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Without breaking contact, I whispered. “Always.”
The End
Author’s Note
Writing Leah and Radleigh’s wedding provided me with a bit of a challenge. You see, weddings are designed to be sappy and romantic. However, I believe you can have too much of a good thing, and I was concerned that, seeing as the story is from Leah’s point of view, if I kept writing everything I wanted/needed to write, it would get too “samey.”
There are a lot of characters in the Game On series. If you’ve read from the beginning, you’ll have followed their journeys and you’ll know how much each character has changed from the start. It felt like a disservice not to give you a roundup of where everyone is in their lives, and how they’re feeling at this point in the story, so I wanted to give you some bonus scenes to finish up the wedding, each one from a different POV, so you can see where they are right now, and where they’re going. However, it’s not absolutely imperative to read on. Personally, I prefer some things to be left to the imagination, so if you would prefer that too, it’s okay to stop here.
So… enough of my chat… let’s get back to the party (if you want to)!
Freya
It was real hard to take my eyes off Leah and Radleigh as they danced their first dance as a married couple. The entire room watched in silent awe as they stared into each other’s eyes, laughing gently and sharing the occasional lingering kiss, oblivious to the rest of the world.
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, but I wasn’t sure what they were for. Partly, of course, they were joyful tears at seeing my best friend so happy. Impossible not to feel warm and fuzzy witnessing so much love between them. They’d had the roughest year ever, but they’d been strong enough to survive the storms – they deserved this day.
But that wasn’t all.
Since Radleigh mentioned Will in his speech, I’d felt… different. Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was going to happen. Leah asked me well in advance if it was okay because she didn’t want to blindside me on the day. And I was more than happy to give my blessing, because everything Radleigh said was true. Will was a big part of Leah’s life – of all our lives. It was fitting to pay tribute to him.
I just hadn’t expected to feel this huge wave of depression crash down on me at the mention of his name.
All of my hopes and dreams had once centred around him. We were supposed to have a wedding day. A family. We were supposed to have everything.
“Come with me.”
Bree’s whisper in my ear made me jump, and I turned to see her holding her hand out to me. Her eyes told me she knew where my mind was taking me, and I turned to Miguel, who sat beside me, lost in his own thoughts.
“I’ll be right back.”
He nodded and smiled, his chocolate brown eyes soft on me.
Turning back to Bree, I took her hand and let her lead me through the mesmerised crowd and outside. The evening air caused goose bumps to pop up on my skin, and I rubbed my arms as I waited for her to speak.
“Talk to me,” she said gently.
I shook my head, biting my lip to hold back the emotion. I didn’t want to do this. Not here. I didn’t want to be selfish. This was Leah and Radleigh’s day and I couldn’t let my emotions become a big deal. If Bree hadn’t seen me, I’d have ridden it out quietly. Smiled my way through the evening, and then maybe when I got home, I’d have had a little cry.
This didn’t happen often anymore. It wasn’t that I didn’t miss Will anymore – obviously – but I didn’t wake up crying now. Didn’t get overwhelmed by it as much. But sometimes, at the weirdest times, I got flashes of the way I’d planned my life, and the reminder that things were so different shook me for a moment.
I didn’t just lose the man I loved, I lost my best friend. And that was what caused my heart to ache the most. I had incredible friends, but there was a bond I’d shared with Will that couldn’t be replicated. Probably never would be.
“Come on,” Bree pressed, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Please, Freya. Just let it go, because if you don’t, it’s going to ruin the rest of your night. Don’t let it eat at you. Tell me.”
Squeezing my eyes closed, I shivered as I felt a tear drip down my cheek. “I miss him, Bree. I miss him so damn much.”
Bree enveloped me in a hug, holding me tight. “I know you do, babe. I know.”
“Why does this still hurt so much? Why isn’t it over yet?”
“Because you loved him. Because you’ll always love him. And no matter what else happens in your life, he’ll always be the one.”
“We had so many plans. And I hate that I’m out here crying on Leah’s wedding day, because I have so much to be happy about! God, I’m so happy for her, Bree. And I’m happy with my life, but right now…” I trailed off, trying to straighten up, but Bree wouldn’t release her grip.
“Don’t beat yourself up for being human. Anyone would feel the same in your position. Days like this are hard. It’s okay.”
“Oh yeah? You think Miguel is going to be okay with me falling apart out here? You think he doesn’t know what this is all about right now?”
