So, so, so, SO sorry for the wait beautiful people 😳😱.
It's 11,600 words so I hope that's some kind of consolation prize 😍
Thank you very much to RachelBaker976 , @JessiLynnWilliams , @aahopkins13 and Jessie160802 for your comments on the last Chapter 😍💚💙💜🤗
Blayze
The sun was up, but it was early.
Being May, it was crisp, so I shrugged into a hooded zip up jumper.
We were trying to be quiet, giving the Girl's and the Babies the chance to keep sleeping.
"Get this into ya."
I twisted around to find Codie had slipped out of the House as well.
He shoved a can of something into my chest.
Can?
I could bet it wasn't going to be Coke.
I checked the label and grimaced.
Wild Turkey.
"Already?"
I asked, shooting my friend/housemate a questioning glance.
Codie shrugged.
"It's your Buck's day."
Yes.
I'd expected we'd be starting on the booze when we got to the Fletcher Creek Rodeo.
I'd not thought he would unleash them now.
"Ya only live once!"
Codie declared, grinning.
Breathing an inward sigh, I cracked the top open on my can.
His grin wide, Codie followed suit.
I lifted my can to my mouth and tipped it up to pour some of the drink into my mouth.
I've been known to enjoy a Wild Turkey and Coke on a Friday or Saturday night, but at 7:00 in the morning?
Even I had to wince as I swallowed the first mouthful.
"Jeez you two are game!"
Jax declared, making his way towards my decking with his usual easy swagger, hands stuffed into his hoody pockets.
"Keep your voice down."
I grumbled.
If we woke the household up now, I was positive both Bailey and Noah would be out for blood.
"This one's got your name on it Jax!"
Codie declared, brandishing yet another can.
Jax's eyes widened, like he'd thought he might get a free pass.
I shot him a smirk.
"It's my Buck's Day and you'll drink if I want you to."
Even though the drinking now was actually Codie's idea...
Jax's wince was one of resignation.
He pulled his hands out of his pocket's, ready to catch.
Grinning, Codie tossed my Cousin a can as he climbed up the stairs.
The door opened behind us.
"Ready for your first Buck's Show Heath?"
Jax asked, grinning.
"Ready."
My little Brother muttered.
I half turned around to find his tone matched what I'd thought I would see.
If the day didn't involve Work, then Heath would gladly sleep until noon.
My Brother ran one hand over his face, blinking his eyes.
"Get this into ya!"
Codie told him, thrusting a can into his chest.
I wasn't too sure that Heath would crack his can open yet.
My bet was that he would fall asleep as soon as we started driving.
But he was less drink seasoned than the rest of us, so I knew we'd have him catching up quickly.
"We ready to go?"
Jax asked, looking around at our small group.
"Waitin' on Lukas and Keegan."
I told him, gingerly taking another gulp of my Wild Turkey, because I could feel Codie's intense stare boring into me.
Codie had been working his angle all week.
I knew that his aim was to get Me the most shit faced that I'd ever been before by the end of the day.
But if I was going down, He was too.
He wouldn't be getting me to have a drink without having one himself as well.
The rumbling of a pair of Diesel engines, though the both of them as different as they were familiar, replaced our voices.
Keegan and Lukas we're pulling in.
I knew Keegan's car anywhere, just as I knew Lukas' V8 Land Cruiser the same way.
Lukas was going to be our driver seeing as apparently we had a few stops to make today.
Bailey
The Boy's left even earlier than I'd expected them to.
I didn't know exactly what their plans were for the day, but I'd heard that the first stop was a Rodeo in Fletcher Creek.
"Wonder how much trouble our Boy's are gonna get into today..."
Noah mused, joining me in the lounge room and offering me a gently steaming mug.
"I hope the answer is none."
I replied, taking my mug from her.
"And thank you."
"Welcome."
She answered, joining me on the lounge.
"So when are the other's due?"
She asked.
"I think around lunch time."
I told her.
"Oh! Now that Jax know's, I can fill you in!"
I twisted to face her.
Noah raised a questioning eyebrow, looking curious.
"Mum's pregnant!"
I shared.
Noah gasped, eyes widening.
"No way?!"
I nodded quickly.
"Way. Apparently. She found out officially on Tuesday."
"Wow."
Noah whispered, shaking her head.
"I know right!"
I agreed.
I'd found out several day's ago, yet the news was still blowing my mind.
Noah grinned.
But it seemed like a cheeky type of smile.
"What...?"
I asked wearily.
She snickered.
"Luka, Brodie and Dale's next Aunt or Uncle will be younger than them!"
I was aware.
I was just trying not to think about it.
I shook my head.
"I doubt we'll be raising them as Uncle or Aunt and Nephew's."
That was just too weird.
"Daddy?"
Luka asked me, running toward's the lounge.
My heart squeezed.
"Awwwe."
Noah whispered.
"Daddy's out today, Baby."
I informed the Toddler, running my non coffee holding left hand's finger's through Luka's disheveled raven hair.
Luka's big blue eyes filled with tear's and his bottom lip trembled.
"Daddy?"
He croaked.
I swallowed hard against my own impending tear's, trying hard to not show my Son just how much he was breaking my heart.
"I can't even deal!"
I pulled my gaze off Luka's face to see Noah with her non mug holding right hand splayed over her face.
"Toadie?"
Luka asked Noah, his little voice almost husky.
"Codie's with Daddy, Baby."
I informed him.
"Heaf?"
Luka asked, his adorable little face and voice full of hope.
Apparently I was going to have to get creative on way's to distract my eldest Son today.
It seemed to be one of those usually rarer day's where He was noticing the Guys' absence.
"What about... if we put Baby Shark on?"
I offered the Toddler.
"Shark?"
Luka asked, pushing back from the lounge.
"Baby Shark I can do!"
Noah declared, shifting forward to set her mug onto the coffee table and then grab her phone.
"Shark!"
Luka exclaimed.
He turned on his heel and ran towards the TV.
Blayze
"Alright."
Jax turned to face me, Lukas, Keegan, Codie, Joel and Heath nowhere to be seen.
"What's up?"
My Cousin asked.
I eyed him and raised my beer.
"Drinkin'?"
I suggested.
Jax rolled his eyes.
"No. What's up with you?"
Me?
"Nothin'."
I told him and took a swig of my latest drink.
Jax frowned at me.
"Don't try that shit with me. Tell me what's goin' on."
He insisted.
"Aren't we supposed to be gettin' legless?"
I asked, averting my gaze.
"Yeah."
Jax agreed.
"But I also want ya to tell me what's bothering ya."
Bothering me?
I clenched my jaw.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
The more I went over thing's in my head, the more ridiculously fucking stupid I felt.
Who cares if my Fiancé has some dude who's carrying a candle for her?
I'm pretty sure every fucking partnership in the world has that issue.
Either from the Man or the Woman.
But it was Bailey and that's what was getting to me.
Getting to me?
Who was I kidding?
I was trying not to lose my fucking mind!
"Did you have a fight with Bailey?"
Jax guessed.
I shook my head.
"No fight. Coz I can't seem to find the fucking ball's to even talk to her about it."
I grumbled, kicking my boot toe into the red dirt.
Jax frowned.
"Talk to her about what?"
I clenched my jaw.
I don't want to talk about it.
I want to stop thinking about t!
"Bottom's up!"
Saved by the bell.
Or rather, the rest of the Buck's Show returning.
Codie and Keegan practically bounced over to us.
Lukas, Joel and Heath trailed after them, Lukas and Joel holding a new round of drink's.
Well, Lukas was holding a tray of beer's.
Joel was holding a tray of shot's.
Oh fuck.
Bailey
My house was full again.
But this time we were Team Girl's, aside from Luka, Brodie, Dale and Knox; Izac and Jace and my Cousin's Talon and Taj.
And Grandpa helped to boost the Boys' numbers!
He'd been invited to the Buck's Do, but declined, saying he was unfortunately 'too old for that shit now'.
That left me a bit nervous about what exactly the Boy's would be getting up to today.
So far none of us had heard from any of the Boy's.
Well, that was a minor lie.
I'd heard from Heath because he was worried about Tatum.
Is she awake?
Did she wake up ok?
Has she had breakfast?
What about a nappy change?
I was glad they were apparently in Fletcher Creek set to enjoy a random Rodeo, because if he'd been on the Farm working, I'd have slapped him!
I was the person teaching him how to be a Parent!
"Let's get these kids outside!"
Mum urged.
"It's a gorgeous day out there!"
"Alright."
I nodded.
"But a couple of the Babies will have to be carried, because I'm not too sure about how many pram's we've got."
Mum frowned, cocking her head to the side.
"You've got the double, right?"
"I do."
I nodded.
"But I'm guessing Tatum's pram's probably at the Cottage."
"I could pop down there and grab it while you get Luka organised and what not."
Mum offered.
That would probably be a good idea.
But hang on...
I twisted around to find Hayley.
She was gently rocking Summer in her arm's and talking with Noah and Aunty Bridey.
"Hayl!"
I called.
She twisted around, raising a questioning brow.
"Did you by any chance bring Summer's pram?"
I asked.
"Uhhh... i didn't bring it."
She shook her head.
"But the last place I saw it go was Keegan's car."
"Keegan's Ute's out the front!"
I pointed towards the large windows.
Mum, Aunty. Bridey and Hayley laughed!
"Nice one Einstein!"
Noah mocked.
I rolled my eyes.
"I'll pop down to the Cottage to grab Tatum's pram."
Mum stated, heading for the front door.
Blayze
For the third time, I slipped my phone out of my pocket and stared at the screen.
There were notifications on it from Facebook, Snapchat and E-mails, even some texts.
Bailey's name wasn't the title to any of them.
It's not like you've called or texted her.
The fucking annoying voice in my head pointed out.
Part of me wished the voice belonged to somebody else so I would have an excuse to punch them.
I could hardly blame Bailey for not talking to me when I'd declined her offer to go to bed last night and then not even gone to our bed at all.
My neck was feeling the fact that I'd got what little sleep I managed in the fucking armchair of all places.
You've only got yourself to blame.
Not for the first time, I deliberated about unlocking my phone, bringing up her contact and calling her.
I should ask her how she's doing and check about our Boy's.
Just be a god damn man and tell her I love her.
"Get that out again without a valid reason and I'm gonna confiscate it!"
Codie warned, appearing at my side.
Checking in on my soon to be Wife and our Son's isn't a valid reason?
I bit my tongue and slipped my phone back into my pocket.
"The rest of us are meant to be recording your embarrassing descent!"
Keegan declared, grinning from ear to ear as he appeared out of nowhere at my right side and threw an arm around my shoulders.
"You two are goin' drink for drink with me."
I reminded him.
"So what makes you think either one of you will be standing to film anything?"
"Well, There's Heath!"
Keegan shrugged.
I snorted.
I was pretty sure that my Little Brother was keeping up for now.
But before the day/night was through, if he tried to keep up with our pace, he'd be asleep in the back of the Cruiser.
"Lukas knows to capture as much as humanly possible!"
Codie declared.
That could be a problem.
Lukas was drinking of course, but he'd had a couple within the first hour or so of us being at the Rodeo, then I was positive I'd seen him nursing his fair share of beer's.
But I knew that was because he was driving us all home again eventually.
We'd be damn lucky if the Cop's manning the Rodeo didn't kick us out before we actually got to party the way Codie and Keegan seemed to want me to.
"C'mon you three!"
Joel ordered, walking up to us with yet another tray of shot glasses in his hands, flanked by Lukas and Heath.
"Not again?"
I groaned.
"Yeiw!"
Codie bounced forward.
"What is it?"
Keegan asked, eyeing the cluster of potent amber coloured liquid.
Joel smirked, his eyes sparkling.
"Honey Turkey of course!"
Codie grabbed one of the tiny glasses off the tray.
With a wince, Heath grabbed one as well.
"You're gonna get us kicked out before we can even watch any of the remotely exciting events you realise?"
I asked, intentionally standing back.
Joel rolled his eyes.
"The Rodeo's not all we've got lined up for today! Now drink up!"
With a defeated sigh, Keegan stepped forward and grabbed the third to last remaining glass.
There was only two glasses left.
"You're not having one?"
I asked Lukas.
He shook his head.
"Not until we're at least a bit closer to Home."
I eyed the two remaining shot glasses, just waiting to be picked up.
I was already starting to feel a warmth in my toes and a slight buzz around the edges of my mind.
But a 'slight buzz' wasn't getting me out of my head.
Slightly buzzed also isn't good enough for your own Buck's Party!
I grabbed the second to last of the remaining shot glasses.
"Atta Boy!"
Joel praised.
He grabbed the last of the shot glasses, then tossed the tray he'd brought them out on onto a nearby table that I'd not even noticed we were standing near.
"One!"
Lukas shouted.
Keegan, Codie, Joel, Heath and I adjusted our grip's on our tiny glasses.
"Two!"
Lukas barked.
Out the corner of my eye I noticed more than one person stop to stare.
"Three!"
Lukas ordered.
Forgetting about the other Boy's and the Onlooker's, I tipped my head back, then tossed the burning liquid straight into my open mouth.
Bailey
"Boots?"
I asked Luka, holding up his Cowboy Boots as I walked back into the lounge room.
"Boos!"
The Toddler exclaimed, abandoning the Toy's he was showing to Hazel, Lily, Amara and Bindi.
I sank down onto my knees as my eldest Son ran towards me.
Thankfully Noah was finished getting Knox organised and was dressing Tatum while Mum and Aunty Bridey got Brodie and Dale changed for me.
"Sit down."
I urged Luka.
Grinning, his cheeky smile practically an exact replica of his Daddy's, my Toddler stopped maybe two feet in front of me and plopped down onto his nappy clad derrière.
"Socks on first."
I informed Luka, brandishing the white socks with the royal blue stripes.
"Soss!"
He copied, grinning.
"Left foot."
I told him, gently grabbing his left ankle to lift up his left leg.
"Lef oot!"
Luka declared.
I slipped the sock onto his foot, then grabbed his left boot to pop that on too.
"Boot!"
He exclaimed, his blue eyes sparkling.
"That's right."
I agreed, giving the heel of the shoe a gentle tap to make sure it was on his foot properly.
"Now the right one."
I stated, setting his left foot down, then grabbing his right ankle.
"Rye one!"
Luka copied.
While I loved hearing my Baby Boy try out new words, it was a pretty obvious warning to watch what I said when his ear's were around.
He was already in the habit of parroting a 'fuck' or 'shit' when he heard Blayze, Codie or Heath let the words slip.
I set his now boot clad right foot back onto the floor and offered my little Darling a big smile.
"All done!"
I told him.
"All done!"
Grinning, he twisted around, planted his hands onto the lounge room rug, stuck his nappy and jeans clad butt into the air, then was suddenly on his feet.
"Sun cream time!"
Mum called, holding a pump container of SPF 50 over her head.
Hazel and Amara hopped off the armchair they were sharing and hurried over to where Mum was standing near the dining table.
"Not us, right?"
Izac asked hopefully.
"Everybody."
Mum ordered.
"But it's practically Winter!"
Jace whined.
"You shut up and put your sun cream on, or there'll be no X-Box after Dinner!"
Mum snapped, her green eyes flashing.
"I already talked with Codie and he said if I say so that you can use it."
My Brother's, Boy Cousin's, Lily and Bindi hurried to crowd Mum to get their serving of Sun Cream.
Luka ran after the rest of the Kid's, keen to join in.
Blayze
"You did what?!"
Lukas shouted, his green eyes wide.
"He's gonna ride a Bull again!"
Codie stated, clapping me on the back.
Part of me wasn't sure that it was a brilliant idea.
I'd never ridden a Bull with anything more than a swig or two of Bourbon in my system.
I was currently way past that.
But that 'part' was sliding further and further to the back of my mind.
"No!"
Lukas shouted, his glare igniting.
"She'll be sweet!"
I told him, holding my hands up, palms forward.
Keegan practically bounced, rubbing his hands together like he was getting excited.
Lukas shook his head.
"I can't let this happen! I'm taking your name off that list!"
"He'll be sweet! He's done it more than enough times!"
Codie insisted.
"Blayze!"
Lukas barked, storming forwards.
I held my hands out, ready to stop him.
He didn't slam into me, swinging fists though.
"You cannot seriously think this is a good idea!"
Lukas growled, pointing a finger at his own head.
I blinked.
He was apparently trying to get some thought through to me.
"Are you even alert enough to do this?"
Lukas asked, his voice low.
I grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Yeah man! I'm good!"
Lukas shook his head.
"Blayze I really can't let ya do this."
I shrugged.
"It's my Buck's Show ain't it?"
"And if you get on a Bull and don't have your wits about ya then you'll end up a Vegetable or dead!"
Lukas snapped.
"Nah man."
I shook my head.
"I'll be fine."
"You know Bailey will absolutely kill you."
I grinned.
"She'll be sweet!"
Lukas' expression was suddenly lethal and I quickly ducked.
But my shift in weight meant that my legs turned into noodles and I found myself flat on my arse on the dirt floor.
Lukas stood over me, leaned down and grabbed onto the front of my jumper.
It shouldn't of surprised me that he was still able to drag me up off the floor.
He'd done it to me enough times in my first couple of years here, but it had been a long time since he'd had to.
I'd kind of thought I'd be a bit big for it by now.
My head spun when I was vertical again.
Lukas shoved me back a step and I stumbled for three steps.
"Oi!"
We all turned around to find two uniformed Officer's walking towards us.
Well shit.
"What the hell's goin' on?"
The younger of the two Cop's asked, frowning.
"Lukas Harley And Blayze Riley..."
The older Officer drawled, his expression completely unamused.
"Sergeant Perkins!"
I saluted him.
"Sarge."
Lukas grumbled.
"Why's it not a surprise that you two are here throwin' your weight around?"
Sergeant Perkins asked, looking between me and Lukas.
"I'm not ridin'."
I denied, holding up my hands.
"We're both retired."
"It's his Buck's Day."
Lukas explained, jerking a thumb in my direction.
Why did I suddenly feel twelve feet tall?
Sergeant Perkins' blue eyes widened.
"Who the heck agreed to Marry You?!"
Ouch.
"Oi! He's a good bloke!"
Keegan defended me, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
"Only the best Girl in this entire fucking world!"
I told the Officer who'd used to love trying to catch me and Lukas doing everything and anything when we used to be in Fletcher Creek.
Sergeant Perkins shook his head.
Suddenly the radio he had strung over his shoulder came to life, a voice saying something about a brawl.
The Sergeant grabbed the radio and turned his head to speak into it.
"On our way."
He answered.
"Behave yourselves!"
He warned Lukas and I, before he turned on his heel and stormed away, the Constable following after Him.
"I'm scratchin' your name!"
Lukas growled, turning around to glare at me.
I saluted him.
"Yes Dad!"
Bailey
I slipped away from everybody else and made my way down to the shed and yards where Blayze now had the Horses that were in for Training.
I was curious to see how Whiskey was settling in.
He'd been a right firecracker in the yard yesterday afternoon, if I remembered correctly.
River's excited neigh floated to me as soon as I rounded the corner of the large silver Shed.
I once again gave myself a mental reminder to ask Blayze why the Brumby was down here.
A few of the other Horses offered up greetings.
Whiskey looked significantly different in the broad daylight than how he had in the dusk of last night.
He was growing a bit of a fluffy coat, but he certainly was shiny.
And very blingy, with the white stripe on his face and the four white socks of varying lengths.
He stood in about the middle of his yard, head held high and ear's pricked.
I approached his yard with careful, measured steps.
He stood his ground, but watched me like he was waiting to see what might happen.
I stopped at the post and rail fence in front of Whiskey's yard and folded my arms atop the top rail.
"Hey Whiskey."
I greeted.
He flinched, his entire skin crawling.
I frowned.
Something wasn't adding up...
The Gelding blinked, then gave his head and neck a vigorous shake.
That niggling feeling in the back of my mind, that I was missing something was back.
There was something familiar about the Horse in front of me, I was sure of it.
Something made Whiskey break out of his trance of staring at me, jump sideways, snort, then spin in a 360 degree turn anti clockwise.
It struck me!
I'd have to get my laptop out when the Babies we're asleep.
But I was 99.9% positive that this Horse had been a Yearling in the Brumby Herd when Blayze and I had helped River when he was a Foal in trouble.
It would certainly explain the two Horses' hyperactive responses to each other when Whiskey arrived yesterday, regardless of them being an entire yard and another Horse between them.
"I'll see you all later."
I told the Horses and turned on my heel to head back to my Boy's, my Family and my Friends.
Blayze
While I didn't feel particularly sober after Lunch, it was probably a good thing I'd had food.
We'd all had food.
"You're lookin' a little less green now mate!"
I teased Heath, giving his shoulder a push.
"Fuck off!"
My Brother retorted, laughing!
"Are you ready?"
Lukas asked, a twinkle in his green eyes as he joined Heath and I.
I rubbed my hands together.
"Hit me!"
"Okay!"
Codie appeared from practically thin air and gave my arm a mock punch.
"Fuck off!"
I laughed, giving him a shove.
Stumbling backwards a couple of steps, he laughed!
"What're we doin' now?"
I asked, turning to face Lukas.
One of the few people who was in my corner the moment I stepped into Riverston, tapped a finger against his five o'clock shadow tinted chin.
"Well... aa far as I'm aware, there's something you haven't yet ticked off your list."
Lukas explained.
I blanked.
Something I haven't yet ticked off my list?
While I'd gotten up to a fair lot of no good mischief in my younger days, I was pretty certain there was still a fair bit I hadn't yet achieved.
"Water skiing!"
Lukas declared.
I blinked.
"You're joking?"
Lukas grinned!
"I have a good memory!"
Apparently he did.
It seemed like many, many year's ago that we'd had that conversation.
"C'mon."
Lukas turned on his heel to head out of the Fletcher Creek Hotel.
"You heard the man!"
Heath stated, grinning.
I narrowed my eyes at my little Brother.
"Have you done this before?"
"Yep!"
He agreed, now practically bouncing on his toes.
There's finally something Heath's done before me...
"Who else has done it?"
I asked, turning to the other guys.
"Yeah."
Joel agreed with a nod.
"Yep."
Jax agreed, popping the 'P'.
Codie smirked, his blue eyes twinkling.
"Of course I have! Knee board, stand up, tube, you name it!"
What the fuck?
I turned to Keegan.
He was the only one to shake his head.
So Keegan and I were the only ones who were virgin's to this activity.
Keegan gave my back a slap.
"Let's go."
I turned on my heel to head out of the pub.
"So if you were born and raised in Riverston, how have you done all that?"
I heard Heath ask.
"My Family spent two week's on the Darling River every year while I was growing up."
Codie's voice explained.
"What're you talkin' about 'while you grew up'?"
Joel's voice retorted.
"You go there every fucking year."
Yes.
The Bentley Clan went MIA for a couple of week's over the Easter break every year.
Only this year Codie and Noah didn't go, given everything that happened with their House.
And having Knox only a Baby.
Though, I was pretty sure that Knox being just a Baby wouldn't have been a problem if their House hadn't burned down.
"Load up!"
Lukas ordered us all, standing at the driver's side of the Land Cruiser with his door wide open.
Bailey
The Babies were all asleep.
Including Luka.
Aunty Bridey and Talon had left to go to one of Talon's friends' Birthday Party.
Izac, Jace, Taj, Hazel, Amara, Lily and Bindi were watching The Jungle Book.
I wasn't sure what Mum, Hayley and Noah were up to.
I'd planned on getting my laptop out, to go back through the photos I'd taken of the Brumby Herd over the years.
For a Farm Girl, I'd sure had a fascination with the Wild Horses for as long as I could remember.
The Man From Snowy River and The Silver Brumby had been among my favourites to watch when I was growing up.
But, I needed a private word with my Grandma.
"Here you go."
I smiled at one of my most favourite Women in this world as I handed her a cup of gently steaming Tea.
"It feels like a long time since I've seen you just You and I."
Grandma informed me, wrapping her hands around the white mug with pink hearts scattered all over it.
"It's been way too long."
I agreed, taking the seat on the porch beside the one Grandma was already sitting in.
"So what can I do for you?"
Grandma asked, a knowing look glittering in her beautiful eyes.
I raised a questioning brow.
"Can't your eldest Granddaughter just want a bit of one on one time with her favourite Grandma?"
"Of course she can."
Grandma nodded.
"But I've seen you nearly quite literally every day of your life my Darling and I know when you're needing something, be it some kind of help, an ear to listen, or some advice."
She was right about one thing.
Grandma probably knew me almost as well as Mum did.
"Okay you got me."
I looked down at my own cup of Coffee, feeling my cheeks warm up.
Grandma chuckled.
Just ask her, Bailey.
Sucking in a deep, courage building breath, I straightened up and squared my shoulders.
Grandma raised a questioning brow at me, her soft face looking curious.
"Uncle Lukas said he will do an Uncle, Niece Dance with me, because obviously I won't be having a Father, Daughter Dance."
I explained.
Grandma nodded.
"He's very honoured to be part of two such important aspects of your Wedding, Darling."
That wasn't where I needed this conversation to be going.
"You and I both know Blayze."
I explained.
"And so it kind of goes without saying that we both know he won't ask you..."
"Ask me what, Honey?"
Grandma asked, now looking almost concerned.
A huge part of me wanted to break my gaze away from Grandma's eyes.
But she deserved eye contact.
"Y-you don't h-have to say y-yes."
I squeaked.
"How about you just ask me, Darling."
Grandma suggested, a smile tugging at her lips.
"I'm not sure if you know it..."
Now I had to look away.
It was too hard to keep eye contact while I talked about Blayze's personal feelings.
"But you're one of the only Women that Blayze has ever truly been able to count on."
I murmured, struggling to make my voice work at a normal level.
"Well I know that it seems a bit weird to say, seeing as you're set to Marry him next week, but Isaiah and I have both thought of him as our third Child, from the moment Isaiah, Kylie and Lukas brought him Home."
I knew that my Family had accepted Blayze instantly.
I was also aware that apparently it had taken Blayze a while to work out that he was stuck with us.
"I'm sure you know by now... that Blayze told Loralai and Madison not to come to the Wedding."
I stated, turning back to watch Grandma's face.
A saddened shadow filled Grandma's expression, before she smiled weakly and nodded softly.
"I'm truly sad that it came to that."
She whispered.
"But he didn't ask L-Loralai to have a Mother And Son Dance anyway."
I explained, clutching my mug tighter.
"I must admit I didn't think he would."
Grandma mused.
"W-would you consider... having that dance... with him?"
Grandma's eyes widened to about twice their normal size.
Then her jaw dropped open.
My heart was positively thumping inside my chest.
Then Grandma's floored expression was replaced by an ear to ear grin.
"He asked me well over a month ago, Honey."
She told me, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
I blinked.
Blayze asked Grandma?
All on his own?
Wow...
Blayze
"So there was no way you were gonna let me on a Bull, but you're gonna let me loose on the water?"
I asked Lukas as we made our way towards the River.
"You'll be wearin' a Life Jacket."
Lukas told me.
"Everyone will."
A part of me wanted to protest.
What type of grown Men were made to wear a Life Jacket?
But the rest of me was relieved.
I knew first hand what the water could do, if you weren't up to the challenge.
Sure, these days I could Swim.
I knew the rest of the guys could too.
Most of them probably even better than I could, seeing as I only ever really did it when Bailey bribed me to enter the water.
But we all had possibly too many drinks in us already.
I'd seen enough Bondi Rescue and Police shows to know that Alcohol and Water weren't a very good mix.
"Here he is!"
Snapping out of the low thoughts, I turned around to find a new group making their way towards me.
Ashton, Benjie, Kade and Ethan.
I'd not been expecting to see those Guys until next weekend!
Or rather, I was pretty sure they were making their way into Riverston by Thursday.
"What the hell are you knuckleheads doin' here?!"
I asked, breaking away from my group to meet my Cousin's.
I felt someone following and looked over my shoulder to find that it was Heath.
"When Heath called and asked for the Boat, how could we say no?!"
Ashton exclaimed.
"You were in on this?"
I asked, half turning around to face my Brother.
"If I say yes, you'll punch me. If I say no, you'll punch me coz you'll say I'm lying."
Heath remarked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"So I'm going with 'no comment'."
"Awe! Heath's wisened up!"
Kade exclaimed, reaching out a hand to ruffle Heath's hair.
Heath scowled and pushed his hand away.
"Watch it Kade!"
I teased.
"He's taller than ya these days!"
"Well I'm older!"
The one minute younger of the Twin's boasted.
"And he's oldest!"
Heath retorted, jerking a thumb in my direction.
The idiots around me all started to jostle each other and I already felt a headache coming on.
"Please tell me I actually need a hearing aid and didn't get told you're getting Married?"
I turned around at the sound of the gravelly voice I hadn't heard in a long time.
Uncle Tony was a good four or five inches shorter than me these days.
The man was nearly fully grey now, in bath hair, beard and eyebrows.
And his beer gut suggested he'd never learnt how to say no to the drink.
"Next weekend."
I told him.
Uncle Tony shook his head.
"Well... I hope you know what you're doin'..."
"He doesn't have to know what he's doin'."
Heath stated, coming to stand beside me.
"Coz his Girl is not only smart and god damn beautiful, but she loves him. And he loves her."
I didn't need Heath to fight my battles.
But I'd give him this one, because every word he said was true.
Tony's gaze flicked over to Heath, before returning to me.
"I'm punchin' well above my weight."
I stated, folding my arms across my chest.
"But that's not exactly new is it, Uncle Tony."
He opened His mouth, but no words seemed ready to come out, so he closed it again.
"Surprise."
I broke the eye contact with Tony to find that the rest of the guys had wandered over, Lukas in the lead.
Jax was nowhere to be seen.
Lukas met my eye and I could immediately read the apprehension and apology in his green eyes.
"Where's Jax?"
I asked him.
The corner of his lips pulled up into a slight smile.
"Makin' a quick call to my Sister, apparently."
I nodded.
Jax would be lucky if Codie didn't tell him he was going to confiscate his phone.
But I could understand my Cousin's need for a check in.
It was only yesterday that he found out he's going to be a Dad.
I might have grown up with a shit house Father, but Jax, Aayla and Bindi grew up without one.
Aunt Sadie apparently didn't even know yet that she was pregnant with the Twin's before He took off, leaving her with a 3 year old Jaxon and shortly afterwards finding out she was pregnant again.
I hadn't even had a chance yet to ask Jax his thoughts about the Kylie being pregnant situation.
"We gonna get this show on the road or what?"
Codie asked, bouncing on the spot.
Heath, on the sly, had not only packed his own boardies but mine too.
It was slightly fucking cold to be down to a t-shirt and boardies by the Water in May.
But I had to admit that I was a bit excited about trying out Tubing, Knee Boarding and Stand Up Boarding for the first time.
"Blayze! Codie! Keegan! You're up!"
Lukas shouted.
"But first you've gotta come get life jackets!"
I caught one of the bright yellow contraptions that kind of looked like a puffy chest plate, when Ashton threw it at me.
"We only brought Adult sized ones along, so they all should fit."
The eldest of my Cousin's explained.
It took me a moment to realise what was the front and what was the back and then how to get my head and arms through the right spots.
Life Jacket's weren't something I was used to.
Finally I had it all in place and buckled up.
"Here. Let me adjust your straps."
Heath offered.
"Neither one of us needs Bailey killing us."
That much was true.
"You know how to work these things?"
I asked.
Heath rolled his eyes.
"Yes."
I spread my arms out like a birds wings in flight, to give Heath room to get to the adjustments for the straps.
"Why'd you only say Me, Keegan and Codie?"
I asked Lukas.
"Not everyone can fit on the boat at once."
He explained.
"Tony's gonna drive and you three are gonna have first go on the Tube. I'm gonna film!"
He winked.
Wonderful.
Knowing Lukas, the only parts he'll share is where we eat shit.
The Boat's engine came to life with a roar and Keegan, Codie, Lukas and I made our way down to the water's edge.
Tubing was fun.
My first turn was with Keegan and Codie and all three of us got thrown into the cold River water.
Ashton, Benjie and Kade went next.
Uncle Tony managed to throw Ashton and Kade, but Benjie somehow hung on.
My second round was with Jax and Joel.
Once again, all three of us were thrown.
Then Ethan and Heath had a go.
Both the little fucker's stayed on.
As much as I sling shit on Heath, I had to admit he had skill when it came to the Tube.
Then I had a turn with Lukas and Heath.
My little Brother didn't get so lucky that time.
Because I'd seen him stick it out on his first ride with Ethan, I'd grabbed onto his arm and pulled him with me when I felt myself going with no hope of recovering.
Knee Boarding was pretty cool too.
The stand up one was the hardest.
Thrilling, but the most fucking difficult.
I tried to use my weight to my advantage in keeping my balance.
But I wasn't used to fighting for stability in this type of way.
Normally I had a Horse or Bull beneath me when I was showing off.
My knee's felt like they were made out of jelly.
My arms felt like rubber bands that had been stretched way too far.
But even I knew that I was grinning from ear to ear.
I could feel it!
The spray from the back of the Boat created waves that made a whole new challenge.
Not only was I fighting to even stay on my feet, but the board thing I was standing on would get sucked to one side or the other and then shoot up the strong, mini wave!
The first time it happened, my heart was in my throat, adrenaline pumping fast through my veins.
The second time, I embraced it, bent my knees and went with it.
On the third time, I was determined to try a little fancy board action like I'd seen the seasoned clowns doing.
It looked hard when you were sitting in the boat, watching somebody else and laughing at them.
It was so much harder when you were the one being towed!
My arms weren't likely to be able to take much more.
Probably not my legs either.
But I don't willingly label myself a quitter.
The board rose on the tough little wave and I tried to spin the nose to the right, therefore kicking the rear out to the left.
It worked!
I vaguely heard cheers from the Boat.
The board landed back on the water with a thump.
Then it bounced forward and tilted to the left before I could try and correct it.
I went flying even further left, hit the water and bounced, then remembered to let go of the rope and got swallowed by the water.
I kicked my legs and worked my arms before my stupid head caught up with me and reminded me that the puffy yellow contraption around my torso wasn't letting me sink.
The Boat's engine was a purr now that it had slowed down and was cruising back to pick me up.
"Your ride was awesome!"
Codie shouted, leaning over the side of the boat to offer me a hand.
I grabbed the boat with my right hand and Codie's hand with my left, secretly glad he was helping me, because my arms sincerely protested the idea of hauling my own arse out of the water and up and over the side of the Boat.
I stumbled into the Boat, no doubt resembling a drowned rat.
"But your stack was epic!"
Codie exclaimed, laughing as he clapped me on the back.
"Fuck off!"
I wheezed, leaning over to place my hands on my knees.
How the fuck did a stand up water ski behind a boat leave me so breathless?
Was I getting unfit?
Other than giving up Rodeo, my life hadn't changed that much physically.
If anything, I should be fitter from all the running around we had to do after Luka now.
Bailey
Mum, Hayley, Noah and Grandma twisted my arm about trying on my dress.
We were a week out from the Wedding date and I was yet to even try the dress on.
Which was absolutely stupid.
I needed to try it on, in case adjustments needed to be made.
Or in case I actually looked hideous in it and had to try and find something else!
Standing in front of the full length mirror strung up on the back of Blayze and I's bedroom door, I stared at my almost naked reflection.
Since we'd really knuckled down on getting everything organised for the Wedding, I'd secretly intensified my work outs, in hopes to get myself back into a shape I was happy with my the time the Wedding was on.
Well, not entirely secretly.
Noah knew what I was doing, because she was either watching my Boy's for me, or listening out for them while I put in a session.
I had to admit...
I was looking a lot better than the Girl who'd stood in front of the same mirror even just three weeks ago.
There was a curve in my waist again.
A visible gap between my thighs.
Gentle slopes of muscle were apparent in both my arms and my thighs, though still not quite as defined as they'd used to be.
My stomach was even fairly flat again now.
After giving birth to Twin's just almost five months ago and having had Luka just fourteen months before that, I could hardly complain about the progress I'd managed to make in such a short time.
I'd made significant progress.
But I was still a little—okay a lot—apprehensive that I'd been a bit too optimistic with the goal measurements I'd given Isla when she'd set about making me a dress.
"You got that dress on yet?"
Mum's muffled voice came from the other side of the door.
Crap.
I was clearly taking longer than I'd thought!
"Almost."
I lied, hurrying over to the bed where I had the dress laid out.
It was now or my Wedding Day.
And now was probably a better idea, because it would be positively mortifying to find out I didn't fit into my dress on the day!
Leaving my same underwear and bra on, I carefully eased the white dress out of the zip up bag.
I made sure to keep my back to the mirror while I slipped the dress over my head, praying it was going to fit.
I moved extra carefully trying to get my arms in, low key panicking about managing to put a hole in the fragile lace on the back of the dress.
Lace...
I tried not to cringe.
Although I absolutely found the dress unique and beautiful, I'd never really thought of myself as a lace person.
Then again, I'd neglected to tell Isla that.
I'd practically given her free rein to do whatever the hell she'd wanted.
All I'd said was no huge and pouffy skirt.
Those things definitely made me cringe.
Finally the dress was on!
Now...
For the moment of truth.
Holding my breath, I slowly and carefully turned around to face the mirror.
The falling of the four expectant faces that were watching me, had my heart sinking.
Noah rose out of her seat at the table and stepped towards me.
"You don't like it, do you."
She whispered.
It wasn't a question.
I looked down at the fabric encasing me.
I went to touch the bodice, but reminded myself to avoid any marks on it and held my arms at my sides.
"I-it's not that. It's..."
My throat felt thick.
In my head, I'd wanted the perfect dress, ever since I was just a tiny Girl.
On the hanger this dress had looked like something Bailey Grace Harley could wear.
But on...
"Honey..."
I looked over to Mum, who was climbing out of her chair at the dining table, with tears shining in her green eyes.
I swallowed thickly.
"You look beautiful."
Mum whispered, taking a step away from the table.
I tried to smile.
When I'd looked in the mirror, I didn't think the dress looked hideous on me.
But there was something wrong.
I just wasn't 100% sure what it was.
"It feels weird!"
I croaked, a number of tear's pricking at my own eyes.
Noah frowned.
Mum's bottom lip wobbled.
"What do you mean?"
Hayley whispered, her grey eyes shining with concern.
I looked down at the material I was wearing, trying to find the right words.
"K-kind of... loose."
I explained, giving in to the urge to touch the fabric and pinching at the material over my sides.
"It kind of... does look big..."
Mum whispered, her gaze intently raking over me.
Great.
I was going to get to wear a top big dress to my Wedding!
"Let me try something."
Mum insisted.
She made her way around behind me and before I could ask what she was up to, she gently tugged on some of the fabric.
"Noah? Could you come hold this?"
She requested.
Noah made her way around behind me to join Mum.
I felt their hands swap over.
Then I felt Mum's hand's messing around behind my shoulders.
"That's way better!"
I snapped my gaze to the table to see Hayley had shot out of her chair.
Grandma's eyes were twinkling and her smile was huge!
"Hayley? Could you come hold here so I can see?"
Mum asked.
Hayley quickly made her way over to take Mum's place.
Mum moved around in front of me, then backed up a few steps to get a good look.
Her curious expression morphed into a massive grin!
"Give me one sec!"
She urged, holding up one finger.
She turned to the table and picked up what I realised was her phone.
Then she turned back to face us, holding her phone up.
I blinked, realising she wanted a photo.
She checked her phone, then snapped her gaze up to look past me.
"You can let go now Girls."
I felt the dress shift when my two Best Friends released their gentle holds.
Mum came over to stand next to me and handed me her phone.
"That's a lot better!"
I exclaimed, staring at the photo, my heart racing.
Then it plummeted.
There was no way I could get Isla to make adjustments before the Wedding.
"Bailey Grace?"
I pulled my gaze off Mum's phone, to look over at the table where Grandma was still sitting.
"Go take that dress off and put it back in the bag."
Grandma urged.
"I'll take it back to the House and get onto those adjustments."
How had I forgotten that Grandma was a brilliant sewer?
"We can fix it before the Wedding?"
I asked, my voice refusing to go above a whisper.
"Of course."
Grandma agreed; her eyes sparkling.
I could hug her!
But first, I had to get back out of the dress.
Blayze
"Well that was fucked!"
I exclaimed, laughing as we made our way back out to the parking area.
I twisted around to face the shed with the Paintball sign graffiti'd on the front of it.
It was years since I'd been paintballing.
"What are ya whinging about?!"
Keegan exclaimed, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
"You gave as good as ya got!"
My arms, back, gut and ribs all remembered where I'd been struck.
"If any of this bruises and is visible next Saturday, you're all dead!"
I warned.
Codie snickered, nudging my side.
"The only one who'll see any bruises is Bails on your Honeymoon!"
Wonderful.
At least I'd not received any paintball shots to the face.
My suit would cover my arms, legs, chest and back.
"Let's go!"
Lukas urged us, gesturing for us to follow him to the Land Cruiser.
"What're we doin' now?"
I asked, wincing at the soreness in my back and ribs just from walking.
"Gettin' some Dinner at the Pub."
Lukas explained.
"Sweet! I'm starvin'!"
A new spring in my step, regardless of the points of pain protesting, I made my way around the front of the Cruiser to ride Shotgun.
I was now starting to believe that the idea of a Buck's Show was to humiliate the Groom, considering in Tubing I'd been thrown off the Tube when I was actually doing pretty well at staying on.
And in Paintball every single one of my so called Family and Friends had made sure to shoot me.
Normally you get to be on Teams.
Apparently today's 'Teams' had been everybody against Blayze.
Dinner at the Pub seemed to normal.
I was starting to feel worried.
Ashton, Benjie, Kade, Ethan and Heath piled into Ashton's Pajero while Lukas, Jax, Codie, Keegan and I jumped into the Cruiser.
Buckling my seat belt, I looked out the windscreen to notice that the Sun was rapidly sinking.
I knew my Family and Friend's well enough to know that we wouldn't have Dinner then head home.
I was beginning to feel drunk again now that the adrenaline of the outdoor activities had worn off.
Because not one person would let me even slightly nurse a drink.
With Dinner we'd all had a couple of Beer's.
Once the meal was finished Jax ordered everybody a Jack's And Coke.
The only times today that we'd not been drinking regularly was while doing the water activities and Paintball.
It was safe to say that my buzz was coming back.
"Pool?"
Jax asked, raising a questioning brow.
"Sure."
I nodded.
Pool was definitely something I could do, drunk or sober.
I grabbed my half empty glass off the bar and turned to head for the Pool Tables.
"Uh uh!"
Jax shook a finger at me, his eyes sparkling.
"We'd better finish these first!"
Bloody hell...
I looked down to my cup, then lifted it, tipped my head back and swallowed the liquid.
"Atta boy!"
Codie shouted, appearing out of nowhere to thump me on the back.
Bailey
"And so Cinderella and Prince Charming lived happily ever after."
I read.
I lifted my gaze off the book to find Luka passed out on his back, his black eyelashes gently brushing against his tanned cheeks and his pink lips slightly parted.
I love every moment with my eldest Son, but there was something uniquely special about bedtime.
I closed the story of Cinderella, not bothering to be sneaky about it because Luka sleeps as soundly as Blayze does and I'd used to.
I set the book back into the bookshelf and eased myself out of the chair to lean over the railing of Luka's Cot and kiss his soft, warm forehead.
"Sleep right my precious Little Man."
I murmured.
"I'll see you in the morning for lots more fun."
He didn't respond and I didn't expect him to.
He was out like a light.
I walked out of Luka's bedroom and deliberated about what to do.
My phone was in my bedroom on charge and I wanted to check if anybody, namely Blayze, had messaged or called.
But I still had guests over.
Grandma and Grandpa went Home after Dinner, as did Aunty Bridey and my Cousin's so she wouldn't have to carry anybody to their bed's later on.
But Mum, Hayley and my Siblings were aril out in the Lounge Room.
It'll only take a moment.
I turned right and made my way down the hallway to my bedroom.
Blayze
While a lot of people in Riverston generally talked to me, even the buzzed me noticed that there wasn't particularly the average Saturday night crowd present in the Riverston Hotel Tonight.
I'd been in the Dining Room, Front Bar, Pool Room and Toilet's and so far hadn't seen one arsehole.
Although it was still kind of early for a Saturday night, I'd never in twelve years experienced a 100% arsehole free night at the Pub.
And there was not a Woman in sight that wasn't a member of Staff.
"The arseholes found a new Pub to go to Tonight, or somethin'?"
I asked Kyle, finding myself back at the Bar.
And holding onto the edge of the Bar to keep my balance.
Joel's little Brother glanced past me to where guys were hanging out in the Front Bar, then turned his focus back to me.
"It's your Buck's Do isn't it?"
He asked, raising a brow.
"Yes."
I nodded.
And the world nearly spun.
Or rather, the Pub.
"Anybody who is known to have beef with you isn't allowed in here Tonight."
Kyle explained.
"Or... Women who don't work here."
He shrugged.
Ha!
I smirked.
"Maybe I should get Married more often!"
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"You don't mean that."
No.
I was already shitting my pants about next week.
Not the part about marrying Bailey.
But I was terrified I'd get tongue tied during my turns to speak.
Or step on Bailey's toes when we had to dance.
"Here ya go."
Kyle placed a glass of what looked like Wild Turkey On The Rocks in front of me.
I reached for my wallet, but Kyle held up a halting hand.
"They're on us Tonight."
He told me.
An amused sparkle lit in his eyes.
"But I expect you to be chundering or sleeping by the time ya leave here Tonight!"
I grabbed my new drink off the bar.
"I don't chunder or fall asleep from my drink."
"Ya will Tonight!"
Joel's little Brother callee, making his way down the Bar to serve David Roberts.
Jax was wiping the floor with Troy, on the best of the Pool Tables.
Codie, ever the troublemaker, had started up an Arm Wrestling competition over on one of the tall round tables off to the side of the room.
I sipped on my Bourbon, the liquid no longer burning as it went down, because my taste buds were too used to it seeing as we'd been drinking since 7AM.
But with every bottle or glass that disappeared down my throat, the Pub was becoming a little bit more fuzzy.
"So..."
I pulled my eyes off the table to find that Ashton had joined me.
I raised a brow.
Ashton grinned and touched his glass against mine with a clink.
"My Big Cousin, getting Married!"
He exclaimed.
"Yep."
I agreed.
"Your life will never be the same again."
Ashton stated, shaking his head.
I frowned.
"My life has never been better than it has been in the last couple of years, Ashton."
He held up his hands, as if to hold off an attack.
"I'm not trynna piss you off."
He denied.
Good.
"So..."
The sparkle was back in Ashton's eyes.
I eyed him wearily.
I know that look.
It means he's up to no good.
"Are you gettin keen for the Stripper's?"
Stripper's?
Something inside of me clenched.
Hard.
"There'd better not be any Stripper's!"
I warned.
That was Bailey's one request.
She didn't care if we Gambled or got absolutely shit faced.
But she did not want Stripper's.
Lukas, Jax, Keegan, Codie, Joel and Heath knew that.
Ashton's blue eyes widened.
"It's your Buck's Night! Of course there's gonna be a Stripper... or three..."
"Bailey said no Stripper's! And I told her there wouldn't be!"
I shouted, my grip tightening on my once again almost empty glass.
"Everyone has Stripper's on their Buck's Night!"
Ashton insisted.
I looked around the room for the Guy's who'd been in charge of the Buck's Do.
Lukas was talking with some blokes.
He and I both knew that Bridey would leave him if he had anything to do with Stripper's.
Jax was about to bounce the white ball off a cushion to sink the black.
It was possible He would find it fun to organise it.
But given his recent issues with Kylie, I was pretty sure if he already had organised it, he would have cancelled it by now.
Joel, Keegan, Codie and Heath all knew Bailey's rule.
I turned back to Ashton.
"Who the fuck organised something so stupid?!"
I hissed.
My Cousin took a step backwards.
"Not... me..."
He denied.
I drained the remainder of my Bourbon and then tossed my empty glass with a few remaining cubes of ice in it onto a nearby table.
Ashton's eyes just about popped out of his head and he spun on his heel to run.
Guess my eyes were showing him the fire that I assumed they would be.
Now I have to call Bailey and tell her that apparently there will be Strippers!
And I haven't even spoken to her all day...
Bailey
There was nothing but a few Facebook and Snapchat notifications on my phone.
On the bright side, it was fully charged so I was able to take it out to the living area of the House with me.
"So... it would appear that there's been a change of plans..."
Noah informed me, turning away from the Kitchen bench.
"Change in what plans?"
I asked, glancing from Noah, to Mum and Hayley who stood on the other side of the tall bench.
I wasn't aware that we had any plans apart from keeping an eye on the Babies, watching TV and probably gossiping.
"It comes from Jax that Blayze and Heath's Cousins, Ashton, Benjie, Kade and Ethan hired a trio of Stripper's for Tonight."
Mum informed me, a wince taking over her features.
Stripper's?
The one thing I told Blayze I didn't want?
My heart seemed to have sunk to a whole new level.
Was he seriously that mad at me?
"Breathe, Honey."
Noah coaxed, walking up to me.
How could I breathe when Women were going to dance provocatively in front of my soon to be Husband and take off their clothes?!
"You three are okay with this?"
I gritted through my teeth, looking from Noah's face, to Hayley's and then to Mum's.
"I'm not happy about it."
Hayley answered, frowning.
"But it is a Buck's Party."
Noah added.
"Yeah sure! It's easy for you guys!"
I probably sounded like an irate Teenager.
But I kind of was an irate Teenager.
I'm not yet 20!
Mum frowned.
Hayley bit into her bottom lip.
Noah folded her arms under her chest.
"Everything was about me on the Hen's Party, which means that the Buck's Show will be all about Blayze!"
I fumed.
"Am I supposed to be okay with Women dancing on him and taking their clothes off?!"
Hayley shook her head.
"Of course not."
Mum smiled weakly.
"Codie's had the Stripper experience before."
Noah informed us.
I snapped my gaze to her face.
What?!
"And you were okay with that?!"
I squealed.
Since when would Noah Zannox tolerate Codie being anywhere near Stripper's?!
"Hell no!"
She vigorously shook her head.
And then she smirked.
"But he did say it was the biggest turn off that he's ever experienced!"
I blinked.
Hayley giggled.
Mum laughed!
Blayze
I'd taken my phone out to call Bailey.
But Codie caught me and took it off me
I could've fought him to get it back.
But we'd both be dead by the bare hands of Bailey and Noah if we had bruising on our faces before the Wedding.
With a feint buzzing in my ear's, I leaned against the Bar, waiting to get served again.
"On a scale of one to ten... how pissed are you?"
I turned my whole head left to find that Jax had joined me.
"I'm not drunk."
I denied.
That was a lie.
The last time I'd been drunk enough that I tried blinking against the slight blurriness at the edge of my vision and didn't entirely trust my own legs to hold me up?
I wasn't sure I could remember it.
It had definitely been a hell of a long time!
"I meant pissed as in angry."
My Cousin explained, leaning sideways against the Bar.
"Did you have anything to do with it?"
I gritted, my jaw tight.
Jax shook his head.
Then he winced and threw a hand down on the Bar for balance.
At least I wasn't the only one feeling the affects of the booze...
"You said Bails said no Stripper's and I respect that."
He told me.
"Can I use your phone?"
I asked, holding out my left hand.
I know Jax has Bailey's number.
"Sure."
He agreed, straightening up to slide his phone out of his jeans pocket.
The iPhone was about six inches from my grasp, when a tanned hand that was attached to a tattooed arm appeared out of nowhere and snatched the phone.
Both Jax and I snapped our heads around to find Codie pocketing Jax's phone.
"What happens on the Buck's Night stays on the Bucks Night!"
Codie declared.
I sighed, letting the Bar take my weight.
"I just wanna warn Bailey."
I muttered.
There were enough people from this Town in the Pub Tonight, that I didn't need Bailey finding out through somebody else.
Codie rolled his eyes dramatically.
"It's not like you're gonna sleep with one, or let one suck your Dick! So there's nothin' to worry about!"
He grinned and rubbed his hands together.
"Now let's have a drink!"
A small part of my brain suggested that maybe another drink wasn't such a great idea.
But the bigger part of my head supplied that maybe more alcohol would allow me to stop worrying about actions and consequences so much.
Codie stuck two fingers into the corner's of his mouth and whistled to gain a Bar Tender's attention.
"Ruby!"
He shouted.
The blonde who we'd gone to School with, who at the moment actually had pink hair, made her way over to serve us.
I was 100% right about the aim being to humiliate the Buck.
Only on TV had I seen the Main Man be forced into an only chair in the centre of the room when there was going to be Stripper's.
And I was probably going to fucking hell once and for all.
Because I had absolutely no excuses for not putting up more of a fight on the matter.
I wasn't tied to the chair.
But every single fucking bloke in the Pub was in a cheering uproar.
And I'd learnt that my Cousin's had hired not only one, but three god damn Stripper's.
The lights were dimmed and the music had changed.
And I'd not been able to call Bailey, because every time I'd asked somebody who had her number for their phone, Codie appeared out of thin air to snatch it away.
He should be rattling, with the number of phones he had in his pockets by now.
The eligible and maybe not so eligible Men of Riverston erupted into loud whistles, cat calls and cheers.
This was it.
I still had a chance to jump the hell out of my chair.
But, like any bloke, I was curious.
I've of course been to the odd Strip Club or Party where a Stripper or two had been hired.
But not since I've been with Bailey.
The crowd parted not exactly willingly and a Girl with dark hair, brunette or maybe black, strutted forward, a half face mask hiding her identity and a floor length black coat covering her body.
In one hand she held what looked like a long crop.
A red head strode in after the first Girl, a glittering silver mask covering her face and a dark grey coat so far concealing her body.
Then another dark haired Girl strutted into view, a dark blue half mask on her face and a matching blue coat covering her body, so long that it's ends trailed along the carpet covered ground.
All around and behind me, the Men hit a new uproar of whistles and excited cheers as the Girl's formed a line on the stage that was normally reserved for pub goers to dance.
An upbeat tune started to pound through the surround sound speaker's and the Girl's began to move, first with footsteps and hand and arm gestures.
By the time the first verse of the song came to a close and music ensued, the Girls exchanged a glance and shrugged out of their long coat's.
A renewed uproar sounded from the Men watching.
The Girl's were now all down to similar outfits that consisted of skimpy tops, tiny shorts and ridiculously high looking strappy shoes.
Now that we could actually see their bodies, they turned their movements to include seductive hip slides and body shimmies.
One of the dark haired Girl's went off to my left to occupy that side of the crowd.
The red head moved to my right to dazzle that side of the Men.
The remaining dark haired Girl stalked towards my chair, one leg crossing in front of the other as she strutted, hips swaying seductively with each step she made.
Her crop remained clutched in her right hand and she lifted it over her head, then held it behind her shoulders like it was a baseball bat.
I didn't know where to look.
It wasn't my business to look.
But her thighs...
Her curved waist...
Her chest...
She swung the crop around and gently poked the end of it into my chest.
I squeezed my eyes shut and let go of a breath I'd not realised I'd been holding.
What the fuck's wrong with you Blayze?
I chastised myself.
Even drunk you don't check out a Girl that's not Bailey, no matter how scantily she's dressed!
I opened my eyes to find the dark haired Girl with the crop starting a slow, hip swaying, seductive walk around my chair.
I swallowed hard.
By the time she got back around in front of me, I knew I was in trouble.
She turned her back to me, standing a mere few feet away from my chair and swayed her toned yet definitely grab-able arse to the seductive, pounding beat of the music.
I sucked in a breath, some little part in the back of my mind warning me that it wasn't going to be long before I was walking a fine line.
A lot of Stripper's didn't do anything more than a bit of teasing, seductive dancing.
But some would grind against you or on you, particularly if you were 'the man of the hour'.
That shit could easily get a guy in trouble.
The Girl in front of me turned around, her mask blocking a good deal of her face even up fairly close.
She strutted up to me and threw her crop aside.
I was entranced by her toned thighs and the delicate curve of her waist as she approached, her tiny hands tugging on the centre of her top.
The top thing broke away to reveal a full cupped black bra.
And I got stuck on the cleavage that was by now way too close.
My jeans were suddenly feeling too tight.
The left side of her mouth pulled up into a slight smirk and she stood to my right, placed her hands on my shoulders and then swung her left leg over my legs so that she straddled my thighs.
"Happy upcoming Nuptials, handsome."
She murmured, her lips dangerously close to my ear.
Fuck.
I set my hands onto her bare lower thighs and ran them up towards her shorts and her waist.
Her lips pressed gently against the side of my neck and I gripped her hips, breathing through my clenched teeth.
Her lips brushed against my jaw.
The music and the cheering Men around me were nothing but background noise.
Her eyes sparkled at me as she stared into mine.
Before I knew it, her nose brushed gently against mine and then her lips moulded to mine and she plunged her tongue into my mouth.
What are your thoughts lovely people? 😳🤔
Please Vote and Comment 😃💚💙💜