Liam is safely hidden in the bathroom, meaning I’m safe to swing open the door. I’m prepared to tell her off, but the words get caught in my throat. My siblings are standing on the other side of the door side by side. Carson’s arms are crossed over her chest and Lucas’ face is furrowed in confusion and disappointment.
“You told him.” I accuse my sister and she doesn’t deny it. “Well then come on in. Let’s hash it out now.”
Liam sits down on the bed and I stand, defensive as I glare at my siblings.
“You told me you two met at a bar,” Lucas says, recalling the night he met Liam when I was drunk and Liam drove me home.
“Because we did meet at a bar. We didn’t lie to you.”
“That’s a bit of a stretch.” My brother sneers, looking over at my boyfriend with disgust.
“What the hell are you thinking, Flynn? Bringing him here? Are you trying to ruin my wedding?”
“No,” I roll my eyes and scoff. “He’s not my doctor anymore so it doesn’t matter.”
“I doubt Mom and Dad will see it that way. They’re going to freak out.”
“They have their own issues to worry about.”
“And you think this will make it any easier on them? You’re throwing a bowling ball at a house of cards.” My brother’s hand has been all but molded into a fist at this point. I’m not sure he could loosen his grip if he tried.
“I’m sorry for bombarding you. I don’t have to come to the reception. I’m not trying to cause any problems.” Liam is ever the gentleman and always willing to step away from confrontation.
I don’t have those same traits. “No, you’re coming. It’s fine.”
Lucas runs a hand through his hair and tugs on the dark strands in frustration. After taking a deep breath, he turns back to Liam, questioning him. I don’t know how many times we can explain ourselves to my family, and we haven’t even talked to my parents yet.
“Lucas, stop. He’s not taking advantage of me. I love him. I’ve never said that to anyone before. I’m better because of him and I know Mom and Dad will see that and understand, not that I need anyone’s permission. It’s my life and I’m going to be with who I want. If you can’t accept it, I’m not sure you can accept me. I’m only half a part of this family anyway. You could cut me out and not even feel the loss.” I go to Liam, leaning into his side and hugging him around the waist. “I’m not going to continue having this argument with all of you. Either accept us and move on or don’t and lose me for good.”
“I told you,” my sister mutters.
“Told him what?”
“That you’ve changed. You’re serious about this. I told him this wasn’t a fling, that it was the real deal. When you told me about all of this, I was skeptical. I needed time to think and come to terms with it. I love you, Flynnie. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. And here you are.” Carson walks over and hugs me. Accepting the hug and giving it back is foreign. I’m not sure if I’ve hugged my sister in the last sixteen years. Emotions never came naturally to me, but hearing her accept me for me put a chink in my armor.
I look up and catch Luke gritting his teeth, jaw locked. “I can’t say that I agree with this. You’re my little sister and I want to protect you, but I guess that’s not my job anymore.” He glances at Liam, his gaze searing. “If you hurt her, I swear to God…” He doesn’t need to finish the threat.
“Can y’all leave now? We were kind of hoping for some alone time.”
“Leave it to you to make it weird.” My brother mutters and leaves after giving my boyfriend one last unforgiving look.
Twenty-Nine
Flynn
I would never admit to getting misty-eyed at a wedding. It’s not my style. Even now, as I watch Olivia walk down the aisle, with tears streaming down her face, my eyes burn, but I will deny it to my dying day. Luckily, no one is looking at me. They’re all focused on the blushing bride or my beaming brother.
Shit, even Lucas wipes a tear away as he watches his bride walk toward him.
My brother really grew up. The former popular pothead is getting married and teaching America’s youth. I don’t know if that makes me more hopeful or terrified.
The pastor or reverend or whoever the hell marries people starts the ceremony. They opted to write their own vows because of course they did. I roll my eyes. I’m sure Olivia won’t even be able to make it through her vows because she’ll be too busy blubbering. I don’t know if getting pre-annoyed is a real thing, but here I am.
Forget what I said before. If I ever get married, I’m going to the fucking courthouse and saying “I Do” without all the fuss. A wedding may be pretty, but I don’t think it’s worth the cost. You can’t determine how much you want to be with someone by the size of the bill. Who needs a big party?
Holy shit. Did I really just think that? I really have changed.
I snap back to reality to listen to my brother declaring his love for Liv. “Livvy, I won’t promise to love you every day, because promises can be broken. I’m not going to say
