Page 134 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
When I glance up at him, he smirks. “So, did you cry?”
I scoff, but he chuckles, leaning closer. “I saw you wiping your eyes.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, but I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.
A while later, I’m standing alone by the pillars, champagne in hand, taking in everything. Blake is across the room, standing with a group of groomsmen, laughing at something James, one of Keith’s groomsmen said. Laura is dancing with her father, mum is dancing with dad, Edward is feeding his wife cake, and Keith…, where is Keith?
“Whitney.”
The voice stops me cold.
Never mind. Here he is. I turn and see him walking toward me.
Oh God.
I brace myself, expecting - I don’t even know what. But when he stops in front of me, his jaw clenches, then relaxes. His voice is quiet and steady.
“Can we talk?”
I blink.
I nod, and he leads me toward the side of the venue, away from the guests, away from the noise.
For a long second, he says nothing. Just exhales. Runs a hand through his hair. Finally, he looks at me, and there’s something different in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Whit.”
I blink. "Keith…"
"No, let me say this." He runs a hand over his face, looking both frustrated and tired. "I was a jerk. I was angry. I felt betrayed. But the truth? I saw it, Whitney. I saw how you looked at him even before I was willing to admit it. And I hated it. I’m sorry for how I treated you and for the things I said."
“I am sorry too, Keith. So very sorry. For keeping it a secret from you. I am sorry for hurting you,” I say, taking his hands in mine, which he uses as an advantage to pull me in for a hug.
He shakes his head. “I know. I know. I am sorry too. Just never, ever keep secrets from me.”
I bite my lip, trying to keep the emotions from spilling over. "I love you, Whit." His voice is steady, sure. "I always have, and I always will. You’re my sister, my best friend, my pain in the butt…" A humorless chuckle escapes him, but his eyes are sincere. "And the truth is, I just want you to be happy. Even if it’s with my big-headed best friend."
A laugh bursts out of me, wet and shaky. "He is big-headed, isn’t he?"
Keith chuckles, nodding. Then, his expression softens. "But he loves you, Whit. I can see it. And if he ever screws this up…"
I roll my eyes. "You’ll what? Beat him up?"
"No," he says with a smirk. "I’ll let you do it yourself. You’re scarier than me when you’re mad."
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Just don’t make me call him ‘brother-in-law’ anytime soon,” he mutters.
I laugh, swatting his arm, and in the next second, he pulls me into a tight hug again. I bury my face in his shoulder, the weight of everything - the tension, the hurt, the weeks of silence -melting away.
Later, after the toasts and speeches, it’s dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Music, laughter, the sounds of clinking glasses, and easy conversation fill the air. But for the first time in a long time, I feel…, light.
I step out onto the venue’s quiet balcony, inhaling the crisp evening air.
“Whitney.”
I turn to find my mother standing beside me.
