The Win: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 4)

It’s not every day your dad gets married to his soul mate. But today’s the day and Kate’s freaking out. Not in a “I can’t marry him way.” But in a “what if this is a disaster way” But it won’t be a disaster, it’s at the house. It’s a perfect small backyard wedding, and it looks amazing. We have spent the last two days decoration. Thanks to Roman, Jace and Hunter helping us all out as there was so much to do. And they all pulled through with Asher and dad.

“Do you have water, girls? It might get hot out there.” I nod. I hold up the water bottle she gave us and put it in the little bag that matches out dresses. Madison shows her too. We each have a matching beautiful red satin dress, and Kate has a cream dress with the most beautiful lace bodice. She looks like a princess. She doesn’t look older than my dad… she’s not much older, but she doesn’t look her age.

Kate just pauses with her hand out like she’s just about to say something else and she turns to her mother.

“Do you think the wedding cake is too much?”

“No, I think it’s the most amazing cake you have ever made, dear.”

“it’s too much, too big for how many guests we have. Do we have enough seats? Did we get too many?” Kate starts off again and I don’t know what to do or say.

I look at Madison and her eyes widen. Like we are having a secret conversation. I roll my eyes and shrug. I have no idea what’s going on with Kate. Is this what happens at a wedding, you stress over everything? Doesn’t seem like the most magical day of your life when you’re so anxious.

“Is that the song? The one we’re supposed to come out too?” Madison asks me shuffling forward to see everyone out there ready to go. Kate hears her and flies into a panic. Shit, she’s not ready yet. She needs to collect herself.

I have seen cool and calm Kate. I have seen loving and caring Kate and disappointed Kate… and now I can add crazy Kate to the list. Oh, my God. I don’t know what to do but now she’s bent over, hyperventilating, her hairs a mess and even Madison has no idea what to do. We’re just standing still and watching this weird scene unfold.

“Can one of you girls go tell them to start the song again? Your mother is having a moment.” My heart swells at the way she said your mother. It’s only Madison and me in here with Grandma—as she insisted, I call her — and Kate.

Well, if that doesn’t pull heart strings.

“I’ll go do it, Grandma.” It feels weird to say it at first, but she smiles at me. I’ve never had real grandparents. Not like this, anyway. And I love her already and I hope I can keep her forever.

“Good, girl, Mila.” She nods and the words bring other thoughts to mind.

Jace has ruined those words for me. But we still haven’t had sex. We do everything but sex. He is waiting. And I love his patience, but I don’t know what he’s waiting for. But man, when he gives in and takes me… that’s gonna be an epic night. I swear he’s teasing me back for all the times I did that to him.

I rush out of the house and wave over at Hunter. He’s controlling the music for the wedding. It’s a great turnout of family and friends. Asher is dad’s best man, and he looks so handsome in his tux. I bet his hot out there in the sun. The weather came and brought out the best day of the year and try to fry us all under the sun.

Hunter looks over at me and his mouth drops open. Oh shit, I forgot they haven’t seen me yet. I wave for him to stop the song and wait to do it again. Well, I hope he understood my hand gestures. He nods.

That’s when I see that everyone’s staring at me. Now I’m feeling nervous. I’m not one for attention. I put on a smile and back up to the house and slip into the door. Kate’s standing there, red roses in her hands and she looks all put together. Like she wasn’t in here having a nervous breakdown only moments before.

“Okay, we are ready, girls. Mila, your first. Once you step out there, tell that handsome fella of yours to start the music.” I grin. Grandma has taken a liking to Hunter. But who wouldn’t? He’s very easy on the eye and he can charm the pants off anyone. And he did that to grandma already.

I stand outside, and everyone turns to see me again. Only this time, I nod to Hunter, and he starts the song again. Elvis’s voice rolls around and everyone stands and looks at me. Well… okay, I didn’t expect so many eyes on me. I realize then I forgot my flowers. Shit. I hear Madison behind me.

“Mila,” I turn and see she’s holding my white roses and I quickly take them and whisper, “thank you.”

I walk slowly down the aisle. Everyone’s watching us and we get to the end, and I turn to see Kate walking down the aisle. I look at my dad, and he brings out a tissue and dabs his eyes. I haven’t seen my dad cry many times before, but at this moment. Watching him as his future wife and his soul mate walks down the aisle to him chokes me up.

I sniffle and try not to look. But then I see Asher and his eyes well and up and this is it. Why the hell don’t I have a tissue in my little bag? I don’t need water… my mascara is running, and I didn’t expect to have this kind of emotion.

Jace comes sneaking up and hands me a tissue. Looks at Madison, who’s crying too, and hands her one before returning to his seat beside Daniel and Ella. Jace came prepared. Who would have known?

When Kate makes her way to dad, I hear him whisper.

“You are the most beautiful woman in the world.” Thankfully, Kate came prepared and pulls out a tissue of her own. I’m already needing another tissue. That’s so sweet. My dad’s a romantic.

Everyone sits down and the ceremony starts.

I’m buzzed. I had a few too many champagnes and now I’m lying in the rumpus room on Roman and the room is spinning.

“Mila, babe, you need some water.” Hunter hands me a water and I swat it away. Roman growls and takes it from him.

“Drink.” Roman grunts. I giggle and tap him on the nose.

“Boop Mr. Bossy. You drink the water. I need to dance.” I try to wiggle my way off his lap, but he holds me tighter. I stop and pout up at him and whine. But Roman doesn’t fall for my tricks ever. His eyes penetrate mine and I sigh.

“Fine, I’ll drink. Then ‘Mr. Bossy pants I don’t dance,’ you’ll come dance.”

He shakes his head as he opens the bottle and puts it to my lips. I roll my eyes, but I take a sip of the cool water. Then I take the bottle from him and drink more. Okay… I needed the water. I dribble a little down my chin and onto my dress. I giggle, but then when I look down at my dress, I see the satin is a mess and I feel terrible that I ruined my dress.

But as the day grew into the night, I had fun. Dancing and drinking with Madison. Jace and Hunter danced with me. Roman watched me from the side. Asher danced with me awkwardly. Apparently, it’s okay to be dating three guys, but I’m not allowed to show the family I’m also with Asher. I agreed to that because I would rather Kate not get questions about it on her special day.

I know our relationship’s not conventional, and I hate how people judge us. But I don’t want that for dad and Kate on their wedding day. Plus, everyone just saw them get married, and Asher became my stepbrother officially. I grin.

“Oh, step-brother. Please help me. I wanna dance.” Asher’s hands go to his face, and he mutters something, and I giggle. He hates this and I find it so funny.

“It’s a little funny.” I call out to him. It’s the reason we kept each other at arm’s length, in case this day happened. And it just did.

“Yeah, Asher. Go dance with your new sister.” Jace teases and Asher shoves him. I roll my eyes. I don’t want another repeat of them hitting each other. It’s like a play fight that just goes too far. I honestly don’t get it. But they seem cool with each other most the time.

I wave my fingers over to Asher and I can see him playfully roll his eyes at me as he stands. He won’t deny me a dance. He takes my hand and slowly extracts me from Roman.

Asher wraps his arm around me and holds me close. My head rests against his chest and he sways me. We can be close here. It’s just the guys and Madison — who has fallen asleep curled in a ball on the armchair. I point to her and Jace nods at me. I watch as he gets a blanket from the back of the couch and drapes that over her and tucks it in.

He’s so sweet. I look at Hunter, who’s sitting beside Roman, and they’re talking and laughing. Both have a smile on their face, and I look up to Asher. He pushes some hair behind my ear and gives me a small smile.

“I love you.” He chuckles a little before kissing me.

“I love you too.” I sigh and hold him close.

So glad that I took a chance on love… and won the lottery.