Page 187 of Black Flag

“You mean love it.”

“Tats what I said.”

“No you saidlovd. By the way,thathas an “H” in it.”

He rolled his eyes andtook my coffee from me. “Gimmethat.”

“I think you’re alittle young for coffee.” I took back my cup.

Another eye roll and asigh, “If Ihavtto be with you all day. I need itmore than you.”

By now, all the guyswere in the car and looking at Lane and me with a curious expression. Spencernoticed his son’s hair and glanced at me. “Alley is going to kill me.”

“Noshi...shoot.” I corrected. Lane ignored us alltogether as he became engrossed in his dirt bike magazine.

The wedding was beingheld at theKianaLodge in Poulsbo, Washington. Itwas secluded and exactly what we needed to keep the media and fans away. It wasa beautiful place as my parents actually renewed their wedding vows here whenwe were younger which was how Emma got the idea to have the wedding here.

The grounds werelayered with beautiful flowers, trees and wildlife but you couldn’t see any ofthat today with the snow.

Emma had gone with thetheme she thought appropriate for Sway...afairytale...it was perfect.

When we left Elma, ithad just started to snow. When we pulled up to the lodge, the grounds werecovered around three inches of snow. We drove Sway’s Expedition and I’ll admit,we spent more time testing out the 4-wheel drive then we actually did driving.

I’m like any other manout there—give me a snowy day and I wanna play.

“What the fuck isthat?” Spencer asked pointing at the princess carriage parked out front when wepulled into the drive.

Aiden and Justinlaughed in the backseat.

“I didn’t think she wasserious about that shit.” I grumbled. “Apparently,we are supposed toleave in that.”

“Hah!” Spencer snorted.“Good luck with this snow.”

“Don’t even think aboutgoing up there,” Alley told us when we walked into the lodge. “Emma will killyou.”

“Nice to see you, too,Alley,” I retorted leaning against the wooden banister. “Did you give her thenote?”

Spencer headed straighttoward her to pull her into a bear hug and a kiss with Lane on his back.

“Yes, she said to giveyou this,” she handed me an envelope wiggling away from Spencer and thenstraightening her dress. Her eyes narrowed at her son and then Spencer. “I’mnot going to freak out. I’m not.” She told herself forcing a smile. “Lanehoney, you will be growing your hair out.”

“But mama, itlookawesome!”

There wasn’t much shecould say to him with the excitement he put forth at his hairdo. In turn, shesmiled and then punched Spencer. “You’re an idiot.”

“I’ll bet you I’mallowed—” Aiden smiled oblivious to Spencer and Alley arguing beside us. Hestarted toward the stairs before my mom jumped in, holding an arm full offlowers.

“No men in there.” shesaid firmly pushing against his chest as he grinned at her. “Besides, I havethings for you to do. We have to finish setting-up outside. I’ll show you howthis goes, and you boys can take over.”

Spencer and I bothgroaned. “Didn’t Emma hire people to do this shit?” I asked tucking theenvelope away.

“Certain things yes,but not the decorating. Emma wasn’t about to trust that to anyone.” My momsmiled and shook her head slightly, as though she knew Emma was just beingcontrolling.

“Besides, just becauseyou’re a NASCAR Champion doesn’t make you too good to help, Jameson.”

Spencer and Aiden burstout laughing that my four foot eleven mother just put me in my place. I hung myhead in shame, indubitably pouting for affect.

“Besides, it will keepall of you out of trouble,” Alley added smugly heading back upstairs with Lanein her arms.

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