Page 148 of Broken Trails
I thank God for every fucked-up thing that dragged me here. Every wrong turn, every fight, every crash that nearly broke me in half. Because it all brought me to her. And if I had to, I’d take them all again. Every single one. Just for this. Just for her.
Because she’s worth it.
She’s worthall of it.
The End.
Epilogue
I Was Made For Loving You – Tori Kelly Ft. Ed Sheeran
Clifftop Haven’s Country Club isn’t the kind of place blokes like me usually hang around. Too polished. Too proper. Stone walls with ivy climbing the pillars, and pink and white lilies everywhere. On the arbour. On the pew ends. Floating in little bowls across the fountain.
Amelia’s touch, no doubt. Bradley told us she wanted them, so of course, he turned the whole courtyard into a florist’s wet dream.
I stand at the front with him, my bow tie choking the life out of me, while Bradley adjusts his cuffs for the tenth time. His jaw’s locked tight, hands twitching at his sides. Xavier leans in, voicepitched low enough to stir trouble. “You’re sweating through your suit, mate. Blink twice if you’re about to faint, and I’ll catch you.”
Bradley shoots him a glare that could knock a man dead. “Shut up, Xav.”
Xavier just grins, rocking back on his heels like the shit-stirrer he is. On my other side, Harrison murmurs, “What’s the over-under on him bolting?”
“Three minutes,” I mutter back.
“Two,” Harrison retorts, his lips twitching.
Brad growls. “I can hear you fuckers.”
I smirk, but my eyes are busy scanning the courtyard. Guests filter in—pastel dresses, sharp suits, camera flashes popping. My chest hums with a restless kind of anticipation, like I’m waiting for someone specific. And I am.
“Anyone else feeling nervous as hell, or is that just me? And I’m not even the one getting married,” Sebastian mutters, tugging at the cuff of his suit jacket.
Bradley cuts him a sidelong look. “You’lllive.”
Sebastian tips his chin toward the crowd. “Yeah, but if you faint, I’m the one stuck dragging your ass off the floor. And trust me, you’re not exactly light.”
Bradley’s mouth twitches, a reluctant smirk breaking through as he shakes his head.
Xavier leans in, draping an arm across Bradley’s shoulders. “Don’t listen to him, brother. You’re solid. Just breathe. Pretend it’s like… lining up for footy. Except instead of a ball, you’re about to commit to eternal love and fatherhood.”
Bradley groans. “You’re not helping.”
“Sure I am.” Xavier grins, tightening the squeeze. “I’m your best man after all.”
Then the music starts. Everyone rises, and a sudden hush rolls over the crowd. The girls file down first. Isla glides forward, andsure enough, Xavier lets out a soft whistle that earns him a few soft laughs from the front row. Imogen follows, and Harrison—the idiot that he is—doesn’t bother keeping his whistle quiet. She bites her lip, fighting a smile, while he looks smug as hell. Olivia steps into view next, bouquet in hand. My eyes flick sideways to the boys before landing on Sebastian. He’s standing straighter now, gaze fixed ahead. Too fixed.
When I glance back, I catch Olivia sneaking a look at him before darting her eyes away. It’s subtle, but not enough to fool me. Noted.
Then, Amelia appears, and immediately, Bradley’s done for. Lips parting, eyes shining, his whole face softens in a way I’ve never seen. Xavier nudges him with a grin, Bradley elbows him back without breaking focus. It’s surreal watching one of my best mates, the guy I grew up with, standing here ready to marry the love of his life. We’re not the young, reckless idiots we used to be—although Harrison might have something to say about that. We’re men. Adults, moving into the good stuff. The better stuff.
Amelia floats down the aisle in a full gown of lace, the skirt blooming around her like a soft cloud. She’s glowing. Radiant. But it isn’t Amelia that guts me.
It’s Zoe.
She slips into her seat three rows up, in an emerald dress that hugs every delectable curve like it was made just for her. Her hair’s curled, swept over one shoulder, green eyes catching the sun and damn near killing me where I stand. I haven’t seen her all day—I’ve been stuck with Brad since morning—and the sight of her knocks the air from my lungs. Our eyes meet, just for a second, and I wink. She shakes her head, but that little smile betrays her.
She’s got me fucked six ways to Sunday, and I don’t even care.
That’s how deep she’s in me.
