Page 43 of Deacon

“Where are we?” I ask Deacon when he picks me up and places me on my feet beside his motorcycle.

There have been many changes within Ribax since I lived here, and with the chaos my life has been battling with my return, I haven’t been able to explore my hometown.

“The place I’m deeming our piece of Heaven on Earth. This is Chasity Peak. I come out here when I need a minute to settle my wayward thoughts. It’s the one place I feel closest to God.”

Deacon’s eyes are staring ahead, and I snuggle into his side, allowing my eyes to take in the city from this vantage point. I can appreciate this place unlike the wooded area Tinker Belle took me. We’re standing at the top of a hill, overlooking the city skyline, and I have never seen anything more beautiful. Instead of being surrounded by overgrown grass and endless trees, flowers everywhere make the area far more inviting.

“I bet the members of Baxtown Iron don’t know you have a soft side,” I say, smiling.

“They won’t either. Don’t be out here breaking couple code by being a snitch, Squeak. You’re too pretty to be covered in stitches and shit.”

“Wow. Are you threatening me, Deacon?”

“Never, love.”

Deacon and I stare into each other’s eyes like we’re auditioning for a rom-com, and payday is coming after surviving on ramen noodles. Love shines bright in Deacon’s orbs, filling me with enough electric energy that could restore the city during a blackout.

“Right here, I understand why a nigga had to go without you. In order for me to appreciate the journey of our forever, I had to mend the broken moment of our past. With only God watching us, I'm telling you that I’m gonna marry you, Squeak.”

The firm and unrelenting calm within Deacon’s words forces me to clench my jaw to kill the sob within my throat. Staring into Deacon’s eyes, observing his intense eye contact and his shoulders that are pushed back has butterflies taking flight within my stomach.

“I love you.” The words slip from my mouth without my consent, and Deacon’s eyes twinkle with merriment before a wide yet cocky grin forms.

“You better because I’m not letting you go again.”

Pulling my body into his, Deacon leans down and plants a soft yet passionate kiss on my lips. My breath hitches from the zing surging through me at feeling of Deacon’s lips on mine before our tongues begin exploring.

Unplanned but not untrue… I’m in love with Deacon.

“So, Mr. Redmond, what do you have planned for us to do up here?” I ask when our kiss ends minutes later.

“Plan our future as day becomes night.”

“I just thought about something,” Deacon says, yawning.

We spent several hours at Chasity Peak before yawns prevented me from answering Deacon’s many questions about a wedding the lack of an engagement would forestall.

“What?”

“You haven’t gone to see Carol Ann yet. She’s gonna think you don’t like her, Squeak. I put on one of her new tutus and everything.”

“Keep it up, and you’re gonna be crying to Carol Ann because I’ve left your ass again,” I say, snickering.

“Shid. You’ll fuck around and be having a bonding session with Carol Ann while painting her nails, trying to figure out if she can give you an escape route.”

“What?”

Shifting my body, I look up at Deacon to see his heavy, steady gaze already on me.

“Don’t play with your freedom. I’ll lock you in the room with Carol Ann without blinking before you escape again.”

Lord, this crazy man. Please allow me to see more of his softer side when we get married.

Hold on… What the fuck is wrong with me?

My face twists and wrinkles as I war within myself from the conflicting thoughts echoing in my mind.

“Tomorrow, we’re going downstairs so you and Carol Ann can come to an understanding. I can’t afford y’all to be at odds and shit. You’re already gonna have to confirm to our kids that she’s harmless. The only way you’ll be able to do that is for you to find out firsthand.”

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