Page 138

I’ve completely become a part of it.

EPILOGUE TWO - CHRISTIAN

Six Months Later

Fresh-cut grass, gasoline, and barbecue smoke drift through the air.

Kiss Me Now by Pierce The Veil plays somewhere behind me over the steady murmur of voices rising like a tide. Pulling my hair back, I chuckle to myself as I look out over Huck’s parents’ backyard.

White chairs are lined up in even rows, facing a wooden arch wrapped in checkered flags. Beyond it, cutting through the far edge of the property, is the dirt bike track Huck grew up riding on. Salem and Owen are currently stringing lights along the fence posts, both in tank tops thanks to the warm summer day. Lined up along the side are everyone's bikes, per Taylor's request. He wants to race after the ceremony, which surprised nobody at all.

Huck’s currently pacing near the arch, dressed in his motocross gear like the rest of us, curls loose and wild.

“You’re gonna dig a trench if you keep doing that, hermano,” I tell him.

He shoots me a look. “Don’t start.”

“You nervous?”

“Yes,” he says immediately. Then exhales and scrubs a hand over his face. “I’ve never been this sure about anything in my life, and it’s freaking me the hell out.”

With a smirk, I clap him on the shoulder. “Proud of you, man. You and Tay.”

“Thanks.” He smiles softly, dark eyes sweeping over the yard. “Can you believe we’re here right now?”

I look around at the folding chairs filled with friends and family. Huck’s dad, Aaron, is sitting front and center with Taylor's mom beside him. Logan and Devon's parents are even here, along with the triplets. So are my mom and siblings. Some of Huck’s old teammates, too. Arya even made the trip from Seattle with her girlfriend, Olivia.

Hannah chases Tay's rabbit across the yard while Xed laughs, and Matty watches fondly with their two-month-old baby, Penelope, in his arms. She's the cutest little shit, already feisty just like her older sister. Matty's family is here, as well.

And then my gaze finds Dev.

He’s standing a few feet away in my leather jacket with the sleeves rolled up, laughing with Owen. His hair is longer now than it was last year, falling over his brow. My heart skips a beat when he catches me looking and grins.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I can believe it.”

A year ago, I couldn't.

Back then, especially after the tour and crash, everything felt temporary. People, good days—even the ground beneath my feet. I think I was bracing for the next big thing to go wrong and blow everyone's lives to smithereens.

Now I’m standing here, preparing to watch my best friend marry the man he almost lost, with the people who matter most filling the seats in front of us. TOT is doing great, especially now that our merch designer—Huckslee—has partnered with Symbiotic, and a few band members were spotted wearing our brand (thanks, Salem). Profits are higher now than they've ever been.

Shit, Dev's even looking into trade school now that he's finished with probation, and Tay and I are tossing around the idea of opening up a mechanic shop. Somehow, life worked out for everyone.

Huck follows my gaze and spots Devon coming toward us. “He's looking good. Happy. Healthy.”

“He is,” I say back, not bothering to hide my sappy-as-fuck smile. “We both are.”

“Good.” Huck bumps my arm lightly. “I'm proud of you, too, man. And everyone here. We all made it.”

The music shifts then, and the chatter dies down as people start to stand in their seats. Huck straightens instinctively when the sound of a dirt bike engine cuts through the noise. “That’s him,” he murmurs.

A ripple of laughter rolls through the yard as Taylor comes barreling down the track. He hits the last stretch and pops the front tire up into an effortless wheelie, riding it out far longer than necessary like the fucking show-off that he is.

Huck lets out a watery laugh. “Motherfucker.”

My best friend drops the wheel smoothly and kills the engine a few feet from the arch, dust settling around him. Swinging his leg over the bike, he just stands there for a second, gathering himself. Then he takes his helmet off.

The look on his face makes my chest ache.