39. Laine
39
LAINE
Sutton doesn’t take his eyes off me during the entire ceremony. I, however, really try to not get lost in that yearning gaze of his. I watch the smiles spreading throughout the surprisingly large crowd; I study the lavender-accented bouquet in my hands; I appreciate the purple field giving way to the rolling green hills and pine-coated mountains beyond it; I stare at the back of Frankie’s head, golden curls dancing together.
But no matter how beautiful the scenery, no matter the number of unfamiliar faces to learn, I can’t keep my attention off Sutton for long. My eyes drift to him whenever I let my guard down, and I’m always met with that sideways smile I’ve loved since the first time I saw it. He looks more handsome than I’ve ever seen him, bruises, cuts, and all. A few curls fell out from where he pushed them away from his face, and they drop over the edges of his forehead, like little arrows pointing at his unyielding stare.
Fully occupied by my efforts to not gawk at Sutton, I don’t realize the ceremony is over until the guests all erupt into a rowdy applause, standing from their chairs. Sutton told me that, with Cassidy and Wells both being from West River, their wedding is the event of the season. That’s undeniable now, as a massive crowd of guests whoop loudly, many holding their hands up in true celebration. And with that, comes a sense of community. Apparently, everyone from West River is just as excited about this wedding as Wells and Cassidy are.
The new couple joins in on the cheering as they walk back up the aisle. Sutton shoots me one more look before he and Cassidy’s sister—best man and maid of honor—follow them. The rest of the wedding party trails behind with me and one of Wells’ high school buddies at the tail-end.
Frankie looks back to wink at me, her curls bouncing with every step.
The line of horse-drawn, floral-adorned wagons that brought everyone to the ceremony waits to transport everyone back to the ranch house for the reception. Sutton is at the first wagon. He tips his head back, motioning for me to join him. Right as I’m about to, though, a yank at my arm pulls me away.
Even though Frankie is loading onto the wagon Sutton stands at, Cassidy’s sister guides me to the one behind it. “All the bridesmaids are taking this one,” she insists. Her mouth pinches in a failed attempt to hide her mischievous expression, and she tugs on my arm again. She must be able to tell that I’m about to object, because she demands, “Come on, it’s a quick ride.”
I follow the line of pink dresses onto the wagon. Immediately, the bridesmaids draw in close to me, conspiratorial smiles tilting.
“Spill,” one of them says, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. I recognize her as the one who, at the bachelorette party, almost threw up after her mechanical bull ride. “We heard that everything between you and Sutton was fake. ”
I look back toward Frankie and Sutton’s wagon, hoping I have a chance to jump off mine to join them. But theirs has already started back toward the house. Even as he gets farther away, Sutton keeps his gaze locked on me.
“You two fooled me,” Cassidy’s sister giggles. “I mean, that ride you two took on the mechanical bull? Real dating or not, that was something.”
The others nod in agreement.
The wagon jolts into motion, making it clear there's no escape from the inquisitive bridesmaids.
I shake my head dismissively. “It was all a stupid lie. I didn’t want him to have to come to the wedding solo. It just got out of hand.”
Every single one of them gives me an unconvinced look.
“Really!” I insist, laughing awkwardly. “He’s my best friend. We were just having fun.”
One bridesmaids scoffs, “It sure looked like fun.”
“Yeah, it did,” another says, grinning wickedly. “How can I convince Sutton to ‘fake’ date me?”
“What I wouldn’t give,” another swoons. “It’s just not fair that Cass claimed Sutton all those years, only to end up with his brother.”
“So greedy,” one adds, giggling. “At least this means Sutton is on the market.”
I really try not to imagine what it will be like when Sutton is in West River, surrounded by these hungry, gorgeous women.
“You really aren’t with him?” Cassidy’s sister asks, looking seconds away from an eye roll.
“We’re friends,” I say, sure, at least, of that one truth. But even as I say it, my mind is back on our last kiss we shared, how neither of us wanted it to end.
Finally, we turn the last bend of trail, the reception space at the Davis home in view .
“Sanctuary,” I plead to the house under my breath.
Sutton is waiting for me, offering a hand as I step down. Each bridesmaid gives me a pointed look before I descend, some smirking, some pouting in jealousy.
“ Don’t leave me alone with them again,” I whisper, leading Sutton away.
He stifles a laugh.
Right after the engagement with Cassidy was official, Wells got to work transforming the barn. After completely gutting it and cleaning it from top to bottom, he poured a concrete floor, polished it, and even refinished the old wood walls. Yesterday, Wells took it a step further, wrapping the ceiling beams with lights, greenery, and florals.
We find our seats at a round table next to Frankie, Magnolia, Hank, and Cassidy’s parents. With his good arm, Sutton pulls my chair out for me, catching the suspicious attention of Cassidy’s parents. They, like apparently everyone in West River, must have heard about our fake relationship.
The barn is aglow with warm light. The air is filled with the undulating sounds of laughter and music. The fresh flowers scattered around are fragrant, making me wonder how this place ever housed animals. When I ignore the feeling of people’s eyes on me, I can actually appreciate the dreamlike ambiance.
I hardly register anything during the dinner of wild, braised venison, roasted broccoli, and potatoes from the Davis’ garden. I can hardly taste my meal when I notice the pointed looks passed between Sutton and his family.
At one point, I hear Frankie whisper to Sutton, “You still haven’t?”
I act oblivious to their conversation going on at my side, instead watching Wells and Cassidy cut into their wedding cake.
“Haven’t found the right moment,” Sutton whispers back .
Cassidy shoves some cake in Wells’ face, eliciting a roar of laughter and applause from the crowded barn, loud enough for me to not hear Frankie’s next words to Sutton.
I lean back a bit, hoping to get close enough to hear again. I’m met with warm breath tickling my ear and Sutton’s hand on my shoulder. “Want to dance?” he murmurs.
Sutton laces his fingers with mine, and all the stares are worth it when we stand together. He keeps his hand in mine, leading me along with the crowd to the outdoor dance floor. Overhead, sparkling string lights blur with the stars, a perfect backdrop for Wells and Cassidy’s first dance. Heat radiates from where my hand rests in Sutton’s. The heat works its way up my neck, arms, and finally settles as blush behind my cheeks.
When the newlyweds’ first dance ends, we trickle onto the dance floor with the other couples. The melody of the new song is low and intimate. With his good arm, Sutton pulls me close against him. Everything else—the crowd, the whispers, the world—fades into the background as I rest my face against Sutton’s chest, relishing the sound of his racing heartbeat in my ear.
“How relentless have the bridesmaids been?” Sutton asks.
I sneak a peek at the huddle of pink gowns. Sure enough, each bridesmaid stares unabashedly at us.
“You have no idea,” I say under my breath.
“We did give them something to talk about,” Sutton hums.
He leans down, resting his cheek atop my head. I close my eyes, soaking in the feeling of him close to me. Before he straightens back up, he presses a kiss against my forehead. Whispers ring toward us, fueled by speculation and, perhaps, a touch of jealousy.
“Okay, now you’re just taunting them.” A small laugh escapes me. “They’re all plotting how they can stake a claim on you.”
Sutton dips lower, his breath brushing against my hair. “Let them try,” he whispers. “Trust me, they’re the last thing on my mind right now.”
My heart skips. The space between us narrows until there’s almost nothing left. My grip on Sutton’s hand tightens, as if I can physically make the seconds stretch longer.
My exhale is shaky.
We sway in slow circles for a few more songs. “I swear I’m a decent dancer when I’m not sporting five cracked ribs,” Sutton says. “My mom made sure of that.”
“Dang ribs getting in the way,” I mutter, skimming a hand across Sutton’s injured side.
“It’s a good thing, too. If not for this,”—he looks down at his sling—“I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”
Dang ribs.
That warmth in my cheeks spreads again, coursing through my body, down my torso, settling in my core. I tip my chin up, just seconds from giving the bridesmaids something even better to talk about, when Cassidy’s grabs Sutton’s shoulder.
“Hey, you’re up.” She places a champagne flute in Sutton’s hand. “It’s time for you to start the toasts.”
Sutton lets out a groan, his jaw flexing. “I’ll be right back,” he murmurs in my ear, giving me one last smile before he goes to the microphone at the front of the dance floor.
Within a few heartbeats, Frankie is at my side, her expectant smile as contagious as ever. “ So ,” she says, bouncing on her toes once, “how’s it going?”
I’m still watching Sutton when I mumble, “Good.”
She loops her elbow with mine. “Nothing…exciting to report? ”
“Is one of your brothers marrying your other brother’s ex not enough excitement for one day?” I joke.
Magnolia, Hank, Wells, and Cassidy stand in a grouping near the front of the dance floor. Their attention turns toward Frankie and me. So discreetly I almost don’t see it, Frankie lifts a downturned thumb at them. Before I have time to question her, microphone feedback sounds through the speakers.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Sutton’s voice carries a warmth that matches the ambient glow of the string lights. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this incredible day with Wells and Cassidy. I've been given the honor of saying a few words. I’m sure you’re all wondering why I look like this, and you can thank Wells for that one.” He pauses, grinning. “I probably deserved it, as you can imagine.”
A ripple of laughter runs through the crowd.
“I’ve known Wells since his day one. We've shared our work, secrets, sadness, and, for a couple of awkward years, the same taste in girls.”
Another wave of laugher. Sutton winks at Wells, who is laughing louder than anyone, aside from maybe Cassidy.
“When I heard Wells was getting married, I was thrilled. At least, eventually I was, after that initial shock wore off. Thrilled because I knew he was marrying the right woman. Like most of you here, I’ve known Cassidy a long time. We all know firsthand how powerful it is to have her in your corner. I’m so happy that Wells will have that honor for the rest of his life.” Sutton’s voice is certain, genuine.
“Wells and Cassidy prove that love isn't always a straight path. Sometimes, it's a wild, roaring river that leads you to places you would never expect. Sometimes…it feels like a big mess.” He pauses, eyes snapping to me, and that sideways grin dimples one cheek. “But what a beautiful mess,” he says, re peating the same words he said to me after we confessed our feelings at the lake last week.
There’s a pause, the kind that makes the room lean in, the hum of quiet expectation palpable. His smile tilts, a little lopsided, but the warmth in his eyes remains steady. “Love challenges you. It changes you. It asks you to show up, to keep showing up, no matter how messy or imperfect it gets. And when it’s real—when it’s right—it’s worth every ounce of chaos.”
He clears his throat, shifting his weight, and the crowd hangs on to his every word. “Wells and Cassidy show that love doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be true.”
Sutton’s eyes find mine again, clinging to me for a heartbeat longer than they should, and my breath catches. He lifts his glass, and his voice grows lighter but no less sincere. “To Wells and Cassidy. And to the messes that lead us to the best things in life.”