BWWM Romance: Crossing The Line: Interracial Romance / Wealthy Love Interest (19 page)

Virgil snatched the phone from Janet's hand and turned off the recording. "I'm really sorry about this, folks," he said, apologizing to the crowd who were happy to see real rockers on stage and saw the fight as just a bit of entertainment. They were transported back to a time where music was a medium to defy authority, when rambunctious youth ruled the world. "Shawna, this isn't real," he said.

The tears rose quickly in Shawna's eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself, more embarrassed than anything. Not just by the news, but because she had betrayed herself with her own behavior. Shawna had never been in a fight in her life. She left that to Mikki, who was quick-tempered and ready to rumble at a moment's notice. And to have done all of that over a man! Her parents would be ashamed of her.

"It's not real," Virgil said again. Mikki pushed the security guards to hurry up and eject Janet. They seized her by either arm and Virgil handed another guy Janet's phone. "You see," he said as they took her away kicking and screaming, "Janet is an incredible sound engineer. She also had access to every interview we had ever done. Some of that sounded like she was also recording some of our conversations in the booth . . ."

Erika walked and wrapped her arms around Shawna's waist, putting her head on Shawna's shoulder. Shawna opened her arms and welcomed Erika's loving warmth. Mikki stood on her other side with her arms crossed and a leg stuck out. The fire in her eyes told a violent tale – if Virgil didn't clear this situation up quickly, he would be on the floor next. Rob rested his hand on the small of her back, coaxing her to listen steadily.

"It's all spliced together – very well, mind you. I, uh . . . I'm as impressed as I am disgusted. I don't know if she's pregnant. I don't plan on screwing any of you guys over," he said, waving at the crowd. "God, I'm so sorry," he repeated. Reaching into the breast pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a small box. "I was going to wait until all of this was over, but . . ." Virgil got down on one knee and presented the box. His vampiric eyes danced under the contacts. Shawna covered her mouth with her hands and Erika let her go. The already quiet crowd grew deathly silent. A pin drop could've been heard throughout the venue. Shawna stepped forward.

"Shawna . . . you are my entire world. I don't know how to exist without you. Will you marry me?"

Shawna's heart pounded in her ears and her head spun. The stage lights felt hot on her exposed skin. Virgil's eyes didn't move from her face. The world around them disappeared as if they were the only people on the planet. She tried to pull logic from beneath her emotions, but it wouldn't budge. She couldn't remember all of the faults that she had come up with. All she could see was Virgil on his knees. She hadn't even looked down at the ring, because the ring didn't matter.

"I never want to be with anyone else ever again," he whispered.

"Do it, honey!" Someone cried from the audience.

Shawna nodded and Virgil jumped to his feet. Pulling her into a loving embrace, he kissed her and the crowd cheered. Others weren't so quick to be distracted and started trying to get Mikki's attention.

"So, I guess you're stuck with me now, eh?" Rob asked her.

"It could be worse."

V
irgil didn't believe
in miracles in quite the same way that Shawna did. She believed everything from the birth of a baby to an early spring as an act of God, but when Virgil's mother, Miranda, came out of rehab a humbler, quieter, overall different woman, he would've praised the first deity that lined up to take credit.

He opened his door a month after the benefit concert and found her there. Miranda's hair was shaped in a nice, new cut. She wore a delicate looking sundress. Her skin glowed with sun. She removed her large sunglasses and he was transported back to a time when she had taken him and his siblings to the beach. It was one of the best days of his life. No yelling, no violence, no alcohol. He fell asleep with his head in his mother's lap listening to his father play an acoustic guitar.

"Hi . . . Mom," he said warily. He looked her over once more. Her posture was firm, not the shaky, wobbly posture of a drunk. The way her hands were folded in front of her, with her large purse dangling from her slight shoulders, made her look young and innocent. Virgil stepped aside and let her into the living room.

Shawna was out for the day, running around with Mikki to bridal shops and catering samples. They wanted a summer wedding, which meant that they had to get their bid in now. Miranda walked softly through the apartment, touching the small artifacts that made it uniquely Virgil's. Laughing, she picked up an old photograph of Virgil and his father drenched after a water fight. There had been good times. Often, after a fight, they both forget this fact. Virgil offered her a cola or water. She happily accepted the water.

"Did your father call you?" she asked.

"No."

"Did Mikki tell you?"

"Uh, no. That woman is a steel trap."

"I know. That's why I love her. She is an absolute goddess. Well . . ." Miranda took another look around before taking the seat Virgil offered.

She had done 90 days. The communications between herself and her son were so broken that he hadn't a clue about what she had been up to. She explained to him the marvelous, cleansing process she had gone through in rehab.

"I envy you, you know," she said. "You were strong enough to kick that shit on your own. It's hard to ask for help, but Mikki, that darling angel, made me go. She's a ball-buster, isn't she?"

"I'm growing to like her," Virgil admitted. After the chaos of the last several months, he wouldn't have minded a stint in rehab just to get his nerves in check. He had drank a little more than his usual limit and he had started eying some of the hard stuff, especially when Shawna wasn't home. If he knew nothing else about Mikki, he knew that she could keep a secret and that she loved Shawna enough to make sure she got the best. Virgil rubbed the stubble on his chin. He was definitely not at his best.

"How is Shawna?" Miranda asked, wheeling the conversation around.

"We're getting married," Virgil said for the first time. There hadn't been anyone new to tell, and he hadn't thought about telling his parents. Miranda's eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open.

"Oh, my goodness, Alex! I'm so happy for you." She popped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around Virgil. "Oh my god, we will pay for everything. Tell her that she can have whatever she wants. I can't believe it!"

Virgil felt himself collapse in sections. His heart hammered away at his ribs and he tucked his face into his mother's shoulder. Where had this woman been his entire life? Miranda pulled away. She wiped stray tears from her eyes and sighed.

"It only gets better from here, right?"

"Absolutely."

The door opened and the turned to greet Shawna, Mikki, and the bracelets of shopping bags hanging off their wrists. Mikki greeted Miranda with a kiss on the cheek and yanked Shawna forward to say hello.

"Welcome to the family, darling." Miranda snatched Shawna into a tight hug and the confusion that crossed Shawna's face made both Mikki and Virgil laugh behind their hands. "You're going to be the most beautiful bride the world has ever seen."

I
n Mikki’s opinion
, Shawna had been too quick to say, "I do." There was no hesitation or second thoughts, no longing glance at the friends of her childhood. The attendees had laughed when Pastor Mills asked if anyone objected to their union. Mikki bit down on her own tongue to keep from jumping up and declaring her love for her friend right then and there. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, as the saying goes, and all Mikki had was their longstanding friendship to fall back on. With Virgil being on tour and Shawna still trying to finish her degree, there would be plenty of time for them to spend together. Where it could possibly lead she didn’t want to imagine. She didn’t want to break up Shawna’s marriage…not really….She just wished….

Rob draped his arm around Mikki's shoulder and pulled her into his side. She allowed herself to be swallowed by his consistent warmth. "Wanna get married, babe?" he asked.

"Fuck no," she grumbled, sitting up straight again so that his arm stretched. Ignoring her protest, he pulled her back to his side. He whispered a salacious proposition that if she behaved, he'd attempt to talk Virgil into a four-way. Mikki looked away to hide the delighted smile that crept onto her lips.

"Everything is going to be alright, lovie," he said out loud. "She's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. We're going to be okay. Everybody happy."

"You're awfully cheery for a goth kid," she said, smiling in spite of herself.

"Darkness is my kink, poppet. We keep our kinks out of sight in pleasant company . . . unless you're into that kind of thing."

"You are a dirty boy."

"So, spank me."

Mikki slapped his thigh, but relaxed again. He was the perfect alternative, that is, until he set off on tour, too. Miranda was right. Shawna was the most beautiful bride in the world. Her soft chocolate skin glowed in her billowing ivory gown. The stained glass windows covered her in prisms of color. She twirled and danced with every man who asked, knowing that her heart officially belonged to Virgil. Mikki choked back tears throughout all of the customary first dances.

"When did we grow up?" she asked as Shawna took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Mikki leaned her head on Shawna's shoulder and closed her eyes as they swayed. Mikki held her tight, trying to channel her frustration into the floor with every step.

"I don't think we ever will."