Page 273 of Steeling Her
Love.
I feel like we’re back to where we were, even though we have grown so much in the five years we’ve been apart. It happened all so naturally, which is just what we needed.
Epilogue Two
Nick
“Alright, alright, alright. Listen up, you assholes! Hey! Listen up! Jeez, a bunch of chimps having a field day in the zoo . . .” TJ gathers the guys’ attention by shouting at them. We’ve been in the hotel suite a lot longer than needed. I can feel my palms starting to sweat now, and I can feel my tuxedo beginning to get a little tighter, restricting my airways and the oxygen going to my head.
This is what the Mississippi heat can do to you too. We asked for an air conditioning unit for a reason, and yet the guys left the damn doors open. “Alright let’s all just get a drink. If you don’t have one in your hand, I’m about to make a toast.” The crowd moans playfully back and starts to throw pillows, napkin, and anything else they can get their hands on. “Hey now, behave yourselves or you will not be in for a treat with what I have to say.” TJ picks up anything they threw at him and throws it right back.
I turn to face Reggie, who grins wolfishly, relishing in the embarrassment that’s coming my way. “You know you’re in for it, Jackson.” I groan. I know I’ll need something in hand for now.
“I’ll take a triple McCallan, please,” I say to the bartender that the hotel provided for the day.
“Okay!” TJ yells once everyone, except for me, has a drink. “Now that I have all of your attention,” he begins and talks to all of my friends and family that are here for the special day. The build up to it is killing me inside. “Nick, my main man, the man of the hour. Today is yours and Carter’s special day. I thought this day would never come,” he jokes, sending the room into hysterics. “I know you thought it wouldn’t either. You’re most impatient man I’ve ever known.” A loud cheer and few hands were raised with glasses in the air at my expense.
“Okay, but on a serious note, today is the big day, my man. This is where your life truly begins. Trust me on that. You have been with one of the most beautiful women, both inside and out.” The guys nod in agreement as he said that. I smile happily back as I think about her. “She is a lucky woman, too, man. You have been the brother I never had . . . nor wanted.” TJ grins playfully while everyone chuckles. “But you are one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, man. I have grown up with you; we’ve been through thick and thin. And if there is one thing that I know for sure, it’s that you deserve this new found happiness you’re about to experience. I couldn’t think of a better person to enjoy it with. Definitely not Haley.” He points with the scotch in his hand as all eyes are on him with his jokes.
Even though he’s lighting up the room with his humor, he knows that I’m nervous about today. I just want to get going. I have been waiting for this for a long time. Not seeing her all night has been killing me.
“You two complement each other in the best possible way. You’re opposites but at the same time very similar. I am happy to see you both so happy with each other. Everyone here can tell that you’re both obsessed with one another. I know, as does everyone else in this room, that this will be a grand moment for the both of you. I’m glad you finally get to marry your other best friend. I’m glad you’ve made it this far, Nick.” He raises his glass, and I finally get mine in time to copy him and the others in the room. “To Nick and Carter!”
“To Nick and Carter!” everyone repeats what he says.
“And a marriage that I know will last a lifetime!” He gets the last part in after. I thank him silently for the toast.
Yep, today is the big day.
I’m officially marrying the love of my life. It only took us eight years to do it after we met and three years after getting back together but we’re here. We’re both ready to tie the knot.
We took things slow and steady, like we agreed. Even if we had our rough moments, we stuck to our guns and took our time for fear we’d ruin it all over again. When we finally got in the groove of things, it was so liberating to be back to what it was before without even trying. Effortless and perfect.
Even if it wasn’t 100 percent like before, we’ve adapted to our new normal and it’s worked out very well for the two of us.
We agreed that there will be no expectations going into it and that we were going to be somewhat different from who we once were in college. Things have changed, and it’s like we’re starting from scratch, only this time we have a little less to anticipate and a little more room to breathe. We’ve learned about each other and took that time to be with one another yet still have time for ourselves. We weren’t always attached at the hip. As much as I wanted to at the beginning, we agreed that it’s not the best for the relationship. We worked hard on it.
Don’t get me wrong, as much as the relationship had its blissful moments, we always had our fair share of fights. We just always agreed that no matter how angry or upset we are with one another, we’d talk to each other about it and never go to sleep on a fight. We’d take the time to understand how the other person felt in that moment. It wasn’t me versus her in the fights, it was us versus the problem.
We’re not the perfect couple, even if it look like it when we’re plastered all over the tabloids and online gossip sites that certain people live for. We have our moments, but that’s the road we took, one that has lead the both of us to getting back fully together.
A large heavy hand weighs on my shoulder. I turn around to meet my father-in-law, Rodger Steel. The most protective goddamn man on this goddamned Earth. Three years of nonstop glares, sly digs, and warnings about Carter, none of which I actually took seriously. I knew at the end of the day, he liked me. He knows that, too, and it only made things between us weirdly playful. We get along great. I have all the time in the world for him and Elaine and vice versa with Carter and my parents. We’ve become a very close family, but it wasn’t easy getting Rodger’s trust back. I had to work for it. Even when he told me Elaine would be more of a problem, I knew she’d give me another chance. However, I knew it would be the only one she’d give.
Our families blended together seamlessly when we got back together. Although it was a bumpy road at first due to so many opinions, doubts, and people being very cautious when it came to our relationship, but that went away once we proved that we were always meant to be together. We pushed through the doubts of outsiders too. That was harder for Carter. So many people we’ve never heard of nor spoke to talked about our relationship, influencing the public in more ways than we could imagine.
Until I shut it completely down in one interview. Since then, we’ve had no problems.
Carter quit from the clinic she originally worked at and opened up her own physical therapy center for all walks of life; old people, children, and athletes to name a few. I own a fair bit of it, but I’m only a name on the paper. Even if she hasn’t gotten the money to buy me out yet, it’s already all hers.
She was hesitant at first after the blow of being turned down to be the physical therapist for the Chargers. I knew she had wanted the job, but she also had to be true to herself. She told herself that it just was not meant to be, and maybe it’s not. She always said that if a position is open in the future, she may have a better chance because of the experience she’ll gain throughout the years. She would go for it if offered the chance, but at the moment, she’s in no rush to make those kinds of changes.
Would I have wanted to see her every day at work? Definitely, but she’s happy with where she is and happy that I could help her out, even if I had to beg her to allow me to. It took a lot of convincing on my part.
Rodger holds his hand out to shake mine, and I set the glass in my hand down on the table I was leaning on. I stand up taller as a sign that he has my full attention. Reggie stands alongside us, sipping on his freshly poured craft beer. “Congratulations, Nick. The tux looks great,” he compliments me.
“Thank you, Rodger. You don’t look half bad yourself. I’m sure you’ll have the ladies all over you later.” Despite this man’s age, he can still attract many of the ladies’ eyes without even trying. I think it’s his aura and confidence, which has often gotten him into trouble with his wife since it gains the attention of many other married women.
“Oh, trust me, it’s already begun. I’m already in trouble just by coming down to see you before the ceremony. Apparently, the girl at the front desk was flirting with me.” He rolls his eyes.
