Page 43 of Unmasking Secrets
Fuck, I’ve missed my best friend.
The door creeps open an inch, barely allowing any light from the room into the dim hallway. Her father stares at me for a moment, the shock clearly on his face. His eyes grow right along with a smile.
“Damn, son!” He opens the door the rest of the way, pulls me in for a hug and then into the room. He closes the door behind us. “Welcome home.”
“Mr. Grimaldi.” I pat him on the back as we stop hugging.
Marcus Grimaldi steps to the side and my eyes scan the room until I see her. Well, the top of her head anyway. Her bridesmaids surround her. They’re all too busy laughing and sipping something from purple plastic cups to notice I’ve entered the room.
I clear my throat, and they all slowly turn to face me. Two of them I recognize as her cousins. The rest must be more recent friends. I can feel their eyes on me. Normally, I’d find in flattering. This moment isn’t about me, though. It’s about her.
It takes Tabitha a second longer to look my way after her friends clear a path. Fuck, she looks gorgeous in her wedding dress. It hugs her curves and shows off a little cleavage. The same curves and boobs I’ve had more than my share of dreams about, not that I would admit it out loud. I’d deny it if anyone asked.
She takes a second glance my way before her eyes grow and her brows push together. Nothing stands in her way as she gasps and runs towards me.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! You’re here!” Tabitha jumps up and wraps her arms around my neck.
I catch her, wrapping my arms around her. I’ll always be there to catch her. Hell, if she hadn’t been wearing dress, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d wrapped her legs around me. The way she is currently clinging to me,fuck. Like neither one of us want to let go. It’s been too long.
“I couldn’t miss one of the most important days of your life.” I’d already missed her college graduation earlier in the year and hated that I had. I slowly put her down to her feet. “You look beautiful.”
Tabitha looks beautiful in anything, but seeing her like this does something to me. It makes my heart heavy. It feels right and wrong all at once.
“Look at you!” She smiles. “Looking sharp in that uniform.” She bites down on the edge of her bottom lip before releasing it and crinkling her nose.
“He’ll out stage the groom.” Her father chuckles.
“I wish I would’ve known you would be here. You could’ve been my man of honor.” Tabitha places her hands on her hips.
“What the fuck is a man of honor?” I raise a brow.
“It’s like the maid of honor, but if a guy holds the title.” One of the bridesmaids speaks up.
I laugh. “Yeah, absolutely not.” I shake my head.
There is no way in hell I could be a man of honor. There’s only one way I would’ve been standing up there with her on her wedding day. I shake the thought from my head. I’m here for her. Her happiness matters. Nobody is good enough for her, but if this is what she wants, I have to be here for her.
Tabitha playfully shoves me and then giggles. “I still can’t believe you’re really here.” Her eyes twinkle up at me.
“It’s about to start.” Her mother interrupts.
“It can’t start without me.” Tabitha sticks out her tongue.
“I guess I should go and find my seat.” I pull her in for another hug and whisper, “Are you happy?”
“Yes,” she replies softly.
I nod, then leave the room to go and get seated with the rest of the guests. The pews are full, and it’s easy to see the bride’s side. There’s a mix of fancy clothes and leather. The groom’s side is mostly filled with men in suits and the occasional woman in a dark dress. I can’t help but wonder if the groom knows what he’s getting into with someone like Tabitha.
“As I live and breathe.” James stands up as I approach the middle pews. “Come here, fucker!” He pulls me in for a hug. James had been one of our other close friends growing up. He is also a member of the motorcycle club.
Cheers surround me, welcoming me home and thanking me for my service. I haven’t done anything, not yet. It’s good to be back, though. My eyes linger on the patches surrounding me. I know they’re expecting me to patch in once I’m done with the military.
The ceremony is a little longer than any I’ve attended in the past, not that there have been many. Apparently, the groom’s side is super religious. My focus stays on Tabitha the entire time, so I can’t complain too much.
The reception is also too fancy for my liking, and in a ballroom to boot. The guys told me the groom’s family paid for everything and refused to let Tabitha’s father pay. Apparently, the fatherof the groom ripped up the check and told him they were going to be family, so it didn’t matter. I doubt Marcus, Tabitha’s dad, appreciated it.
“You have to meet someone.” I hear her voice coming up from behind me. I turn to see her pulling her groom along behind her.
