Chapter 10
Ten
River
My God. This place is incredible. When Aspen told me she and Cal were getting married in the Valley of Fire, I didn’t know what to expect.
I had no idea how gorgeous this place truly was.
And now, standing here looking at the giant rock formations and red sandstone cliffs, stretching toward the sky, glowing burnt orange, blood red, and copper beneath the golden hour sun, I’m in complete and total awe.
They didn’t pick a scenic area to get married; they chose a cathedral carved by God himself.
Aspen stands in front of Cal in a fitted, blush lace wedding gown that gives off a very boho vibe. She’s breathtaking. A section of her hair is done in a loose braid and pinned back, leaving the rest of her beautiful, black waves to cascade down her back.
The ceremony hasn’t even really kicked off yet, and I’m already dabbing under my eyes with a tissue. I’ve never wanted anything more than to see her so happy.
Cal takes Aspen’s hands in his, their fingers locking together as they stand in front of Cal’s dad, who is officiating their wedding. The way Cal looks at her is as if no one else in the world even exists makes me wonder what it would be like to have someone look at me that way.
“Aspen. I think I knew I was yours the moment you flipped me off.”
Everyone laughs. I remember that day. He pissed her off good.
“You’ve been my firecracker from the very beginning.
Loud and impossible to ignore. You were the only person who had the power to make me stop running.
From my past. From those who care about me.
And most importantly from you . . .” He pauses, wiping the tears from his eyes before blowing out a deep breath.
“You didn’t just walk into my life, you crashed through it.
Without you, nothing this life has to offer would mean a damn thing. You’ll always be my peace, Angel.”
Aspen wipes beneath her eyes with a folded tissue as he continues, “I promise to love you, to stand by your side, and to always remind you that you will never have to do this life alone. I’m yours. In this life and the next.”
He turns toward Tucker, who’s standing beside him.
“And Tuck,” Cal adds, his voice softening.
“I know I wasn’t there at the start of your life, but I promise, I’ll be there until the end of mine.
You’ll always be my son. I promise to protect you, to show up for every win and every heartbreak, to listen when you speak and even when you don’t.
I promise to love your mom the way she deserves, so you’ll always know what that’s supposed to look like.
And above all else . . . I promise to be your dad in every way that counts. ”
He squats down and gives Tucker a hug. “I love you, Tuck.”
“I love you too, Dad,” Tucker whispers.
And that’s when the dam breaks and my tears spill over. I fan my face with my hand, trying to gain a little composure. Seeing this man take my nephew as his own is overwhelming.
Tucker pats Cal on the back and when they break apart, they fist bump—their signature move. Cal turns back to Aspen, wiping beneath his eyes.
“Damn you, Callan Miles.” Aspen laughs as he takes the tissue from her hand and dabs her tears.
She pauses, letting out a few breaths while trying to collect herself. Once she’s composed, she places her hand back in his. Cal’s dad gives her a nod.
“I think I loved you before I even liked you.”
That garners another round of chuckles.
“You were stubborn, closed off, and absolutely infuriating. But underneath that rough exterior was a man with the biggest heart who took my son under his wing. You went from being my rival to my best friend to the man I want to spend forever with. Never in a million years did I expect you. You’ve spent every single day choosing me, and I vow to do the same for you. ”
Her voice trembles.
“I promise to never run, unless it’s into your arms. I’ll always fight for you, challenge you, and love you in every imperfect moment. I’m yours. In this life and the next.”
He squeezes her hand and mouths I love you.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cal, you may kiss your bride!”
Cal dips Aspen, and when his lips meet hers, cheers erupt. A loud whistle bounce off the canyon walls.
Tucker covers his eyes. “Nope. No. Nope. Don’t need to see it. Do not need to see it.”
I throw my head back and laugh. That kid is seriously my favorite person.
Cal and Aspen raise their locked hands in the air as they make their way back down the aisle.
Then Carter turns to me with a lopsided smile and reaches for my hand.
We follow behind Cal and Aspen to the sound of applause folding around us, and as we pass my dad, Carter lifts my hand and places a deliberate kiss.
The warmth of his mouth lingers on my skin as he holds my gaze, then winks, the corner of his mouth twitching with that annoying smirk.
My stomach flutters, and I damn near forget how to breathe.
“Your husband’s been lookin’ at you all night like you’re a snack.” Hannah giggles, taking a sip of her cocktail.
I hold up my glass wondering if it’s real crystal or not. This place is snazzy. It has to be real crystal.
Lowering the glass back down, I give her a wink and counter, “He’s the snack.”
“I thought you said you didn’t like him.”
“Yeah, well, you all knew I was lying, and now the cat’s out of the bag.”
Shrugging, I toss back the drink, swallowing down every last drop. Before I can order another cocktail, Hannah drags me toward the dance floor.
Ahhh, I love this song. After five drinks, the headache I woke up with has officially subsided. I haven’t done a weekend bender like this since college. My limbs feel all noodley. Noodley. Is that even a word? It feels like a word. If not, it should be.
“You, know who else is a snack?” Hannah calls out.
I raise a brow in question.
She tilts her head toward the guys.
“Aiden?” I screech, my voice too loud. People turn to look at me. Yep. Definitely too loud. “I mean, I guess I always thought you two had like, this friends with benefits thing going on . . .” My eyes bug out of my head. “Wait. Are you saying—?”
She doubles over laughing, shaking her head. “No, you idiot. I’m not pterodactyl girl, and I’ve never been with Aiden in that way. He’s just a friend. The one on the other side of your husband.”
I squint, looking over to see who she’s talking about.
“Sean Mac?!” I screech again.
She slaps a hand over my mouth. “Shut up,” she hisses through laughter, looking around in full panic. “You are definitely not as quiet as you think you are when you’ve been drinking.”
When she uncovers my mouth, I look around to make sure Luke, her dad and the team’s head coach, isn’t within ear shot.
“Sorry.”
“That man-bun with the close-cut sides is really doing it for me. Over there looking like a Viking God. Whew.” She fans her face.
“He certainly looks nothing like the boy I met when I was in college. The other day I went down to the ice to talk to my dad, Sean was out there stretching . . . Girl, the man went into full splits.”
“You know who can also do the splits?” I nod toward Carter.
Hannah’s eyes go wide. “No way.”
“Yep,” I say, popping the p.
Before either of us can add to the conversation, Lil Jon’s “Snap Yo Fingers” comes on, and the entire dance floor goes nuts. It’s a line dance, and we’re in it; laughing, stumbling, and shaking our asses.
She leans in so that no one else can hear her and asks, “So, what’s it like in bed with someone so flexible?”
Oh, fuck. I should’ve known that question was coming.
Of course she would ask that. When will I learn to keep my drunk mouth shut?
I turn and playfully bump my ass against her hip.
Thinking fast doesn’t work when you’re a few cocktails deep, so I toss her a wink and a smirk over my shoulder.
There. That’ll do. I’m neither confirming nor denying. Let the mystery keep her up at night.
Song after song, we dance with anyone who moves, and I’m having the best damn time of my life.