Page 86 of I Could Be Yours

Rix and Tristan push their chairs back and round the table. Tristan and his dad hug each other tightly, both clearly emotional. And then Gideon folds Rix into a hug. She’s a weepy mess when he lets her go. Tristan tenderly curves his hand around the side of her neck, thumb sweeping across the edge of her jaw as he brushes his nose against hers.

I dab under my eyes with a tissue, my love for them too big to keep inside.

I glance to the left, where Nate sits two chairs down, hands folded in his lap. He glances my way for a second. I wish I knew what was happening in his head. Something has shifted. When he came to my room to help me pick my dress he was…sweet. And very focused on me and my needs. I need to keep reminding myself that he’s not someone I can give my heart to. But it’s hard when he cuddles me all night and tells me how sexy my spreadsheets are.

Rix and Tristan take their seats again. I hug Rix and freeanother tissue from the pack, tipping her chin up so I can dab under her eyes.

She laughs and sniffles. “Am I melting?”

“No. You’re perfect. I’m just fussing.”

She hugs me. “I love you.”

“I love you back.”

Flip moves to the front of the room. He’s dressed in khaki shorts and a short-sleeved white button-down. He sets his bottle of water on the podium and smiles at the crowd. “How’s everyone doing tonight?”

“Feeling no pain!” Chase shouts.

“Seriously, slow down, you two.” Flip motions between Chase and Brody.

Brody holds up his glass of water, face turning red.

The crowd chuckles.

“I just wanted to, uh, take a minute to express how much Tristan and Rix mean to me, to all of us here.” Flip’s eyes are already glassy. He blows out a breath. “Man, I’ve got a lot of feelings, and they’re all right here.” He taps his throat, then the corner of his eye. “And apparently here.”

Tally hops up from her table near the podium and sets a travel packet of tissues next to him. She squeezes his arm and leans in to whisper something before she rushes back to her seat. She’s sitting next to Fee, Dred on her other side. Callie, who is all of nine, is tucked into Connor’s side, like he’s her own personal, tattooed bean bag.

“Thanks, Talls.” Flip plucks a tissue from the packet. “Okay, now I’m really ready.”

Everyone laughs again.

Rix hooks her arms through mine and Tristan’s, her expression soft.

“Tris, I’ll start with you.” Flip smiles at his best friend. “We’ve had a lot of years of friendship and some real ups and downs. We’ve seen each other through some tough times and some fan-freaking-tastic ones. Like winning the Cup.”

“Five-star moment for sure,” Tristan calls.

“I know it hasn’t always been easy, but I love you, man. You’ve been a rock my entire life, and I am damn proud to call you my friend. You have worked so hard to be what Rix needs, and I’m forever grateful that the two of you believed in what you had and didn’t let anyone stand in your way. Especially me, because we all know I have a hard time getting out of my own way most of the time.” He laughs and shakes his head.

“I love you, buddy.” Tristan taps his fingers over his heart.

They give each other a nod. It’s an unspoken apology and forgiveness.

Flip’s gaze shifts to Rix, and his smile softens. “Trixie Rixie, my beautiful baby sister. You are a force, and I am so thankful for you. The sacrifices you’ve made for me are too many to count.”

Her smile is full of affection. “They weren’t sacrifices, Phillip. I always knew you were destined for greatness.”

He points at Rix. “This is what I’m talking about. You always put others ahead of yourself, forever the caretaker, just like our mom.” He blows a kiss to Muffy before he turns back to Rix. “Even when we were kids, you tried to take care of me.”

“Carrot chips and ranch dip,” Muffy yells.

Rix throws her head back and laughs.

Flip addresses the crowd. “Exactly. Whether you were trying to get me to eat healthy, or manage my investments, or just making me own my shit.” Flip clears his throat. “You are beyond remarkable, little sister. And the way you and Tristan take care of each other is a true inspiration.”

“We had amazing role models.” Rix blows a kiss to her parents.

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