Page 5

Wedding planning moved blessedly quick. The options Baylor had for fast and simple weddings were still gorgeous. Plus, there was a huge wedding chapel one town over that stayed put together and had an open day just two weeks out. The place was a combination wedding venue and reception hall. Since they recorded every wedding as part of their package, live streaming was a breeze. Baylor impressed the hell out of Oakley with how fast he threw everything together without stressing them at all. Everything went on behind the scenes with very little input needed from them. Of course, his fee matched his worth. Oakley never stressed about that. However, he had fully expected a hate-filled call from Rocky when he received the wedding invitation. To his surprise, all he got was radio silence. If he RSVP’d, Oakley wouldn’t know. Baylor kept watch over the numbers.

Then he stood facing Eric, with a camera recording every moment, and everything suddenly felt very, very real. He was hyper aware of everyone watching one room over until Eric smiled. Oakley forgot everything except the man who had agreed to do this absolutely insane thing with him.

“You’re completely crazy. You know that, right?”

Eric laughed. “So are you.”

Oakley shook his head. “Nah. I know exactly what I’m doing and I’ve never been happier.”

The way Eric turned dewy-eyed at the confession made it worthwhile.

“Let’s begin.”

Oakley focused on the officiator. The bald man was elaborately dressed in silky robes. Oakley had never subscribed to religion. Honestly, he never even thought much about it. People were born and then they died. It all seemed cut and dry to him. He supposed people were scared of dying and needed a storybook afterlife. Oakley didn’t understand that. He imagined death was like falling asleep. It seemed crazy to fear sleeping. Truthfully, they wouldn’t be scared if someone hadn’t taught them they would burn for eternity if they weren’t perfect in everyone else’s eyes. It felt a little like they caused their own anxiety. He knew he focused on random thoughts to avoid being scared shitless. Eric could still say no. Then what? He would be humiliated, but worse than that, he would be completely heartbroken.

Oakley blinked, and he was repeating his vows. Eric looked every bit as scared as Oakley until they both said “I do.” Then he looked at Oakley in a way Oakley had been begging the universe for—like he loved him.

“I now pronounce you bound for life. You may kiss to seal your love for eternity.”

Now they were at the good part. Oakley overcame Eric and kissed him like he couldn’t wait to find the nearest flat surface. He heard the cheer ring out from the reception hall. Eric smiled against his lips. They burst out laughing. Oakley had never been so happy. Hand in hand, they headed to join the party. As they cleared the door, everyone came to their feet and clapped. Whistles filled the air. They had chosen not to do assigned seating. The only reserved table was theirs. Oakley spotted Rocky and Jakk as they passed. They were deep in conversation with Chipper, so Oakley couldn’t get a read on their thoughts. But they had shown, and that was something.

Eric followed his line of sight and squeezed his hand. “Are you worried he won’t want to stay friends?”

Oakley focused on his new husband. “No. You’re worth more to me than that.” He truly was, but Oakley was still slightly worried. Rocky was more than his friend. He was his agent. Rocky should have dropped him after Oakley retired. There was no reason for Rocky to keep finding ways to keep Oakley relevant, especially now. The guy wasn’t making any money off Oakley’s little conventions. Oakley worried over it while trying to focus on their night. When they stood to mingle after dinner, he was more than a little relieved when Rocky and Jakk immediately headed their way. Jakk had a middle-aged woman on his arm. She was all smiles, walking between Jakk and Eric’s aunt.

Eric froze.

Oakley glanced over. There were tears in his eyes.

“Mom.”

Her smile grew.

Eric covered his mouth.

It hit Oakley. Jakk had set it up for Eric’s mom to be there, and the miracle of miracles, she actually remembered him tonight.

Eric sniffed and closed the distance between them. He hugged his mom, squeezing her until Oakley was certain she couldn’t breathe.

Rocky pulled Oakley’s attention his way. “His aunt says she’s been having some good days lately. So Jakk talked to his mom, who lives nearby, and set it up for her to make the trip with her. We colluded with Baylor, so it would be a surprise.”

Oakley shook his head. He couldn’t stop watching Eric cry and hug his mom. “I should’ve thought to do this, but all Eric ever says is she doesn’t remember him anymore.”

Rocky squeezed his shoulder. “Just see it as the gift it is. You look really happy. I was honestly beyond confused when I got your invitation, but then I watched your vow exchange. That was love I saw. I guess I’ve been a little too wrapped up in my own life to notice some things. This is definitely a story I’d like to hear, though.”

Oakley chuckled. “Yeah. It’s not really that in-depth. I confronted him about stalking you and learned he wasn’t. He actually lived in New York and had a reason to be there. It truly was just an odd coincidence for you two to be in the same place at the same time. So I sat and talked with him for a while. It turns out he’s incredible.”

Rocky nodded. “Yeah. It didn’t take me long to figure out it wasn’t him trying to get between Jakk and me. Unfortunately, it’s someone who’s still very much around. I can only hope he’s done with his bullshit.”

Oakley lifted his eyebrows in question.

Rocky shook his head. “It’s a long story, and this is your wedding. You should meet your mother-in-law before she relapses.”

With a nod, Oakley happily joined his husband. He met Jakk’s gaze as he passed. “Thank you.” He mouthed the words so he wouldn’t disturb Eric’s conversation with his mom.

Jakk dipped his chin. “Congratulations,” he mouthed back, easing something in Oakley’s chest. He didn’t care how Jakk felt about him or his marriage, but again, Rocky mattered to him. That meant Jakk was relevant by association. Plus, it was just better for everyone for Jakk and Eric to bury the hatchet and let the past be the past. Oakley was Eric’s future. He planned to make it like a dream come true. Jakk no longer mattered.

Eric’s emotions were all over the place. His mom hadn’t gotten to stay long before Jakk’s mom took her back to their hotel for the night. Eric knew it was for the best. She was having a good moment, but when that ended, she would likely melt down. That was a heartache Eric didn’t want at his wedding. He had suffered it too many times over the years.

Oakley held him while they enjoyed their first dance as a married couple. Reality didn’t feel very real, and Eric walked on clouds. When they had exchanged vows, Oakley had stared at Eric like he loved him. Eric was scared as hell to dream. He knew they were married, and this should be forever, but that didn’t mean Oakley had to love him. Eric wanted him to, though.

“Thank you.”

Oakley’s words caught Eric off guard. “For what?”

“Marrying me, obviously,” Eric said with a laugh. “You could’ve had anyone.”

Oakley was always saying things like that, and Eric didn’t understand. Between the two of them, Oakley was definitely the prize. “I should be thanking you. Before you stormed my table at that sports bar, I didn’t think I would ever be happy.” Eric leaned back enough to hold Oakley’s stare. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this again.” He prayed Oakley understood and didn’t make him say the words. Eric couldn’t be the first. He had been crushed too hard by life. Oakley was all he had. If Oakley didn’t feel the same, Eric couldn’t hear him say it. He would still do his damnedest to make this the happiest of all marriages, but it would hurt. Eric didn’t know how much more pain he could take.

Oakley didn’t shy away. His gaze never wavered. “Rocky says he saw the love between us when we said our vows.”

Damn. They were really trying to wait each other out, inching toward the same goal. Eric just didn’t know if he could stand to be wrong.

Thankfully, Oakley didn’t leave things at that. “He’s always been the smartest person in the room.”

Eric’s heart soared. A smile exploded across his face. “Sounds like it.”

Oakley never lost his intensity. He touched his lips to Eric’s. Eric’s breath caught at the sweetness of his kiss. “So, thank you,” Oakley repeated. “You’re everything I dreamed I would have someday. I just never realized how much I would love you.”

Eric’s eyes burned. His throat swelled. “It’ll kill me if you stop.” He couldn’t stop the confession. Oakley was uniquely positioned to wreck him in a way he couldn’t survive. Eric’s heart and sanity were held together by cardboard and cheap masking tape that already curled at the edges. One blow and he was done. Oakley had no clue how much trust Eric showed in him. He had nothing left to take.

“Same.” Oakley sounded so genuine—like he truly counted on Eric’s love to get out of bed each day. It was odd. As far as he knew or had seen, Oakley had no reason to easily break. But sometimes Oakley showed Eric glimpses of something dark. Eric wanted all of him, even the secretly broken pieces. He had to start somewhere. Eric had to be vulnerable too.

“I love you.”

Oakley looked away for a second. Eric thought he saw tears well in Oakley’s eyes, but he was too quick. When he looked back, Eric’s breath caught in his throat. Oakley honestly looked like he might cry. “I love you too.”

It hit Eric. For some unknown reason, all his own, Oakley didn’t think he was worthy of love. Oakley missed a step, and a tremor ran through him. Eric immediately pulled him in closer and kept him steady.

“I’ve got you.” The last few whirlwind weeks had been exhausting. Amazing but draining. Eric had size, if nothing else. He could be the strength for once. That’s what marriage was, shoring up each other through every aspect of existence. They would have a gorgeous life. Eric knew it in his heart.