Page 125 of Rush

The garden is private and secluded. It’s also huge with woodlands at the back. There’s a tent set up over to the right, where the reception will take place. And the section where the wedding will actually take place is adorned with flowers, hanging lanterns, and fairy lights.

It all looks beautiful.

There are seats on either side of the makeshift aisle leading up to the altar where Zeus is standing in a traditional tuxedo, waiting for his bride. Ares and Lo are at his side, both in tuxes.

Ares looks incredibly handsome. I rarely see him in a suit, but when I do, it makes my hormones go all kinds of crazy.

I’m wearing an off-the-shoulder dusky-pink satin dress with an organza skirt with leaf and flower details on it, teamed with pale pink heeled sandals on my feet.

I’m seated up front on the right, going with traditional etiquette, with the groom’s side being seated here. Cam’s friends and family are over on the left. There aren’t tons of people here. But that’s how they wanted it. Only the people who matter are here, and I’m proud to be one of those people. Kaden is sitting next to me, smart and handsome in a navy-blue suit. Next to him is Ares’s dad Brett. He’s a big guy. I can see where they all get their size. But they don’t look like him. I’ve seen pictures of their mom, Grace, and they all look like her. She was incredibly beautiful.

I’ve gotten to know Brett a little better in the time Ares and I have been together. He’s a good man who made a lot of mistakes, but he doesn’t know how to make up for them. He reminds me a lot of my dad in that respect.

And, in some ways, Brett reminds me of myself—in the difficulty he has with alcohol. I understand that about him, which is something Ares never will. Only someone who has to deal with the addiction on a daily basis will understand.

I don’t understand how he could’ve chosen alcohol over his children. I know for sure that is one thing I would never do.

Brett is still sober, and this is the longest stretch. I think he’s in it for the long haul, like me. And, even though he’s sober and trying, his relationship with Ares is still difficult. But I think it always will be. Because Ares can’t find it in him to forgive him for failing them when they all needed him, and I do understand that.

Although I do forgive my dad for letting me down. My relationship with him is getting stronger each day. We’ve talked a lot. Mostly me about how I felt about his failings when I was younger. He’s listened. And he’s working on making up for it. Being a better father to me. There’s no magic fix, but we’re a hell of a lot closer than we once were.

I guess, in a not-so-nice way, what happened with Leo, was the catalyst to finally make my dad start talking to me, opening up.

Speaking of Leo, the police never did catch the people who beat his ass that night.

I heard he left New York and moved to San Francisco for a job there.

He didn’t have much of a career left here. My dad froze him out of the press for the Giants, and my dad knows all of the other teams’ coaches. After a few words in people’s ears, Leo was blocked out of their press access, too.

I can’t say I was sorry to see the lying, deceptive scumbag leave New York.

And I’m still sober, if you were wondering. I got my one-year chip a while back. I’m hoping to be a sponsor one day. Luke continues to be my sponsor, and I see him on the regular and go to weekly AA meetings. I still need Luke’s support as my sponsor and friend. He and Ares get along really well, too, which is great.

I still have moments from time to time where I think I need a drink, although not as often as they once used to be.

And Ares is there for every single one.

He’s my rock. My strength.

I look at him and remember all the reasons I don’t want to drink. All the reasons I need to stay sober.

I had my gallery showing, and it was a huge success. Ares insisted that we display our painting. So, I did. Of course, it wasn’t for sale, as it already had an owner. But it was right to see it there among my other paintings.

Moira was thrilled to see it hanging with my other art.

Everyone came that night to support me. Ares and my dad were there along with Missy, Lo, Zeus, Cam, and Kaden. Every member of the Giants team, including players and staff. Mary, my dad’s PA, came along with her husband, Ted.

Dec was there. It was because of him I had a place in the gallery. And there were all the industry insiders that Moira had invited.

I sold out of every painting that night.

Ares and I celebrated afterward in bed.

It was a really, really good night.

I’ve had two more gallery showings since then. Both equally as successful. I’m more and more in demand, meaning I’ve had to reduce my time on the shop floor at the gallery to spend more time painting.

Although I’m still painting out of my apartment. I could really do with a studio.