Chapter One
“You can always count on someone to cry at a wedding.
And it’s usually Derek.” - Garrett
DEREK
The day has finally come. I have been waiting for this day for years, have imagined what it would be like, how I would feel—and genuinely, I’m feeling pretty choked up about it all.
“Derek, what the hell is wrong with you?” My good buddy, Garrett, grumps from the corner of the room. He’s a good guy, a great, loyal friend who only acts irritated with the whole world.
But I know better.
He loves me.
“Nothing.” I take a deep breath, looking myself over in the mirror again. Truly, I look damn good. The sport coat over a black button-down shirt, crisp, dry-cleaned slacks, andshiny new cowboy boots on my feet. I’ve never owned cowboy boots before—my wear usually relies on solid, steel-toe work boots—but I have to say, I’m quickly becoming a fan. “I’m just happy. This day has been coming forever, and it’s finally here.”
My other buddies are sitting around the bedroom we’re in, all dressed in similar fashion and all pulling it off just as well as I am.
Warren and Graham are conversing with Chris and Enzo, all sharing a pre-ceremony beer while waiting for our cue.
“This is not your wedding, dumbass.” Garrett sighs, standing and going to look out the window from the second story of Graham’s childhood home. “It’s Graham’s.”
I scoff, holding a hand to my wounded heart and giving him a look that makes him roll his eyes. “I can’t believe you’re not taking this more seriously.” I shake my head. “Graham is my best friend, Quinn is my other best friend, and JC is my godson. This day is important.”
I look over at my best friend, whom I quickly grew attached to when I joined the army and we got stationed together. We were thick as thieves, both bonding over similar things like construction and home improvement, cars, guns, and women. It was easy to bond with a guy likeGraham, he was one of those people who could seamlessly fit into any situation that was necessary.
I was much less that way, needing to stand out even when I don’t mean to.
When Graham met Quinn, his soon-to-be wife, and her daughter Alex, I knew right away that they would be his end game. And I was right.
Quinn was made for my best friend. She was the glue that kept that man from falling apart, and I had been grateful for her appearance in his life.
Quickly after that, they were engaged, but before they could get married, little JC Trevors made his presence known to the world, and they postponed their nuptials.
Now, their day is finally here, and I am absolutely thrilled for them. Graham deserves this life he’s carved out for himself more than anyone I know.
The door opens, and his brother CT walks in, patting Graham on the back and announcing that it was go time. CT is the best man, with me in second, which, I have to admit, burns a bit.
But I can’t deny that seeing my buddy and his brother make up and become friends again was a sight I loved to see.
Shit, there I go again. My eyes water as I think about the day ahead, and I hear Garrett sigh long and hard behind me.
You know what? Screw that guy, I’m allowed to feel emotional.
“All right, boys, it’s time to head down,” Graham announces with a wide, happy grin on his face.
We all shuffle out ahead of him, and he stops me, grabbing my hand with his own and shaking it. “Hey man, it means the world to me that you’re here.”
Oh shit. I am not going to make it past this day. My throat locks up, and I nod my head, pushing past the grogginess in my voice to say, “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Graham sees my emotions and gives me a grin, nodding his head and patting me on the back. “Then let’s go get me a wife.”
We chuckle as we leave the room, walking down the stairs of the family’s generational home.
Last year, I’d come up with the group to help Graham throw his brother CT’s wedding to his wife, Dani. We’d made that shit magical for them, and essentially, with a few extra special tweaks, replicated the wedding we threw for them for my best friend.
The sun is starting to get lower in the sky and the late afternoon glow was perfect for the setting, throwing golden beams of light over the chairs that friends and family sit in.
