“I thought you two hated each other?”
“Well, apparently not anymore.”
He chuckles, but the way he’s looking at me, his expression is full of sympathy, as if he knows whatever happens next is going to be a terrible decision for me to make.
“You couldn’t have picked a better man, Reese. More than anything, know that.”
That is something I undoubtedly already know.
I nod, trying to swallow back the thickness in my throat. I can’t fight the emotions today. My heart feels heavy. This conversation has been weighing on me. Being in love with someone you’re not supposed to is really fucking scary.
“I need to take my grandad hat off now,” he says. “We need to talk business.”
I brace myself, already knowing what he’s going to say. He and I are both aware there’s no way things can continue the way they are now. We’re both aware that’s why I finally came to him.
“Grandad, I promise I’m not trying to ruin the franchise you just left behind.”
“Then don’t.” His eyes are fiercely glued on mine. “You don’t have the luxury of doing whatever you want, Reese. That’s something you gave up when you took on this position. You have a responsibility bigger than yourself. You don’t get to be selfish, and you don’t get to have a choice. Do you understand?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“This is a business, Reese.”
“I know.”
“Good. Then you also know exactly what you have to do, whether you like it or not.”
38
Emmett
Reese was right. Miller does make a beautiful bride.
Did I cry a little when I saw her in her dress for the first time this afternoon? Yes.
Did I tear up while I walked her down the aisle then again during her vows? Also, yes.
Today has been special for a lot of reasons. Kai and Miller asked me to officiate the ceremony, so I got to stand up there with them and lead them through it. Isaiah and Kennedy acted as the only members of their bridal party, standing on either side of them.
And of course, Max was with us too, wearing a button-down shirt that refused to stay tucked in. He’s had a ring of something around his mouth all day, chocolate milk if I had to guess, and could hardly stand still as he listened to his parents make vows to each other.
It was perfect.
And every once in a while, when the timing was right, I’d look into the crowd and catch Reese’s eye. Sitting in the second-to-last row, wearing a pretty lilac dress and a sweet smile on her face as she watched.
It’s nice to see her enjoying herself. Since we got home from Colorado, she’s been a bit off, burying herself with work. When I asked if I could help with anything, she assured me she had everything handled—whatever that means.
But today, it’s clear she put all of that on the back burner and has been fully present and in the moment with me. It’s been more special having her here than I could’ve imagined.
When Kai and Miller had their first dance, I got to sit with her as we watched them together. She had her hand in my lap, stroking soft lines on my thigh the whole time. When Isaiah gave his best man speech, I had my arm around her chair and whenever she laughed, she’d fall into my shoulder. After Miller and my father–daughter dance, Reese is who I came back to.
It means more than she’ll ever know, getting to share today with her. Getting to talk to her. Getting to sit next to her. Getting to take photos and dance with her. Getting to experience this all with her.
I know she was hesitant about being out in public with me for the first time. Although the team has assumed correctly about the two of us, they’ve never seen us together in this way or had our relationship confirmed. That changed today.
She was nervous at first, looking around anytime I reached for her hand. But soon enough, she settled.
Yeah, every one of the guys gave us shit at one point or another, but it was all good-natured. And it was nice. Beingusin public for once.
