Page 87 of Hot Shot
“Blake, when you’re ready,” Callum murmurs.
Clearing my throat, I grip Bran’s hands like the lifeline he is, my gaze locked on his. “You are so many things to me. Have been so many things to me all my life, little brothers’ best friend, competitor, friend, best friend, but the one I cherish the most is this one. Husband. I’m honored that you want to walk this life with me. Want to build a family with me. And with each step we take I want you to know I’ll love you more with everything we do, everywhere we go. With every day, every minute, every second, I will love you a little deeper, a little harder. Because not loving you isn’t an option. As long as there is breath in my lungs, a beat in my heart, I will love you, Branton.”
I can hear a few sniffles behind me, and I know Mom hasn’t bothered to find privacy for her tears today. Not these ones. Because these are happy tears. Just like the ones sliding down my own cheeks.
“It’s my great pleasure to declare Branton and Blake, husband and wife.”
Bran palms my face, his thumbs brushing through the dampness on my cheeks before he leans forward and follows each swipe with his lips.
“I love you.” The words are whispered on my skin. “I love you.”
Smiling, I grab the front of his shirt and pull him closer. “I love you too.”
Our kiss is quick. Nothing like the ones we’ve shared up until now. This kiss is soft and sweet and full of the reverence we both feel for what we’ve just done.
Less than two weeks ago I hadn’t seen, hadn’t spoken, to Bran in years. And now, I have his ring on my finger, he has mine on his, and what I said is true. I will love him more with every breath I take because every beat of my heart whispers his name in my chest, has since I was twenty-five, and as we face our family and friends, I make a silent vow to never let either of us lose sight of our love.
No matter what the world throws at us, no matter who tries to get in our way, we will never forget the way we feel ever again.
Branton
Wife.
The word holds so much emotion. A thin trace of resentment underscores the pleasure, the rightness of having a wife.
I know I shouldn’t let thoughts of the past intrude on today but it’s hard to keep them out. Especially when Landon looks at me like I kicked his puppy.
The only consolation I have is Mason Watts has gone out of his way to apologize to me for all the ‘bad things’ he’s thought and said about me in recent years.
I wasn’t shocked when he cornered me to talk. More shocked when he told me Landon had confided in him about our situation. That he’s here for me if I need someone to talk to. I’ve never had that from Mason before but I’m relieved. Happy he’s looking at our marriage favorably.
Sutton has also been appraised of the situation with Laura, another shock, although I do know Landon and Corbin have always had close relationships with all of their siblings.
The subject of Laura has been a hushed murmur between myself and all the Watts throughout the day. The only one I haven’t spoken to about it is Landon.
Mason thinks in spite of Landon disappearing after the ceremony that he’ll be okay, that he’ll come around quickly.
I’m not so sure.
We haven’t seen him since he left a couple of hours ago and now it’s time for him and Corbin to fly back to New York.
I know Corbin is worried; we all are, but in my experience, it doesn’t matter how concerned those around you are. You need to find your way through on your own.
Corbin did mention he caught Landon on the phone with the woman he’s been seeing a couple of times throughout the day. And I’m hopeful she can help him navigate this emotional upheaval.
I’ll be here waiting when he makes it through, when the time comes for me to help him find answers or wants to know about Laura.
“Why are you looking so serious, husband? What are you thinking about?”
Grinning at Blake, I wrap an arm around her and yank her against me. “The usual shit,wife.”
“It’s weirdly right to call each other that, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I know it’s not the time, but I still think Mom’s suggestion to find a grief counselor is a good one. The right one.”
“We can look into it when we get home.”
