poison her mind. Her path has been decided upon. You, on the other hand, still have the chance to change yours.” They are her parting words before she walks away.
Unable to mask my anger toward her, I’m unaware Mark is now standing beside me. He places his hand on my shoulder, patting it.
“Don’t listen to her nonsense. Nothing’s decided, what stuff like that does is implant a vicious seed in your head. I’ve had years of hearing that garbage, I should know,” he rambles.
It’s too late. Her words are seeping into my conscience, slowly planting a seed. Am I capable of hurting Charlotte again? How? I know I can’t exist without her, so the thought of pushing her away inflicts pain upon myself.
This isn’t what I want to be thinking about on my wedding day. Shake it off, Lex, jealousy is an ugly trait, and that’s all this is.
I scan the area looking for Charlotte, needing her touch to reassure me that it’s just us for a lifetime. She’s standing beside BJ and Eric, laughing and carefree as BJ drapes his arm over her. He’s a sly bastard, and without even thinking, I move toward them.
“Mate, why haven’t you introduced me to your lovely Mrs. yet? I had to hunt her down myself, and I tell ya what, this one sure is a keeper.” He laughs, holding onto her tight, too tight for my liking.
“BJ, you’re only saying that because I gave you a run for your money,” Charlotte chastises.
“You’re a top bird, Charlie. Now tell me where I can find my good friend, Kate. She did a runner on me.”
“How about you keep your dick in your pants and away from Kate?”
I burst out laughing, pulling Charlotte’s arm toward me. BJ let’s go, and with a pout, continues to ramble on about Kate being a cold-blooded bitch until Charlotte puts him in his place. Another reason why I love her.
“Kate’s never mentioned you, BJ. Surely, if she had, I’d know your length and girth by now.” Eric smirks.
“Eric…” I warn.
Our conversation is interrupted as Adriana pulls me aside. “Are you ready?”
I nod, it’s speech time. I don’t have to write anything down on a piece of paper. I’m going to wing it, that’s how much confidence is behind the words I’m about to speak. As Adriana calls for attention from the crowd, my dad whispers something in her ear, forcing her to look at me, asking me to hold on.
My dad has prepared a speech, much to my discontent.
“I’m a man of few words, but I hope the words I say carry depth. This day was inevitable for anyone who knew Charlie and Lex nine years ago.” His gaze shifts to my mother as she smiles reassuringly, and he continues, “Charlie, you came into my life as a little girl and became my daughter’s best friend. Life threw some curveballs, but here you are, standing as the strongest woman I’m honored to know. You became my daughter twenty years ago, and only today have we celebrated this milestone.”
Charlotte holds onto my mother, clutching a tissue, the two of them wiping their faces. My dad pauses, his voice quivering slightly.
“Lex, I know we have our differences. I know we don’t see eye to eye on almost anything, but, son, you have done me proud. Every day I relish in the man you have become. You fought me tooth and nail to follow your dreams, not mine, and I stand here today thanking you for challenging me and for making me see that you are your own man. I love you, admire you, and thank you for making me a better person.”
Damn, he hit that fucking spot I’ve been avoiding, the weakest part of me which yearns to be accepted by my father. He walks toward me and hugs me tight. I don’t let go for what seems like minutes. Rocky’s voice rings in my head about smelling like pussy which makes me pull away faster than the speed of light.
Everyone claps, and now I feel slightly nervous, scared I will fuck up, and she won’t believe me. C’mon, Lex, that’s impossible.
“For those of you who wonder why I call Charlotte by her full name, it’s because many moons ago I told her I wasn’t like anyone else. I was a man who saw this beautiful woman and wasn’t going to stop until she was mine. Others tried, and they have failed, and even after all the mistakes I have made,