Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 26
ESSIE
Once everyone’s meals have been cleared at the rehearsal dinner, Tristan’s dad stands and taps the edge of his pint glass, then brings two fingers to his lips and whistles shrilly to get everyone’s attention. He and Sophia are seated at a table with my parents and Rix’s. They’re all smiling and laughing. My mom is tucked into my dad’s side, and Howard’s arm is draped across Muffy’s chair. They’re both couple goals. They have the kind of love I want for myself: limitless and enduring.
Gideon smiles and runs a hand over his tie, waiting for everyone to settle. “I wanted to take a moment to celebrate Tristan and Rix,” he begins.
I set a packet of tissues on the table in front of Rix. She hugs my arm and kisses my cheek, then snuggles into Tristan’s side.
Gideon turns toward the happy couple. “Tristan, I am so proud of you.” He glances around the room, gaze stopping briefly at Brody and then Nate. “I’m proud of all my boys.”
A round of applause follows, and he waits until the group settles before he continues. “Tristan, you have accomplished so much in your young life. You’ve always been determined, and when you set a goal, you work hard to achieve it. Your dedication to being the best you possibly can is not limited to your hockey career.”
“You’re a superstar!” Brody shouts.
“I’m pretty sure he’s drunk,” Rix whispers.
“Oh yeah, absolutely,” Tristan agrees.
“Drink a glass of water, son,” Gideon says.
Everyone chuckles.
Brody sinks into his chair. Chase passes him the pitcher of water.
Gideon turns back to Tristan. “You brought that dedication and determination to your relationship with Rix. You’ve both worked so hard to be the partner each other deserves. Watching you grow and learn together has been inspiring. I don’t think either of you realizes how much you’ve taught me.” He pauses and clears his throat. “We should all be so lucky to have the kind of love you share. To your future and everything it holds.” He raises his glass in a toast.
Rix and Tristan push their chairs back and round the table. Tristan and his dad hug each other tightly, both clearly emotional. And then Gideon folds Rix into a hug. She’s a weepy mess when he lets her go. Tristan tenderly curves his hand around the side of her neck, thumb sweeping across the edge of her jaw as he brushes his nose against hers.
I dab under my eyes with a tissue, my love for them too big to keep inside.
I glance to the left, where Nate sits two chairs down, hands folded in his lap. He glances my way for a second. I wish I knew what was happening in his head. Something has shifted. When he came to my room to help me pick my dress he was…sweet. And very focused on me and my needs. I need to keep reminding myself that he’s not someone I can give my heart to. But it’s hard when he cuddles me all night and tells me how sexy my spreadsheets are.
Rix and Tristan take their seats again. I hug Rix and free another tissue from the pack, tipping her chin up so I can dab under her eyes.
She laughs and sniffles. “Am I melting?”
“No. You’re perfect. I’m just fussing.”
She hugs me. “I love you.”
“I love you back.”
Flip moves to the front of the room. He’s dressed in khaki shorts and a short-sleeved white button-down. He sets his bottle of water on the podium and smiles at the crowd. “How’s everyone doing tonight?”
“Feeling no pain!” Chase shouts.
“Seriously, slow down, you two.” Flip motions between Chase and Brody.
Brody holds up his glass of water, face turning red.
The crowd chuckles.
“I just wanted to, uh, take a minute to express how much Tristan and Rix mean to me, to all of us here.” Flip’s eyes are already glassy. He blows out a breath. “Man, I’ve got a lot of feelings, and they’re all right here.” He taps his throat, then the corner of his eye. “And apparently here.”
Tally hops up from her table near the podium and sets a travel packet of tissues next to him. She squeezes his arm and leans in to whisper something before she rushes back to her seat. She’s sitting next to Fee, Dred on her other side. Callie, who is all of nine, is tucked into Connor’s side, like he’s her own personal, tattooed bean bag.
“Thanks, Talls.” Flip plucks a tissue from the packet. “Okay, now I’m really ready.”
Everyone laughs again.
Rix hooks her arms through mine and Tristan’s, her expression soft.
“Tris, I’ll start with you.” Flip smiles at his best friend. “We’ve had a lot of years of friendship and some real ups and downs. We’ve seen each other through some tough times and some fan-freaking-tastic ones. Like winning the Cup.”