Page 89 of Walkoff Wedding

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you guys too,” Addie replies shyly, walking over to me. I’ve got a sleeping Boo against my chest, cradled in my arms, but I dip my head and give her a quick kiss.

“Sorry for just randomly showing up. My boyfriend has entirely too much money and a flair for the dramatic, and he missed his bestie,” Viv tells her. “It was definitely a last-minute thing, and we wanted to surprise Grant. And meet you, of course.”

Addie shakes her head vehemently. “No, I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve been looking forward to meeting everyone, and honestly, this is a great surprise to come home to,” she says genuinely.

After Reese and Lane introduce themselves and we all catch up for a bit, Hallie and Viv quickly steal her away for “girl talk,” shooing us out to the patio. The three of them immediately hit it off in a way I truly didn’t expect. Not because I thought that they wouldn’t like each other, but because I know how shy Addie is and how sometimes meeting new people is hard for her. But clearly, that is not the case here. In part, because my friends are so welcoming to her, just like I knew they would be.

When she gives me a sweet smile, letting me know she’s okay to be alone with the girls, I set a sleeping Boo next to Auggie on his bed, then join the guys outside.

“You’re either blind or stupid because that girl loves you back, dude,” Reese says when the patio door shuts behind me. “You both look at each other with fucking heart eyes. It’s actually adorable.”

Lane nods in agreement. “Can’t believe I’m saying this again today… but he’s right.”

“Letting Reese be right? Damn, I know that wasn’t easy for you to admit, man. Good for you,” I reply, slapping Lane on the back with a grin.

Reese’s dark brows furrow. “You know, assholes, I’m right more often than not. And I know I’m right about this. You gotta tell her, Grant. And so help me fucking god, if I’m not best man at your next real wedding, I am breaking up with you. Cold turkey, cutting your ass off. Nobody puts baby in the corner.”

“You and Lane can rock paper scissors over it,” I say jokingly, but knowing Reese, he’s not going down without a fight.

But his joke also jolts me. I’ve been so caught up in thinking about just admitting my feelings to Addie that I didn’t even consider what actually happens after I do. We’re already married. We skipped a lot of fucking steps. If she feels the same way, do I just date my wife? What happens when the stuff with the bakery is over?

I don’t want an annulment.

I sure as fuck don’t want a divorce.

I want her to be mine, for real this time. I want to protect her, cherish her.

I want to be the man who puts her first, especially when no one in her life ever has.

I want all of it, and I want it with her. Even if we did it backward.

There’s nothing I’ve been more sure of.

“You know, it’s really nice being the one to dish out relationship advice for a change,” Reese says with a smirk. “What would you two do without me?”

“Jesus Christ,” Lane grunts.

“Need I remind you who got on their hands and fucking knees and crawled around a baseball field looking for tiny-ass little beads for you?” Reese sasses back.

I bite back a laugh because, you know… he’s right.

Lane rolls his eyes as he drags a hand through his mop of dark blond waves.

“Tell me you love me, Lane. Go on,” Reese mutters, crossing his arms over his chest and lifting a brow.

Lane shakes his head exasperatedly. “Fuck me. Why are you like this?”

Sometimes they drive me fucking nuts, and they bicker like an old married couple, but honestly… I’m just thankful because they’re here.

These guys are my family, no matter how many miles separate us. No matter how much time passes. No matter what changes in our lives. Long past our time at Orleans U.

We’ll always have each other. The kind of bond that can’t be broken.

My brothers.

chapter twenty-five

Addie

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