A Long Time Coming (Cane Brothers, #3)(17)

“I . . . I think it’s all too much for me right now.”

“Come here,” he says, taking my hand and walking me over to the couch. We both take a seat, facing each other. “Talk to me. What’s going on? Do you not want to get married?”

“No, I mean . . . I do. I just, I wasn’t expecting it. Brian and I hadn’t ever talked about marriage, so I was caught off guard when he proposed. Then at lunch today, it felt like everything was moving at warp speed. The Beave wants me to wear at least three dresses, which I think is a waste of money. Brian won’t stand up to his mom, and the ring is just . . . wow, it’s big, and I always sort of wanted one of those past, present, and future rings with the three diamonds, and then there’s you. I was so afraid of telling you because I know Brian is not your favorite person—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Breaker says in a calming tone. “You don’t need to worry about me or how I feel in any of this, okay? My feelings, my thoughts, my opinions don’t matter. All that matters is how you feel and what you want.” He squeezes my hand. “So how do you feel?”

“Scared,” I admit. “Sad. Not . . . right. And it’s not because I don’t love Brian, because I do, but I just think this is all weird. I used to talk about this day with my parents, and they won’t be there. Things are happening fast, I don’t know. I expected to feel different when I was proposed to.”

“Maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet,” he says. “It might just take you a moment to comprehend what’s happening.”

“Maybe.” I circle my finger over the couch fabric as I stare down. “You’re not mad?”

“Lia.” He tilts my chin up so I’m forced to look at his crystal-blue eyes. “If I were mad at you, then I wouldn’t be a very good friend, now, would I?”

“I guess not.”

“This is exciting, okay? Brian proposed, and you’re getting married. Let me see a smile.”

Tears drip down my cheeks as I attempt a pathetic smile.

He chuckles. “Well, that’s just sad.”

“I’m trying. I think I was doing okay about the news, just waiting to tell you, but at lunch today, I felt like I was getting steamrolled left and right by The Beave. I know the wedding is important to their family because of their social status, and it’s all about keeping up with appearances when it comes to them, but I should have a say in all this, shouldn’t I?”

“Uh, yes, Lia. This is your wedding. You should have a say in what happens at it.”

“I just become a doormat when she’s around. It’s hard to get my opinion in, you know?”

“It’s hard to overcome strong personalities, and I get that. I deal with my brothers every day.”

“And I was already steamrolled about the date, and where the reception will be held, I attempted to challenge the decision but fell short. I think I’m going to just end up resenting this whole thing because I’m going to be pushed around, and that’s taking the excitement out of it.”

“That’s understandable. Can you make the decisions without The Beave?”

I give him a look. “That would never happen. She already has appointments made.”

“Well then . . . take me with you,” Breaker says, the suggestion making me laugh.

“Come on, Breaker, be serious.”

“I’m being serious,” he says. “I can go with you. It’s not like I have anything going on right now. I have to stay away from work. This might give me something to do to keep me busy.” He smirks. “Maybe I can be your wedding planner.”

“Oh my God, stop.” I push at him.

“Or your maid of honor . . . ooo, your man of honor. Or, better yet, man in waiting.”

“Can you stop being ridiculous?”

His brows tilt down. “Uh, do you have another best friend I don’t know about that would take the title of maid of honor?”

I pause and give it some thought. “Uh, not really, no. But I guess I never really thought about it.”

“I’m your best friend, correct?”

“You are,” I answer.

“And best friends always claim the title as best man or maid of honor, correct?”

“Yessss,” I drag out.

“Therefore, by process of elimination, I’m your man of honor, but I believe man in waiting has a better ring to it, don’t you think?”

“You’re not being serious, are you?”

“Of course I am,” he says with all sincerity. “Listen, Lia. I know this is going to be tough without your parents. Losing them was so hard, and they wouldn’t want you to do this alone. I have the time, and even if I didn’t, I would make the time for you. I can help. I can be your backup, your wingman, your bodyguard, your bruiser.”

“Bodyguard? Do you really think I need protection from The Beave?”

“I’ve met her before. Her stare alone is terrifying, let alone the manipulation. Trust me, you will need a bodyguard, and I’m your man.”

“But what about Brian?”

“What about him?”

“You guys don’t get along.”

Breaker shifts on the couch and then offers me a smile. “Well, he’s going to be your husband. Better late than never to build on that relationship because I won’t let any hard feelings or awkward tension with your future husband get between you and me, got it?”