Chapter 25
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
PENNY
G unner’s big body at my side and his strong hand wrapped in mine bring me a sense of peace I’ve never known. He’s everything I’ve ever needed but never knew to wish for. Today feels so much different than I thought it would. Truthfully, I thought it would hurt. I was sure my chest would ache with everything I’ve lost.
But it’s the exact opposite.
I feel nothing but complete happiness, maybe for the first time in my life.
Tucker and Marcela’s wedding was utterly beautiful. She was every bit the perfect-looking model I knew she’d be standing at the altar in her elegant form-fitting gown. He was even more handsome than he was in high school. He’s grown into his skin and matured into a man. The pair could both secure modeling gigs and more than just Target. All the chain stores would take them—they’re that beautiful.
While Tucker was everything I remembered him to be and more, not an ounce of remorse surfaced because he’s not the man who holds my heart. He’s not Gunner.
I’ve yet to speak to anyone from high school since Gunner and I snuck into the back of the church right before Marcela walked down the aisle and left immediately after the ceremony. But I’m not worried about seeing them all at the reception. The Penny that knew them all then had everything to prove. I realize now that I don’t owe them anything. Some may judge me; others may not. But I’ve learned that what others think of me is none of my business. I don’t live my life for them. I live it for me. Only my opinion matters. Truth be told, it’s the only one that should’ve ever mattered. I’m glad I see that now.
Hand in hand, we ascend the stairs to the classy reception hall. Each step is flanked by a clear pink frosted glass container, resembling a small punch bowl filled with water and a floating candle. Behind each bowl is a stunning bouquet. The amount of preparation that went into the steps leading up to the reception is astounding. Atop the steps is a magnificent floral archway. The sheer sum of money spent on the parts of the reception I’ve seen is more than the entire budget for most of the weddings I’ve attended, and we’ve yet to step inside.
Gunner’s hand squeezes mine. “You excited?”
“To hang out with every person from my graduating class and reminisce about high school. Oh, you bet. Ecstatic.”
“Nervous?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not nervous.”
“You look absolutely stunning tonight.” He releases his grip on my hand and turns to face me. Swiping one of my long, curly locks of hair off my face, he leans down and presses his lips to mine.
I sigh, melting into the kiss.
“We could just go,” I offer once Gunner has pulled away.
“Are you kidding? With a walkway like that, the food is bound to be incredible, and I’m starving.”
“True. Plus, if we leave now, I won’t be able to show you off.” Gunner is always sexy, but Gunner in a three-piece suit is stunning.
He grins. “I think you have that the other way around. I’ll have the hottest girl in the place.”
“True.” I chuckle.
“I love you, Pen.”
Lifting my arm, I cup his jaw with my hand. His trimmed beard is soft against my hand, opposite to what one would think it’d be. He’s so handsome, it hurts. “I love you.”
He takes my hand once more and leads me inside.
“You’re getting the steak, by the way,” I say.
“Works for me.”
We’ve barely entered the hall before I’m being tackled in a hug. “Pen!” Gabby shrieks.
“Hey, Gabs.” I hug her back.
She releases me and looks at Gunner, her eyes going wide. “Oh my freaking God. It’s the Beast! You know you’re the reason I watch hockey!” She looks at me, her eyes squinting. “You’re dating the Beast! How could you not tell your best friend that you’re dating the hottest guy on the Crane hockey team?” she all but shrieks.
“Gunner, Gabby. Gabby, Gunner.” I make the introduction.
Gabby extends her hand. “I’m the best friend.”
Gunner is a perfect gentleman. “It’s nice to meet you, Gabby. I’ve heard so much about you,” he lies. The single conversation we shared about Gabby took a total of two minutes. There’s not much to tell. But now that I think about how she keeps calling me her best friend, I wonder what her life is like now. Because if I’m truly her best friend, that’s sad. We haven’t seen each other in years. I make a mental note to talk to her more.
She turns back to me. Leaning in, she lowers her voice. “But seriously… you’re dating him?”
I chuckle. “Yeah.”
“Is it serious?” she questions.
Gunner answers for me. “Oh yeah.”
“Oh my gosh, you are living my dream life. So lucky.” She extends her arms out in front of her, gesturing toward the large reception hall. “This is something else, huh? I told you her parents had mad money.”
I look around at the reception that could be, and probably is, in a wedding magazine. “Yeah, it’s gorgeous.”
“Tucker looks so happy, doesn’t he?”
I nod with a genuine smile on my face. “He really does.”
“Come on. We’re at the same table.” She takes my hand and leads me across the space. Looking back over her shoulder, she says, “You have to meet my date, Brian. Unlike you and Gunner, we are not serious. He’s the bartender at work.”
“You still at the same place?”
“Yep! Been serving at Red Robin for five years now. I love it there,” she says of the burger joint chain she works for.
“Gunner and I have been obsessed with their fries lately but only with…”
“Ketchup and ranch!” Gabby finishes my sentence.
“And extra seasoning salt,” I add.
“Yeah, as a server, I can get a basket of fries for free, so I swear I eat them for half my meals.”
I can’t help but notice she still has an amazing figure. Why some people have incredible metabolisms and others don’t is beyond me. If I ate nothing but fries, I’d be a whale. But at least I’d be a sexy one. I’ve accepted the fact that my body is going to do what it’s going to do. All that matters to me is that I feel healthy and strong. I’m grateful to my body for carrying me through this beautiful life, regardless of its shape or size.
Plus, Gunner loves my curves. In fact, he’s obsessed with them.
Besides Gunner and Brian, our table consists of people who graduated from the same high school. True to many small towns, many of my classmates married and remained in the same town where we grew up. I suppose that reality is my literal hell, but to each their own.
Gunner’s brilliance outshines even the fantastical surroundings of this wedding. Sometimes I forget that I’m dating a celebrity of sorts. I’m sure Gunner hates every second of the spotlight, but it works for me. There are fewer questions I have to answer. Who cares about the PR rep for an NHL hockey team when they have the star goalie to talk to instead?
He handles the questions and attention like a pro. Taking him in as he talks to my former classmates, I feel so fortunate to call this man mine. In a very short time, he’s become everything to me.
The dinner is incredible. While I originally ordered the steak entrée because it was the most expensive option, I’m glad I did. It’s one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever eaten. I’m sure Marcela’s parents hired some celebrity chef to cater this event. Heck, Bobby Flay is probably busy in the kitchen as we speak. There’s not an ounce of jealousy inside me. I truly feel nothing but happiness for my first love and his Target model.
This year has changed me. Thank goodness. I needed a reality check.
I have no regrets and it feels great.
Gunner finds my leg beneath the table. His strong hand squeezes my knee before sliding up my inner thigh, and his fingers graze my skin. On instinct, my body reacts. My chest expands as I draw in a breath. Goose bumps pebble my skin, and every cell in my body instantly wants Gunner in all the ways I can get him.
Channeling every ounce of willpower, I slide my arm beneath the table and halt his hand before shooting him what I hope is a discreet-yet-serious warning glare. While it goes against my deepest desires, I know that if I allow Gunner to do what he wants to do, I will, in fact, leave here with regrets. These people came for a dinner, not a show—at least not one starring me.
He leans in and brushes his lips over my ear before whispering, “You’re no fun.”
I grin and shake my head. “You promised to behave.”
“I am.” He supplies a peck to my neck before sitting back in his chair.
The truth is, I’m ready to go. The wedding was beautiful and the meal, heavenly. Chatting with people I haven’t seen in almost a decade has been okay, but a night alone with Gunner would make me the happiest. Only, I haven’t had a chance to congratulate the happy couple yet. They’ve been busy with bride and groom duties—the pictures, dances, and cake cutting.
I turn in my chair to face Gunner. “I don’t know if I want all of this extravagance when I get married. It seems like a hassle.” I clamp my lips shut when I realize I’m talking about marriage—a topic of conversation Gunner and I have yet to explore, if we don’t count his declaration of forever after the Stanley Cup win, which I don’t. He was so high on life that night that I can’t hold him to anything he said.
My words don’t seem to faze him. “No? You don’t want a big wedding?”
I shake my head. “It seems like so much work. I want to enjoy the day.”
“Yeah, I agree. I picture me and my wife somewhere beautiful, just the two of us, vows and endless sex.”
Glass to my lips, I almost inhale the water in my mouth. “You’re such a romantic,” I scoff.
He raises a brow. “Oh, I guarantee you, she’ll have no complaints. It will be romantic as hell.”
“I never pictured you as a guy who plans his future wedding.”
His shoulders rise. “I never was.”
The implication that he is now causes my heart to race in my chest.
His deep brown eyes hold my stare. My tongue peeks out, licking my bottom lip before I pull my lip with my teeth. Gunner’s gaze drops to my mouth, and his lips part. The desire to touch him is so intense it’s almost painful, but I don’t dare. If I’ve learned anything about us, we’re not to be trusted in moments like this. Gunner makes me feral with need, and I lose my head. We’re about two seconds from finding a coat closet. I need to rein this in.
“Nelly!” Tucker’s voice cuts through the lust-filled haze surrounding me.
I bolt up from my chair and turn to face him. “Hey!” the greeting comes out louder than I anticipated.
“I’m so happy you made it. I want you to meet Marcela.” He turns to his beautiful bride. “Babe, this is Nelly.”
“Nelly.” She leans in and kisses my right cheek and then my left, the greeting throws me off as does the name. Tucker is the only one who has ever used that nickname, and coming from anyone else, it grates on my nerves. “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too. Such a beautiful wedding. Thank you for having us.”
Gunner is standing at my side. His arm circles around my waist.
“Gunner Dreven?” Tucker asks, his tone carries an air of disbelief.
Gunner extends his free hand. “Pleasure to meet you. Congratulations to you both.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you were dating the G.O.A.T goalie, Nelly,” Tucker says to me before addressing Gunner. “I’m a huge fan, man. You were amazing this season. Congrats on the Cup win.”
“Thank you. You and Marcela should come out for a game. Penny can hook you up with VIP tickets anytime,” Gunner says.
“No shit? You can do that?” Tucker asks me.
“Hell yeah, she can. She pretty much runs the whole Crane Organization. She can do anything,” Gunner answers for me.
I feel my cheeks redden. With a shake of my head, I say, “I don’t run the organization.”
Gunner chuckles. “She basically does. She keeps us all in check.”
“So you’re like the boss?” Tucker questions.
“Yes.” Gunner answers in unison with my, “No.”
I nudge Gunner’s side. “I’m not the boss. I’m head of PR and keep everything running smoothly.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She’s the boss,” Gunner states.
Tucker smiles wide. “Good for you, Nelly. I always knew you’d do incredible things. God, it’s so good to see you. It’s been way too long.”
“It has. So tell me about you. Where are you working?” I look between Tucker and Marcela. “Where are you two living?”
Tucker tells us all about his life with Marcela. He goes on about his promotion and the new house they purchased. A smile crosses my face as he speaks. He looks genuinely happy, and it fills my heart. After a couple of minutes, Tucker says, “Well, we need to make the rounds, but it was so good catching up. Don’t be a stranger, Nelly. It was great to meet you, Gunner.”
“You too, and I’m serious. Hit Penny up about those tickets. We’d love to have you out for a game.”
“I definitely will.” Tucker smiles. He leans in and gives me a hug, whispering, “I’m happy for you, Nel.”
“I’m happy for you,” I whisper back, giving him a squeeze.
With that, the couple is off to chat with the next guests. My stare follows them as they move on, and moisture finds my eyes. I’m overcome with a sense of peace and gratitude. I’ve been dreading this day for months, and every fear I harbored was unwarranted. Not an ounce of longing is left in me for Tucker. I was genuinely happy to see him, not because he was my first love but because he was my friend. I’m so different from the girl he knew, but I realize that’s a good thing. I’m better, stronger, happier. I don’t feel a sliver of inadequacy. In fact, with Gunner at my side, I felt nothing but pride in who I’ve become.
It’s a strange feeling—to watch the person you felt destined to be with—walk away with someone else and feel grateful that it’s not you on his arm. A tear rolls down my cheek, and I turn to Gunner.
“I love you.”
He swipes a curl behind my ear and presses his thumb across my cheek, wiping the tear away. “I love you. Is everything okay?”
Another tear falls at the realization that I am genuinely happy for the first time in my life. The journey to this moment in time hasn’t been easy. It has taken me years, but I made it, and I would do it all again to end up here. Now that I know what it is to be utterly free and joyful in one’s skin, I’m never going back to the person I was. Deep down, I know that when Gunner called me his forever, Stanley Cup win or not, he meant it. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s my forever, and I’m his.
This journey hasn’t been only to find myself. It’s been to find him. “It’s better than okay. Let’s get out of here.”
The corners of his mouth turn up. “That’s what I’m talking about.”