Free First Love (Complicated Love Book 1) by Heather Carver Page B

with our mothers. They’re a pain in my ass and don’t let me have much of a say in anything. At this point, I would rather save the money and have a longer honeymoon.”
    God, I love how she thinks. I’d love a longer vacation, but don’t most girls dream of their wedding day?
    “I don’t want you to regret not having a dream wedding. I want to make sure it’s what you want and not something you feel you’re being forced into. Why don’t we go deal with my dad, and then we can talk more about it? I want you to be happy and have what you want.”
    “I don’t care how long you make me wait,” she says. “It’ll still be the same answer. I’m perfectly fine with eloping. We can bring Shawna and Frank with us and then head out for our honeymoon.”
    I’m so happy she wants to elope. That means we can get married sooner than next August. I can make her my wife next week if we want. But, right now, I need to plan the talk with my father. It’s going to kill my mom to find out my dad hasn’t stopped his wandering ways, but he needs to stop meddling in my life. I have a feeling my mom will blame me for this, but I have to get her to see he isn’t perfect. I can’t let him ruin my life.
     

 
     
    T he ride home is full of promise. We talk about heading to Vegas and getting married right away. We hope Shawna and Frank will join us. Since Brian has paid for our honeymoon we’ll move it up if they’ll let us get the tickets for an earlier date, but that shouldn’t be a problem. If not, then we’ll go somewhere else and take our honeymoon trip as an early anniversary vacation.
    Brian’s been stressed so much lately; it’ll be nice for us both to not worry over everything. I won’t have to deal with my mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law anymore. I wouldn’t care if we went to the justice of the peace, but flying to Vegas will be a lot more fun.
    I want to get married. I hope Brian believes me when I tell him I don’t need anything fancy. I just need my man by my side. The only hesitation I have is my dad. I’ve always wanted him to walk me down the aisle, but even my mom has ideas about that. 
    “What will you do if your parents disown you? I know family means everything to you,” I ask.
    “I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if they do, then that’s their choice. You’re my family now, and I want to be there for you. I can’t allow people to come between us. My father’s behavior is despicable. If I let him get away with this, what’ll he do next?” 
    “Okay. I don’t want you to regret losing your parents and then resent me for it later. I really hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I want you to know I’m here for you, and I’ll always love you. Plus, Shawna and Frank are our family too.”
    “Here goes nothing,” Brian mutters as we pull into his parents’ driveway.
    “I love you," I whisper. Then I lean over and give him a kiss.
    “Love you too.”
    Please let everything go well in there. Don’t let Brian have to choose between his family and me. I don’t want him to ever regret his decision.
     

 
     
    I really don’t want to do this, but I need to know why my dad’s trying to cause problems between Donna and me. He’s always played by his rules, not caring who he hurts in the process. He needs to know there are finally going to be consequences for his behavior
    “Oh, hey, Brian and Donna. What’re you guys doing here?” my mom asks when she answers the door.
    “Hey, Mom. Is Dad around?”  I say, not answering her question.
    “Yes. He’s in his study. Would you like to go in there and talk to him, or would you like me to get him?”
    “Please go get him. You both need to hear what I have to say.” I hate being so rude to her, but I need to get this done and over with.
    “Is everything all right?” she asks, her gaze darting between Donna and me.
    “No, but it will be as soon as I talk to Dad.”
    As my mom turns to leave, Donna leans into me and says,