Page 119 of Unforgettable
Beautiful was the only way to describe him. Under all that cocksure bravado and coolness lay a man who had more compassion and love in his heart than any other man I knew, and he was mine.
Epilogue
Ryker
Seven weeks had passed since I’d read that card from Leigh. I’d been ready to bawl my eyes out that night, but instead, I’d turned my attention to Haven and made love to her at least five times that night. Since then, we’d been inseparable. In fact, we were now living together at my parents’ house.
At first, her old man hadn’t been stoked about the idea, but Haven had convinced him that by living off campus, she would have more privacy and hence less media around or gossipy women in the dorm. Vicki was bummed, but she understood.
I sauntered into the kitchen to find Lucas popping a bottle of champagne. “The house is packed.”
The party was in full swing.
Coach Chapman was talking to Haven’s father. Yep, the man had accepted our invitation to join our celebration. We’d won our bowl game the week before. The season had been tense, but the team had given two hundred percent to get us into the bowl game. Senator Hale was just as stoked as Coach was. After all, Eugene Hale had donated quite a bit of money to the university. More than that, he and I had warmed up to each other. We weren’t close or anything, but it was nice that Haven and her dad weren’t fighting and that he and I weren’t tearing off each other’s heads.
Speaking of the senator, he’d lost the election back in November. The preliminary polls had attested to the senator’s decline with voters long before his indiscretions became public, but election day had ended with the senator and his opponent in a close race. The fresh ideas and policies that his opponent had campaigned on had won out in the end. Although I would guess the senator’s mistakes had played a role as well.
Lucas poured champagne in those fancy flute glasses. “We’ve come a long way since…” He stopped pouring. “Never mind.”
I stood across the island from him. “Say it. I’m not going to go apeshit.”
He regarded me with sad brown eyes. “That’s okay. You don’t need to be reminded.”
“Dude, I think about them every day, and it hurts like hell. But one of the reasons I moved back home was so I could feel close to them. Living here with all the memories is helping.” The house I’d grown up in gave me peace and comfort, and it also helped that Haven was by my side.
“I know they’re looking down and are proud,” Lucas said.
Haven sashayed into the kitchen, wearing a tight dress that hugged and accentuated her fantastic bod, which I was sad to see covered.
She kissed me on the cheek. “There’s the birthday boy.”
That gave me another reason to party. Haven had wanted to do something special long before now, but I’d said no. I’d felt weird since my family wasn’t around anymore. Mom had always made a big deal about birthdays, and honestly, after reading Leigh’s card, I just couldn’t bring myself to be happy about turning twenty-two.
But when Lucas and I had decided to throw a party to celebrate our bowl championship, Haven thought it would be good to at least have a cake. I could do a cake. I just didn’t want a birthday to overshadow our huge win.
I had my fingers on a glass when Franklin waltzed in, looking relaxed in jeans and a buttoned-up shirt, a stark contrast to his expensive lawyer suits. On his arm was my aunt Kari, who was prettier than I remembered. Maybe Franklin had something to do with her glow or rosy cheeks. Regardless, her dark hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and her gray eyes were clear and bright—a big difference from when she’d been in town for the funeral.
Franklin and I exchanged a hug before I wrapped my aunt Kari in my arms. “I’m so happy you guys are here.”
Aunt Kari kissed me then started talking to Haven as both moseyed over to the dining room table, which held tons of food.
Franklin poured himself some scotch. “Take a walk with me.” He sounded serious, like something bad had happened.
We found a quiet spot out back on the other side of the pool, away from my guests who were hanging out on the patio.
“What’s going on?”
He regarded me with panic in his dark eyes. “I’m getting married to your aunt.”
A heavy sigh jetted from me. “Man, I thought you had bad news. Congrats. But why do you look pale?”
“I guess I’ve been nervous to tell you. She’s your family, and I didn’t know how you would take it.”
I clapped him on the back. “I’m excited for you and her. My mom would be too, man.”
Franklin finally smiled, releasing any tension he’d had when he came in. “You’re right. Kari said the same thing. So will you be my best man?”
“Fuck yeah.”
