Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
Brock
I adjust my tie, glancing at the shower through the mirror.
Today is Paxton and Hartford’s wedding. Willow left to go get ready with all the girls in Hartford’s room, but before she left I climbed into the shower with her and it wasn’t the water making her wet.
Fucking her in the shower with the warm water running over us, her legs wrapped around me as I pressed her against the cold tile, and my name echoing around us when her orgasm ripped through her, made me never want to let her go. Not just today, but ever.
Our time here is quickly coming to an end and I don’t want what happened in Vegas to stay in Vegas.
I want it to follow us back to Magnolia Ridge and I’m going to tell her, but not today.
Today is all about Paxton and Hartford. Tonight when it’s just the two of us, before I slam into her I’m going to tell her how I feel.
I’ve been paying close attention to my siblings over the last few days and I’ve realized that the best relationships are the ones that are least expected.
Paxton and Hartford never thought they’d be in a romantic relationship.
They felt their friendship would be ruined.
Anya and Griffin never dreamed of being together, especially Griffin.
He made a promise to Callum that he’d never touch Anya and yet, here they are happily in love.
And then Shepherd and Felicity, no one saw that coming.
He went from a grumpy ass to being a father and head over heels in love.
I would never have thought I’d want Willow.
If someone told me a month ago that I’d be here at my brother’s wedding and that I’d fall in love with Willow Moore, I would’ve laughed.
Yet, here I am. I thought this fake relationship would get us both through this with minimal damage to our egos, I never expected to catch feelings for Willow.
Big feelings.
I can’t say what the future holds, but I do know that I want to find out with Willow.
My phone rings and I grab it, snapping out of my thoughts. “Hey, I’m leaving my room in five minutes,” I say to Callum.
He chuckles as I rush around my room, frantically searching for my socks. “I knew you’d be running late too. I’ll come by your room and we’ll go to Paxton’s together.”
I finally find my socks and sit down to put them on, feeling the pressure of time ticking away. “Cool, see you in a minute.”
We hang up, and I drop my phone, continuing to scramble around my messy room to find my shoes and suit jacket. Just as I manage to gather everything, there’s a knock on my door. I grab my phone off the floor and rush to answer it.
Callum steps inside, taking in the chaotic state of my room with a smirk. “Damn, this place is a mess.”
I shrug, pulling on my jacket. “Didn’t have time to clean up.”
“Yeah, from the looks of it, you’ve definitely had your hands full.”
“You have no idea.” I grin and open the door wide. “Let’s go get our brother married.”
We walk briskly down the hallway to Paxton’s room. Callum knocks and then opens the door.
“They’re here,” Tripp announces, glancing up from his phone.
“Must be nice to be on your own schedule,” Shepherd comments dryly, sipping from a bottle of water.
“Don’t be jealous just because we can still sleep without a crying baby waking us up,” I tease, giving him a friendly slap on the back as I pass by.
Paxton emerges from the bathroom, looking slightly overwhelmed. “Well, at least you guys made it before I say my vows.”
I grin and pull him into a quick hug. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today. You’re about to be someone’s husband.”
He chuckles nervously, adjusting his jacket. “Yeah, I can’t quite believe it myself. I mean, I know it’s happening, but it still doesn’t feel real.”
“Oh, it’s real,” Callum chimes in, giving Paxton a playful hug. “You’re about to hand your balls over to Hartford forever.”
Paxton laughs, shaking his head. “Thanks for the reminder, Callum.”
We share a collective chuckle, the air filled with excitement and anticipation as we prepare for the big moment.
Paxton smiles, stepping in front of the mirror. “If she wanted my balls I’d gladly hand them over.”
“She’s had your balls since middle school, who are you kidding,” I tease.
It’s a joke, but really she has. He dated, but he was never serious about anyone. He always carried a torch for Hartford.
“Are you ready?” Shepherd asks, fixing Paxton’s bowtie.
“I don’t care about the wedding. This is all for Hartford. I’m excited for our marriage.” He swats Shepherd’s hand away when he tries fixing his hair. “Stop it.”
“So you’re excited for the marriage? What’s that even mean?” I ask, curious about where he was going with that.
“Hartford wants this day and I’m cool with it.
I’ll always give her what she wants, but I don’t need it.
I want to build a life together. I want to buy a house, maybe get a dog.
I want to take vacations, have BBQs, and spend time making memories.
I want to have babies. Give August some cousins to play with.
I want to grow old with her and spend every day telling her how damn lucky I am.
That’s what I’m excited for. Today is for Hartford, every other day is for me. ”
Well, damn, that’s not what I was expecting. We all joke and tease each other so often that it’s rare we share things like this. It’s kind of nice.
And cue the tears. My parents walked in while Paxton was talking and my mom is now touching the corners of her eye with a tissue.
“Well said, son,” my dad says, giving him a hug. “I’m proud of you.”
My mother is more dramatic and grabs him, holding on tightly like she’s afraid to let go.
“Mom, he’s getting married, not moving out of the country,” I say, laughing.
She lets go of him and shakes her head at me. “You hush. This is my first baby getting married. I’m allowed to be emotional about that.”
“You’ve got plenty of others to push into marriage, don’t waste all your tears,” Tripp says, earning a smack on the head from our father.
She rolls her eyes and focuses back on Paxton, running her hand down the lapel of his tuxedo jacket.
“Everyone is going to tell you today how lucky you are to have married Hartford, but I want you to know that she’s lucky too.
You’re an incredible man, Paxton. The only thing I’ve ever wished for my children is to find happiness in this life and you’ve found that.
It’s sad letting you go, knowing things are changing, but it’s even more exciting.
Watching your son become successful in every aspect of life.
” She wipes her eyes again and smiles. “Remember we are always here for you and we’re so happy to add another Atwood to the family. ”
He wraps her in a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you,” he murmurs, both of them fighting back tears that threaten to spill over.
“Damn, is it going to be this mushy all day?” Tripp quips, his voice breaking the tender moment.
Before anyone can respond, Callum smacks the back of Tripp’s head lightly, eliciting a yelp of surprise.
The tears we’ve all been holding back transform into laughter, filling the room with a warmth that only family can bring.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the unspoken bond we share—the way the Atwood’s can turn any situation into a reason to laugh.
“I’d really love a picture with all my handsome sons,” our mother says.
We know better than to protest for something she asks for, clearly since I’m in a fake relationship, so we gather around her. My father snaps the picture and we take turns giving her a hug.
“We’ve raised amazing kids, Carol,” I hear my father say, kissing my mom’s cheek.
Callum opens the mini fridge and pulls out a large bottle of whiskey that clearly doesn’t belong in there. “Got this last night. One last shot with your brothers before we get you to the chapel.”
“Hell yes,” Paxton says, looking around for glasses.
Shepherd brings out the little cups that are in the bathroom that are used for rinsing your mouth. “These will work.”
Callum pours us all a shot, my parents declining.
“I have the honor of giving a speech later, so I’m just going to say congratulations little brother,” Callum says, holding up his cup.
Shepherd steps next to Callum and grins. “I’m so happy for you Pax. I wish you and Hartford all the best this life has to give and when you guys get pregnant, give me a call for the three in the morning feeding. Congratulations, brother.”
I hold my cup up, standing next to Shepherd.
“Well, I didn’t realize I should work on a speech or something, so I’ll just wing it.
I’ve always looked up to you, Shep, and Callum.
I would tell everyone how cool my big brothers were.
We all tease each other a lot but being here in Vegas has made me realize I still look up to you guys and I’ve learned from you guys that love comes at you when you least expect it from someone you definitely didn’t expect.
I’m so happy for you and Hartford. Congratulations, big brother. ”
Tripp stands up and holds his cup up in the air.
“When you find the one you want to spend forever with you don’t fight it.
You lean into it and let it take you where it may.
Falling in love with someone is easy, what’s hard is accepting the fact that they could love you back.
You and Hartford make it all look so easy and that’s something that inspires me every day. ”
We all stare at Tripp, stunned. I thought he would say something ridiculous like always, but that was far from ridiculous. It was beautiful and touching.
It made me feel like he was talking to me about Willow.
“Damn, Tripp, that was beautifully said,” Callum says.
“Yeah, where’d that come from?” I ask.
“He’s always been well-spoken,” my mother adds with a look of pride gleaming in her eyes.
“Thanks, guys. I’m lucky as hell to have you all. Now, let's do these shots so I can hand my balls over to Hartford,” Paxton says, tossing back his shot.
We all follow suit and I look around. I wasn’t excited for this wedding when I sat down on the plane, but now I am.
I’m excited for my brother and I’m excited for me.
Paxton is marrying the love of his life in Vegas and I’m pretty sure I found the love of my life in Vegas.
“Let’s go!” Paxton shouts.
“Let’s get you married,” Callum says, wrapping his arm around Paxton's shoulder.
We all walk out of the room and my pulse races. I’m about to see my girl and I can’t fucking wait.