“Yo, Heath, can you do me a favor?” Nathan approaches me, looking sharper than I can ever remember seeing him. “I need to give Chloe her wedding gift before the ceremony, but I’m not supposed to see her.”
I take the present covered not in wrapping paper, but in college-ruled notebook paper with his writing all over it. I give it a little shake. “What is it?”
“It’s not for you.” He blushes and now I really want to know what’s inside. “Can you get it to her or not?”
“Yeah, of course.”
I find the girls’ suite and knock. When it swings open, my heart squeezes in my chest. “Holy shit, babe.”
“Heath.” Ginny looks around. “What are you doing?”
I’m still staring slack-jawed. Listen, Ginny, on an average day, is a knockout. She’s generally casual—not a lot of makeup, hair straight or pulled away from her face in a braid… she doesn’t need all the extra stuff to be the hottest girl I’ve ever seen, but right now… hair in big waves, eyes lined with black, wearing a dress that pushes her boobs up and shoes that make her legs look twice as long…
“Heath?”
I shake my head. “Fuck, you look… fuck.”
She giggles. “You look nice too. I’ve been waiting for this day.” She runs a hand along the lapel of my jacket. “You in a tux is really something.”
“Yeah?” I step into her. “I’m starting to see the appeal of weddings.”
“What’s that?”
“Open bar and a night of fun while I try to figure out how to sneak you away without anyone noticing.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Five-minute warning!” someone yells from inside the room.
“Can you give this to Chloe? I don’t want to go in there. It looks like a bomb went off.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you down there.”
She turns, but I catch her wrist and pull her back to me, taking her lips in a much quicker kiss than I’d like. Someday I’m gonna marry that girl, but today it’s all about Nathan and Chloe.
The guys and I head down first. The hotel restaurant has a huge patio that extends out onto the beach and there are flowers everywhere. In pots, hanging from the doorway, lining the wall. It’s nuts.
People are seated and waiting for the ceremony. The other groomsmen bring Chloe’s mom and grandparents up the aisle.
“What do you say?” I hold out my arm for my mom. Her eyes are already glassy. She’s for sure going to cry, probably in the first thirty seconds. She lets out a breath and flutters her lashes a few times as if she’s trying to stop the tears.
Turning to Nathan, she regards us both. “I’m so proud of the both of you. If your dad were here, he’d give some speech about baseball or fishing that somehow related back to life, but since he’s not, you’re going to have to make do with the girl version.”
“Which is?” Nathan asks, hands in his pockets.
“Just be happy. Life’s too short.” Her eyes are tear-filled again, but she smiles. “He loved you two more than anything and so do I.”
Nathan leans forward and kisses her cheek. “I love you too, Mom.”
She slips her arm in mine and lets out a long breath. “Okay, ready.”
I guide her up the aisle and to the groom’s side. Ginny’s sitting two rows behind the family. I shoot her a wink as we pass. Kevin stands from his seat when we approach.
We shake hands, and he smiles at Mom. He’s a good guy and I’m coming to enjoy having him around. If nothing else, I know he’s been good for Mom.
Today is one of those happy days when I can practically read Mom and Nathan’s thoughts, all of us wishing Dad was here for our own selfish reasons. It’s moments like these that will always remind us our family looks different now.
She squeezes my arm and then slips hers out to take her seat next to Kevin.
“Mom, wait.” Her brows raise as she looks to me expectantly.
“I love you.” My chest aches with emotion. Fuck, maybe I’m going to cry today, too.
Her eyes well with tears again and this time, one slips down her cheek. I’ve waited too long to say the words to her, but I mean them now in a way I didn’t before. Acceptance, forgiveness, or maybe it just took me growing the fuck up. She hugs me tightly. I clear the lump from my throat and take my place at the front.
As the processional music starts and all eyes go to the back, mine go to Nathan, my mom, and then Ginny—my family. I couldn’t imagine life without them. If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is. Maybe it’s not supposed to mean the same thing to everyone or maybe it is and it’s about finding someone whose meaning matches yours. I don’t plan on giving it a lot more thought. It is what it is and that’s good enough for me.
Ginny glances at me and it hits me in the gut, like it does every single time she’s near. Our love matches, plain and simple, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me.
Life is short. Be happy and enjoy every moment.
Coming Soon
Bad Crush, the second book in the Campus Nights series, is coming spring 2021. Pre-order Adam & Reagan’s story now, https://smarturl.it/38lnef.
Playlist
“Forever” by FLETCHER
“Wow” by Zara Larsson
“I’m Not Alright” by Loud Luxury and Bryce Vine
“Savage Remix” by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
“Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa
“DNF” by Preme feat. Drake and Future
“Be Kind” by Marshmello feat. Halsey
“Sick and Tired” by iann dior feat. Machine Gun Kelly
“Fantasy” by Mariah Carey
“Paradise” by Bazzi
“Say So” by Dojo Cat feat. Nicki Minaj
“Boyfriend” by Selena Gomez
“24” by Arizona Zervas
“ROCKSTAR” by DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
“Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake, Lil Jon
“Emotionally Scarred” by Lil Baby
“Find My Way” by DaBaby
“Celebration Station” by Lil Uzi Vert
“Young & Alive” by Bazzi
“Kings & Queens” by Ava Max
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