“Dissention in the ranks,” Avery declares excitedly. “Time to strike!”
In the end, we win, and I have to admit that Sebastian was a big part of that. I’m not telling him that, but I can think it. Unless heisa mind reader, in which case, I’m fucking screwed. From the look on his face, I’m still going with mind reader because he definitely knows it, the smarmy bastard.
“I’m feeling generous,” he says, putting an arm around my shoulders like we’refriends. “First round is on me.”
“Second round,” Felix corrects as we all line the pieces back up for Felix’s friend to come collect. “Avery is getting the first.”
“Dammit.”
Chapter twenty-eight
Lake
Ihaven’tbeennervousabout this day the entire time we’ve been planning it. It’s just been excitement and jitters, like waiting for Christmas morning. I’ve been ready for this from the moment that Grady got down on one knee.
I’mready. I can’t wait. It’s the start of something magical and a continuation of the most incredible journey of my life.
If only I could get my tie on properly.
My hands are shaking too much to loop it, and now I’m going to walk down the aisle with a lopsided tie. But there are worse things.
“Nervous?” Avery asks, stepping up to help me.
“No—I’m—no. It’s just cold in here.” That’s probably true, but I feel like I’m sweating under my suit.
He slaps my hands out of the way and then does the tongue-sticking-out thing he does when he’s concentrating. “Cold? That’s what you’re going for?”
Yes, yes I am. “Since when can you tie a tie?” I ask, arching my head to the side a little to see in the mirror. Not that I can see anything. He’s in the way.
He mumbles something under his breath that I don’t hear.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” He steps back and straightens the tie. “I think it looks alright now.”
“What did you say?” I push, teasing him. It has to have been something embarrassing if he didn’t want me to hear it.
He sighs. “Fuck, you’re annoying.”
“You love me.” His insides are gooey. Like a small berry-burst-sized gooey bit. It counts.
“I said that I practised. I practiced, okay? I wanted to make sure that I could help you if you needed it.”
Oh.
He groans. “Don’t cry or something, Jesus.”
I pull him into a giant bear hug, squeezing him until he protests. “I’m glad you’re my brother.” I wouldn’t want anyone else to be.
Red spreads over his cheeks, and he looks away, taking a step back. “Yeah, yeah, you too. Now let’s go get you married.”
I’m getting married.
“Yeah.” The most excellent idea. My favourite idea. Better than ice cream. “We have to go get Grady.”
“I know.” He steers me to the left. “His tent is this way.”
Ah. Awesome.
