Page 61 of Outlawed Treat
Chapter Thirty-Four
Reckless
I’M GETTING MARRIED.Today Cali and I are having our wedding at the clubhouse.True to what I told her, I asked every important man in her life for their blessing to marry her.It took me two weeks to talk to everyone about asking Cali to marry me because no one was in the same place at the same time.The only ones I was able to talk to in a group were my family members.Maddie was even included in that conversation and she’s the only one who threatened me about hurting Cali or the kids.My aunt is scary when she wants to be and with the threat of damage to a certain part of my body, there’s no way in hell I’m going to ever hurt Cali in any way.I wouldn’t even without the threat, but hearing Maddie specifically tell me what she’d have done to me is something I’ll think of every day because I won’t have a choice in the matter.Not a single one of them hesitated to tell me yes.Luca was the hardest one if I’m being honest.
“Luca, I need to talk to ya for a minute.Mind comin’ with me?”I ask the Prospect as he works behind the bar with Evan.
Without a word, Luca leaves his post and rounds the bar to meet me at the back of the common room.We walk toward the backdoor and head outside.Bypassing the playground I had built for the kids, we make our way far away from the possibility of anyone overhearing our conversation.Luca doesn’t say a word and for the first time since I brought him back to the clubhouse, I notice how much taller he walks.There’s a quiet confidence to him that was never there before.I know he’s talked to Cali since she got out of the hospital two weeks ago.The two of them spend every day together and their bond has only grown more.I even think he’s talking to a girl.When Luca isn’t working for us, he’s glued to his phone and I’ve caught the smile on his face that I’ve worn myself when I would talk to Cali.
“What’s goin’ on, Reckless?”Luca finally asks me, his voice steady and strong as we lean against a picnic table that’s been placed out here.
“Luca, I know you and Cali are close.I love that she’s been able to help you grow and gain the confidence and self-esteem you should have had all along.You’re an important person to her, the kids, and me.So, I’m here to ask you if I can have your blessin’ to ask Cali to marry me,” I say, looking out in front of me as the words settle between Luca and me.
For several minutes, Luca says nothing in response.The silence is heavy between us as I wait.
“Reckless, if anyone else were to ask Cali to marry him, I would question their reasonin’.With you, I know it’s because you truly want her as your wife and the kids as your own.You’ll treat all of them with nothin’ but love and respect.Somethin’ Darren never once did.Cali will truly be the woman she was meant to be with you at her side.Yes, I give you my blessin’ to propose to her,” Luca says as I look over at him to find a large smile on his face.
“Thank you, Luca.How are you doin’ since everythin’ went down?”I ask him because we haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk about things.
“I’m good.It didn’t bother me to beat the hell out of Darren, Reckless.That piece of shit deserved everythin’ he got and so much more.I know Cali’s still havin’ nightmares most nights.Also know you’re there for every single one of them.You protect her from everythin’ around her includin’ her mind.The two of you have a love that’s pure and can’t be mimicked or faked.It’s somethin’ I want for myself when I’m ready,” Luca answers, a faraway look in his eyes and I know he’s thinking about all the hurtful words he’s been told over the years that stripped every part of him down to absolutely nothing.
“You know we’re all here if you ever need to talk about shit, right?”I question the young man next to me because he’s had a lot going on in his life while trying to be there for Cali and the kids.
“I know.I’ve started talkin’ to a girl.She’s so damn beautiful and out of my league.I’m goin’ in with my eyes wide open, but I don’t know if I’m a man she can truly be happy with,” Luca informs me as he kicks at the grass with the toe of his boot in this vulnerable moment.
“You’re more than good enough, Luca.You’re so much more than you give yourself credit for.I have a feelin’ I know who you’re talkin’ to and she’s a lucky girl.Anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives, Luca.Give yourself the credit you deserve.Look at everythin’ you’ve done for Cali and our children since you’ve been here.Cali doesn’t let just anyone into her life or the lives of her children.You’re one of the lucky few who have made the cut.That tells me all I need to know about the kind of man you are.Open your heart to this girl and be completely honest with her.I know you’re still workin’ on yourself and that’s okay.As long as she knows that about you, you’ll be good,” I tell him as he nods his head in response and we start to make our way back to the clubhouse.
Everyone has been busting their asses to transform the clubhouse into the wedding Cali has dreamed of since she was a little girl.My mom and aunt Maddie have taken control of the situation to ensure everything is perfect for her.They’ve taken her shopping, gone over every detail of the wedding in great detail, and have ensured the clubhouse now looks exactly as Cali would want it.She hasn’t seen it at all.Mom wants her to be surprised when she walks down the stairs on my dad’s arm.Bryce is our ring bearer and Rory will be pulled behind him in a wagon as our flower girl.My kids are amazing and there was no way in hell we weren’t including them in our special day.
Walking through the common room, I take a seat at the bar next to Kreed and accept the bottle of water Rose hands me.
“How ya feelin’?”my best friend asks me as he turns to face me.
“Calm as fuck.Today should have happened so long ago and I’m more than ready to make Cali my wife so the world knows who she belongs to.I want everyone to know that I belong to her as well,” I tell him honestly before taking a long sip of water.
“You’re a lucky fucker, Caleb.Ya know I love ya like a brother and I’m happy for the two of you.But, I’m jealous as fuck and can fully admit that shit.I want what the two of you have.I want an ol’ lady of my own and kids runnin’ around the house.Part of me always wondered if I’d want that, but I guess I knew deep down that it’s the truth.That’s why I don’t fuck around with a ton of women.While I’m not savin’ myself for the woman I make my ol’ lady, I refuse to have a ton of women go up to her and taunt her with the fact that I’ve fucked them,” Kreed says and my heart breaks for my best friend as I take a long, hard look at him.
Kreed has always worn his heart on his sleeve and we always know what he’s feeling in any given situation for the most part.He tries to hide his feelings, but it rarely works for him.At least with Cali and I.I’m sure most other people wouldn’t know what he’s feeling, but we know him better than anyone else.
“You’ll find your ol’ lady when you least expect it, Kreed.She’s gonna be a special woman because you deserve nothin’ less.Your girl will be strong, a little broken, and the love of your life.You’ll know it’s her the second you see her.Cali and I can’t wait until you find her,” I tell him honestly because Kreed truly deserves to find the other half of his soul.A woman who will make him a better man and who will accept all the love he has to give another person.She’ll be worthy of a man as good as he is.
“I know she’s out there somewhere.It’s just a matter of findin’ her,” Kreed says, swallowing the last of his water and handing the empty bottle back to Rose.“I’m gonna go check on Mom.She was layin’ down in my room before the ceremony.”
