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Laiken’s eyes meet mine, and she smiles in the way that’s reserved only for me. I take her hand in my own, kissing the back of it. If I die today at the hands of her father, it would still all be worth it.
But he seems to be calming down, so maybe I’ll survive another day. He watches the two of us skeptically and then sighs as he focuses solely on his daughter.
“And what about you?” he questions. “Is this whatyouwant?”
She reveals her left hand, with the diamond ring sparkling on her finger. “Would I be wearing the ring if I didn’t?”
Her mom’s eyes widen as she comes closer. “Oh, sweetie. It’s gorgeous.”
She’s right. It is a very pretty ring. I knew it was the one the moment I saw it. But even so, it pales in comparison to the woman wearing it.
Laiken smiles at her father. “I love him, Dad. I know it seems fast. I get that. And it is…for you. But I’ve been in love with him since I was fifteen years old.” She glances over and nudges me with her elbow. “He just took a little while to get up to speed.”
I chuckle, rolling my eyes fondly. Leave it to her to make me laugh in the middle of a situation as tense as this one. But that’s the thing about her. I could be in the center of my own personal nightmare, and with her by my side, there’s nothing that can bring me down. She makes me stronger. Better. Worthy of being loved the way she loves me.
“I’ll be honest,” Mr. Blanchard begins. “It’s not my favorite thing to ever happen. Nothing against you, Hayes. We love you like a son. You know that. You’re a good guy, and you’ve always been a great friend to Cam. But Laiken getting married at nineteen was never what we pictured for her.”
My heart sinks inside of my chest. I know I said I would marry her without his blessing, but honestly, I don’t know that I have it in me to betray him like that. I don’t know that I could do that to Laiken.
“With that being said,” he continues. “While I may not love the idea of you two getting married so young, Idolove my daughter. Her happiness is and always has been very important to me. So, if this is genuinely what you two want to do, you have my blessing. But you need to promise me that you will always take care of her, putting her needs before your own.”
“I promise,” I say honestly. “She’s in good hands.”
“NowthatI believe.”
Here I go again, feeling breathless, but this time it’s in the best way. We all stand up. Laiken goes to hug her mom, while I shake her dad’s hand. These people, who have been there for me during some of the toughest times of my life, are going to be my in-laws. Not only am I getting the best person I know as my wife, but they will legally be my family.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so blessed.
But before I can fully enjoy the moment, I have something else that needs to be dealt with first.
“Excuse me,” I tell the three of them. “I’ll be back.”
They all understand, knowing exactly where I’m going. And as Laiken sits down with her mom and explains what we were thinking for a wedding, I head through the kitchen and up the stairs. I consider just walking in, but then I remember the hockey puck that flew at my head the night I told him about Laiken and me, and I decide against it.
I knock twice, then open the door—standing back a little. When nothing gets thrown, I peek my head in and see Cam sitting on his bed. He rolls his eyes, but doesn’t tell me to get out, so I walk in and sit beside him.
“Does the offer to stab you still stand?” he grumbles. I pull the switchblade out of my pocket and hold it out for him, but he just scoffs. “Smartass.”
It’s quiet for a moment while I choose my words carefully.
“You think the worst of me when it comes to your sister,” I tell him. “And I don’t blame you for it. I’ve never given you any reason to think differently. All you’ve known when it comes to me and girls are meaningless hookups and one-night stands. But I need you to trust me when I say that this is different.”
“Oh, fuck off with that shit,” he sneers. “You two have been together for what? Like three and a half months? You barely even know her.”
I smile down at my lap. “I know she talks in her sleep if she drinks caffeine before bed. And that while she acts like a badass, and a part of her is, she’s also fragile and would throw herself on a blade to protect those she loves. I know that she doubts herself on a constant basis, even though she’s the most amazing person I’ve ever met.” As a distraction, I pick at a string on my jeans while Cam stays completely silent. “And I know her older brother is one of her favorite people in the world, and if he won’t be at our wedding, there won’t be one because he’s one of the most important people in her life…and in mine.”
He exhales, showing he’s listening, but I haven’t won him over yet.
“Answer me this,” I tell him. “When have you ever seen me even let a girl stay the night, let alone want to spend every single moment with one—awake or asleep?”
The phone he was flipping in his hand stops and he sighs. “Fucking hell. This really isn’t just a fling, is it?”
I shake my head. “I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
He snorts. “You really hate yourself that much?”
The two of us chuckle, and I feel better knowing that we’re going to be okay. He’s always been like a brother to me, and now he’s going to be my brother-in-law. When we were younger, we used to talk about how cool it would be if we were brothers. But I don’t think he ever thought that would happen by me marrying his sister.
