Play Along(134)

“I still can’t believe you picked this that night.”

She shrugs, this sweet knowing smile on her lips. “Was I wrong?”

“Not even a little bit. Not then and not now.”

My hand slides down over the curve of her ass, and it’s strange to think there was ever a time that she’d flinch at my touch. Or when she didn’t hug her friends, or when she felt uncomfortable at the prospect of holding my hand.

Now, Kennedy initiates physical contact as much as I do, whether that be a quick kiss at work or taking my hand when we’re walking next to each other. And there’s not a day that goes by when she doesn’t hug Miller or Indy or Stevie when she sees them.

“Are you happy?” she asks, looking up at me.

“Do you even have to ask?”

“No.” Her smile is soft. “You wear it. Just like you always have.”

“So do you, Ken. I’ve never seen happiness shine quite as bright as the kind you’ve worn the past two years.”

“I think that’s because I was the opposite for so long, you know? Before us.”

Leaning down, I kiss her, pressing my lips to my wife’s on our wedding day, dancing to the song she once walked down the aisle to, wearing the outfit she first said “I do” in.

“I told you so.”

“Shut up,” she laughs.

“I did, though! I always knew.”

“You’re annoying.” She kisses me again. “But I’m glad you were persistent enough for the both of us.”

There’s not a whole lot that’s changed between us in the two years since we first said I do. We fell deeper in love. We moved in together and recently bought a house close to my brother and Miller. We dated, continuing to check off any firsts Kennedy hadn’t experienced.

I started bimonthly therapy to deal with the trauma response to my mom’s accident, learning to control my thoughts and not relying on Kennedy to settle me down. Now, when a storm hits, I find the rational part of my mind to walk me through the steps I’ve learned instead of instantly grabbing my phone and dialing those closest to me.

We stay and dance for the entirety of the song, slow dancing to a tune that isn’t exactly meant for that. But neither of us cares as we slowly sway under the string lights.

“I love you,” she whispers up at me as the song fades out.

I’ll never get over hearing her say those words.

“Love you, baby.” I nod towards the bar. “Want to do a celebratory shot with me?”

She laughs, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Tequila?”

“Obviously.”

Her hand in mine, we find the makeshift bar set up in the corner of our reception.

“Congratulations, you two. What can I get you?” the bartender asks.

“Two shots of tequila, please.”

He pours the clear liquor, topping the shot glass with a slice of lime.

Kennedy holds it up to me in a cheers. “To getting it right the first time, even if it was an accident.”

I connect her glass with mine. “To forever.”

“Forever.”

Leaning down, I kiss her before we each throw back our shot.

Zanders, Stevie, Ryan, Indy, Kai, Miller, and Rio are all seated around a table just off the dance floor. We join them, taking the last empty seat, where I pull Kennedy onto my lap.

“Congrats, you two.” Indy sits forward, elbows on the table and chin in her hands, beaming at us like the romantic she is.

“Thanks, Ind,” Kennedy says, wrapping an arm around my neck. “We’re so glad you all could make it and help us recreate our first one.”

Zanders looks between us. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“I’ve got to know,” Ryan says. “Was the Elvis impersonator there the first time?”

“Couldn’t tell you,” Kennedy and I answer at the same time.

“Guys. Look at them.” Stevie nods towards the dance floor beside us.

All our attention swings to the completely empty dance floor minus the four little ones dancing together in a circle they’ve created. Max is the oldest and most coordinated so far, holding Taylor Zanders’ hand in one and Iverson Shay’s in the other. Iverson’s got the hand of his sister, Navy, on the other side and she’s connected with her cousin.

They’re fucking cute out there in their little suits and fancy dresses.

“That will be you one day too, baby girl,” Kai says to a sleeping Emmy on his chest.

Miller’s got her head on his shoulder, her fingers toying with the ends of his hair as she watches Max with his friends.

“Cute tiny humans, we get it,” Rio says. “But let’s make this about me for a second.”

I can feel Kennedy’s silent laugh against my chest as she sits in my lap, head resting back on my shoulder as our wedding reception begins to wind down.

“Seriously, when is it my turn? Look at you guys.” Rio gestures around the table. “You’re all wifed up and I’m over here, twenty-seven and still looking.”

“Four out of five,” Kai adds. “One to go. It’ll happen soon, Rio.”

“Well, they better be fucking great, making me wait this long to meet them.”

“What if it’s someone you’ve already met and you have no idea?” Ryan asks.