He jerks his chin toward the locker rooms. “Let’s get moving before any of those nosy bastards decide to investigate.”
We skate toward the tunnel in silence. The atmosphere is lighter than before but still weighted. Our relationship has shifted, and it’ll take time for it to find a new balance.
There’s an explosion of noise the second we step inside the locker room. It’s filled with laughter, music, and the sounds of gear being shoved in cubbies.
Knox is the first to spot us. “Why do you two look like you just went twelve rounds?”
Jax smirks. “Probably because he just told the Big O he’s marrying his sister.”
My head snaps toward him. “How the hell did you figure that out?”
Jax shrugs like it’s nothing. “I have eyes and ears, duh.”
Steele’s assessing gaze flicks between Oliver and me. “That true?”
I straighten on my skates. “Yeah. It is.”
Oliver steps up beside me. “I’m good with it.”
Steele nods once. “Okay then. Congrats, man.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Appreciate it.”
As we head to our stalls, Oliver meets my eyes for a brief second before looking away. I give him a single nod, and somehow, that seals an understanding between us.
Whatever I have to do to protect and take care of his sister, I will.
35
Kia
For a place where I’m about to make a life-altering decision, the Cook County Courthouse feels absurdly ordinary. Gray marble floors. Fluorescent lights. The faint smell of paper and cleaner lingering in the air.
Our footsteps echo as we walk down the corridor.
Elody skips ahead, her dress swishing around her knees, shiny, black patent leather shoes tapping against the floor. She hums to herself, swinging the small bouquet she insisted on picking up from the flower shop.
I smooth my hands down the front of my dress for the third time in as many minutes. Rina surprised me when she brought it over the other day. It’s pale pink, soft, and simple. In other words, absolutely perfect. I didn’t even bother to argue. I just let her zip me into it while my hands shook.
More than twenty-four hours later, they’re still shaking.
This isn’t how I pictured getting married. There isn’t a white gown, aisle, or music swelling in the background. Just an ordinary dress, paperwork tucked under Laiken’s arm, and the knowledge I’m stepping into something that started out as a solution and already feels like so much more.
I glance sideways at the man I’m about to marry. He’s wearing a suit that’s charcoal gray, tailored, and fits him perfectly. The sight sends a fresh wave of desire through me, and my cheeks heat for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with waking up with his face buried between my thighs this morning.
I can’t shake the memory of how he took his time, treating my pleasure like it was something to savor, something worth lingering over, as though it truly mattered.
As if I mattered.
Like what I felt was just as important, maybe even more so, than what he wanted for himself.
The realization leaves me unsteady, because it’s not just rare, it’s foreign to me. I’ve never met a man like him. His selflessness and generosity continue to throw me off balance at every turn.
With a swallow, I force my gaze forward before he can catch me staring.
But I’m too late.
This man notices everything. He reaches for my hand, his thumb sweeping over my knuckles. When I glance up, I find him watching me.
