“I wouldn’t trust him around my sister either,” Oscar grumbles.
“You were worrying about the wrong brother, then,” Jackson bites back, which makes Oscar chuckle.
“Touche,” he says, raising his drink at Jackson.
“Now he loves me, because we’re family,” Finn adds. Oscar glares at him.
“Are you looking forward to moving to LA? Can’t imagine it’s as beautiful as Montana,” Christian asks.
“It’s different, that’s for sure, but Everly has way more opportunities in LA than Midnight Falls. She put her life on hold for me after the accident. This is my way of repaying her, plus, I get to be closer to my man,” Charlie says, grabbing my hand and kissing it.
“What is it your sister does?” Oscar asks.
“She’s an accountability coach. Basically, she has all these degrees in fitness, nutrition, and counselling, and she whipped me into shape when no one else could,” he explains, the boys falling silent.
“Is it hard not being in the military anymore?” Axel asks.
Charlie looks over at Jackson, and a silent conversation falls between them. “It is. Just like earlier, you were talking aboutyour band being brothers, that was what we were like in our team. Each one of them was our brother, and we were prepared to put our lives on the line to save each other.” Charlie fidgets in his chair, and I can tell he’s uncomfortable talking about it. I give his hand a squeeze, letting him know I am here.
“It’s the main reason I started up my security company, for that exact reason. When you have been living and working so closely with people in a high-pressure, insane environment that many people cannot comprehend what you have gone through or seen, it’s hard to come home and try to be normal again. Because everyone has moved on with their life, but you are coming back to your normal world where nothing has changed for you. It’s as if you’ve been gone overnight, not six months or more,” Jackson explains.
Wow, that must have been hard and a total mind fuck too.
Then Jackson launches into war stories that the boys would like. Charlie joins in, even though he is a little more relaxed, there is still a bit of simmering tension there, but it is interesting hearing his war stories as I’ve never heard them before.
69
DERRICK
“The party has arrived,” I yell excitedly, coming through the screen door. “My little possum, you’re getting married today.” I give her a big hug.
“Congratulations,” the girls sing-song after me, each of them taking their turn to greet Stacey and give her their best wishes.
“Guys, if you want, grab some food and then take a seat, so we can get you ready,” Camryn tells us.
I am starving. It was hard leaving a naked Charlie this morning, but duty calls before dick.
We all eat some breakfast and drink one too many mimosas before the girls get into hair and makeup.
“Do you think Oscar is freaking out over there?” Stacey asks as she sits in the chair.
“On the outside, I think he’s going to look cool, but on the inside, he is stressing out.” Isla laughs.
“I’ll text Chris and find out,” Ness volunteers, typing away on her phone, and she gets an instant reply. “He’s freaking out.” This makes everyone laugh.
“Stacey, it’s time for your makeup,” Camryn says. “Are you feeling okay? You look flushed.”
“Just nerves,” Stacey tells her.
“Let me grab you some water.” Camryn rushes to the kitchen, bringing back a glass.
I wonder if I’m going to be nervous on my wedding day. Surprisingly, I’ve never thought about my wedding, because honestly, I never thought it could be a possibility. But being with Charlie and now here, where my good friend is getting married, the thoughts seem to be swirling around in my head.
“You seem lost in your thoughts?” Sienna asks.
“I was. First time I truly started to think about what I want as a wedding, not a fantasy like what would you do if you won the lotto,” I confess to my bestie.
“Really? Like what?” She gasps.
