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CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

KAMRYN

R ipley and Arizona are getting their hair and makeup done in another room, leaving me, Bailey, and Fallon alone in the master bathroom of Tanner’s house. Bailey wanted Fallon as a bridesmaid. Gemma is off managing Fletcher somewhere. Harper is with Tanner and his crew downstairs. She’s his “best woman.”

Bailey is sitting on a vanity chair, reapplying her lipstick for the thousandth time. She looks a little off kilter. I’m surprised. I thought she’d be running down the aisle to get to Tanner.

She exhales a long breath, and our eyes meet in the mirror. “Are you nervous, Bails? You don’t have to do this. People have kids out of wedlock all the time.”

She shakes her head. “There’s nothing in the world I want more than to marry Tanner. It’s the stepmom thing that’s got me on edge. Are we doing this too quickly? Harper just found out that we’re together. What if she doesn’t accept me as her stepmom?”

Fallon rubs her shoulders. “She loves you, Bailey. I think she was rightfully confused about you and Tanner at first. It had nothing to do with not wanting you as a stepmom. She’s excited about that.”

I nod in agreement. “She’s super excited about that part of it. She worships you, Bails.”

Bailey scrunches her face. “Maybe it’s the word stepmom . The stepmom is always evil in books and movies. I feel like the word has this negative connotation when it should be the opposite.”

I scoff. “Fucking Disney. It’s all their fault. Growing up, they basically taught us to hate stepmoms.” I wink at her. “It’s a good thing that Pornhub has taken it in a completely different direction. They’ve redeemed the word stepmom for this next generation. They’re true pioneers.”

Bailey and Fallon both start laughing. Fallon shakes her head. “You’re gifted, Kamryn. Your mind is a medical marvel. I’ve never seen another like it.”

“I’ve been telling Bailey that since we were kids.”

Fallon smirks as she turns to leave. “I’m going to check on Harper. I’ll give you two a moment of privacy.”

When I know she’s gone, my eyes meet Bailey’s in the mirror again. “Are you happy?”

She nods. “So darn happy. I feel like I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted. I didn’t expect it all to come in a rush, but I feel so fortunate. How about you? Are you happy?”

“Of course. You’re getting everything you want and deserve.”

“Not about my life, Kam. Yours.”

I blow out a breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to live with a boy and not you. It’s weird.”

She giggles. “I know. For me too.”

“I’m happy, Bails. I’m a little scared about the future, but my anxiety is better than it used to be. I’ll always be a work in progress, with good days and bad. It’s just how I’m built. I’m learning to accept it and trying not to sweat the smaller things.”

She nods. “I know. I’m proud of how far you’ve come.” She swivels her head and looks up at me. “Tanner told me about the job offer. ”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, Bails. He and I might kill each other. He’s going to be your husband. What if we can’t work together? I don’t want issues with you.”

She grabs my hands and looks me in the eyes. “Nothing and no one will ever come between us. You jump, I jump. I like this for your future. If you decide to retire after the Olympics, kicking ass on behalf of other female athletes is something I can see you doing. Think about how many women you can help.”

“I know. I won’t lie, it’s appealing to me. I had never considered anything like it, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot since he mentioned the opportunity. He wants me to start right away, before I even graduate, to begin learning the business.”

“You’ll crush it. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

I wink at her. “Including throwing a wedding. Are you ready?”

She lets out a laugh. “I can’t believe Tanner let you plan it.”

“I loved spending his money.” And I think he didn’t want to dump the responsibility of it all on Bailey with her still recovering and being pregnant. She’s the one who wanted a quick wedding. Everything had to be planned in a mad rush. I was happy to bear that burden for her. Honestly, it was more of a privilege.

She rolls her eyes before taking my hand in hers. “Thank you for always protecting me. I know I’ve often made it seem like I was the one looking out for you, but I know we both look out for each other.”

I squeeze her hand as I fight the tears. “That’s why we’re soulmates.”

She nods. “The unbreakable Harts. I don’t know if I’ll ever fully recover from my accident, but for some reason, I’m more determined than ever to make it to the Olympics. It’s like once the doctors told me they didn’t think I could do it, it made me want it more than I ever have. After the baby comes, I’m going to need your help to get myself into game shape again. Push me, even when it looks like I don’t want to be pushed. Even if I tell you I want to quit, don’t let me. ”

“I’ll be there every fucking day. I’m not playing in those Olympics without my sister.”

I hear Arizona’s voice, “None of us are. All four of us will wear those Team USA jerseys. All four of us will come home with gold medals around our necks. We told you once before, we don’t play in the Olympics without Bailey Hart.”

Bailey nods as she fights her emotions, which I know are bubbling at the surface. “You two look beautiful. Where’s Kaya?”

Ripley answers, “She’s with Quincy, my mom, and Dutton until showtime.”

Dutton Steel, the sexy Cougars coach, is June’s date. It turns out Mama June was secretly banging him for months and now lives with him. She’s so iconic.

Bailey smiles. “Do you think she’ll be able to handle her flower girl duties? She just started walking.”

Ripley’s lips curl up in amusement. “Kam has gotten her…assistance down the aisle.”

Bailey narrows her eyes at me. “What did you do?”

“You’ll see.”

The ceremony is about to begin in Tanner’s massive backyard. We’re standing behind a curtain so no one sees my sister until it’s time. Bailey peeks around the curtains and grits out, “Why are their four shirtless male strippers standing over there?”

I give her an incredulous look. “How else are Kaya and Harper supposed to get down the aisle? They have escorts. And they’re not strippers. They’re models…who probably also strip.”

Our father rubs his temples. “God help me, Kamryn. I think I’m afraid of everything that’s about to happen.”

“Shh. It’s about to start. We’re hidden from view, but you can still see everything. You don’t want to miss the show.” I kiss Bailey’s cheek. “You’ll do great. I need to get into place. There’s a…vehicle coming to help you down the aisle. Don’t move until it arrives.”

Bailey’s face falls. “Dear god. What have you done?”

CHEETAH

I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about anything in my life. This is going to be epic.

Kam hurriedly makes her way over to me. She looks gorgeous in a short, tight, red dress. All the bridesmaids are in red, but they’re all wearing different styles of their choosing, and none is as magnificent as Kam.

“You look sexy as fuck, Kam bam.”

She flashes me her mischievous smile. “It’s about to get even better, kitten.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out two hair ties before fixing her hair into the Princess Leia buns she knows I love.

I adjust myself. “Fuck. I’m getting hard.”

“You better tuck that shit in. It’s game time.”

Tanner stands at the top of the aisle just as the music begins. “Daddy’s Home” by Usher starts playing on the speakers. Tanner snaps his head our way and scowls at Kam, but she simply waves and blows him a kiss.

He exhales a breath in defeat as he makes his way down the aisle. I’m not sure why he’s shocked. He put Kam in charge. He had to know it would be a little… offbeat.

Four giant topless men then hold a cart in the air with poles as Harper makes her way down the aisle, Cleopatra-style. The small gathering of friends and family all laugh while Harper waves to them from six feet in the air like the princess she is .

Kam is beaming as she watches them go.

Next, it’s Fallon and Tanner’s father, Stan. They’re both in kid cars as they race down the aisle, much to the enjoyment of the guests.

Due to numbers, Vance and Daylen have to walk down the aisle together with Ripley. “Lady in Red” by Chris de Burgh begins to play on the speakers. Daylen decided he’d also be the girl and is in a red dress being carried on Vance’s back as the three of them dance their way down the aisle. I’m not sure how one finds a dress his size, but he did it, and the guys happily take their place beside Tanner while Ripley stands at the bride’s side.

Trey and Gemma then ride a tandem bike with Fletcher strapped to the front as the ring bearer, followed shortly thereafter by Layton and Arizona, who ride down the aisle in ATVs.

Finally, it’s our turn. I pull out our props and hand Kam hers. “Are you ready, Kam bam?”

She nods. “You bet, kitten.”

Suddenly, strobe lights begin flashing in the backyard, and the Star Wars theme song starts playing. Kam and I hold up our lightsabers as we make our way down the aisle, doing the choreographed fight sequence we’ve been practicing all week. It might be the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.

I’m living the fantasy of every Star Wars fan. I know she did this for me, which makes it even more special.

Everyone is laughing hysterically. Tanner is simply shaking his head.

Kaya is then escorted down the aisle in the same fashion as Harper though, as the official flower girl, she drops rose petals along the way. I think she eats as many of them as she drops, but it’s still adorable.

Now it’s time for the bride. I knew about the rest, but Kam kept this one a secret from me. She said it would be more fun if it was a surprise.

“My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song from Titanic starts playing. That’s not so unusual. I know it’s Bailey and Kam’s favorite movie, and it’s certainly a popular love song.

I should have known there would be more.

Suddenly, our duck truck/boat comes into view, rolling down from the house with Bailey and her father standing on the bow of the boat, just like Jack and Rose in the movie.

I see the moment Bailey’s eyes find Kam’s as they share a look of mutual amusement. I think Bailey is fulfilling a lifelong fantasy too.

Harper starts giggling, and then everyone joins in on the laughter. Deep belly laughter from every single person in attendance, Tanner included.

Yep, this is Kamryn Hart’s gift. Making everyone around her smile.

And she’s all mine.