I scoff. “Am not. Our dorm was shit because of you, not me.”
He rolls his eyes. I do, too because I know I’m full of shit. Adam is a control freak. Neat freak. Clean freak. All the freaks. “Fine, maybe it was me.” I relent.
“Mmhmm.”
I drink down half my coffee then fill it again with more whiskey. Fuck it, my day of practice with the team is over. And this conversation is giving me hives.
“Adam, I’m laying myself bare here. What the fuck is going on? She’s not herself. She’s not sleeping well, snippy answers, she’s not her usual loving--.”
“Nope, I don’t want to hear about that, Gage.” He’s giving me a murderous eye and holds one hand up.
“I’m just saying, she’s not the same. And I’m trying very hard to make things easier for her. I was joking around with her at the venue, trying to get her to lightenup—”
He bursts out laughing. “Oh man, please tell me you didn’t tell her to lighten up!” He’s still laughing.
“What? Yes, I did! She’s taking this day so seriously; I’ve never seen her like this, not even when she was helping me with my image and all that shit that went down with Tony and Nick, she’s crazed.”
“Definitely don’t call her crazy.”
“I didn’t say crazy. I said crazed. And this IS supposed to be fun. This is a day for us to show our love for each other and our families. It should be a giant party where I get to show off my woman!”
He turns towards me and claps me on the shoulder. “Then tell her that. Tell her what you just told me, minus the crazy. Talk to her, walk it out with her. You guys really pushed this date, and I get the logistics behind it, but she may be doubting her ability to pull it off. And if I know my sister, the last thing she’ll want to do is disappoint anyone, especially you, if something doesn’t go right.”
“If it was going to stress her out like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“I know.” He watches me for a moment. “If it had to be anyone, I’m glad it’s you.”
His words make my heart skip a beat. I know Adam like the back of my hand, and that sentence is him passing her to me. I also know it was probably one of the toughest thoughts he has given voice to. Adam has the belief that he, alone, needs to take care of his family. But he doesn’t have to do it alone. Not then, and especially not now. Not when he needs us more than anything right now.
I reach out and grab him into a hug. “Thanks, man, that means the world to hear.”
“You guys are down to the final stretch here, don’t let the excitement be drowned out by expectation. Go.” He gives me a slight nudge. “Talk to her.”
“I should tell you the same thing.”
He drops his head, shaking it slightly. “We’ll figure it out, but right now, it’s a rocky road. And honestly, I’m scared as fuck.”
“You going to be ok for the wedding? I don’t want you, or her, feeling uncomfortable.”
He waves me off. “Don’t worry, we won’t make a scene.” He smirks.
“I mean, if you need to bang it out, I’ve already scoped out a couple closets. They’re in the back of the place by the kitchen.”
He punches my arm. “Don’t tell me that. If you and my sister disappear, I’ll send a few of Tom’s buddies to bust you for indecent exposure. I don’t care if it’s your wedding day or not!”
thirteen
JACKSON
Vows
Iwill love you with my whole heart, with passion that can’t be expressed in words, only in kisses, glances, filthy words and a new day, each day, by your side.
I vow to remind you we aren’t perfect, and we don’t need perfection, but together we are perfect for each.
You’re the only one who has loved me unconditionally.
fourteen
