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)
“Five-star moment for sure,” Tristan calls.
“I know it hasn’t always been easy, but I love you, man. You’ve been a rock my entire life, and I am damn proud to call you my friend. You have worked so hard to be what Rix needs, and I’m forever grateful that the two of you believed in what you had and didn’t let anyone stand in your way. Especially me, because we all know I have a hard time getting out of my own way most of the time.” He laughs and shakes his head.
“I love you, buddy.” Tristan taps his fingers over his heart.
They give each other a nod. It’s an unspoken apology and forgiveness.
Flip’s gaze shifts to Rix, and his smile softens. “Trixie Rixie, my beautiful baby sister. You are a force, and I am so thankful for you. The sacrifices you’ve made for me are too many to count.”
Her smile is full of affection. “They weren’t sacrifices, Phillip. I always knew you were destined for greatness.”
He points at Rix. “This is what I’m talking about. You always put others ahead of yourself, forever the caretaker, just like our mom.” He blows a kiss to Muffy before he turns back to Rix. “Even when we were kids, you tried to take care of me.”
“Carrot chips and ranch dip,” Muffy yells.
Rix throws her head back and laughs.
Flip addresses the crowd. “Exactly. Whether you were trying to get me to eat healthy, or manage my investments, or just making me own my shit.” Flip clears his throat. “You are beyond remarkable, little sister. And the way you and Tristan take care of each other is a true inspiration.”
“We had amazing role models.” Rix blows a kiss to her parents.
“The best, right?” Flip nods to his parents, then turns back to Tristan and Rix. “There are so many great times ahead, so much to look forward to and celebrate, and I know when things get tough, you two will hold each other up. The commitment you’re making to each other, to have someone’s unconditional love, a person who will never leave, even when it gets tough—” he clears his throat. “Marriage is so special, and it’s such an honor to be part of this with you. Your devotion to each other has made me want to be a better person for myself and the people I love. I adore you both. I’ll always be in your corner, rooting for you. Thank you for sharing your hearts with all of us.” He raises his glass. “To Tristan and Rix and a lifetime of love.”
The crowd echoes Flip, and Tristan and Rix get up to hug him. Their parents join them, and they’re a mass of love and laughter and happy tears.
Nate pushes his chair away from the table and ducks out the back of the tent. People leave their chairs and head for the bar while Muffy and Howard set up the slideshow. Everyone is occupied, so I follow Nate. He stops and leans against a palm tree, eyes on the ocean.
At the clip of my heels, his head swivels my way.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” He extends his hand as I near him.
I step out of my heels, leaving them on the boardwalk as I slip my fingers in his and move onto the grass with him. “You okay?”
“I just needed some air.”
I don’t comment on the fact that we’ve been sitting under an outdoor tent, breathing in the salty ocean breeze. All of this is a trigger for Nate, I’ve come to realize. The wedding, people being in love, families coming together to support and celebrate. He wants to be a good brother to Tristan, but it also hurts.
He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear, his gaze shifting back to the ocean. He’s so beautiful and brilliant and sad, and it makes my heart ache. I’m afraid to dig into his pain, but I don’t want to leave him here hurting alone.
“It’s okay if this is hard for you,” I whisper.
He sighs, the sound heavy with hidden emotion. “I’m happy for them.”
“You can be happy for someone else and still feel pain.” I give in to the desire to comfort him and gently skim his arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re here. That helps.”
I see the little boy who was left by someone who was supposed to love him unconditionally, and has become a man who fears the pain that love can bring when it’s taken away. “Can I hug you?”
His eyes lift and he nods once.
I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist. He drops his head, pressing his face against my neck as he squeezes me tightly.
I run my hand up and down his back, soothing him. “It’s okay that you’re struggling, Nate.”
“I wish I wasn’t, though,” he whispers. “I wish this didn’t hurt. I wish I could just be happy and not afraid.”