And to think, this is considered a small wedding.
“You good, man?” Clay murmurs.
“I’m ready to get this started,” I confess.
Beckett chuckles under his breath. “I told you, you should have run away to the courthouse like we did.”
He’s not wrong, and the thing is, Lyla would have jumped to get married in private, but because of my job it wasn’t possible. So instead, we are going all out.
“It’s time to head up front while I get the bride,” the wedding planner says.
“Is everything okay? I saw her brother slip into her room a few minutes ago.”
The wedding planner smiles. “Everything is great. He just wanted a few minutes with his sister.”
I nod as she takes off.
“We will see you down at the other end, buddy,” Kellan says as he slaps my shoulder.
“You got this,” Brett tells me.
Nodding, I pass through the doors and into the chapel. Everyone shifts in their seats, watching me as I make my way to the front.
“Good day for a wedding, Mr. Scott,” the preacher says as I come to a stop next to him.
“I couldn’t agree more, and before I forget, thank you for doing this.”
“It’s no problem, son. It’s all a part of the job.” He smiles.
Music starts, and I turn toward the front.
I watch as each of the guys guides their woman down the aisle to stand alongside us. When we were planning our wedding, Lyla knew she wanted Cora to be her maid of honor but I couldn’t decide between the guys. So I told them to figure it out. Instead of drawing straws, they decided to play for it. Not on the ice, but with video games. Three rounds, whoever the winner was at the end would be my best man.
“I should be standing there,” Beckett mumbles as Kellan stands next to me as my best man.
“Should have played better,” Kellan says quietly as he shrugs.
“Pretty sure you cheated,” Brett says.
“Shhh,” Clay scolds them from the middle of the lineup.
“Everyone, please rise,” the preacher says.
As everyone does as he asks, the music changes. My heart races the entire time, and when the door opens, I feel myself go lightheaded.
“Don’t fucking go down on me,” Kellan hisses under his breath as he catches me.
She’s fucking stunning and literally takes my breath away.
I’ve dreamed of this day for years and now it’s about to happen.
Lyla walks toward me while holding onto her brother with a smile on her face. I step forward and wait for her at the bottom of the stairs.
When they reach me, I reach out and shake Will’s hand.
“Keep her safe?” he asks, emotions bleeding through his words.
“Always,” I tell him.
