Whiskey's Second Chance

40: I Do

Kayla POV

The wedding day started rocky, with Ginger waking Tiger up way earlier than she felt necessary. One thing Tiger values more than anything, including food, is her sleep. Everyone knows you do not wake her up unless it's an emergency, and apparently her wedding was not an emergency.

Originally, the plan was for all bridesmaids to meet with Tiger at 11 a.m. for brunch and mimosas before getting ready. However, Ginger had other ideas, banging on Lily's and I's door at 10 a.m., demanding we get up. Thankfully, both Lily and I were already awake and drinking coffee, but none of the other girls were.

Around 10:30, Lily and I gave up trying to convince Ginger to let Tiger sleep, and she barged her way into her room. If Tiger's looks could kill, Ginger would be a dead woman walking, but she didn't care. Lily shoved coffee down Tiger's throat, trying to wake her up, while Rachel, Raine and I worked on figuring out food.

The doorbell rang, and two men with arms full of food stood at the door. Apparently, the guys took care of everything and found a local bakery and breakfast place that delivered food, and I was in heaven. As we ate, we popped the champagne and toasted to Tiger and Ace's wedding.

"And to lots of babies!" Ginger shouted, while Tiger hid in embarrassment.

An hour later Tiger was awake and the photographer, and hair and makeup artist arrived and worked their magic for tonight. After a few hours, it was time for everyone to get dressed and I left the girls to get ready as a group. They invited me to stay, but I wanted to experience this wedding as a guest, and I headed to my room to get ready.

The wedding was at sunset, and I wanted to be ready before everyone else was out there to make sure everything was in place. At 4:30, I headed down to the beach and saw Killer was already down there, probably for the same reason I was.

"Hey!" I called out to him.

"Hey! Looks like everything got done after all," he hummed, and looking around, he was right. The chairs, arch, flowers, and lanterns were all set up, and now we just needed the happy couple.

For an hour, we mingled with the people who flew out to support the couple, including several people from other chapters of The Phoenix Riders, which I didn't know existed. I found a group of people I recognized, including Bear, Hawk, and Ice, and sat with during the ceremony.

The wedding was small, mostly filled with close family friends, and as the sunset, the music started signaling us it was time. Killer and Ace walked down the aisle first, and both looked nervous. They both loved Tiger more than anything and wanted to do right by her.

Next, groomsmen and bridesmaids walked arm in arm down the aisle. Rachel and Raine walked down together. Next came Whiskey and Lily, Haley and Shotgun, and lastly Blade and Ginger. Not seeing Tiny and Gears worried me. They mean the world to Tiger and they aren't here.

We stood, and the music changed as Tiger, escorted by Tiny and Gears, walked down the aisle. Tiger was worried about the dress, but it was perfectly her. Her dress perfectly matched the wedding and her style. The white dress was silk, with a beautiful lace backing and plunging neckline and a slit to finish.

Tears formed in her eyes, never straying from Ace, and my own tears formed. This is their moment, and it is perfect. Tiny and Gears kissed her hands, handing her over, before standing with the others.

I glanced at the groomsmen, and brown eyes stared at me, smiling. His slick black pants and white button-up shirt, with rolled sleeves, made it hard to look away. Traveling my eyes back up his body, he smirked. Blush crept over my cheeks, and I glanced away.

Killer asked Ace and Tiger to share their vows and before Tiger could get a word out, she was crying. Ace wiped away her tears as she regained her composure and read what she wrote for Ace. Her words resonated with everyone and not a single eye was dry, including Ace's.

Ace's words, however, stuck with me. He talked about being a husband Tiger would be proud of, and promised to take care of her the rest of her life, but when he thanked Killer, I lost it. Ace thanked him for teaching him how to be a brother and preparing him for the next part of his life, marriage.

When Killer asked for them to say "I Do" they both jumped ahead, and Killer barely got the words "you may kiss the bride" out before they sealed the deal with a kiss. Everyone was on their feet as Ace picked up his wife and carried her down the aisle and down the beach for a private moment before taking pictures.

I followed the crowd towards the exit, but a hand found mine, pulling me away from the crowd. As Whiskey and I walked, I noticed him staring at me, or rather my dress. It was a simple emerald dress with a slit. I curled my hair and pinned it up, and kept my makeup simple, yet bold, not wanting to overdo it. It wasn't anything special, but Whiskey's eyes made me believe otherwise.

We stopped abruptly and Whiskey couldn't keep his hands off of me. His intensity had me moaning and wishing we didn't have a reception to go to. His taste lingered as he told me to save him a seat as he left to take photos.

The reception was outside, atop a hill, with a beautiful pergola above and Edison lights. Long family style tables with lanterns and the same greenery from the ceremony surrounded the dance floor. Seeing how everything was family style brought me to tears, wishing mine were here, too.

I grabbed a drink and an appetizer before Hawk and Bear found me and introduced me to Phoenix Riders from other chapters. I never realized how much Killer did outside of our club, and I had a new appreciation for him. Despite the friendly conversations, I kept glancing at the door, waiting for Whiskey to walk in.

Excusing myself, I went to find another appetizer, but servers and food were absent. Whiskey worked hard all week in the kitchen and I didn't want it to be for nothing, so I found the kitchen and saw the madness inside. I quickly grabbed an apron and asked Billy how I could help. He hugged me with tears in his eyes.

Ten minutes later, food was leaving the kitchen, and the salad was being plated. Peaking my head out into the reception area, servers and the DJ asked guests to take their seats, and that was my cue to head back out.

"Billy!" I called out.

"Yeah!" he yelled.

"First two courses are ready, and I pulled the meat out of the fridge. Everyone is sitting now and service will probably start in the next twenty minutes. I have to go, but if you need anything, just yell or something," I suggested. He gave me a weak smile, and I headed out in time to watch Whiskey and Lily enter with a ridiculous dance. The others followed suit until Ace and Tiger entered, taking their seats at the head family table.

Sitting down, Whiskey gave me a questioning look, but I kissed his cheek and turned my attention to Hawk. Dinner started and everything was running smoothly, conversation and alcohol flowed, until a desperate sounding yell came from the direction of the kitchen. I cringed and quickly excused myself to find Billy.

"You know when I said yell, I didn't think you'd actually yell," I commented. Billy stood in the middle of the kitchen, pulling out his hair, trying to not scream again. I noticed meat on the flattop and began putting more on while the first few cooked, giving Billy some space.

The kitchen door flung open, and Whiskey stood in the doorway. Shit.