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“You know I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Braxton and Cara step behind Noah, holding hands.
“There’s the groom,” Braxton says and gives me a one-arm hug, with Cara following suit.
“Thanks for showing up, man. It means a lot.”
“We wouldn’t miss this for anything,” Cara says. She scans the room. “Where’s Lexie?”
“She’s with Cassie and Olivia,” Garret says. Olivia is Garret’s daughter. I’m surprised he hasn’t proposed to Lexie yet. Out of everyone, I thought they would’ve been the first to tie the knot.
“Oh my gosh, I bet your little girl is such a cute flower girl,” Shannon gushes.
“She’s so excited, even though we had to bribe her to wear the dress.” Garret laughs as Shannon heads to the door.
“Where are you going?” Noah asks.
“To go find the girls.”
“Wait for me.” Cara rushes up to her. They exit, and the guys shake their heads. Braxton punches my arm playfully.
“I can’t believe you’re the first one to get married.”
“Yeah, you’re making us look bad,” Garret says.
I give them a wicked grin. “I can’t help that you’re all wusses.”
“Hey, I bought the ring. The opportunity hasn’t risen yet.” This comes from Braxton. “It won’t be long. I can’t wait too much longer. We won’t be able to make it official until she graduates though.” Cara has two and half years left of veterinary school.
“Yeah, I plan on asking soon as well.” Noah shrugs. “I was waiting for Christmas.”
“Not to sound like a parrot, but I was going to pop the question during the down season too.”
Marty shifts, and I feel like an asshole forgetting that he doesn’t know these people. I make the proper introductions and try including him in our conversations.
“We need to make a pact. We get together every winter break,” Noah says.
“We should drink to that.” Garret looks around the room. “Where do they hide the sacramental wine?”
I shoot him an are-you-kidding-me look. “Does this look like that kind of church? I was lucky to get the man to marry us.”
He shrugs. “Should’ve brought some, I guess. Why didn’t I think to do that?”
“Because it would’ve gotten confiscated,” a deep voice that still sends shivers down my spine says. The glare Coach shoots Garret’s way causes him to retreat. I hold in a laugh. Out of all of us, Noah drank the least, but Garret, who wasn’t around most weekends, came in a close second. Coach turns to me. “Can I have a word?”
I have never seen a room clear out so fast.Wusses. But who am I kidding? Coach and I may have come to an understanding, but that doesn’t stop the spike of adrenaline shooting in my veins. I figured this talk was coming, but I also figured it would’ve come before now, not ten minutes before Cassie’s due to walk down the aisle. My thumb grazes the bottom of my right ring finger. Even though the ring has been missing for months, I still haven’t shaken the habit. I swallow hard and ask, “What’s on your mind?”
“I wanted to properly welcome you to the family. I know you’ll be a good husband to Cassie. All I can ask is you always treat her with as much respect as you did the night you defended her honor.”
My gaze flicks to his. Did he find out what that prick said that made me lose my mind?
As if reading my thoughts, he nods. “Yes, I know what prompted the fight.”
“How?”
“Son, there isn’t anything that happens around these parts that I don’t know about.”
My throat clogs with emotion I’d never felt with anyone besides Cassie.He called me son. And even though his admission comes across as a warning, I extend my hand. “I won’t let you down. Taking care of Cassie is my top priority.” And to drive home my point, I add, “I appreciate your understanding my need to take my shot, but she will always come first.”
