like Tessa!”

“Looks like a match made in heaven.”

“Or something like that.”

Suddenly the band began to play. Danny, Tessa’s little brother and Cheyenne’s cousin, stormed the stage, skidding on his knees. He had traded his tux in for a pair of black leather pants and a ripped t-shirt. Carly nearly died when she took in the sight of him.

“Woooooooo!” Carly screamed, her face turning red. She fanned herself in excitement.

The electric guitar began to wail and Billy Idol’s
Rebel Yell
belted out over the crowd. All the girls rushed the stage. Paul hoisted Tessa up on his shoulder as she waved her drink around. Melissa and Jax began making out in the midst of the crowd. Paul’s brother Josh found Ashley among the crowd, whispered something in her ear, and the pair dispersed laughing as they went. Carly was at the front of the crowd, just inches from the stage, bouncing and screaming, trying to get Danny’s attention.

“In the midnight hour! She cried more, more, more!”

Danny was working the crowd until suddenly, he spotted Carly, pulling her on stage by her outstretched arm. Danny crooned to Carly just before Carly bogarted the microphone, turning the song into a duet. Dana and Mandy cheered her on until Dana spotted Colt at the bar. She made a beeline to him, her heels scraping against the ground below. As soon as Colt spotted her, his eyes bugged and he lost her in the crowd as he began dancing to the song with Averi and Shelly.

Mandy was standing alone by the bar, watching the scene play out when Randy came up to her.

“Having a good time?” Mandy asked, patting Randy on the shoulder.

“The best.”

“Mind if I ask a small favor?”

Randy shrugged giving Mandy the go-ahead. Mandy lifted off her bar stool and whispered in Randy’s ear. He began to laugh.

“Yeah, I think we can make that happen.”

As the song came to an end, Randy grabbed the mic as Danny and Carly took a seat on top of the piano.

“Just a quick interruption. A little birdy told me that tonight is someone’s birthday!”

The crowd clapped as they waited for the announcement.

“Oh, Tessa!” Randy said as Cheyenne began to laugh. “Come on out here, girl!”

Tessa was hanging with Paul on the dance floor. Now back on her own two feet, she walked with Paul who was lingering a few feet behind her.

“Yeah, Randy?”

But before he could answer, the crowd broke out into a raucous rendition of
Happy Birthday
.

As the song came to an end, Paul’s hands returned to Tessa’s waist as he whispered in her ear, “Happy Birthday, Tessa… Let’s get the hell outta here.”

Acknowledgments

I have so many people in which I would like to thank.

My husband for being my Randy. Love ya!

My children for being the everlasting light in my life

My family for being normal enough to keep us happy and healthy, and dysfunctional enough to make me funny LOL.

My PA Tessa Burman for being a great friend and monumental supporter! #TheRealMrsRandyFord

My Street Team- HUGE thank you for continuing to spread the word about my releases! It’s been a busy year. Next year is shaping up to be even better :)

My Readers- THANK YOU for continuing to support me! Your support means the world to me!

The Blogs- I cannot express my gratitude in simple words. So I will leave it with just two: YOU ROCK!

Books by Addison Kline

Black Horse

Broken Road

Shattered Chances

Breaking Black – December 2014

Shadow Dancer

Stolen Innocents

Murder of Crowes – Spring 2015

Down To You

Mark My Words- January 2015

Miles Away- Spring 2015