Page 133 of From the Wreckage

He won’t let me fall. Not now. Not ever.

CHAPTER 99

Everett

Everyonewho ever owed Grayson a favor, who swapped a story in his garage, who bought him a beer, they’re all here, packed into the small church at the edge of town.

Bri’s hand trembles in mine as we walk down the aisle. She’s pale, her sunflower necklace catching the light like it’s the only thing holding her together.

I keep my arm tight around her, guiding her to the front pew. She doesn’t let go of me, and I don’t let go of her. Not for a second.

The service passes in a blur. Words about legacy. About friendship. About the man he was. My eyes don’t leave Bri. Every time her breath hitches, every time her body folds in on itself, I hold her tighter.

When its over, people file out, murmuring condolences. I steer her toward the back door, away from the crowd, giving her space to breathe. The crisp November air cuts through the heavy scent of the flowers lining his casket.

She looks up at me, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice broken. “I hate this. It doesn’t seem real.”

I pull her closer. “I know, angel. I wish it wasn’t.”

Outside,the air is sharp, the crunch of leaves beneath our feet as the bare tree limbs sway in the breeze. We follow the crowd of mourners to the cemetery, every step pulling her closer to the one thing she isn’t ready to face.

We gather around the casket, with Bri standing next to it. I stand behind her, my arms wrapped around her, holding her steady.

At the graveside, the preacher’s voice carries over the gathered mourners, low and steady.“Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.”

Bri sways, her knees buckling. I tighten my arms around her, pulling her against me, my body a shield between her and the world. My hand covers hers where it grips the folded program like a lifeline.

When the preacher bows his head, I don’t. My eyes stay on the casket, fury and grief burning through me in equal measure. Grayson deserved more than this. More time. More years. The chance to watch his daughter blossom into who she was always meant to be.

I hold her as the preacher’s final words fade, as dirt begins to fall soft and cruel onto the casket.

She lets out a choked sob, and I turn her around so she’s facing me, cupping her face with one hand.

Tears slide down her cheeks. “I don’t know how to do this without him,” she whispers.

“You don’t have to,” I rasp. “You’ve got me. Always.”

Her tears fall harder, and I wipe them away, my chest splitting open. I can’t hold it back anymore. Not here. Not with him six feet away.

“Bri… before he died, your dad told me something.” My voice cracks, but I push on. I hear his voice in my head, clear as the day on the dock, forever etched inside my heart.

Grayson studiedme for a long moment, the line slack in the water between us. Then he exhaled through his nose, a rough sound.

“She’s my little girl. Always will be. And I’d be lying if I said it’s easy seeing her with someone like you. Older. My friend. A man with his own ghosts.”

My chest tightened, but I held his gaze, waiting.

“But I also see the way you look at her.” His voice was rough, like gravel in his throat. “Like she hung the damn stars. Like you’d tear the world apart to keep her safe. Every father wants that for his daughter.”

He reeled his line in, slowly. Steadily. The way he does everything in life. “So if you love her the way I think you do… don’t let her slip away. Fight for her. Even when she pushes you away.” His eyes cut to mine. “Especially then.”

The rod bent, the lure caught against the surface. He shook it loose, muttering, “She’s worth the patience. Worth the fight.”

Then he looked at me, his eyes unflinching. “And you’ve got my blessing to marry her one day.” He grinned at my stunned expression. “Just don’t screw it up.”

Shock flickers through her grief,her hazel eyes widening as more tears spill. Her breath catches, her lips trembling. “I had the best dad ever.” Her breath hitches before she says, “I was so damn blessed.”

“He was the best.” I lean my forehead to hers, my words rough and raw. “I have huge shoes to fill. But I swear to you,angel, I’ll honor that. I’ll give you the future he wanted for you. No matter what it costs me.”