Page 77 of Break Out

“We need to finish getting ready,” she says, her eyes darting around the room, anywhere but at me. What’s that about?

“Everything okay?”

She finally meets my eyes. “Yeah. Everything from today is catching up with me. And from this week. It’s been a lot.”

I sit on the bed next to her and reach for her hands. “Want to talk about it?”

“We don’t have time now. We need to finish getting ready.” She doesn’t give me time to respond, getting to her feet and walking around the bed to gather her clothes.

She dumps them on the dresser before selecting underwear and a bra from her drawer. With a sigh, I get up and pull my briefs back on. It won’t take me long to get ready, and I doubt it will take her long, either, but I don’t argue. She needs time to process everything. When she’s ready, she’ll tell me what she’s thinking.

A few hours later, we’re gathered on Smathers Beach, waiting for Clara to make her appearance. I reach over and take Aubrey’s hand, happy to have her standing next to me. Clara decided she didn’t want anyone walking down the aisle or standing at the altar with her.

Music starts from somewhere, and everyone turns to watch as Clara walks down the sand toward us. Except for me. I’m watching Chet. I know the minute he sees his soon-to-be-wife because his eyes light up and his smile grows bigger. He shifts on his feet, adjusting the cuffs of his suit jacket, and my lips tip up into a grin. I can’t help it—I love weddings. I look over at Aubrey. Has she ever thought about her own wedding?

That’s when I see it.

Flashes of me standing under an arch with the ocean at my back watching her come down the aisle. The image is so vivid I can see glimpses of Caleb, Cole, and the rest of the Storm in the crowd. My breath hitches as the realization hits me that I want this with her.

I want forever with her.

I want to stand up in front of our friends and family and promise to love and cherish her for the rest of our lives, like Clara and Chet are doing right now.

“Brody,” Aubrey whispers, a hand on my arm.

I blink, inhaling, and realize that Clara has now joined Chet in front of the Justice of the Peace, and they’re saying their vows. I smile at Aubrey and force myself to pay attention to what’s happening in front of me instead of the scene that’s lingering in my mind of what I want to happen in the future. Now, I have to hope that she wants it too.

That she wants me.

“Want to dance?” I ask Aubrey a few hours later, setting down my empty whiskey glass.

After the ceremony and a few more pictures, we headed back to the hotel for dinner. Everything has gone flawlessly so far. Well, except for the drama with her mother this morning. None of the guests batted an eye at the change of plans. Or if they did, they did it in private. It probably helps that they’ve been kept occupied by alcohol, food, and live music.

Aubrey places her hand in mine. I lead us out onto the dance floor, picking a spot on the edge, away from everyone. The band is playing some fast-paced pop song, but I pull her close and wrap my arms around her.

Aubrey tips her head back to look up at me. “You know this isn’t a slow song.”

“But it gives me an excuse to hold you close,” I whisper, pulling her further into me as we sway. This is the most I’ve ever danced in my whole life, and I’m actually enjoying myself. Probably because it’s Aubrey I’m dancing with.

When the song ends, she steps away. “Want to get a drink?”

“Sure,” I say, even though all I want to do is pull her back into my arms and never let go.

At the bar, she asks for a glass of wine, and I order a whiskey, neat. Drinks in hand, we head back to our table.

“Aubrey,” Brielle yells, prancing over to us.

I can’t help but laugh. She’s clearly had a few drinks and is thoroughly enjoying herself. I glance around for Devon and see him a few steps behind her with a smirk on his face. He catches my eye and shrugs, as if to say I can’t contain her.

“Bri!” Aubrey matches Brielle’s enthusiasm, pulling her sister into a hug. “You seem like you’re having a good time.” Aubrey pulls back to look at her sister. Now that we’re close enough, I see that Brielle’s eyes are glossy, and her face is flushed. Yep, she’s definitely far past tipsy.

“Here.” Devon thrusts a glass of water at Brielle.

Brielle turns to him, crossing her arms and surveying the glass in his hand. “I thought you were getting us more drinks.”

“I did. Here. Drink this. I don’t want you to feel like crap tomorrow for the drive home.” He thrusts the glass at her again. This time she takes it with a resigned sigh, but she does as she’s told, drinking half the water in one gulp. I can’t help but grin at Devon taking care of her.

“What’s up, Bri?” Aubrey says when her sister has finished taking a drink.