Christian: Fuck, man. I’m sorry.
Oscar: I thought Chance was sober.
Derrick: So did I.
Axel: Sober people can get married in Vegas.
Oscar: I know, but this is out of character for Chance.
Christian: He’s hidden his sexuality for years. Look at the shit he put Derrick through.
Axel: Has anyone been able to get in touch with him?
Derrick: They are both MIA. Jackson and Charlie are looking for them.
Evan: Shit. Hope nothing serious has happened. What about the other guys?
Derrick: Sienna spoke to Charlotte, and she can’t get a hold of Blake.
Evan: Fuck.
Christian: Does this mean we need to organize a dad trip to Vegas?
Finn: Don’t sound so happy about that.
Christian: I’m not. I’m just saying, maybe we should check to see if everything is okay.
Oscar: I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Vegas.
Evan: Me too.
Derrick: You guys!
92
CHARLIE
Eighteen months later
I’ve been outside for the last hour, adjusting lights that don’t need adjusting, and straightening candles that are already straight, smelling flowers to make sure their scent still fills the air, because if I stand still for more than ten seconds, I’m pretty sure I’ll throw up.
The backyard is glowing. It looks like a fairy wonderland. The Dirty Texas guys have helped me all day preparing for this, as has Everly. Fairy lights are strung from the fence line to the big tree, cascading down like warm golden rain. There are blankets and vintage rugs layered on the grass. In front of the flower arch, soft lanterns flicker along the path from the back door to where I am standing. I wanted magic. He deserves magic.
Our song plays quietly from the speaker, not too loud, just enough to brush through the air like it belongs here. And then I hear the back door slide open.
“Charlie?” Derrick calls out softly.
I turn.
He steps outside and stops dead.
His eyes sweep over the fairy lights, the flowers, the candles … then land on me. His whole expression softens. Confused. Emotional. Barely breathing.
“Baby …” he whispers. “What is all this?”
My heart is hammering so hard I can feel it in my fingertips.
I take a slow step forward.
