Spark in the Dark

Chapter 112

"What was with those vows?" He whispered quietly in her ear.

"It's tradition," Shawn said lightly.

"It's tacky. And all that yelling while she walked down the aisle?"

"Shh," Shawn told him. "Let's get a drink."

"Okay," he agreed and they headed for the bar.

They did a shot with the bride and groom as well as Jax and Tara before sitting down for dinner. The six of them sat at one table together along with Piney, Clay and Gemma. Shawn's back was to Juice and he couldn't help but glance at her periodically during dinner. He had also watched her during the ceremony, even though he knew he should have been watching Opie and Lyla.

When the ceremony ended, Juice had stood from his seat and realized her new boyfriend was staring at him. He realized then that this was the same guy he had caught hitting on her once when they went out to lunch in Stockton and wondered if he recognized him, too.

Juice watched as he now placed his arm across the back of her seat. Shawn probably thought it was a casual move, but Juice could see in his body language the possessive nature to the gesture. Juice realized Gemma might have been on to something. He had been around guys like this most of his life and could tell Brent was used to getting what he wanted and clearly wasn't used to having competition to get it. Chibs nudged him with his elbow at one point.

"You're staring," Chibs quietly pointed out. Juice looked away, but it wasn't long before his eyes found their way back to her.

They all stood and went back to the bar for another shot. Most of the guys, Juice and Chibs included, followed. Brent excused himself after taking the drink and Shawn gave him directions to the bathroom.

The band started playing a slow song and Opie and Lyla went to dance. Jax and Tara began to follow, but Jax stopped and looked at Shawn.

"Shawn, let's go," Jax told her.

"Oh, Brent's in the bathroom. I will once he gets back."

"Don't be ridiculous. Dance with someone else," Jax said and looked around. "Juice! Dance with Shawn until her date gets back."

"Oh, no. He wouldn't want to-"

"Sure, I do. Let's go," Juice interrupted her and began to guide her to follow Jax and Tara.

When they reached the dance floor, Juice turned to Shawn and pulled her to him. Shawn lightly jumped as his hand touched her back while the other held onto her hand. Juice couldn't help but smirk as he felt how tense she was.

"You should relax. They all think we're friends, remember?"

"You're an asshole," she said quietly.

"That's funny. Those were your exact last words to me."

"Actually, I think I called you a fucking asshole then."

"You're right, you did."

"And you deserved it."

"I did. You're right about that, too. And I deserve it now," Juice admitted. Shawn peeked up at his face for the first time since they started dancing. "I'm so sorry, Shawn."

The sincerity in his voice made Shawn's heart skip a beat. She wanted in that moment to forgive him and pretend like nothing had happened, but instead she shook her head and looked away from him. He ignored her for over a year. There was no way she could pretend none of that had happened.

Juice looked away from her, too, feeling defeated. He saw her date was on his way back, but it didn't look like he had seen them dancing together, yet.

"Does he make you happy?" Juice asked. "Do you love him? Because if you love him and you're happy, then I can accept this."

"You should move on, Juice."

"That's never going to happen. But if this is what you want, then I can leave you alone," Juice said and waited for an answer. He looked up and saw her boyfriend spot them and start making his way over. Juice needed her to answer quickly. "Shawn, are you happy?"

"I... I'm...," Shawn tried to tell him what he needed to hear, but couldn't get her mouth to say the words.

"Can I cut in?" Brent asked Juice as he reached them.

"Yeah. Of course," Juice said and reluctantly released her. Brent took his place and they started dancing.

"You looked uncomfortable. Thought I'd swoop in and save you," Brent told Shawn after Juice walked away. Shawn faked a chuckle. Brent took a look around. "You know, this is actually a pretty nice wedding. I wouldn't mind my wedding being like this."

"Except the part where all the guys are wearing jeans?"

"Yeah, except that. I think you should wear a nicer dress than Lyla, too. Her's in a bit much, don't you think?"

"No. I think it looks good on her. It's very Lyla."

"It's very porn star."

"Right. She's a porn star and I'm a porn producer. I thought you were okay with that?"

"I am for now, but once we get married, don't you think you'd like something more respectable? Or to stay home and we can have kids?"

"I think... I think it's a little too soon for us to be worried about this, don't you?"

"I know. We've only been dating a few months and it's a little fast. This feels right to me," Brent reasoned with her. "When you know, you know, right?"

"Yeah, I guess," Shawn said as she chanced a glance at Juice.

"I guess what I am trying to say here is," Brent stopped dancing and pulled a small box out of his pocket, causing Shawn to gasp.

"Oh, my God."

Brent got on one knee in front of her and opened the box. "Shawn, will you marry me?"