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“No promises, hermano.” He remarked with a wink, then turned to Maybelle, smile still bright, “Wedding? How exciting for you two, when is it?”
Before Maybelle could open her mouth Trey quickly cut in with a promising snip, “Soon.”
Again, Maybelle was giving him a curious side eye, but Trey didn’t turn from the man in front of them. Xavier’s chuckles were deep as he clapped Trey on the shoulder, “Well, I will keep my schedule open for the near future.” Then his dark eyes fell to the two partnering stones in the grass.
Stephanie Anne Mason
Mother
Cherished friend
And confidant
Liam Mason
Son
Brother
Friend
And Captain
Trey’s vision went misty just like it always did when hespent time here. It had gotten easier, but it had been a while since he had returned due to his busy schedule, he happily let Maybelle take over. Being back here, with her, brought on a whole new rush of feelings.
“I like to come here Sundays and talk to them, well, mainly her.” Xavier admitted, the emotion in his words apparent, “Liam was never a good listener, so I just come here to hang out with him but Steph, she always listened, always accepted everything a person had to offer as more than enough.”
At his words, Maybelle stepped in close to Xavier, her eyes glued to the stones as she laced her fingers in his, “You know, she liked you. She would have said yes to you the first time you asked her out if she didn’t have us to worry about.”
Xavier’s watery eyes turned to Maybelle, and she met his stare, “She reallyreallyliked you.” Maybelle’s soft reiterating words had Xavier’s eyes squeezing shut as his chin fell to his chest. A beat, then two passed before Xavier cupped Maybelle’s face in two large hands.
“Know that you are not alone, the Fernandez family is in your corner. You are welcome home to us whenever you need. You hear me?” Xavier insisted, his eyes piercing into Maybelle’s as she nodded.
“Ok, good.” Xavier pronounced throwing one last glance to Stephanie before stepping out towards the path back to the parked vehicles and calling back over his shoulder, “And since you’re a Fernandez you get the family discount so free tacos forever. Visit soon, my mama misses you!”
Maybelle’s laughter was contagious as she hollered back, “I will! Thank you!”
The stars sprinkled the sky, the summer night humidity a welcome as Maybelle spoke to the open, listening air at her mom and brother’s graves.
“So, yeah, I have become quite the bad ass. I bitchslapped Dirtbag Thomas, made new friends, I went to a college party, dated! Yep, that’s been my life. I’m doing it, like I promised you guys. I am here, I’m living, and I won’t stop.” She tossed a cocky smirk to Trey who had been silently sitting with her, watching, and soaking every moment up as she relayed every detail of the last year to her family.
“Also, I’m getting married soon. He’s pretty cool, handsome and my best friend.” At that, Trey scooted up into her, wrapping his Maybelle into his chest. Maybelle hummed, placing a kiss to his cheek as she whispered, “You think Liam is jealous I am marrying you and he’s not?”
Trey’s head fell back with amusement before he quipped, “Oh absolutely. And I honestly would have said yes to him if he had asked.”
Maybelle scrunched her freckled nose up at him, “I have no doubt.” She huffed, her arms tightening around his middle at odds with the pique in her tone.
“Mayhem.”
“Trey?”
“I’ve been curious to know, what triggered the memories? Did it all just flood back randomly, or did something happen to cause it?”
Maybelle’s smile was full of love as she turned to Stephanie, “You’re going to love this, mom.” Then she targeted Trey with her obscenely sweet eyes.
“We played that Just Dance game you gave me, it was truly a cinematic experience, a drama TV worthy moment. I hit the first gold move in theWhen I Grow Updance by the Pussycatdolls and it all just came barreling back. Like it had never left.”
Maybelle chuckled, sweeping another smiling glance over to Stephanie, “Of course, it was during mine and my mom’sfavorite song to play.”
