Page 53

“We'll have another wedding when I'm playing for the Anglerfish,” I say, surprised by how steady my voice sounds when my pulse is hammering like a war drum. “Until then, this is what needs to happen.”

Dash lets out a long breath through his nose. “I'd still feel a hell of a lot better if you weren't signed up for an illegal fight in three days.”

“The fight's not happening.” I finally glance at him, confidence flooding my voice. “You're the one who hooked me up with Alex's contact, remember? Met with the guy this morning, and he's already working on it.”

I'm probably putting way too much faith in a kicker who apparently hates his girlfriend and rocks a haircut that screams “I haven't seen sunlight in months,” but something about Matty tells me he doesn't get out much, which is exactly what you want in a hacker.

“If anyone finds out about this, you're royally fucked,” Dash states because apparently, I need the reminder.

“Don't I fucking know it.” I drop my gaze to the courthouse floor, suddenly fascinated by the scuffed linoleum. “That's why this stays between you, me, and Henry. No one else needs to know.”

Covey U would boot my ass so fast my head would spin.

I'd be violating every clause in my Anglerfish contract, basically torching my entire future, but when I think about Savannah and the way she looks at me, like I'm capable of fixing every broken piece of her, I know it's all worth the risk.

We're going to get through this shitstorm. I can feel it in my bones.

The rest of my teammates, Scotty, Alex, and Brooks, my makeshift ushers, are making their way up the pathetic excuse for an aisle toward us.

“I'm happy for you, man,” Dash says, his voice softer now as he claps a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze that says everything he can't put into words. “I'm glad you found your person.”

I force a smile since our friends are watching. “Thanks.” Then, because I can't help myself, I add, “Looks like you found yours too.”

The second I mention Madison, his head whips around like a fucking magnet, searching for her.

She's standing off to the side, talking animatedly to Erik, her hands moving a mile a minute.

As if she can sense us staring, she turns and locks eyes with Dash before practically tackling Erik and dragging him over to us.

Dash looks like he just won the lottery and got kicked in the gut at the same time.

I shake my head, laughing under my breath.

How the hell did I miss what was happening between them?

All those years in high school, I thought Dash was just being a good friend, helping me scare off the dipshits who wouldn't leave Madison alone.

Turns out the bastard was in love with her the whole time.

“Cadence,” Madison says, steamrolling into our conversation. “Please help me settle an argument with your obnoxious teammate.” She shoots a glare over her shoulder at a grinning Erik. “The groom's party sits on the right side, right?”

She looks between us like we should have this shit memorized.

I shrug, barely containing my laughter because Erik is making ridiculous faces behind her back. “Hell if I know. I only started researching weddings this morning.”

“Even if that's true,” Erik chimes in, sidling up next to Madison and pointing at me, “Cade's a left winger. Seems only fitting we should sit on the left.”

Dash groans, and I shake my head, grateful for the distraction that's keeping my nerves from eating me alive.

“Almost as fitting as that disaster you call a suit,” Scotty remarks, eyeing Erik's outfit like it personally insulted his mother.

Erik scoffs, completely unbothered. “I already told you assholes, my black suit is at the dry cleaners. This was all I had on short notice.” He tugs at his collar with a satisfied smirk, clearly proud of his questionable fashion choice.

The only reason we're even able to get married today is because Erik volunteered to officiate.

Apparently, he got himself ordained right out of high school “for moments like this.” I've always thought the guy was reckless as hell and completely insane, but right now I'm fucking grateful for his particular brand of anarchy.

That said, his suit is… a choice. He's wearing our team's Covey Crushers purple suit with his jersey number stitched on the back.

It's loud, obnoxious, and, knowing Erik, completely intentional.

I can only imagine what Savannah's going to think when she walks down the aisle toward a man who looks like he raided Barney the Dinosaur's closet.

Hopefully, she'll be too focused on me to give a shit.

“It's a goddamn crime against fashion,” Scotty deadpans.

Erik winks. “Thank you. Have you forgiven me yet?”

Scotty's eyes narrow to slits. “Yes,” he says, his voice flatter than roadkill.

“Bullshit. Doesn't sound like it.”

“I actually like the suit,” I interrupt. “Separates you from the rest of us and guarantees Savannah's attention will be on me.”

“Always happy to help a brother out. Still can't believe you're letting Madison and Henry walk down the aisle together, though.”

Dash goes rigid beside me, his expression turning to pure stone as he fixes me with a look. “Henry and Madison? What’s he talking about?”

“I wanted to be the flower girl,” Madison admits, looking sheepish as she lifts a little basket filled with purple plastic petals. “I know I'm probably too old, but I never got to do it as a kid, so I thought it would be cute.”

Dash mutters something under his breath that definitely doesn't sound like agreement.

Madison catches it and sticks out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “Did you just say I wasn't cute, Big D?”

He grumbles something that might be an apology. “No, of course not. Just make sure he keeps his fucking hands to himself.”

“Don't worry,” Madison says with a grin that's pure trouble. “The only hands I want on me are yours.”

The entire group goes silent, and they all turn to stare at me like they're waiting for me to explode or start throwing punches. Whatever. I've got bigger things to worry about than relationship drama.

“Did you manage to get through to Adley on the iPad?” I ask Madison, trying to redirect this conversation before someone says something that ruins the day.

She nods. “Yeah, she's talking with Savannah and Chloe right now. Didn't want her to miss her sister's wedding, even if I'm actively dodging calls from Mom and Dad for you.”

“Thanks,” I mutter.

Did my parents take the engagement news well?

Hell fucking no. They haven't even met Savannah yet, so I can only imagine the shitstorm I’ll be walking into when they find out I actually married her.

I get why they're losing their minds. They haven't seen us together.

How are they supposed to know she's the love of my goddamn life?

Madison's the only family member here today, and she's proving her loyalty by dodging those calls.

Smart move, considering she's a self-confessed blabbermouth who can't keep a secret if her life depends on it.

When she asked about the rush, I gave her the Adley excuse, and Dash backed me up with a nod.

It's not technically lying if you don't actually say the words, right?

Madison didn't push for more details either, though something tells me she knows there's more to this story.

“You still haven't settled our debate, though. Which side does everyone sit on?”

I glance at the pathetic rows of folding chairs, at the uneven split. That's when it hits me like a punch to the gut… Savannah's side is completely empty.

No family. No lifelong friends. It will just be Chloe, sitting alone with Adley on a fucking iPad.

The realization guts me.

I swallow hard, waving my hand dismissively before the weight of it can crush me. “Spread out. We're all family now.”

“Does that make me Chloe's wicked stepbrother?” Erik asks with a shit-eating grin.

“How the hell do you get so many women when you talk like that?” Scotty shakes his head, looking genuinely disgusted.

Erik raises his hands, chuckling. “I'm all about honesty, brother. Girls know exactly what they're getting with me. Can't say the same for you.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Scotty asks, his voice sharp.

Erik's grin turns wicked. “Just that you tried to change yourself for a girl who was never going to be interested in you anyway.”

Scotty mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like “I wish that were fucking true.” Then he stands a little straighter. “It doesn’t matter, though. You’re officiating,” Scotty says louder. “I'll sit next to Chloe just to save her from your bullshit.”

Erik sucks in a sharp breath, pressing a hand to his chest in mock hurt. “Ouch. But you know what? We've only got this room for another twenty minutes, so we need to get this show on the road if we want this to actually happen today.”

Madison squeals and launches herself at me, wrapping me in a hug that nearly knocks me over. “I won't get to say this after, so I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you, big brother. Seeing you this happy makes me happy, and I love you so much.”

She pulls back, tears shining in her eyes, so I press a kiss to her cheek.

“Love you too, Mads.”

Madison and I have always been tight, which is something I have to reluctantly thank Dash for, since apparently that's the only reason she put up with my shit for so long, but having her here is one of the most important things to me.

“Okay,” she says, bouncing between us. “I'll go get the bride. I can't wait to see your face when you see her. She looks absolutely stunning.”

I bet she fucking does.

She hustles out of the room, leaving the wedding party to settle into their seats. My heart nearly stops when the door opens, and I fully expect to see Savannah, but it's just Chloe slipping through with the iPad and cheeks redder than a fire truck.