Page 76 of Last Slice of Pie

I’ve never understood why, when people say they’re in love, they choose to wait to propose and then wait to get married. I mean, what are they waiting for? As a guy who spends most of his days with guys, just like women, when we know, we know, and I know there will never be anyone but her.

It’s always only been her, and I don’t want to wait.

Which is why tomorrow, on the swing under the old oak tree, I’m surprising her by proposing. I know she doesn’t see it coming, but I also know she feels exactly like I do, and I can’t wait to make it official. I want the world to know she’s it for me.

I also don’t want her to worry.

The last time I drove away for the start of a new season, I didn’t return, and as I head out next week, down the long driveway with my tail lights fading, I need her to know, to eternally know I’ll be back.

For her.

For forever.

Eating the last slice of every pie.

Coffee Chess Pie

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY their wedding day is the best day of their lives, and they aren’t wrong, but somehow for me, it just feels like more.

So much more.

Six months ago, Bryan got down on one knee and asked me for forever. I’d already given it to him, but he wanted there to be no doubts, ever, and that was quite all right with me. Of course, I would have married him right there on the spot, but it was important to both of us that James be present. After all, he completes our little family of three.

His coaches weren’t thrilled when we discreetly announced the day, but they understood James’s leave time was short. So, they excused Bryan, Reid, and a few others during the middle of a random week in October to head to our house, where, surrounded by our closest friends, midmorning on a Wednesday, we said, “I do.”

To have loved just one person my whole life and then to have them love me back—I’m living in the perfect dream.

A warm, late-summer breeze blows over us as Bryan gently rocks us back and forth on the swing under the old oak tree. Of course our wedding had to take place here, beneath the canopy of swaying green leaves and the tree house that started it all.

My head is on his lap, my feet are hanging over the opposite end, and my eyes drift shut at the sensation of his fingers running through my hair. I know my dress is dragging across the dirty ground, and I just don’t care. Everything about today was perfect.

“Are you disappointed that it rained today?” Bryan asks. All of our guests have left, the small intimate party is over, and the sun has dropped enough that it’s hidden by the house, leaving us cool and in the shade.

“No. I love the rain—you know that. Besides, lots of people have sunny wedding photos, but we’ll have cool misty ones with us cuddling under an umbrella, and I’ll never forget the rainbow after it ended. It was so pretty.”

That’s right, I got a rainbow on my wedding day. I also got wet hair, but I didn’t care.

“It was really pretty . . . I just hated that everyone and everything got wet.” His fingers leave my hair and trail around my face, down to my collarbone.

“It didn’t rain for long, and don’t forget, rain on a wedding day means good luck. I think it says something about our future.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” he asks, swiping his finger back and forth above the edge of the sweetheart neckline on my strapless dress.

“That we’re going to succeed, no matter what.”

His fingers and the swing stop moving.

I open my eyes to find him staring down at me with the same expression as when I walked down the aisle: adoration. I walked myself down to the man of my dreams, not because I didn’t have options, but because I’m the only person who can give me away. No one else, just me.

That, and James was our officiant.

My brother, his best friend.

James gave us the ultimate gift as he guided us through the vows of our special day, filling it with charisma and love like only he can. He made us legal, made us a dream come true.

“Sometimes you say things and they take my breath away.” Bryan slowly blinks, briefly hiding those gorgeous blue eyes, and my heart blinks with him.

“Well, it’s true.” I reach for his hand and link our fingers together, aware of the presence of his wedding band where there was nothing there before. “Just think, next year could be your year, the year you finally win it all.”