" I tried, he won’t come," Carla told Traci.
"It’s okay. I am still going to have fun," Traci said, feeling disappointed deep down.
Carla had no intention of telling her friend that Vin agreed to come and see how things went. He admitted he had missed her so much and that he wanted to see if they could salvage anything of what they had.
People started arriving around 8pm and it just seemed weird. There was no talk about the tour or anything like that. There was talk about weddings and weird things like that.
"So are you gonna dance with me or what?" Nick asked Traci. She had started drinking long before the party and felt pretty well lit.
" I guess. You’re kind of cute," she winked at him and followed him out to the patio. She had no idea what song was on but it was making her horny so she decided not too close to Nicky!
"You smell so good," He whispered to her and she thought oh god, she needed to be in control. Vin always told her that and she knew that was who she wanted.
"Thanks," was all she could say.
He lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes. He leaned in to kiss her and she stopped him.
"I love someone and I can’t do this to them again," Traci said.
"You’re not even with him," Nick said, sounding disappointed.
"My heart is," she said and walked away.
"Thank god you didn’t kiss that boy. I have a surprise for you," Carla said, smiling widely.
All of a sudden, "Have You Ever" by Brandy came on and Traci’s eyes filled up. She drove Carla crazy with that song lately. She played it over and over and Carla told her to quit torturing herself but she wouldn’t listen.
"Oh my god," Traci caught her breath when she saw Vin walk out on the patio that was so beautifully decorated her. He was wearing all black, just like her and she thought she was going to pass out.
"Hey," he said, that was all he said and she went to him and threw herself in his arms. He smiled over her head at Carla and Carla winked at him and left them alone. Suddenly they were alone and his arms had never felt so safe.
"Hey," she finally looked up at him and said.
"You look um well - totally hot," he told her and she giggled.
"You look pretty damn hot yourself," she said and he kissed her. First it was soft and then his tongue found hers and caressed it over and over.
"I miss you baby. I’m gonna even lie about it. But what you did, I mean, I can’t forget it," he told her and she nodded.
"I know. I heard you had your share of fun," she said a little sarcastically.
"I thought about you the whole time and I was stupid to do that. It meant nothing, believe me," he said, his hand brushing her tears away.
"I know I can’t be mad about it. I have no right. Please, just forgive me. If you need time, I’ll give it to you but I will be waiting, right here," she said.
"You don’t have to wait. I want you baby, I know that I do. you’re my girl," he said, holding her close again.
"I love you, I honestly do," she said.
"I love you too baby," he told her and they kissed some more. All of a sudden they heard some kind of clapping and they both went inside, holding hands.
"Marry me, Carla. I want you to be my wife," AJ was there and he was on one knee, holding a huge diamond ring and Carla was crying.
"What is he doing here?" Vin asked Traci and she had no idea actually.
"Are you crazy?" Carla asked, not knowing what to think. He was looking at her thinking how beautiful she looked. She was wearing a red dress that had one strap going across the front. Her shoes matched perfectly and AJ thought she looked more beautiful than ever.
"Yah, crazy in love with you. I know I messed up but I know what I want now, I want you to be my wife," he said and everyone was staring at them.
"Oh my god. That’s what this party is about," Traci said and Vin looked at her weird.
This whole time, Nick was shooting Traci some not so nice looks. He thought he could have her. She fucked AJ so why not him too? He had heard that it was pretty awesome too and he wanted some.
"I can’t AJ. I can’t marry you. I need some time. I’m leaving for my sister’s tomorrow. I need you to understand this," Carla said, not knowing if she was doing the right thing.
AJ got up and looked around. Everyone had gone back to whatever they were doing.
Carla ran upstairs to the guest room that had been fixed for her.
"I’ll be back. Wait - maybe you should come with me," Traci said to Vin, afraid of him punching AJ again.
"Yah, maybe I should," he said, following her upstairs.
"Carla, you love him right?" Traci asked her friend.
"Of course I do but I feel like I would be the biggest fool right now if I married him. I just can’t forget this easily," she said and Vin just stood there.
"Carla. I have been at the same place you were at. You know I can’t stand that guy. But I love Traci and I can forgive her. You’ll never forget it, but do what you feel is right," he said and Traci looked at him. He was amazing and she knew she had hurt him so much. She was lucky he forgave her.
"Well, I don’t feel like marrying him is right at this time,"
"Then take this time at your sisters to think about what you really want. He’ll still be here," Vin said and they hugged. AJ walked in and Vin shot him an evil look, took Traci’s hand and left to go back downstairs.
"Can these people go now?" Traci asked, exhausted from all of the excitement of the evening.
" I can kick them out,’"he said with a smile.
"Yah, everyones scared of you!" she laughed.
"I’ll come get you tomorrow and we’ll do something ok?" he suggested.
"I was hoping you would stay with me tonight," she tried and he hugged her.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yep," she responded.
" I don’t understand. I thought you wanted all of this. Marriage, kids, all of it," AJ said to Carla.
" I did. I mean I do but I need some time. Everything that happened has been so draining and I need time to take it all in. I need to get over this in my own way," she said.
"Let me help you," he told her and kissed her softly. It had been so long since he had felt her lips on his and he missed it. They kissed and she felt his hand move to her breast. She wanted him so much but she couldn’t do this, not yet. Then his hand moved up her leg, moving her dress up further and she didn’t know if she could stop him or if she wanted to.
"AJ, don’t please," her eyes pleaded with him but she was so willing.
"I need you baby. I need to feel myself inside of you," he was begging her but when he started to undo his pants, she got up.
"No, not now," she said and he seemed mad.
"Fine. Call me when you get back," he said and left the room. She started crying and just sat there and got it all out.
AJ left and everyone started to finally drift out as well.
At about 3, everyone was gone and Vin followed Traci out to the pool.
" So, what now?" he asked her and she unzipped her vest, and took off everything then jumped in the water. It felt so good against her skin and he joined her right then.
"I want you inside of me so badly," she whispered in his ear as he twirled her around effortlessly. He carried her to a wall and without a word, kissed her and was inside of her before she could even think of anything else. He made love to her slowly and lovingly and she felt tears stream down her face at how wonderful it felt for them to be one again.