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Chapter Twenty-Seven

I looked around the glitter and glam of the hall and couldn’t believe they pulled it off without a single paparazzi getting wind of the nuptials until after the end of the ceremony. Chad and Carrie had come so far and I felt like the biggest dick for completely ignoring the ceremony because my eyes were on my girl, who was snuggled in close to me as we danced to Lifehouse’s You and Me.

Out of the corner of my eye, lost in thought of the lyrics I figured maybe I was seeing it wrong, but as I paused and focused I saw exactly what I thought. Hidden from the rest of the room and only visible to me from the angle I had through lit trees and candles and shit, was Noah Beckett on his knee with Candey’s hand in his. Her look of shock and complete happiness told me exactly what I was seeing. Fucking dick kept stealing my thunder. First with the toast then interrupting my dance with Sass so I could totally spy on them. Fucker proposed. I knew it with everything in me. I watched as Candey’s eyes glossed with shiny tears and a simple nod of ‘yes’ brought the biggest smile I have ever seen on Noah. For once that brooding bastard was happy. Truly fucking happy.

He jumped up from his perch before her and cupped his hand behind her neck and brought her mouth to his. His free hand still clasping her left hand as he kissed her. I would be a pussy if I admitted I had tears in my eyes from the scene… or a liar for saying I didn’t. I accept the chick card on this though. I have known the guy for years and the undertone of complete wreckage he wore like a skin was gone in that precious second with Candey. If it was possible I loved her more than I ever thought I would because of the look she just put on my boys face.

Today had wrecked Noah. He gave Carrie away to his best friend who was famous literally for causing mass orgasms with just a smile the prick. For any father to pass his daughter on to the man who she chooses is a feat, I can only imagine. Noah though, his situation was deeper and harder because of all he and Carrie dealt with. Seeing the sadness and worry earlier as well as a very rare show of emotion in front of hundreds as he toasted the couple… this was awesome.

“What are you so intrigued by?” Sass asked me and pulled me from the private moment I witnessed and swore I would take to the grave. Knowing that they simply looked like a couple in love I nodded toward them and spun Cass in my arms.

“The smile she puts on Noah is priceless.” I say and mean those words even if I sound like a girl.

The tears in Sass’s eyes told me without words that she saw it too. I felt like Mikey for a minute and wanted to tell her what I saw, but seeing how Candey would nut me for spilling the beans…well I liked my nuts where they were.

“I feel that happy.” She says and kisses my neck canceling out every person in the hall with the simple kiss. I was ready to leave and show her how much I loved her.

“I thank heaven and hell both that your in my arms now babe.” I say and taste the bitter edge for the hell she was in waiting on me, even though I know we wouldn’t be here without it. When your life hangs in the balance it’s easier to forgive….or so she tells me. I would have taken that pain for her every minute of every day even if it meant she was never mine again. It would be my sacrifice and my cross to bare if only I could. Like usual she takes my dark thoughts away with a simple desperate request. “Take me home Shame.”

Hell fuckin yeah.

Shamus

Hours have passed and I am spent and splayed across Shames chest sleeping sound when the phone starts ringing‘Gun Powder and Lead’ by Miranda Lambert and I know it’s Carrie and I am on alarm because it’s her wedding night and two in the morning. There is no reason to be calling me other than bad news.

“Hello?” I say and try whispering even though the ring woke Shame and he was now flipping on a light as I sit up and rub my eyes. My heart sinks when I hear Chad’s voice on the line and the sadness in his voice is impossible to not hear.

“Hey pretty girl. Shame there?” He asks and I can hear the tears falling I swear to God. I don’t ask why he is calling my phone and not Shames. I ask nothing as I hand the phone over. I rise from the bed and start searching for a T shirt when I hear Shame say hello.

“What the fuck you calling Cassa’s phone this early in the morning on your wedding night?” He asks and looks at me with a smirk that fades to anguish in a split second before he jack-knifes off the bed with a loud “What?”

I am in a full body cringe and completely lost and worried for every person I know right now. Shame has tears in his eyes and starts asking Chad questions in rapid speed as we both frantically search for clothes.

“What hospital are they at?”

I now feel the tears break free when I hear him ask and I wonder with complete horror who‘they’ are.

“We are on our way.” He says and tosses my phone on the bed and grabs my hand. He threw on a pair of tattered camo shorts brown flip flops and an oldSlave to the Needlehoodie. I grab some flip flops out of the closet and yank the first hoodie I see off the hanger as he tugs me toward the front door.

I try stopping but he is in panic mode and doesn’t hear my protests. “Shamus god dammit stop!”

He turns and I see his red rimmed eyes and yank my hand from his and step back.“What happened and to who?” I ask and I am not moving until he tells me. He is visibly upset and I wont let him drive in such a state.

He looks at me but its like the words have frozen in his mouth but his mind is forcing the thoughts anyway because I watch as tears spill over.“Shamus please baby your scaring me.” I cry and curl myself against him hoping to comfort him in an obvious loss that has put him in shock. “Please baby talk to me.”

When he finds his voice and the words spill out I am not prepared.“Noah and Candey were in a wreck leaving the reception tonight. Candey …” He pauses and I know. I fucking know. “Candey didn’t make it baby.”

I feel my heart stop at the words, the filthy words that tell me my old roomy, my crazy cornball wild fire friend is gone. Gone. And I cant breathe until my brain flickers the image of her and Noah at the reception.“Noah?” I gasp his name like a question.

“In surgery baby. We gotta go.” He grabs keys off the counter and keeps me tucked into his chest as we make our way to the car.

Maybe in another life

I could find you there

Pulled away before your time