Page 121 of Secret Puck
“What’s that?”
“Open bar and a night of fun while I try to figure out how to sneak you away without anyone noticing.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Five-minute warning!” someone yells from inside the room.
“Can you give this to Chloe? I don’t want to go in there. It looks like a bomb went off.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you down there.”
She turns, but I catch her wrist and pull her back to me, taking her lips in a much quicker kiss than I’d like. Someday I’m gonna marry that girl, but today it’s all about Nathan and Chloe.
The guys and I head down first. The hotel restaurant has a huge patio that extends out onto the beach and there are flowers everywhere. In pots, hanging from the doorway, lining the wall. It’s nuts.
People are seated and waiting for the ceremony. The other groomsmen bring Chloe’s mom and grandparents up the aisle.
“What do you say?” I hold out my arm for my mom. Her eyes are already glassy. She’s for sure going to cry, probably in the first thirty seconds. She lets out a breath and flutters her lashes a few times as if she’s trying to stop the tears.
Turning to Nathan, she regards us both. “I’m so proud of the both of you. If your dad were here, he’d give some speech about baseball or fishing that somehow related back to life, but since he’s not, you’re going to have to make do with the girl version.”
“Which is?” Nathan asks, hands in his pockets.
“Just be happy. Life’s too short.” Her eyes are tear-filled again, but she smiles. “He loved you two more than anything and so do I.”
Nathan leans forward and kisses her cheek. “I love you too, Mom.”
She slips her arm in mine and lets out a long breath. “Okay, ready.”
I guide her up the aisle and to the groom’s side. Ginny’s sitting two rows behind the family. I shoot her a wink as we pass. Kevin stands from his seat when we approach.
We shake hands, and he smiles at Mom. He’s a good guy and I’m coming to enjoy having him around. If nothing else, I know he’s been good for Mom.
Today is one of those happy days when I can practically read Mom and Nathan’s thoughts, all of us wishing Dad was here for our own selfish reasons. It’s moments like these that will always remind us our family looks different now.
She squeezes my arm and then slips hers out to take her seat next to Kevin.
“Mom, wait.” Her brows raise as she looks to me expectantly.
“I love you.” My chest aches with emotion. Fuck, maybe I’m going to cry today, too.
Her eyes well with tears again and this time, one slips down her cheek. I’ve waited too long to say the words to her, but I mean them now in a way I didn’t before. Acceptance, forgiveness, or maybe it just took me growing the fuck up. She hugs me tightly. I clear the lump from my throat and take my place at the front.
As the processional music starts and all eyes go to the back, mine go to Nathan, my mom, and then Ginny—my family. I couldn’t imagine life without them. If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is. Maybe it’s not supposed to mean the same thing to everyone or maybe it is and it’s about finding someone whose meaning matches yours. I don’t plan on giving it a lot more thought. It is what it is and that’s good enough for me.
Ginny glances at me and it hits me in the gut, like it does every single time she’s near. Our love matches, plain and simple, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me.
Life is short. Be happy and enjoy every moment.
