Page 51

Epilogue

Mikey

“Cheers!”

The four groomsmen clinked our whiskey glasses to Guy’s. It was about an hour to the ceremony at the Greenbrier. Jessie filled me in on all the history around the West Virginia landmark on the flight to Charleston, thrilled to give me all her state pride facts.

“You ready to do this, man?” his old teammate Branson asked.

Guy cracked a love-struck grin. “Yeah. I’ve been ready since I was twenty-one. I mean, it means more now, and we’re in a better place as a couple, but I’m ready to marry her. She’s fucking perfect.”

“Damn right, she is,” Kitty’s brother Frank chimed in. He was the best man. I was only a little butt-hurt that I didn’t get picked. But I guess I’m not blood-related to the bride and a best friend.

“Can one of you run this gift to her? She told me not to see her until we’re at the altar,” Guy said.

“Isn’t that some made-up shit left over from the 1400s?” Obi asked, lounging in a plush chair.

“I’m not taking any chances. I’ve waited this long to get my girl. I’m not losing her over a stupid superstition.”

“I’ll take it,” I said. I wanted to see Jessie.

“I’ll come with,” Frank said. “I should mess with her hair or something to piss her off.”

Once a big brother, always a big brother, I guess.

“Mel would probably appreciate it if I checked in,” Branson said.

“Lies! You all just want to see your women,” Guy said.

“I guess I could tag along, too,” Obi said, jumping up.

“Traitors! You’re really going to leave me alone on my wedding day?”

“Fine, I’ll stay back,” Branson said.

“Wait, who are you trying to see, Obi?” Guy narrowed his eyes at him.

“No one,” he stammered. “I’m just being helpful.”

“Okay, go,” Guy sent us off. “But everybody hurry back.”

The four of us walked across the courtyard between the bride and groom’s suites. I caught a glimpse of Jessie fussing over the strap of a bridesmaid’s dress through the window, her brow knit in concentration. My beautiful Jessie Girl.

Jessie wasn’t a bridesmaid, but Kitty had asked if she could help out with styling everyone. She was operating as a wedding assistant of sorts as a wedding gift for her and Guy.

I knocked at the door of the bridal suite. “Boys coming in. Cover anything interesting!” I called.

“Come in!”

I opened the door to Kitty standing on a pedestal, Jessie fluffing the train of her dress.

“Lookin’ good, sis,” Frank said, stepping over to give her a hug.

“Aw, Kitty Cat, you look amazing,” I said, truly taken aback by my friend in her finest. My eyes welled. It really was a long road for them, and I felt so thrilled that they were finally getting married. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”

“Michael, no!” Kitty shouted. “You can’t do that shit in here! I just had my makeup finished! This is a no-cry zone!”

“Okay, okay,” I said, swallowing hard. “Well, Stelle wanted me to give you this.”

I handed her the package, then watched her.

“Can I give you a hug?”

“Yeah, Mikey.” Kitty extended her arms and I had to stifle the urge to cry again.

“You just look so pretty and I’m so happy for you. I’ve been rooting for you guys for years,” I said into her shoulder.

Kitty’s breath got choppy. “Michael,” she sniffed. “Thanks for—well, you know.”

I pulled away and she fanned her face. I wiped a tear that hung at the corner of my eye.

“Jessie, come get your man. He’s a mess,” Kitty said, then handed me a small package with a card. “And take this to Guy.”

Everyone laughed. I noticed Obi and Annie, the maid of honor, having a quiet, but serious-looking conversation in the corner. So that’s who he was after. I saw him do a dorky punch of her in the shoulder and her laugh. They were acting like middle schoolers. I’d definitely give him some shit later.

“Hey, Jockey,” Jess cooed, “you look good.”

I smooched her. “You’re gorgeous, hon. Can’t wait to dance all night with you.”

“They did your hair,” she said, messing her fingers through the styled-up strands.

“Is it bad?” I checked my reflection in a pane of glass.

“No, you’re very dapper.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked, coasting my hands down her backside, taking a handful, and pulling her close. I leaned down to give her a deeper kiss.

“Hey! Quit playing grab ass and go do my bidding, Mikey!” Kitty cried. “I’m the only one who gets to play grab ass today.”

“Okay, Bridezilla,” I shot, sticking my tongue out at her and giving Jess one last peck. “See you at the altar.”

“Don’t trip or do something stupid,” Frank said.

“Frankie!” their mom barked. “You can’t be nice to your sister for one day?”

* * *

I gave Guy a pat on the back as Kitty appeared at the end of the aisle.

“She’s gorgeous, man.”

Guy wiped a tear, then laughed as Kitty did the same. I looked over at Jessie, who was also wiping a tear as Kitty went to meet Guy. Then she looked at me, a beam of light coming through the chapel’s window giving her an almost-angelic glow. I winked at her and she smirked. I hoped that one day, she’d say yes to my daily marriage proposal, and we’d get to do this ourselves. I knew it was kinda soon, but they say when you know, you know. And I knew with Jessie. So I was serious when I asked her every day. Usually, it was in a moment when I felt especially close to her. Sometimes I’d do it over morning coffee. Sometimes over text. Sometimes at night just before we went to sleep and said our last I love you’s for the day. But I still got it in every day.

And every day, she said the same thing back: “Maybe someday.”

During pictures, I noticed a tall man who looked something like Stelle, but with more gray hair, standing off to the side and sipping a Coke. He moved to stand next to me while Guy and Kitty got some solo shots.

“Beautiful wedding, huh?” I asked, trying to make conversation.

“It is,” he said, accent thick.

“Did you come down from Quebec? I didn’t know Guy still had family up there.”

The man gave a wry smile. “He still has me.”

Realization cracked over me. “Holy shit. Are you Gabriel?”

“I am.”

I tensed, not sure if I should punch this guy out. I knew Stelle had a complicated relationship with his dad. Like, hadn’t spoken in years, didn’t go to his mom’s funeral complicated.

“Don’t worry. I was invited. We’ve spoken some in the last few months.”

I saw Guy give a little wave to him between shots, proving his words true.

I nodded. “How’s that going?”

“I made a lot of mistakes with Guy and his mother. I regret a lot of things. But he’s a good man. He makes room for mistakes and forgiving. I’m lucky his mom raised such a good son.”

“I know a little about complicated family relationships,” I said. “Just curious, which of you reached out first?”

“He contacted me. One of the best things that’s happened in my life.” He finished his Coke and raised it to me. “Enjoy the wedding.”

I stood, cemented to the spot. Things still weren’t fixed with my family. But Guy’s willingness to take his dad back, who had done some pretty fucked up shit to him growing up, made me look at my own life a little differently. I wasn’t dreading seeing my family in a few weeks as much as I was before.

Dinner was served, glasses were clinked for kisses, the cake was cut, the bouquet and garter tossed, and Jess and I were enjoying a quiet slow dance. I’d long since shed my suit jacket, wearing suspenders and a bow tie with rolled-up sleeves. She played with the bow tie and booped my nose.

“I think the answer’s yes,” she said, peering up at me.

My heart raced. “What answer? The answer to what?”

“That question you ask me every day.” She said it so casually, like she wasn’t dropping really big news on me.

My stomach fluttered. “I didn’t ask you yet today.”

“Well, the next time you ask, the answer’s going to be yes. So choose carefully.”

“Really?”

Her smile was huge and her eyes bright. “Yeah. Really.”

I pulled her into me, wrapping my arms tight around her. “Seriously? You’re going to marry me?”

She looked up at me and raised her eyebrows. “Is that how you’re asking?”

“No. No no no no no. This one counts. I wanna get it right. And I don’t wanna storm on Guy’s big day,” I said.

“Smart choice.”

“You’re not even gonna see it coming, baby. It’s gonna be like, the biggest left-field thing ever.”

She grinned, her dimple popping out. “Is that so? So like, when you’re balls deep in me?”

I shook my head. “More left-field.”

“In the TSA line on the way to Japan?”

“Stop guessing, because you’ll never get it. You’ll just have to let it happen organically.”

“You don’t actually know, do you?” she teased.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

“I love you, Benny.”

“I love you, too, Sweet Cheeks. Every day. All the time.”

She got a mischievous look on her face. “Come with me.”

She dragged me by the hand inside, to the hallway by the bathrooms, pulling me into a little alcove. She slinked her leg around my calf and grabbed me by my shirt, locking her lips with mine. This was no wedding kiss. Jessie was starting something. I got lost in the kiss, biting her lips, sliding our tongues together, sucking. One of her hands went to my back, while the other went straight down my pants. I hummed in surprise, as Obi walked behind us and said, “Get a room!”

Jessie looked up at me, love-stoned, took her hand out of my pants, and pulled me up the grand staircase to an empty hallway. I pushed her against a door, the little plaque next to it reading “storage closet.” I ground my hips against hers, letting my erection meet her center. I pushed down on the door handle and we fell inside, a loud moan meeting us.

“Wait, what the fuck?!”

There was Guy with his pants around his knees, Kitty’s legs wrapped over his ass and her wedding dress shoved to her waist. I see Stelle’s ass all the time, but Jessie does not. And I certainly have never seen Kitty and Stelle doing the deed. Jessie covered her eyes and backed away.

“Holy shit,” Guy said, almost dropping Kitty, but swerving to put her out of sight.

“You’re not shoving me off you this time, Guy-Guy! Keep me covered!” Kitty hissed. “And you, get out!”

“You took my closet idea!” I shouted at Guy.

“You told him about the closet?” Jessie raged.

Guy looked over his shoulder with a smirk. “It’s a good idea.”

“OUT!” Kitty shrieked.

Jessie yanked me out by my wrist and slammed the door shut with a quiet “sorry!”

We sprinted down the hall, cracking up. Jessie tripped over her dress and landed on her ass, dragging me down with her. We sat on the floor, sides hurting from laughing. Jessie’s smile was so pretty. Little laughing tears smeared her mascara. Her mini dimple pocked her cheek. Her chest was splotchy from the embarrassment. The strap of her dress slipped from her shoulder. And yet, she’d never looked more perfect.

And mine.

I wanted to laugh with her every day for the rest of my life.

My moment had arrived. I stroked her cheek with my finger and gazed into her bright eyes. Then I reached into my pocket and untied the ring that I’d been carrying for a couple of months.

“Jessalyn Welsh, will you marry me?”

And without hesitation, she said, “Yes.”

Content/Trigger Warnings

As a person with a hefty number of multi-initialed diagnoses to my name, I never want my characters to be walking diagnoses. I just want them to be people living with the things that people live with, because I genuinely believe we all have something difficult that we carry.

That said, Mikey has seemingly undiagnosed ADHD, and you’ll see traces of that throughout the story. Jessie’s childhood trauma left her with PTSD.

Potential triggers in this story include:

PTSD from childhood trauma (non-sexual, non-family, non-religious)

A cheating partner (not the MCs)

Anxiety and panic attack

Discussion of chronic health issues

Complicated family dynamics, including closeted sexuality

And explicit sex scenes featuring:

Dirty talk with ample praise and some degradation

Anal play

Double penetration (one partner)

Cum play

Spanking

Squirting

Choking

Toy use

Daddy/brat kink

Semi-public sex