Arranged love

APRIL

I stand inside the wedding chapel, looking over the flower arrangements that the girls and I put together. It took six weeks of nonstop work, but it looks amazing, if I do say so myself.

The wedding is tomorrow. We’ve been here for the past three hours for the rehearsal, and it couldn’t have gone any better. I should be ecstatic, but a part of me is still so sad. Grave has been gone for over a month now. I haven’t had any kind of interaction with him whatsoever, and that’s been the hardest part. No phone calls, no visits, not even a letter. I get all my updates for him through Titan, but even that, he keeps short. He visits him once a week with multiple phone calls. I know Cross and Bones also have contact with him, but I’m not close with either one of them to ask what they know.

Titan walks up to me, and I give him my fake smile. He doesn’t buy it, but at least he pretends he does. “The flowers look amazing. Thank you.”

“Thank you, but it was a group effort.” Titan was adamant that I do the wedding, but my little flower shop wasn’t equipped to handle such a big order. So the girls spent days and nights at Roses helping me, and when we ran out of space, we moved over to Emilee’s and his house.

“I spoke to Grave yesterday.”

My heart starts racing at the mention of his name. “Is he okay?” I ask. That’s my greatest fear, that he’s in pain. I’ve seen documentaries that show someone going through withdrawals and how excruciating it can be.

He nods. “He gets to be here tomorrow for the wedding.”

My eyes widen. “What? He’s getting out?” I thought he was doing a six-week program.

“No. He gets a day pass. He didn’t want to miss the wedding. And we want him here.” He smiles at me. “He asked me if I’d come pick him up. I lied to him and said I would.”

I frown. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you’re going to be the one there.”

I shake my head quickly. “I …”

“Titan, your bride-to-be is looking for you,” Jasmine tells him, coming up to us.

He nods. “Duty calls.”

I nod, but hate to be left hanging. I want to know more. Is he going to be excited to see me? Like I will him? I turn and notice Bones standing there. His hands shoved into his dress pants. “You should be the one to pick him up,” I say.

“I’m the last person Grave wants to see right now,” he answers.

My brows knit together. “You don’t forgive him?” Grave hurt me, but I haven’t known him all my life. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for his brother and best friends to see him hurt himself over and over.

“You do?”

I sigh. “Grave is …”

“An addict.”

“I was going to say trying to get better. We need to support that decision.” I rub my growing stomach. It’s not much, but even if others can’t tell, I can.

“Are you still going to forgive him when he relapses?”

I take in a long breath. “He won’t.”

“He will.” He nods. “I know my brother.” He says it with such conviction. Bones truly believes his brother won’t be able to stay sober.

My hands fist. “People can change.”

“No, people replace one addiction for another.”

“What does that mean?”

He looks away and his jaw sharpens. “I love my brother.” His eyes come back to mine. “But you and my niece or nephew are my main priority.”

Tears prick my eyes as my hands go to my stomach once again.

“If you need anything, call me. Day or night. Do you understand?”

I nod and mumble, “Thank you.”

APRIL

I STAND OUTSIDE the facility, leaning up against his Challenger. I drove it, thinking he would want to drive, to feel in control again. I know how much he loves it.

I watch the front door open, and he steps outside. My heart pounds at the sight of him. He wears a black V-neck Kingdom shirt with a pair of ripped jeans and black boots. And he’s got his sunglasses on. I know the moment he spots me because his entire body tenses.

Pushing off the car, I take a couple of steps toward him but stop. Doubt fills me when he comes to stop on the bottom step. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Titan said Grave called him. That’s who he wanted here.

He begins to walk toward me, and I let out a shaky breath.

My hands shake, and my heart pounds. Blood rushes in my ears. What if he no longer wants me? What if without the drugs, he doesn’t love me? What if …

“What are you doing here, April?” he asks.

I swallow nervously at the sound of his voice. “I … uh … I thought …”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He reaches out and cups my face. I lean into his soft touch, and like a dam breaking, tears spill from my eyes and a sob comes out.

He wraps his strong arms around me and pulls me into him. My hands grip his shirt, and my face burrows into his chest. “I’m sorry,” I cry.

“April.” He sighs. “I’m the one who is sorry.”

“No, no, no,” I say quickly and pull away, sniffing.

He pushes his glasses to the top of his head, and my breath catches in my lungs when I see them. They’re so blue. No drug-hazed fog.

“I’m sorry, April.” He swallows and brushes the tears from my cheeks. “I destroyed me. I destroyed us. But I promise you, I’m going to be better. I owe you that.” His hand comes down to touch my stomach. Fresh tears fill my eyes. “And our baby. I’m supposed to work for forgiveness …”

“Grave, I already forgive you.” It’s true. This man is trying to be better. And I know he can.

He wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead. I half laugh, half cry. I don’t know what will happen in three hours or three years, but I do know that this man is my king, and I will be his queen and protect him at all cost.