Page 102 of The Secret Play

And then I saw them.

Nico stepped out from behind a trellis near the rear row of seats, his grin so wide it nearly split his face. But it wasn’t him that stopped me in my tracks. It was the man he pushed in the wheelchair.

My breath caught, my heart slamming against my ribs as I took in the sight of my father.

I couldn’t move. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming. My father—who hadn’t been to an event like this in years, who never left the nursing home—was here. In Vegas. At my wedding.

What had they done to get him here on such short notice? What rules had they broken…hell, knowing Nico, whatlawshad they broken? The expense alone had to be astronomical. I couldn’t believe they did this for me.

Megan gasped when she saw him. She had known him as long as she’d known me and knew exactly how monumental this was. She murmured under her breath, “Oh my God.”

Tears blurred my vision as I clutched the bouquet tighter, my legs trembling beneath me. Megan lent an arm for support, and slowly, I made my way to him, my eyes never leaving him, in case this was a mirage.

Everything else had been surreal. Maybe I was finally freaking out.

But when I reached him, I knelt beside his wheelchair. It was real enough. The man sitting in it was, too. I studied him, memorizing every detail.

Sparse gray hairs lay on top of his bare scalp, brushed and neat. Dad liked to keep a tidy appearance, even now. He wore a suit, much to my surprise. Navy and vintage. His hazel eyes were foggy, the lines of his face deeper than on my last visit. Maybe that was because he was finally outside, and I could see him better than in his dim room at the nursing home. They insisted he preferred it that way, but seeing him here and now, I wasn’t so sure about that.

He squinted from behind his wire-rimmed glasses. There was a flicker of recognition as he looked at me, and that was all it took to bruise my heart. His good days were almost worse than his bad days. Getting glimpses of the man he truly was…well, it made the other days all the more painful. I knew I should appreciate the good days, but I missed him so much. Seeing him recognize me now, I struggled not to sob.

“I know you.” His voice was still weak, but he smiled. “Gemmie.”

A sob escaped me, and I covered my mouth, nodding as I fought to compose myself. Hi, Dad,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m getting married today.”

“Well, I know that. Nickie told me.” His lips curved into a wider smile, making one side droop just a little. He reached for my hand, his touch featherlight but warm. He was having one of his rare good days today by some miracle. I refused to waste one second of it.

“Will you walk me down the aisle?” I whispered.

He nodded, and Nico stepped forward, his expression soft as he placed a hand on the wheelchair’s handles. “Let’s do this.”

Casey stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. I couldn’t look at him yet. I knew I’d lose it. I wanted to run to him and cry in his arms, I was so damn grateful. Somehow, he had made this happen for me. He knew what it meant, and he made it happen for me. Before now, I had no doubts about becoming his wife.

But now, I would accept nothing less.

I stopped across from him and slowly looked up. His tux was classic black perfection, but he had a navy blue and gold pocket square. That had to be from Nico—a reminder of the team that had helped us find our way to each other. Twice.

Casey’s expression was pure love, his blue eyes shining with unshed tears. I had never been happier in my life. As Nico pushed our father’s wheelchair toward him, Casey stepped forward to meet him.

My father placed my hand in Casey’s, his touch lingering for a moment longer than I expected. “Nickie says you’re a good man.”

“I try my best.”

“You better take good care of my baby girl.”

“It will be the honor of my life, sir.”

I glanced back at the audience, and only then did I realize who they were. The team had come to support their coach. Even Whitney was there, and the owner, Matthew. A pair of twenty-something blondes flanked the elderly man, and I wasn’t sure if they were his dates or his granddaughters, but everyone looked happy, and that was what today was all about.

Megan and Winnie sat in the front row with Nico and our father. The ceremony was simple, but every word was imprinted on my soul.

When Casey slipped the ring onto my finger, his hand was steady, but his voice cracked as he said, “With this ring, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you. Always.”

I slid the ring onto his finger, tears streaming down my face. “With this ring, I promise to stand by your side through everything. Always.”

As the officiant pronounced us husband and wife, Casey pulled me into a kiss filled with every bit of love we had for each other. The sound of applause brought me back to the moment, and I turned to see Winnie clapping the loudest, her little face glowing with joy. My father smiled faintly, his hand resting on Nico’s shoulder.

For so long, I’d felt like pieces of my life were scattered and incomplete. But now, standing here with Casey, Winnie, Nico, Megan, my father, and the team, I knew everything was finally whole.

No more secrets.

No more fear.

Just love.

And it was perfect.