Page 36 of Chef
“And what do you think he feels when he looks at you, cher?”
“Hopefully the same,” I reply softly.
“That sounds a lot like love, Sage,” Joe whispers before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “And, at the risk of ruining our little chat, you look fucking amazing for a dead girl.”
I snort and hope that I haven’t ruined whatever Damian has done to me. “All done, cher.”
I sit up slowly so as not to get a headrush, then give my friends a grateful smile before looking in the mirror Loyal is holding up.
“Holy fucking shit on a cracker!”
Chapter Thirteen
Chef
“Better not shit your pants, kid,” Pops says out the side of his mouth and I really want to hit him.
It’s bad enough that I have to wait at the altar. But to hear him give running commentary on shitting my pants or runaway bride or what he’s going to do to me if I don’t treat his grandbaby right, well he’s dancing on my last fucking nerve. And I don't want to admit it, but I do kinda feel like I’m going to shit my pants.
“Is there a reason you’re standing up here? I’m pretty certain I only chose Prez, Vex and TumTum to stand with me.”
“Oh I’m not here for you, douche canoe, I’m here for the view.” I raise my brow at Pops. He’s not making sense, but then like Chewy, they don’t always make sense. He rolls his eyes at my blank expression before letting out a long, loud sigh. “I wannasee my grandson walk my grandbaby down the aisle and this is the best angle to see it from. So suck it up, ball sack.”
I do, in fact suck it up because I just don’t have it in me to argue. Besides, surely after his late night lessons I owe him this.
“Now remember, don't fuck this up. Or else I’ll stab you in the dick.”
OK. Maybe I will kill him.
“Well, hey there, sweet pea. How you feeling?” Nancy’s soothing voice washes over me as she takes her place.
Turns out that Nancy is the only marriage celebrant in Adonner, and she’s given us a good deal on the wedding as long as we keep her crematorium “warmed up” so to speak. I have no idea what she thinks we do here. We’ve only killed Travis Hitchens and that fucker that messed with Justice since we’ve been here. She may be overestimating what a group of bikers can do.
“I’m feeling good,” I tell Nancy, even though my leg feels like it’s on vibration mode.
What if she changes her mind? What if she runs? Fuck what if she doesn’t run and she walks down that aisle and marries me. Me? Holy fucking shit I could be married by dinnertime to the girl I’d fucking die for. Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy-
My head snaps to the side and my jaw burns like a motherfucker.
“Hey! I thought we weren't punching him in the face!” Flack shouts.
“He was spiraling!” Pops yells back and I blink a couple of times to get my bearings. The old man has a nasty right hook.
“Oh, sweetheart, that’s the part where you’re meant to slap him, not hook him,” Nancy coos, cupping my cheek in her cool hand.
I can see why Damian is so well adjusted, having a maman like this. She’s soothed me more than Pops dirty fucking fist could ever have.
“Just helping a man out.” Pops mumbles before whistling so fucking loud it makes my ears ring. “Settle down fuckers! Justice just gave the signal!”
Everyone who wasn’t in their seats, which let’s face it, it’s the DRMC so damn near everyone, hurries to sit down and wait. Their asses aren’t even in their seats for five seconds before the music starts and I jolt slightly.
Damian starts up the gentle piano music, because apparently he’s played the piano since he was four years old. The tinkling of the keys has everyone smiling softly, Mira gently swaying in her seat. A collective “aww” sounds out as Jovie starts the long walk down the aisle, pushing Chomper in his stroller. He’s wearing a gator tuxedo that matches Laney May’s as she toddles next to him holding his front leg. Cove and Elio are next. Cove is holding Little Bee’s hand and in her other hand is a fucking big Nerf gun. Elio has the same, except he’s holding hands with Juno. Gus’s little boy and Savage’s little girl are next, throwing rose petals like they’re fucking grenades. Nell and Jason’s daughters are next, they have Sage’s baby sister toddling between them, holding onto their hands for balance.
“Aw, look at them all,” Kaia sniffs.
Cove and Elio reach me and both stare up at me for so long it’s unnerving.
“If you don’t take care of her, we’ll make you wish you’d never been born,” Cove says through gritted teeth, and I fucking believe her too.
