CHAPTER ONE
ANN
TODAY ISthe day. My best friend is getting married to the man she has loved forever. I have just double-checked that everything is perfect and ready to go. The flowers had only just arrived an hour ago, and I was getting worried; I didn't want anything to ruin Mary's day; that's why even though I wasn't thrilled about the wedding being here at the clubhouse, I sucked it up and put a smile on my face for Mary and have been here for the last few days getting things ready.
The wedding was in an hour and a half, so I needed to get ready and help Mary finish. I was her maid of honor; Mary didn't have any other bride's maids. She was simple that way, just like Jay had only a best man, Lenny. I know they had those stupid road names, but I wasn't calling them by those. Her father, Bill, and his girlfriend have driven up from Florida a few days ago and are staying in town.
As I walked through what is called a common room but is really a bar. The room is full of members of the club, ladies and even some children here for the wedding. I walk through with my head held high even though I know most here don't like me. No one tries to engage me in conversation or even say, 'hey.' I know what they're thinking. They think I'm a bitch. That I'm not happy for Mary and Jay.
But they are wrong.
I am happy for her, and I want Mary to be happy. She's my best friend, and I love her. I come off as though I think I am better and that I don't like Jay. I wouldn't say I'm his biggest fan, but the truth is I'm jealous. Jay swooped in when Mary was sixteen and stole her from me; once she was with Jay, he had all her attention. They spent so much time together; Jay was always at her house with Mary's dad traveling for work. I got the leftover crumbs. And then he hurt her, causing her to leave and move to Florida, and then as soon as she was back, he scooped her up again, only this time it's a lifelong commitment. I still have my doubts, but I'm here for her no matter what.
How Mary can accept this lifestyle, I don't understand. The partying is bad enough, but the strippers and club girls that are here for the men to satisfy their sexual needs, who the hell wants a relationship where you deal with this kind of shit every day. I know she says Jay doesn't and hasn't taken advantage of these women, but Mary is also a very trusting and sweet person, and I'm worried her love for Jay is blinding her to the reality that is 'The Devil's House MC.' All the men I have ever known in my life were cheaters, unable to keep it in their pants, so I can't imagine being with someone who had this kind of temptation.
Once inside my room, I let my thoughts go to one thing: making sure Mary's day was perfect, so I jumped in the shower, making it quick, throwing on a long t-shirt. Then, grabbing my dress. Mary let me pick my color, and I went with a red that wasn't over-bright but complimented my dark features without being a beacon of color. I then grabbed my shoes to head to Mary's room. Her friend Lettie, a hairdresser, was doing our hair and makeup.
As I was coming out of the room, my dress slipped down in my arms, causing me to trip over it, falling forward, my t-shirt flying up over my ass as I fell on my face.
Dammit, this was embarrassing; hopefully, nobody saw.
I was getting ready to lift myself when I felt a hard crack against my ass. "Ouch," I yelped, scrambling to lift myself off the floor only to see a pair of boots walk past me.
Who the hell?
Getting to my knees, watching the retreating man, I fumed inside; it was him, Black. Strutting down the hallway without even a glance back after slapping my behind. "Asshole," I said to his retreating back, not even indicating if he heard me. I watched until he made the turn.
Sighing, I got myself off the floor. I didn't have time to dwell on what just happened, and I needed to be in Mary's room getting ready. So, I put it in the back of my mind and made my way down the hall.
Thankfully seeing nobody else along the way.
ANN WEDDING
"HOWdo I look?" Mary asked me nervously.
"You look absolutely beautiful." and she did. Her wedding dress, with its simple style and classic lines, was perfect for her figure, even the stupid biker vest somehow fit to make it perfect, and Lettie did a spectacular job on her hair; it was one of the most stunning up doo's I have ever seen, with the Tiara that her veil was attached to she would knock Jay on his ass when he saw her. And with the backdrop of a beautiful sunny fall day, the leaves are stunning in their array of colors.
"I don't know why I'm so nervous; it seems silly. I'm with Jay most of the time; it’s not like we aren’t together everyday. I just love him so much," Mary said, her voice soft.
"It's normal to be nervous, and marriage is a big step, a final commitment," I said, watching as her dad walked up to us.
"It's about time, sweetie. You look so beautiful, and your mother is looking down with a smile on her face. Are you ready?" Bill, her father, asked her as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
I looked on envious. Mary had a great dad who looked after her, worried for her, and never failed to show he loved her. So, very different from my dad.
"Yes, I'm more than ready; let's do this. I’ve waited too long for this," Mary answered him, taking his arm.
We made our way as a group to the door that would lead us straight out to the tent. The flower girl, the daughter of Joe and Moreno, would start, I would follow, and, of course, Mary with her father. The wedding was kept small, and only personal family and friends had been invited, keeping it under a hundred people, the club members being the majority of the guests. Mary even invited the club girls; she was too damn nice for her own good.
The music started, and as I made my way down the aisle, I could see Jay and Lenny up ahead with the minister, both looking uncomfortable in the dress clothes they were forced to wear; the vests were the only thing keeping them what they were, bikers. Both eyes went beyond me, and I knew Mary and her father had entered. Jay was focused solely on Mary, no one else existed, same for Lenny, but that was another story.
I took my place, watching Bill and Mary come down the aisle, Mary indeed was stunning, and Jay was watching her with so much love and pride, mirroring Mary's face and showing the same emotions. It was amazing to see. Jay wasted no time pulling her to him once she reached him. They stood in front of the minister, and the service began.
I took a minute to look around at the guests, and my eyes landed on a pair watching me; Black, the jerk, was staring right at me. He is probably laughing inside his head about seeing me face plant earlier today and the nerve of him smacking my rear end. I’m embarrassed by what happened, and of all people, he had to be the one to see. I hated that I found him so attractive, his deep voice alone got me hot, and as if seeing that thought, his mouth moved up, smirking at me, causing me to shake myself and focus on the ceremony.
The minister was to the point of the 'I do's’ which, without hesitation, they both said, the rings were exchanged, which I knew both rings had been specially made and were unique. Once they kissed, which was a little too hot with children present, they were now man and wife, Jay swinging Mary around in a bear hug, and just like that, the ceremony was over as they made their way down the aisle to cheers and congratulations.
The wedding reception would begin, but first pictures, so I made my way behind Mary and Jay with Lenny by my side, who was lost in thought and didn't even notice me. Then, sighing, I focused my thoughts on the reception and what needed to be done.