32. Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sebastian
“Are Michael’s parents here?”
My mom frowned and shook her head.
My stomach sank. I saw Jason when I was on the way to my makeshift dressing room and he said Rachel was helping Em get ready.
“Who’s helping Mac get ready?”
My mom bit the corner of her mouth and turned to my dad. “I’m going to.”
“What?” I schooled my face back to something neutral when I saw the utter shock displayed in the reflection.
My mom didn’t laugh it off, and the air was thick with tension while I tried to make sense of everything.
“His parents—” She pressed her lips together so tight they lost color. “They weren’t interested in coming and it just really rubbed me the wrong way—”
“I’m surprised you came,” I said, unable to contain myself.
She narrowed her eyes, and I held my breath. But then she sighed and put her hand on my shoulder, her eyes swimming with tears.
“I deserve that. It was a lot to wrap my mind around, but I will not miss my son’s wedding—even if he’s not technically getting married—”
“Alicia,” my dad warned.
“I know. I know. It’s just—” Her face twisted in a sad smile. “I worry about you getting hurt.”
“Neither of them will hurt me.”
Another sigh. She patted me and straightened my tie. “I hope not.”
“And you’re okay with helping him get ready?”
Another sigh. “Yes, Sebastian. Believe it or not, I’m not a monster. He doesn’t deserve his parents and I just want you to be happy—”
“I am, mom.”
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Good. Now finish getting ready and we’ll see you soon.”
My dad and I finished getting ready in a time warp. Before I knew it, Harriet was knocking on the door, asking if we were ready.
“Your bride is ready to go and we’re checking on your groom now.”
“Okay, we’re ready,” I told her.
“Two grooms.” My dad shook his head, and I tensed.
“Is there a problem?”
He chuckled, looping his arm through mine. “Not at all. I’ve never been to a wedding for two grooms and a bride. My poker group is going to be jealous.”
I slid his arm tighter against me and stared at him. He was a complicated man. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever understand him, but at least I didn’t have to worry if he was in my corner.
“Ready to get married?”
I sucked in a huge breath and nodded. “Let’s do this.”
I was first in the lineup. With my heart thundering in my ears, I made it down the aisle and hugged my dad before he took his seat in the front row.
Coach Locke—who was apparently ordained—beamed at me and waited patiently in the background while I tried not to think about how many sets of eyes were on me.
And then none of that mattered. The rest of the crowd faded away, and a lump formed in my throat. Mac was coming down the aisle, my mother’s arm looped in his. He had won my parents over. I didn’t know how he did it, but they wouldn’t be here if their minds hadn’t been changed somehow.
They made it to me and I waited for them to hug before I hugged my mom and took Mac’s hand.
“Hey,” he whispered.
“Hey, Savage,” I whispered back.
“We’re doing this.” His face broke into a soul-shattering smile and my heart exploded.
I grinned, squeezing his hand.
We watched as Roxie and Evan—who I was thankful was still my friend despite our horrible lack of communication lately—made their way down the aisle and took up spots on either side of us.
The music changed and, with our hands still laced together, we waited for the flower girl and ring bearer.
I snorted and Mac outright laughed as Strelow, wearing a perfectly tailored suit and sunglasses, tossed rose petals down the aisle, flourishing each throw so the petals rained down gracefully. He nodded to us and amped up his performance, delighting the entire crowd.
Right next to him, entirely less animated, was Lightning. He was carrying a satin pillow, the edges of it crushed in his huge hands as he took careful steps and didn’t look up.
“I’ve never seen him so nervous,” Mac whispered.
I bit my cheek to stop laughing. “Me either.”
“At least we know he’s careful?”
I nudged Mac, knowing if he said anything else, I’d lose my composure. And really, it was adorable of Lightning and Strelow to take their roles so seriously—albeit so differently.
The music changed again, and my breath hitched when I saw her.
Emily appeared at the end of the aisle like she had just materialized from thin air, the picture-perfect bride. Her dress hugged her waist and flared out, making her look like a princess. I flicked my eyes to Mac’s, watching him watch her before he caught me.
We grinned, clutching each other’s hands. I wanted to yank him down the aisle and walk the rest of the way with Em, but she deserved this moment. With her parents flanking her, she floated toward us, giving them each a peck on the cheek before putting her hands out for us.
Mac and I took her hands, guiding her up to the makeshift platform that had been set up for the ceremony. It hardly looked like the pavilion anymore.
“We are gathered here today,” Coach Locke began.
The rest of the world melted away as I followed his instructions, sandwiching Em’s hand with Mac’s, as we went through a handfasting ritual and promised each other forever.
The crowd broke out into a thunderous round of applause when Coach Locke announced us as husbands and wife. We kissed, tears mixing, and cameras snapping and flashing all over the place.
We walked down the aisle, Em holding her bouquet in the air triumphantly as the team led most of the cheers. It was not at all the wedding we had planned, but it was better. We were surrounded by people who genuinely wanted to be there and genuinely wanted to see us happy.
We ducked behind an improvised room when we saw Harriet ushering us over.
“Congratulations,” she said, grinning. “Take a second to catch your breath and then we’re going to have your first dance out here. And then some pictures, followed by a reception inside.”
She barely warned us before At Last began playing over the outdoor speakers.
“Ready for our first dance, wife ?” Mac asked, putting both his hands out. “And husband .”