Page 88 of Your Biggest Downfall
Aunt Mae, my mom in her wheelchair, and I were walking through the courthouse to get to Austin. We drove separately since it was easier with my mom’s machines.
“Room four, right?” I asked them, smoothing out my dress.
I’d chosen a simple yellow sundress with small flowers imprinted on it. It was tight on top and then flowed a little. I didn’t own much white, so this was the lightest color I’d get. I found a pair of my mom’s nude heels she used to wear and slipped them on. My mom gave me the diamond earrings she bought after she got her first job. It was the only time she’d ever treated herself, and I cried when she put them on me.
Mae was in charge of taking photos, because even though it was rushed and last minute, I’d want something to hang on the walls of our house to memorialize the day.
Mae insisted we stop at a jewelry store on our way, and I grabbed whatever band they had in stock, which happened to be a small gold ring.
“Yes, this is it.”
“Are you ready?” my mom asked.
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, then I looked at Aunt Mae and gave her a hug. “My hair looks beautiful. Thank you.”
She had twisted my hair into a little braid so it looked like I had a crown above my forehead. She’d pulled some pieces out, and my curls sprang free in the front.
“I am so happy for you,” Aunt Mae whispered before gently pushing the door open.
My breath caught in my throat. Austin was standing at the front of the aisle in a sleek black suit, looking even more breathtaking than I remembered. I’d seen him in a suit before, back when he came for some content at his away games, but he was something else entirely. The suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, highlighting his strong, athletic build. His bright blue tie popped against the dark fabric, bringing out the vibrant blue of his eyes—eyes that were locked onto mine the moment I stepped into the room. His hair was styled just right, the blonde waves swept neatly back.
“Hey, Supernova,” he said, his voice filling the room, yet it felt like a whisper meant only for me.
“Hi,” I whispered, feeling like I was floating as I walked toward him.
“Last chance?” He raised an eyebrow playfully in my direction, but there was no way I’d back out—especially not now.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Mami and Aunt Mae taking their seats in the front row. The officiant stood before us, his presence almost fading into the background as I focused entirely on Austin.
“Please hold hands,” the officiant instructed.
We both smiled, stepping closer and taking each other’s hands. I wasn’t fully aware of what was being said or what expressions crossed my face. The moment I saw Austin standing there, I was completely wrapped up in him and the excitement of it all.
“This is wild,” I mouthed to him.
“It is,” he mouthed back, his lips curling into that irresistible smile. “I love you.”
I sighed contentedly.
“The rings.”
There was a long pause, and I realized the officiant had spoken.
“Sorry, what?” I asked, snapping out of my daze as Austin chuckled.
“We don’t have rings?—”
“I do,” I said, excitement bubbling up inside me. “I have a ring.”
I fished it out of my pocket, pulling out the small green velvet box from the jeweler. “I stopped by on the way here to pick this up. You told my mom your ring size.”
“I did,” he said, a touch of surprise in his voice as he turned to give my mom a wink. “I didn’t realize she was asking for today.”
His grin widened, and my heart swelled, knowing that this spontaneous, wild moment was exactly what we both needed.
I pulled out the ring, my heart pounding with anticipation.
The officiant cleared his throat and began to speak. “Repeat after me,” he said.
