Chapter 22
CONNOR
“The presentation is art.” Rix takes a photo of her plate before she picks up her fork. She’s done this with every course. “And everything is so delicious!”
“Aside from your cooking, this is the best meal I’ve ever had,” Flip agrees.
There’s a murmur of agreement from my teammates, who start discussing their favorite foods from Rix.
“Thank God there’s no steak tartare tonight,” I whisper in Mildred’s ear.
She chuckles. “Or ham and cheese sandwiches.”
I laugh loudly, earning a disapproving look from my father.
The rehearsal was not seamless. Mildred kept pulling at her bracelets when my mother expressed her displeasure with something, which was often.
Each time, I’d lace our fingers and kiss the inside of her wrist, and I only left her side when it was unavoidable.
Thankfully, now that the formal part is over, she’s much more relaxed, laughing and smiling with her friends.
Just before dessert is served, Portia and Isabelle push their chairs back and tap their water glasses to get everyone’s attention.
The table quiets.
“We wanted to thank everyone for coming tonight to celebrate our brother and Mildred, who we are so incredibly grateful for.”
My teammates hoot and holler. The Babes clap. Kodiak nuzzles Lavender’s neck. Quinn stretches his arm across Lovey’s seat, smiling serenely. My parents look scandalized by the noise. I tip Mildred’s chin up and press my lips to hers for several seconds longer than is appropriate.
“Dred, we’re so excited to welcome you into our family as our sister!” Isabelle clears her throat, already emotional.
“But we promise to leave the bang trims to our stylists,” Portia adds.
The girls laugh. The guys look confused. At least I’m not alone.
Mildred pats my leg under the table. “I’ll explain later.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us to be part of your wedding party, Dred. You have such welcoming, wonderful friends, and it’s so easy to see how our brother could fall for you.”
Mildred mouths thank you to my sisters.
Their connection is genuine, and I’m struck with a wave of sadness, knowing that all of this is a lie, and when it ends, hearts will be broken over more than just the loss of Meems.
“Connor…” Portia smiles softly.
“Our big brother.” Isabelle hugs her arm.
They’ve always been like this, finishing each other’s sentences, even though they aren’t twins. They were close out of necessity. They needed each other to survive in our house. Because I made it so difficult.
“It took us a long time to really understand how much of a protector you were growing up.” Portia links pinkies with Isabelle.
“You were great at keeping the boys away,” Isabelle adds, maybe trying to lighten the mood.
“At least until you went to the Hockey Academy—” Portia adds.
“—and then to boarding school.”
“We missed you so much when you were gone.” Portia’s voice cracks, and she reaches for her water.
Mildred squeezes my hand under the table and dabs at her eyes with a tissue. So does Meems.
Without me around there was less dissension, but I also couldn’t be a distraction for my parents. So all their attention went into making my sisters the perfect daughters. And they are, but I question how happy this life makes them.
“We’re so glad the Hockey Academy brought you all these amazing people,” Portia continues, motioning to the team and their significant others. “And we’re ecstatic that you’ve found your person.” Portia turns to Mildred. “Thank you for letting our brother into your heart.”
“To finding your forever.” Isabelle raises her glass.
Everyone toasts, and Mildred and I stand to accept hugs from my sisters.
“You two don’t have to get yourself in shit over me,” I whisper to Isabelle.
“We wanted to say those things. You’ve been taking the heat off us your whole life.” She squeezes me tightly.
I want to ask more questions, but not with my parents as an audience, so I leave it for now. They take their seats, and Flip stands.
He smooths his hands over his thighs and exhales an unsteady breath. “I’ll never forget the day I met you—either of you, really.”
Our teammates from the Hockey Academy chuckle.
Flip rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “But, Dred, you showed up in my life exactly when I needed you.”
“You needed board games,” she quips.
“I did. So fucking badly. Sorry about the language.” He clears his throat and pulls a set of cue cards from his pocket.
Tugs on his tie. Takes a sip of his water.
“Since the day I became your neighbor, you’ve become one of the most important people in my life, Dred.
You’re my family. My other sister, and I’m so lucky to have you.
Every single person at this table is better for having you as a friend, as a future daughter-in-law, as a fiancée. ”
He makes eye contact with me, and it’s not full of warning, but something else, something more like awareness, maybe. And a plea to treat her with the kindness and love she deserves.
“You listen without judgment, you stand by your friends no matter what, you are viciously loyal, aggressively loveable, and unbelievably compassionate. We see it every time you set up another program at the library, and when you show up for the people you care about.”
“You all do the same for me.” Mildred wipes under her eyes.
I stretch my arm across the back of her chair, and she leans into me.
“The way you give to everyone around you and expect nothing in return is awe-inspiring.” Flip turns his emotion-filled eyes on me.
“Connor, you are so lucky to have the honor of loving Dred. Take care of her the way she always takes care of everyone else, especially her beautiful heart.” The or else you’ll have to answer to me remains unspoken.
I nod. “I promise I will.” And I mean it. Because as I sit here, surrounded by the people who love Mildred the most, I see exactly what Flip is saying. I don’t want to lose her.
Her reasons for doing this are motivated entirely by love—for her friends, for Meems, for the people she helps with the programs she builds at the library, for every kid she spends time with who doesn’t have a mother.
And I want that for myself. I want a right to her warmth and love.
I have found something special, someone special, and by chance and circumstance she’s agreed to be my wife.
She’s mentioned wanting to pretend it’s real, so maybe if I do things right, she’ll want more than just pretend. Then she could be mine forever.