Page 99 of For All It's Worth
“Alex.” I squeezed him before stepping back and letting go. “How about this? We start fresh today. Everything that is done, is done. Helena and Ethan, they have nothing to do with now.”
“But I still have Joe, and he’s half Helena.” Alex cut in.
“Yeah, I know, but we can pretend that we didn’t all hurt each other. Will has, and we hurt him the most.”
We turned to seek out our brother, who was watching us with an approving smile.
“Okay, that I can do.” He grinned at me. “So I heard something about a book launch. Let me know when and I’ll get a sitter for Joe.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, a fresh start means celebrating my baby brother releasing a book. You’ve always been great at capturing someone’s essence when you take their picture.” Alex looked proud and fond.
My eyes filled and I had to clear my throat to get the words out. “You can bring Joe, it’s a dry event and during the day. We’re doing it at Books & Biscuits.”
Alex smiled. “That’s different.”
I wasn’t sure how to take that. “I’m taking my recovery seriously. You know this since you helped me sell my last club. I’ve cut all ties with that past and I just want to live a sober life with the guy that I love.”
There must have been something in my tone, or perhaps that the volume of my voice rose because Alex rushed to soothe me. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Shit! I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay…”
He interrupted, “What I meant to say is you always seem to know the right way to start an event. Celebrating a book launch in a bookstore is perfect. A dry one, when it’s a book about rehab, is thoughtful and kind. I’m so proud of you, Charlie.”
Alex embraced me quickly, but not before I saw a glimpse of tears. “Let me know and I’ll be there, okay?” He squeezed my shoulder and moved away.
“Everything okay?” asked Max as he slipped his hand into mine.
“Perfect,” I said, leaning down to kiss him. I explained my conversation with my brother and Max smiled sweetly.
“I’m happy things are better between you two now. Family stuff should be less stressful now.”
Our conversation was paused as one of the staff announced it was time for the first dance.
It took a while to locate Andy and Will, who looked decidedly rumpled, and their friends catcalling as they made their way to the dance floor.
I pulled Max in front of me, resting my head on top of his as we watched the newlyweds move around the floor sharing kisses and exchanging words of love.
Halfway through the dance, other couples began to join them and Max took my hand, moving to join them.
It felt natural to dance with him in my arms, not as if this was our first dance as a couple, but like we’d done this a hundred times before.
We swayed to the song for a little while before it ended and switched to another slower number.
Max rested his head against my chest relaxing into my hold. “Thank you for all of this, Charlie. I never imagined that us being together would be this perfect, this good. You make me feel like I could do anything.”
“You can, and I’ll be by your side through it all. Always. You are all I need.”
I could feel his smile against the skin of my throat.
“I love you, Charlie. So much, I don’t even have the words for how much.”
I wrapped him tighter against me, the feeling of home and love almost overwhelming in its intensity.
"Max, you have my whole heart, for all it's worth."
