Page 64 of Torch

Cara stepped out of the truck. “Girl, why are you just standing there? Come check out your new ride!”

Christian nudged me from behind, prompting my feet to move. When I peeked inside, I saw the plush black leather seats trimmed in red. The back was filled with designer and jewelry bags. Tears slid down my cheeks. Not just because of the gifts, but because I felt fulfilled in every aspect of my life. I had a man who loved me unconditionally. Who supported me in every way. Christian spoiling me was just the cherry on top.

He was perfect.

I heard the crowd gasp, and I lifted my head. My gaze connected with my grandmother’s. She had tears in her eyes as she pointed at something behind me. When I turned around, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I covered my mouth with my hands, staring at Christian as he bent down on one knee. He had a ring box in his hand with an enormous diamond ring in it. That thing had to be around six or seven carats.

Christian held a microphone in his hand, watching me with so much love. “Most of you don’t know that Brit and I are already married,” he said, causing every one of my family members’ jaws to drop. “But we didn’t do it right the first time around. What I should have done was bring our families together like this. I should have told everyone how you are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I can’t imagine living without you. How I want to grow old with you, having as many babies as you’re willing to give me. But most of all, I should have professed that you are the love of my life.”

He gripped my hand, pulling me closer. I was practically hyperventilating from how hard I was crying. Even though we were already married, this moment felt so special. “So, Brittney Noelle Romano, will you marry me? Again?”

I was nodding my head before he could finish. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

He stood, placing the ring on my finger before kissing me deeply. The cheers in the background faded as I held on to him for dear life. I never wanted this feeling to go away.

Throughout the turmoil with my family, Christian managed to put a smile on my face and keep it there. He was a man of his word. When he told me that if I ever had problems, he would always do what he could to lighten the load or make me happy, I had my doubts. Now, I knew there were no lengths this man would go to keep me filled with joy.

I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew Christian would be there every step of the way.

Chapter Twenty-One

TORCH

The atmosphere of Brittney’s surprise birthday party changed after the proposal. Naturally, it took a while for everyone to congratulate us. Once that was over, my mom collected all the children and took them back to her house. Brittney’s family members did the same with their children.

I had the park reserved until nine. It was the latest that the city would allow. It was now dark outside, and we had been having the time of our lives. Drinks were flowing. The DJ was still here, so people were dancing and having a good time.

Brit’s family were chill and laid back. At first, I was worried about meeting them. After seeing how Morgan, Regina, and Myron were, I assumed the rest of Brit’s family were just like them. I was glad to see that I was wrong.

Regina and Myron left after the proposal. They didn’t even speak to Brittney at all. Morgan, on the other hand, had been in attendance all day. She kept her distance, which I was grateful for. Honestly, I would be watching her very closely from here on out. During all the commotion after I proposed, I noticed the expression on her face. She was watching Brit with pure envy. Luckily, Brit distanced herself from Morgan a while ago. I was going to make sure it stayed that way. At least until Morgan could get the jealousy out of her heart.

A few of Brit’s family members expressed a wish to join the club because we knew how to party. Little did they know that was the number one reason we didn’t allow people to join the club. We were more than a group of party animals. The club was about brotherhood, family, and loyalty. We would all put our lives on the line to protect one another. Anyone who wanted to join strictly because they wanted to turn up didn’t share our values.

Through the crowd, I saw Oscar sprinting our way. He had a look of panic all over his face. Stepping up to Brittney, his eyes were wide. “I thought we were becoming friends, Brittney?”

She cocked her head to the side, confused. “We are.”

Oscar shook his head. “Then why didn’t you tell me that your brother was sexy as fuck and gay? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to cross paths with a man like that?” he gushed, fanning his face.

The ladies fell out laughing, and so did I. Oscar was just like his bestie Will. He had no filter, and there wasn’t a shy bone in his body.

Brit watched Oscar in amusement. Bentley was approaching him from behind, and Oscar didn’t have a clue. When he reached him, he pressed his body against Oscar’s back. The size difference between the two was comical. Bentley was six foot six, and Oscar was five seven. Bentley looked like a mountain standing over him.

Oscar’s eyes widened when Bentley bent down to whisper something in his ear. I didn’t know what he was saying, but Oscar's face went from shock to pure lust. Spinning around to face him, Oscar ran his hands over Bentley’s chest. “You can do all of that?” he purred.

Bentley sank his teeth into his bottom lip. “Come home with me, and I can show you.”

“Hmm, why don’t we step over here and you can keep convincing me why I should?” His lips spread into a naughty grin as he allowed Bentley to pull him toward an empty picnic table. He lifted Oscar onto it, stepping between his open legs.

Bianca stood next to us, laughing at the scene. “Bentley better watch out. Oscar is a live wire. He’s going to drive our brother crazy.”

“Really?” Brittney questioned.

“Hell yeah,” a few of us said together. That caused the group to chortle once again.

Gazing around the park, I noticed Morgan with a group of girls. I hadn’t seen them at the party until now. Two of them were her friends from Vegas, Emily and Tammy. There were four other girls with them, and they were all looking this way. Tapping Brit’s shoulder, I spoke in her ear. “Do you know them?”

She followed my gaze and frowned. “Yeah. I do,” she gritted.