Page 17

Ace and Kynlee both roll their eyes before we all start laughing.

This is typical Ace fashion. Ace clears his throat before starting his vows and I find myself leaning toward them.

I know my brother is a very passionate person even if he seems like the most unlikely person to be.

I know he has a way with words but I’m curious as to how far he will go.

How far will my little brother put himself out there?

“Kynlee, my angel first of all I love you. I know to most those seem like simple words, but you know just how much those simple words mean. You know me better than anyone in the world and there was a time when that scared the hell out of me, to let someone in, to let someone see the real me. The version of me that was behind the reputation. Then you came along and turned my entire world upside down. You were different from everyone else in my life. I needed that different even if I didn’t want to admit it.

I swore I’d never fall in love. I swore I’d never get married, I never wanted a relationship, but I could never let you go.

Once I finally had a little piece of you, I just couldn’t do it.

I was selfish, and I didn’t care. You pushed me to my limits faster than I race cars.

You made me realize that the life I had been living was empty.

You pulled me from my darkened room and shared your light with me.

You showed me a different way. Thank you for breaking the limits with me.

Thank you for charging through the boundaries.

Thank you for breaking the rules with me.

Most of all, thank you for seeing something in me that I never saw in myself.

Thank you for loving me when I didn’t love myself.

Thank you for this moment. I promise to remind you that I love you every day.

I promise to be by your side forever because angel, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I love you.”

Damn, my brother just made me so damn proud.

Ace just laid it all out there for us to see.

After our mom died, I never thought I’d see the day when Ace would open up.

He shut down after her death. He acted like an asshole because it was the easiest way to keep people away.

To keep everyone from seeing the real him.

To mask the pain, he was feeling. He’s right about Kynlee saving him from the darkness and I can never thank her enough for that.

Ace and Kynlee are finally allowed to kiss each other. We all clap and dry our eyes before heading to our cars to head over to the reception which is at a rental property on the beach. As we make our way to the car, I notice Sadie is still gripping my hand for dear life. “Hey you okay baby?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because you’ve had a death grip on my hand this whole time.”

She loosens her grip. “Sorry, I didn’t even realize.”

I pull her hand up and kiss the back of it.

“It’s okay. Just wanted to make sure you were okay.

” We stop so Sadie can slip her shoes back on before getting into the car.

Sadie is quiet on our ride to the reception, but I don’t push her because I know she’s got a lot on her mind. We pull up and make our way inside.

The inside is decorated in red and white.

Pierce, Ace’s other best friend, is apparently the DJ for the night.

Ace and Kynlee arrive shortly after and take to the dance floor for their first dance.

The same song that Kynlee walked down the aisle to is playing.

I wrap my arms around Sadie’s waist and sway to the music.

The cake is cut, the bouquet has been tossed, and now we are all just talking or dancing.

I excuse myself to find the restroom. On the way back, I stop and request a song.

I approach the table just as it starts to play.

I extend my hand out to Sadie. She stares at me for a moment before placing her hand in mine.

We make our way to the dance floor to dance to our song.

I’ll Be There For You by Bon Jovi is playing loud and clear.

I pull Sadie close and we dance to our song.

I love having her in my arms. I love being engulfed in her scent. I just love her.

Our song ends, and Perfect by Ed Sheeran starts up. I keep Sadie in my arms as we continue to dance. The lyrics have me feeling sentimental and romantic. I lean down to whisper in Sadie’s ear, “You are perfect. God, I love you. I’m going to miss you so much while you’re gone.”

I thought those would be good things to say, but the next thing I know I feel Sadie shuddering. I pull her back and realize she is crying. “Baby, what’s wrong?” I ask.

She just shakes her head and pulls away from me. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I just…can’t.” With that she turns and power walks out the back sliding-glass doors. I’m so stunned by her reaction that she’s already in the sand by the time I reach her.

“Sadie, what the hell is going on? You’re scaring me.”

She turns around to face me and I see the heartbreak in her eyes.

Whatever has been bugging her is about to come out and I have a feeling it’s going to be like a hurricane hitting me.

Sadie shakes her head and a sob escapes her.

I want to go to her, pull her into my arms, comfort her, but I don’t.

I’m frozen only I’m standing on a beach in sand.

“I’m not perfect at all Axell. I’m not the girl you think I am.

” Yeah, I’m not frozen. I’m in quicksand and I’m sinking fast.