Chapter One
Lo
“You look...” I barely got the words out over the lump in my throat. “Oh, Laurie, come here.” Enveloping my best friend in a hug, I held her tightly as she wept silent tears.
“This is not how it’s supposed to be,” she sobbed, making a mess of her makeup.
“I know, I know. But it’s your wedding day.” I coaxed Laurie out of my arms, holding her shoulders and giving her an encouraging smile. “They want you to have the day you always dreamed of.”
“I know.” She hiccoughed. “But how am I supposed to walk down the aisle with my dad knowing he might not...” Laurie inhaled a shuddering breath.
To say the last couple of months had been a whirlwind was an understatement. The wedding shouldn't have been for another two years, after her and Kyle graduated. But after Laurie’s dad found out he had cancer with a terminal prognosis, they had decided to bring it forward so he could be there.
Mr. Davison was in bad shape, but he was determined to walk his only daughter down the aisle.
“I know it’s hard and it isn’t what you imagined, but take it from someone who knows the pain of losing a parent; you’ll treasure this day forever. He’s still here, Laurie.” My hands slipped to hers, squeezing gently. “You get to share this moment with him.”
My heart clenched, knowing I would never get this with my mum. But it wasn’t my day. It was Laurie and Kyle’s, and they deserved all the happiness in the world, despite the circumstances.
“You’re right.” She gave me a brave smile. “I’m okay.”
Laurie dabbed her eyes, and I broke away to grab her a tissue. “Here, let's fix your makeup.”
Just then, the door to our room in The Coastal opened and Summer slipped inside. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“It will be.” Laurie smiled and this time it was a smile befitting a bride. “I just want to get to him.”
“You look so beautiful. I can’t believe that after today, we’ll be sisters.” Summer gave Laurie a side hug, careful not to crumple her flawless ivory dress. It was a princess style gown with a sweetheart neckline and diamantes woven into the fabric. I couldn’t wait to see my cousin’s face when he saw her.
Originally, the wedding was set to be a big affair, but they had decided on something smaller given that her father was nearing the end. I was bridesmaid and Kyle had kept his groomsmen to Maverick, Uncle Gentry, and Laurie’s father.
“I have something for you.” Summer slipped open her clutch bag and pulled out a square jewelry box. “Kyle asked me to give you this.”
Laurie’s eyes grew to saucers as she flipped the lid. “Oh my god,” she breathed, tracing a finger over the silver bangle.
“He got it engraved.”
“If it says, ‘wifey’ I will—”
Summer chuckled. “He’s not that stupid.”
We both raised a brow at that, our laughter filling the room.
“Forever my heart.” Laurie let out a dreamy sigh.
“Sometimes he gets it so right,” I added, feeling that strange tug in my chest again.
Mr. Davison’s illness wasn’t the only unexpected news over the last few months. After training with the 76ers in Philadelphia at the beginning of the year, Maverick had decided not to enter the draft. He wanted to complete his senior year at SU and give us another year together before he was thrust into professional basketball. His agent had almost blown a gasket, but Maverick was insistent.
One more year.
At first, I was worried he’d done it for me. But he’d assured me it was the right move. Maverick loved leading the Steinbeck Scorpions and I knew he wanted one final shot at the championship. Despite being the favorites, they had finished runners up two years in a row.
“Okay, we should probably think about going out there.” I checked the clock and then gave my full attention to Laurie. “This is it. Are you ready?”
She smiled around a nod. “I am.”
Summer handed Laurie her bridal bouquet and I grabbed my smaller, no less beautiful arrangement, and led the way to witness two of my best friends in the whole world say their wedding vows.
Maverick
“You need to relax,” I said to Kyle.
He threw me a sardonic look and ran a hand over his jaw. “I’m sweating like a snowman in Florida.”
My brows crinkled. “You’ve got this, man.” I planted a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, emotion welling inside me.
It was a bittersweet day. Mr. Davison was sick and only had weeks left to live. It had hit Laurie hard and it had devastated me watching my stepbrother try to be his girl’s rock while her world crumbled around her. But it was more than that. It made me realize what Lo had been through when she’d lost her mom and brother. It also drew my attention to the fact she would never get this; she’d never get her big day in front of all her family.
I could fix a lot of things, but I couldn’t fix that.
Lo was doing better. Over the last couple of years, she had seen a grief counsellor and she openly talked about them to me. But I loved that girl so fucking much. I wanted her to have everything.
I wanted to give her everything.
“What’s wrong?” Kyle’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Nothing.” I forced a smile.
“Rick...” he said, studying me. When I didn’t answer, Kyle let out an exasperated breath. “You know, I’d have thought you would have done it by now.” His brow quirked up.
“I know.”
I’d thought about nothing else except putting a ring on Lo’s finger, but the timing was never right. The first time I’d planned on doing it, Kyle beat me to the punch. Then the season had ramped up, and for the first time in years, the Scorpions qualified for March Madness. I’d tried at least two more times since then, but whenever I made plans, something would get in the way.
College.
The team.
Our family.
I’d finally planned to do it earlier this year when we won March Madness and I entered the draft. Only, we hadn’t won, and I’d decided not to draft after all.
I wasn’t ready.
We weren’t ready.
Lo and I had been through so much. I wanted to draft knowing she was one hundred percent ready to stand at my side.
“So, what’s the hold up?” Kyle raised a brow.
Thankfully, the opening notes of their wedding music crackled over the speakers and it was showtime.
The doors opened and Lo entered the room. I swear, it was like seeing her for the first time all over again. Her eyes found mine, twinkling with adoration as she made her way toward us. The dress clung to her curves with every step. It was a simple floor length silver gown that shimmered in the light. It had a thick strap that worked across Lo’s chest and over one shoulder. She looked so fucking gorgeous. I stood there gawking like an idiot until Kyle elbowed me in the ribs and I swallowed the huge lump in my throat.
But it was when Laurie and her father appeared that I fought back the tears. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Mr. Davison proudly escorted his daughter down the aisle. I’d only met the guy a handful of times, but I knew the story. I knew he’d been reluctant to let his little girl follow her childhood sweetheart to USC. But Laurie and Kyle were couple goals, and I was so fucking proud to call him my brother.