Chapter 1
Miles
Idon’t do love.
Not the forever kind, at least—the kind that wrecks you when it’s gone.
My parents had that kind of love. They argued like every other couple, but it never took away from what mattered. You could feel it in everything they did, especially in the way my dad looked at my mom, as if he saw only her. When he died, Mama wilted without him. And that was enoughfor me to swear I’d never put myself in the position to feel that kind of loss.
Across the room, Rain laughs, glowing in a way that feels almost unreal. She’s an hour away from walking down the aisle, and she looks exactly like Ruin did on her wedding day—completely gone, completely in love.
I don’t understand how they do it. Both my sisters have been through more than their fair share of misfortunes, but somehow, they still found men who love them fiercely and without hesitation.
If I thought they wouldn’t give me shit for it, I might ask them if they’re ever scared. If that fear ever creeps in when things are quiet. But I’ve spent years building a version of myself that doesn’t ask questions like that.
To everyone else, I’m the guy who doesn’t stick around—the one-and-done type. It’s not exactly flattering, but it keeps things simple.
More importantly, it keeps women who want something real at a safe distance.
River elbows me, pulling me out of my thoughts, and passes me a glass of scotch. I nod my thanks, taking a sip as the burn settles into my chest.
“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?” I ask Xander, glancing over at him.
“Of course I am,” he says, grinning.
I shake my head, smirking. “You’re so fucking in love, it’s almost disgusting.” I love giving him and my other brother-in-law, Gio, shit for how pussy-whipped they are.
Right on cue, Gio snorts while both he and Xander roll their eyes at me, used to my shit by now. Truth is, I’m thrilled my sisters found men like them. They deserve someone who shows up, someone who doesn’t make them question where they stand.
We’re in one of the bungalows at the resort Xander and Rain rented out for the wedding—some over-the-top private island off the Colombian coast where his family’s from. Ocean on one side, jungle on the other. Not exactly my scene, but it works for them. All of us groomsmen are just killing time in here, waiting for the ceremony to start.
There’s a knock on the door, and we all turn toward it.
“River?” the wedding planner calls, peeking her head through the cracked door.
My oldest brother lifts his hand, almost shyly, and I can’t help but chuckle. He’s a grumpy bastard most days, but when it comes to our family, he’s basically a soft teddy bear. Today, he’s walking Rain down the aisle—just like he did for Ruin all those years ago.
I can’t even begin to imagine the weight he’s carried, stepping up and taking over everything at twenty-two. He kept the orchard running, held the family businesses together, and made sure we all stayed afloat until Rain was ready to take over the diner. His personal life, though? Pretty muchnonexistent. At least, that’s what it looks like from the outside.
A weird ache hits my chest. Guilt? Maybe pity?
Nah. Just the scotch burning on the way down.
Yeah, that’s it,I tell myself, squishing the feeling down where it belongs—same place I’ve kept everything since Dad died.
“We’re ready for you to get in position,” the wedding planner says, glancing at River as he heads for the door. “Everyone else, start making your way to your spots.”
River follows her out, and Xander lets out a loud whoop, bouncing on his heels. “Let’s do this!”
We head out behind him, making our way toward the beach where the ceremony’s set up. A few of Xander’s old teammates are already there waiting. He used to play pro hockey for the Carolina Red Wolves and just retired after back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
“Look at you, goat,” one of them says, giving him a once-over. “You look so happy and relaxed.” He actually shudders.
I glance around at the sun, the ocean, the whole damn tropical paradise. We’re in the middle of the tropics—how the hell is he shuddering?
“Oh, Cody boy. When you meetthe one, you’ll see—everything just clicks. Falls into place,” Xander says, slinging an arm around Cody’s shoulders.
“Yeah, no thanks. I’m in no rush to find my forever pussy.”
