Page 81 of Gone for You

Chapter 37

Ethan

I’m sitting nextto Izaak, one of the stars of the Warriors football team. I know this because I’m a huge fan of Warriors football and also because he introduced himself when I sat down. He’s holding hands with a girl on his other side, their joined hands are in his lap and she’s looking at him like she wants to be next up in front of a group of their most loved friends and family.

He leans over and whispers something in her ear that causes her to giggle and cross her legs. I lean away, not wanting to be in the middle of their moment but also feeling a tad bit uncomfortable when out of the corner of my eye I see her hand slip a little into inappropriate territory.

We’re in church, dude.

He coughs and sits up a little straighter, looks at me out of the corner of his eye and I smirk when I notice him push her hand away as discreetly as possible.

I’m jealous as all hell of a couple at least a decade younger than me who have life figured out and went after who and what they wanted.

I know it’s not Owen. And even if he did care, I would tell him to take the stick out of his ass and get over it because we’re adults and can make our own decisions.

After talking with Rex, weird as it may be that he was the one to enlighten me on the subject. He was right that it isn’t really about Jared but maybe, possibly, Aaron. And if he isn’t right, and she thinks I’ll one day turn into some crazy controlling psycho, then she doesn’t know me at all and we’re never going to work.

So, what else is there? I’m missing something. And if I don’t figure it out soon, it’s going to drive me insane. I distract myself by looking at the wedding program and see names I recognize from Liv chatting about the wedding over this past week.

A pianist begins playing something I’ve heard at almost every wedding I’ve been to over the years indicating the wedding is about to begin. I turn, watching Drew seat the mothers and grandmothers before the rest of the wedding party starts making their way down the aisle.

In what feels like years, I see her. And the only thing I can think is one day I’ll be standing at the end of the aisle and she’ll be walking toward me in a dress she spent hours searching for, carrying a bouquet and wearing my engagement ring on her finger.

I’m glad I’m sitting down when the thought hits me. I knew I was falling for her but for the first time, I can admit to myself that I’minlove with her.

She spots me instantly. Neither of us smile but our eyes lock and unspoken words hang in the air between us.

You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,I hope she sees.

I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you,I hope she hears.

One day this will be us,I hope she knows.

Her breath catches. She glides past me on the arm of Lily’s step-brother, Jack. He looks in my direction and he whispers something to her out of the corner of his mouth and she elbows him.

I’m so distracted by Liv that I barely notice Lily walking down the aisle or pay attention to anything during the ceremony. When they announce Drew and Lily as husband and wife, he lifts her up, kissing her to seal the deal and everyone cheers loudly.

When they walk down the aisle, they’re wearing matching smiles, and only have eyes for each other. I’m glad I was able to come to the wedding, even if I wanted to object on my friend’s behalf. But seeing Lily and the way she looks at Drew, witnessing the love they have for each other, it’s clear Owen didn’t stand a chance. I hate it — for him. But love it for Lily. Liv was right when she said she deserves all the happiness.

* * *

“Lily and Iwant to thank everyone for being here to celebrate the start of our marriage. It feels like it took forever for this day to get here, even with the Warriors winning season to distract me.” The football players all whoop and cheer loudly, some of them standing up to high five each other. Drew chuckles and leans over to kiss his bride which makes everyone cheer louder. He lifts his hands in asettle downgesture. Everyone quiets down immediately, listening to the coach.

Drew looks at Lily who nods her head and he takes a deep breath, lifting the microphone to his mouth again. “Many of you know, neither Lily or I grew up in a traditional home. Me being a foster kid and Lily being raised by her single father, we were both a little scared of commitment. With everyone else. The second I laid eyes on Lily, I knew she was the one. It might sound ridiculous, that whole love at first sight thing, but it’s true.” He pauses in his speech and looks at Lily who’s staring at him dreamily. He lifts their joined hands and kisses the back of hers. “Have you ever heard the sayingthe juice is worth the squeeze?It’s all about taking risks if the reward is worth it. We were both scared. Me more than her. Even though I knew she was the one, I also know she’s worth the risk.”

“So are you, babe,” Lily says, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I look at Olivia who’s focused on ripping apart her drink napkin like it offended her in some way. I place a hand on her arm and she gives me a sad smile then stretches her fingers out, dropping the last of her shredded up napkin.

“You okay?” I lean over and whisper to her.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

I nod toward her napkin.

“I must be horny.”

“That old wives’ tale is ripping up labels on bottles.”

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