Page 39 of Take Two

“Oh my God,” Vickie says, still blushing. “Stop.”

“I’m just gettin’ started, darlin’,” he says before he bends down and kisses her cheek. “She came into my world, and after telling me I don’t have a chance in h-e-double-hockey-sticks, I manage to get her to fall in love with me anyway. She not only loved me, but my son, my mama, and my brother. She’s the best mother I could have asked for to help me raise our boys. She gives everything to them and to me. She’s selfless. She never wants anything for herself, which is why I had totwist her arm to have this party. When I brought it up, she suggested we do something for the boys instead. This woman who plans all their parties, comes to all my home games, plans allmyparties, teaches English to rowdy teenagers, and still manages to write two bestselling books because she’s so darn incredible. So, darlin', tonight is not about our boys or me. Tonight is all about you because you deserve it. You put everyone first, so this party is all about the amazing Victoria Renee Chastain. She’s the first person I’ve ever met who has it all. She’s smart. She’s beautiful. She’s kind. She’s compassionate. She’s tough as nails. Like I said before, she’s selfless. So, let’s raise a glass to my wife. The bestselling author. The incredible teacher who gives her all to her students. The defender of children. The best mom. The woman who gives of herself and expects nothing back. Darlin’, tonight is all about you.”

When he raises his glass, everyone stands and cheers for her. Vickie looks around the room, still blushing. When she catches my eye, she smiles and gives me a thumbs up. She looks away, and I see her swipe tears from her eyes.

“That was so beautiful,” Violet whispers. She gets a wistful look on her face.

It takes a few minutes for the cheers to stop. Vickie finally stands, but I can tell she’s still emotional. She buries her face in Colt’s chest and the cheers resume. He holds her in his arms and whispers something in her ear. Her body shakes, and I think she’s still crying.

After another couple of minutes, she manages to turn around and face us.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to read after that.” She wipes under her eyes again. “I reluctantly admit that maybe I was wrong about him when we first met.” Colt puts a hand to his chest and pretends to take a few steps back. “Though I wasnot wrong about how dramatic he is.” She holds out her hand, and they intertwine their fingers. He kisses the back of her hand several times.

When I feel Violet’s hand on my thigh, I take it in mine, but that’s not enough. I drop her hand, put my arm across her shoulder, and pull her close.

“Thank you, champion, for this party. My husband is pretty amazing too. He—”

“No, darlin’. Everyone already knows how amazin’ I am. Tonight is aboutyou. Tonight is about Victoria.”

The entire backyard starts to chant her name, including Violet. Vickie swipes more tears before she fans her face with her hands.

Colt lifts up a copy of her book, waves it in the air, and says, “My wife did this!” And the backyard goes wild.

I hold her close and we sway to the love song being played. The night is winding down, and I’m eager to take my girlfriend inside to bed.

“Rub it on me one more time,” she whispers. I try to move away, but she moves closer.

“Just a few more minutes, and I’m going to do more than rub it on you,” I whisper in her ear. “I’m gonna shove it down your throat and make you gag so hard, tears will roll down your cheeks. And that’s just the beginnin’.”

“Do you promise?” When I nod, she whispers, “Oh, you’re so filthy, Charles.”

I tighten the arm I have around her, bend close to her ear, and whisper, “My name’s not Charles, darlin’.” That must shockher because her head snaps up and she looks into my eyes almost as if to make sure I’m not lying. “It’s not.”

“You mean I’ve been gagging and riding your dick all this time, and I don’t even know your name?” I nod at her. “Who knew I was so slutty?”

We both throw our heads back and laugh.

“Who knew I’d like that so much?”

“What the hell is Charlie short for if not Charles?”

“Charleston. Yes, my name is Charleston Chastain.”

“Was that your dad’s name?” she asks.

“Nope. His name was Christian. Mama and Daddy honeymooned in Charleston, South Carolina, and they liked it there so much, they named me after it.”

She reaches up and cups my face. “It fits. Charleston is kind of old fashioned but charming, welcoming, and sweet.”

“Old fashioned? Me? Don’t tell Vickie.” We both giggle at the thought. The song ends and another one starts to play. Everyone is either dancing, drinking, or talking now that the reading is over. It took Vickie about fifteen minutes to calm down enough to read. When she started, my brother looked at her as if she’s the most incredible person on the planet.

“Charlie, Violet!” Mama says as she walks over with Colt and Vickie. My brother has his arm thrown across his wife’s shoulders. They’re both giggling at something as they walk over. “Didn’t your brother say the most beautiful things about Vickie?” Mama asks me. Vickie blushes and starts to dab her eyes. “Although he almost ruined it with all that cussin’ he did.” Mama gives Colt the side-eye. Violet looks up at me with her brows furrowed. I know she’s thinking back on the speech and trying to figure out when exactly Colt cussed.

“Mama, I didn’t cuss,” Colt says, sighing.

“What does h-e-double-hockey-sticks spell then?” I do my best to stifle my laugh, but I know Colt heard it from the narrowing of his eyes. He purses his lips shut. “That’s what I thought,” Mama says.

“Why don’t you, Vickie, and Violet go dance?” Colt suggests. The song changes as he makes his suggestion. “Isn’t this your favorite song?” he asks when Beyoncé starts to sing about single ladies.

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