get you in life.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you’re really getting married tonight,” he said. “I already made a few calls. It’s being taken care of.”
“What is?”
“Everything.” Vince patted my shoulder. “Get in your car, nephew. I don’t think your bride-to-be is going to wait around forever.”
Vince got into the backseat.
Callie’s car drove off.
So did Vince’s.
Sometimes I forgot just how far my uncle could take things.
I didn’t want to know how he was going to make all of this legit… but yet I was at the center of it.
Callie and I.
Soon to be married.
The chapel was the most cliché looking building I’d ever seen.
A little, white chapel with stained glass windows, and a super tall steeple.
There were flashing lights, sweet music, and it had the smell of cheap perfume and the vibe of a funeral home.
I sat in the front row on a pew and waited.
The doors behind me opened and I heard the heavy laugher of Vince.
I stood and turned to see him walking with a short man who had the eyes of a mobster and the smile of a used car salesman.
“Is this the groom?” the man asked.
“Chucky, this is my nephew, Jackson,” Vince said. “He’s ready to marry the woman of his dreams.”
You mean the one that haunts my nightmares.
I shook hands with Chucky.
“Look, this is simple,” he said. “We say a few words, have a little kissy kissy, then we take a few pictures. Boom. Wedding done. You’re good to go. I won’t keep you long. I’ve seen the bride. I’m sure you want to get her home and out of that dress.”
Chucky began to punch the air, laughing.
I looked at Vince.
He just smirked.
“One million dollars?” I asked.
“One million,” Vince said.
“Let’s get this over with,” I said.
Chucky was officiating the wedding.
He stood on a box that was covered in green felt that blended into the rest of the floor in the room.
Music started to play through speakers that looked to be hidden by flowers.
The soft and sweet music gave way to whatever song was played when a bride came down the aisle.
I looked down toward the doors and they opened.
Two women threw flowers in the air and here came Callie.
Carrying a bouquet of flowers near her chest.
Her hair was down, some on her back, some on her shoulders.
Wearing a light pink dress that had enough cleavage showing that she shouldn’t have been in a church… even if it was a fake one. Her tits made me want to be a sinner.
And I shouldn’t have been thinking those thoughts.
Fucking whiskey.
She smirked at me as she walked.
Halfway down the aisle, she tripped.
She jumped forward and let out a cry.
Her pink dress pulled a little and I thought for sure myself, Chucky, and Vince were going to get a show.
I swear if her tits pop out, I’m going to collapse…
I turned my head for a second.
I stared at a painting of two doves flying into a sunset together.
My sunset was money.
I could survive this.
No problem at all.
The music faded out and Callie stepped up across from me.
She crouched for a second to put her flowers down.
The dress knew where to hug her.
It was almost unfair.
I was drunk and horny and she was the angel from hell I wanted to dance with.
“Are we ready to do this?” Chucky asked.
“So fucking ready,” Callie said.
She had a hell of a way of holding herself tall and strong. What kind of woman just gets married like this? Didn’t it mean anything to her? Wasn’t it sacred or some bullshit?
“Jackson?” Chucky asked.
“I’m ready,” I said.
I put my hand out.
Callie looked at my hand and then looked me in the eyes with the most disgusted look I’d ever seen on her face.
She put her hand into mine.
She still looked disgusted.
Me too, sweetie, me fucking too.
“And now… my favorite part,” Chucky said. “Jackson, you may now kiss your bride.”
I leaned forward and Callie put a hand up. “Can we rephrase that?”
“Excuse me?” Chucky asked.
“Can you say… Callie, you may tell your new husband to kiss you…”
Yeah, she was that bold.
“Oh, well, I’m sure-”
Chucky started to say.
I wasn’t having any of that.
I pulled Callie toward me and planted my lips to hers.
I kissed her for a second. No tongue or funny business. I had no desire for that.
When I stopped kissing her, she slapped me.
“Oh, my,” Chucky said.
“It’s how we show our love,” Callie said. “Right, Jackson?”
“Yeah,” I said.
Callie slapped my face again. “Two times means I really love him. And three times means-”
Callie swung and I caught her wrist.
“Not here,