And just like that, a pathetic amount of hope blooms.
Hope that’s irresponsible because it doesn’t change anything about our situation. Miller is gone and I’m here.
“And also,” he continues. “I’m kind of grouchy because I haven’t gotten laid in almost two months. I totally get why you used to be such a grumpy dick. Becoming a changed man fucking sucks.”
I huff a laugh, the tension drifting away until my eyes fall to the back seat where Max is.
“You’d really help me out with him during the off-season so I could figure out a time to go see Miller?”
He scoffs with a smile. “Of course, Kai. I’d do anything for you. You’re my brother.”
“Let’s just . . .” I shake my head, more hope than I’ve felt in two weeks flowing through me. “Let’s just get through this season and we can figure out the rest after.”
“Deal.”
I sneak a peek in his direction. “Love you, Isaiah.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He chuckles. “Love you too.”
There’s not much room to park at Ryan and Indy’s house. Even though the guest list is small, it’s still much bigger than their driveway allows, so I leave the truck a couple of blocks away and the three of us make the walk to their house.
There are caterers and coordinators buzzing around. Though this ceremony is going to be intimate, it’s clear that no expense was spared.
We make our way to the backyard, where a flower arch acts as the centerpiece for the ceremony. White chairs flank either side, leaving a center aisle that’s also entirely covered in pink and purple flower petals.
The backyard screams Indy, all bright, feminine colors.
There doesn’t seem to be set sides, so we pick a spot three rows back and wait for the ceremony to begin. Max sits on my lap in his little dress shirt and bow tie, smiling and waving at the handful of people who come up to say hi to him.
I recognize most of the people here. Some of Ryan’s teammates I’ve met at gatherings at his house. One of Zanders’ teammates and his wife who have been there too. Both Ryan and Indy’s parents who I’ve come to know.
Lastly, there’s a man standing to the right side of the flower arch, but not at the center where you’d expect the officiant to be.
The music begins and Ryan is the first one out, finding his way to the center of the arch. Contrasted by the lavender and pastel pinks behind him, Ryan wears all black. Black shoes, black suit. Black tie.
It couldn’t be more fitting for him.
The crowd cheers when Ryan takes his place, and he offers a small fist pump in response, setting the tone for the casualness of their day.
Zanders and Ethan, one of Ryan’s teammates, take their place up front standing behind him.
From my lap, my son waves at them and they each offer excited waves back.
Then the music shifts and all our attention slides to the back door of the house and, when it opens Rio, wearing a lavender suit, white shirt, and a lavender tie, struts out as if this day is for him, and him alone.
The crowd erupts as he slowly makes his way down the aisle.
My attention drifts back to Ryan at the front who is simply standing there, shaking his head with a not-so-suppressed smile on his lips.
Rio continues hyping up the crowd and when he gets to the front, he wraps his arms around Ryan. Knowing how much he loves the dude, I’m fairly certain he’s losing his shit at the knowledge that he’s in Ryan Shay’s wedding.
Next is Stevie, hand under her baby bump as she smiles that sweet Stevie smile, making her way down the aisle. The groom peeks a look over his shoulder at Zanders, who is watching Ryan’s sister as if she were his entire world.
When she gets to the front, she hugs her twin brother for a long while before taking her spot directly under the flower arch, but slightly back from where Ryan and Indy will be standing.
The music shifts and we all stand when Indy, wearing her white dress, appears with her dad at her side.
“Wow,” I whisper to Max. “Indy looks like a princess, huh?”
From my arms, Max claps excitedly for her entrance.
She’s beautiful. Stunningly happy smile on her face contrasted to her future husband standing up front and crying like a little bitch. Granted he’s laughing at himself for being emotional and even Indy is giving him shit from down the aisle because Ryan used to be the least emotional man I knew.
Now, he’s a blubbering fucking mess over how happy he is.
She stares only at him the whole walk down and when she and her dad meet Ryan at the front, they don’t speak with their voices. Instead, Ryan signs something, Indy’s dad signs back, the three of them laugh before her dad hugs his future son-in-law, leaves his daughter with him, and takes a seat.