Ride with Me by Chelsea Camaron, Ryan Michele Page A

these women when they get their minds set on something.” He laughs. “Surprise.”
    Looking over at Tripp, I realize he’s not shocked by any of this. How long has he known?
    When I raise an eyebrow at him, he simply looks down as Axel shoves a card in my hand. Slowly, as if it may explode, I open the red envelope and pull out the stationary inside.
 
Drexel Devon Crews,
You are cordially invited to stand beside your ol’ lady, in front of family and friends today as we share in our vows and commit our lives to one another. The glitz of the Big Apple has its appeal, but I realized it’s not who “we” are. We’re about family. We’re about the right here, right now.
I know this may be a shock to you, but you’ve always told me, if I want something, all I gotta do is ask …
Rex, I want nothing more in this world than to be your wife. I hope, as the sun sets, you will take your son by the hand and wait for me under the arbor. With Tripp and Axel at your side, all of the Hellions here with us, and your mom in the front row chair, it is my wish that I can make my way down the aisle to you. By the time the sun completely hides in the sky, I want nothing more than to be Mrs. Drexel Crews.
I want it, Rex. Will you be there when I get there?
All my love,
Your Lux
 
    Tripp comes over and slaps me on the back. “Are we wearing suits, or are we wearing jeans and cuts?”
    I smile at him. “You fuckin’ knew?”
    “Apparently, you have a woman who’s very determined to make sure she’s a Crews, and she’s decided she didn’t need New York after all. I still don’t know why she wants your ugly mug, but Lux is good for our family, so we gonna do this, brother?”
    I nod my head as I look at my son. “Damn straight we’re gonna do this.”
    Shooter points to the duplexes around back. “Got a place set up for you to clean up.”
    “Damn, y’all thought of everything.”
    Shooter laughs as Axel pipes in, “No, Momma and all the girls did. We’ve had to listen to them giggle and mess over this stuff for days. Then they had a ‘spice party’ and ‘it was so much fun.’ They keep going on and on. I’m a little worried Lux is gonna burn your stomach up with all the spices she got.”
    I shake my head, unsure I even want to know.
    Following Shooter, I make my way inside the room to find Roundman, Frisco, Ruby, and my mom hanging out.
    My mom is the first to greet me with a huge hug. She rolls up on her tip toes and whispers in my ear, “I’ve never been happier for you than I am today. She loves you, Drexel. She loves your son. She loves my son and my grandson with all her heart. I couldn’t ask for more for either of you.” She pulls away, and I can see the tears in her eyes.
    Roundman greets me next with our usual half-hug, back slap man thing. Frisco and Ruby follow in the same manner.
    “So what’s it gonna be, brother?” Roundman asks. “We wearing suits or cuts?”
    I am taken aback by his response.
    “You’d wear a suit for me?”
    He meets my eyes. “Caroline didn’t have a father. After losing Claudia, Doll’s all I had. Caroline is the next closest thing to another daughter I’ll ever have. If she wants us in suits, I’ll wear my version of one.” He smirks. “Question is, you gonna give Fancy Nancy that side of you?”
    “You gonna walk her down the aisle to me?”
    “If she wants me to.”
    “Then looks like I’m wearing a suit, and you’re wearing your version of one so that we can give Lux the deluxe wedding day of her dreams.” I look at the man who has stood by Tripp and me since we were teens. “She’s giving up New York just to be mine. The least I can do is clean up for her.”
    “Rex, learn something, son.” Roundman looks me in the eyes again. “She’s not giving up anything. She’s getting everything she wants: family, your name, and she’s already got love. Hold tight; it’s gonna be a bumpy ride, but you hold on to her and her to you, and you’ll be just