Page 18 of A Little Crush (The Little Things #6)

RORY

W ith a clink of her glass, Tatum stands tall at the table closest to the bar, waiting for everyone to quiet down.

After a few seconds, everyone catches on and settles into their seats.

“I’ve been instructed it’s my job to start the toasts,” she announces.

“Ophelia,” she turns to her sister, “You look hot as hell.” Everyone laughs.

“Maverick, you look pretty good, too.” Another rumble of amusement echoes throughout the room.

“As I was writing my speech or whatever, I thought about how many different directions I could take this toast. I could tell an embarrassing story, like the time Lia bled through her swimsuit when we were kids, and I called her sharkbait for the rest of the summer.” I cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

“Or I could go the sentimental route, and talk about how we’ve always had our struggles, but Lia's way too stubborn to give up on the people she cares about.” She points at Mav.

“Although, don’t think I won’t neuter you if you decide you have a free pass to treat my sister like shit.

” Her mouth lifts in a smirk. “But what I really think is the most important thing to tell all of you is that it was always Mav and Ophelia. Always.” A soft smile replaces her snarky one as she holds her flute of champagne to her chest. “And honestly, I think that’s the most beautiful thing of all.

Through thick and thin, it’s always Mav and Lia, and I couldn’t be happier for both of you to continue this life together.

For better or worse. In sickness and in health.

” A slight quiver graces her bottom lip before she sucks it into her mouth.

“You two are stuck together, and I think I can speak for most of the people in this room when I say, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

” Raising her glass a few more inches into the air, she says, “To Ophelia and Mav.”

“To Ophelia and Mav!” everyone repeats, each of us taking a sip of our drinks as Reeves clamors to his feet.

After clearing his throat, the crowd quiets and Reeves dives right in.

“I’m not sure how I’m supposed to follow such an epic toast, but I’ll do my best.” He tugs at the collar on his dress-shirt.

“Maverick is my best friend. Has been since we were at LAU. I still remember seeing the way he looked at you, Lia, and I couldn’t help but poke the bear.

” My brother chuckles at his table. “Now, the story I’m about to tell happened before I ever met my Pickles, but, uh, I still remember the summer Ophelia moved in next door.

We were at a fundraiser, and the bride was manning the kissing booth to help raise some money for the women’s hockey team.

Not gonna lie. I was a little bored and had a thing for getting under my buddy’s skin, and what better way to get under his skin than to pay for a ticket and get in line to have his girl give me a kiss.

” His smirk widens. “I’ve never seen Mav move so fast as when I stood in front of Lia, waiting for the kiss I’d paid for. ”

The crowd laughs again, and I join in, imagining exactly how pissed Mav must’ve been. To see the love of his life lean in to kiss his best friend until he had no choice but to intervene .

Shifting closer, Ophelia kisses Maverick’s cheek. He grins back at her with nothing but love and adoration in his navy blue eyes. It’s so beautiful and sweet I can’t help but feel a little jealous.

I’ve never had someone look at me like that. Like I’m their world. Their everything. My gaze drifts to Jaxon, and my heart pangs. I wonder if he’s happy. If he misses his wife. If he mourned the life he was supposed to have with her the same way I would if I was in his shoes.

“So, here’s to many more kisses and glimpses of the overprotective Maverick we all know and love. You two have always been endgame, and we’re glad you finally got your shit together and made it official.” He smirks. “To Opie and Maverick!”

Lia calls out, “Only my husband is allowed to call me Opie!”

But I don’t miss her dopey grin as Maverick reaches over and tugs her into him, stealing a kiss while everyone repeats, “To Opie and Maverick!”

My dad is next, then it’s Lia’s dad’s turn.

Each toast grows a little more mushy, hitting me right in the feels while making me grateful Mav didn’t ask me to say anything.

Not sure I would’ve been able to say a single word before I’d inevitably turn into a blubbery mess.

Actually, now that I think about it, I’ve only shed a dozen or so tears, which, for me, is kind of a miracle.

After Lia’s dad, Uncle Theo, wishes them the happiest of lifetimes together, Maverick stands and raises his glass.

“I, uh, I debated whether or not to do this. Didn’t know if it was the right time or…

I don’t know.” He rubs at his chest with his opposite hand, peering down at his bride.

“But I think I’d regret it if I didn’t, so, here it goes.

All of these toasts are in celebration of me and Lia.

” He wipes beneath his nose with the back of his hand.

“But I want to take a second to share my appreciation for my twin brother, who, uh, who can’t be here tonight.

” His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. “For those who don’t know, my brother, Archer, passed away around ten years ago. ”

My esophagus constricts, making it hard to breathe as I stare up at Maverick.

“It was, uh—” He sticks his tongue in his cheek, and a sheen hits his eyes.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and happened right after I was diagnosed with a rare heart disease.

” He sniffs, wiping beneath his nose again.

“When I found out I would die if I couldn’t get a new heart, I was…

I was preparing to let go of everything I ever wanted.

I was trying to wrap my head around…around what my doctors were saying, and the idea of not living for much longer.

” His chin drops to his chest, and Lia reaches up, tangling her fingers with Maverick’s while staying in her seat.

“And then my brother passed away in a car accident.” He sniffs again.

“Now, you might ask how my brother’s death connects to my diagnosis, and honestly, I would’ve never guessed it either, but, uh,” he forces out a slow breath, “I guess fate decided I needed to stick around a little while longer because I wound up receiving my twin brother’s heart a few hours after we got the call about his accident. ”

My chest aches, the tears falling freely down my face and dripping off my chin as I relive the hardest night of my life. Unable to watch my big brother break in front of so many people, I stare at the small stain of tears on the linen tablecloth.

“Arch?” Maverick’s voice cracks, and my heart crumbles with it.

“Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Period.

I wouldn’t have the opportunity to say I do to the most incredible woman on this earth.

I wouldn’t have been able to visit third world countries and bring them fresh water like you always hoped to do.

I wouldn’t be able to be a father and a friend and a son and a husband.

I wouldn’t be alive without you.” He heaves a sigh, his knuckles turning white as he grips his wife’s hand like it’s a lifeline.

“If you’re out there somewhere, if you can hear me, I want you to know I still think about you every day.

Still miss you every day. Love you, brother. ”

“To Archer,” my dad announces.

“To Archer,” the rest of the room repeats with a somberness that cuts me to my core.

Shakily, I bring the glass to my lips, but the bubbles fall flat on my taste buds as I force myself to toast my brother.

And it’s moments like this when I wish I could numb the pain.

When I wish I could hide my emotions or at least stifle them until I’m alone.

Until I’m not in a room full of people who are here to celebrate, not watch a bunch of people weep for a person who was taken too soon.

But I’m not that person. Nope. Instead, I’m someone who feels and who cries and who wears her heart on her sleeve which makes this moment feel impossible.

The pain is too much. Too real and sharp.

With my heart thrumming in my ears, I push to my feet, ignoring the way my champagne trembles in my glass.

“Hey,” Dodge murmurs from his seat beside me. “Hey, you okay?”

Head bobbing, I mutter, “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. I just need to…” I set the glass back on the table so I don’t spill it all over myself. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a…I’ll be back in a few.”

My legs are wobbly at best as I stride out of the main area and down a dim hallway, stealing a tissue from a side table on the way. Afraid I won’t make it to the bathroom, I collapse onto a small bench pressed against a random wall, cradling my head in my hands.

Tap, tap, tap . Pause. Tap, tap, tap. Pause. Tap, tap, tap . Pause.

The gentle tap-tap-tap sequence against my temples calms me, though I’m not stupid enough to believe it’ll last. No, giving in means the fallout will be even worse in the long run, but I can’t help myself. Not after tonight.

“Hey,” a low voice interrupts.

I jerk at the sound and wipe at my face with my crumpled tissue before peering up.

“I’m not in the”—I hiccup—“mood, Jax.”

“I don’t care if you’re not in the mood, Rore,” he growls. “You need…” He hesitates, and I swear he’s going to say me , but instead he grits out, “someone.”

Someone.

Not him. Of course not. Why would I need him, right?

His ambiguity only pisses me off more. “Well, since you clearly aren’t that person, I think you should go.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His stubbornness only breaks me more. Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I beg, “Leave. Me. Alone.”