Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Thank you for supporting me and for accepting Derek, even if things got off to a rocky start.”
Zane reaches out and grabs my shoulder. He opens his mouth to speak just as the door opens and Cody pokes his head inside, looks around, then ducks out again, which is…fucking odd, but then they’re our friends and they’re a crazy bunch, so I ignore it.
“Seriously, Dad, you’re thanking me for wanting you happy, which is really all I’m doing. I see the way you look at Derek. I know how much you love him. I hear it in the way you laugh and see it in the way you live your life, enjoying it and actually doing things for yourself. I’m grateful as fuck you met Derek, and not just because he’s a cool-ass guy, but because of how he loves you and how you love him. Of course I’d want that.”
I pull my son into a hug, which he returns, tightly.
Over his shoulder I see the door open again. Travis peers inside, looks around, smiles at me, then hurriedly ducks out again. What the fuck are they doing?
“Thanks, kid,” I say as I pull away from him. I straighten my suit and say, “I do look damn good, don’t I?”
“Like I said, not as good as me, but…”
“Cocky little shit,” I reply with a smile, and Zane laughs.
“It’s just about time. You’re all ready? Is there anything you need? Are you nervous?”
“Nah, I’m good. Rock-steady up here. This is so different from my wedding with your mom.” Zane had heard the stories before. We’d been young, and she was pregnant. We’d gotten married in the courthouse, without any friends with us. Afterward we’d ordered pizza in a shitty little hotel room, where I’d promised her I would always take care of her and our child. She’d rolled her eyes and smiled, telling me, “You think I doubt that for a second? I know you, Jackson Gibbs. You’re my very best friend.” And we’d done that together, taken care of each other and our son. We likely knew back then that we were more friends than anything, but we’d had a good life, and I had a great son, and it all led me to where I was. So no, I’m not nervous to marry Derek. It’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.
The familiar creaking sound of the door moves through the air again, and Frankie’s head pops in. He looks around, tries to smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Okay, what the fuck is going on?” I ask. “You’re the third person to peek in here like you’re looking for something…” Or someone…and holy fuck, I know exactly what’s going on.
“Your future husband might be…missing?” Frankie replies.
My heart drops to my gut as those nerves I just told Zane I didn’t feel sweep through me. “He might be missing? There is no might about it. He’s either missing or he’s not, Frankie.” I know I’m taking it out on him when I shouldn’t, but I can’t fucking help it.
“I was trying to break the news to you gently. But yes, we can’t find Derek.”
“Fuck…fuck.” I run a hand over my head. I knew we shouldn’t have done this can’t-see-the-groom thing. Derek has been stressing out ever since we arrived. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that my boy wants to marry me, but I also know the fear and insecurities that lie below his confident bravado, and I should have kept him with me to soothe him.
“Well, I guess it’s better he runs now than to be left at the altar,” Zane says.
I know it’s meant as a joke, but I grumble, “Not the time,” as I head for the door.
He grabs my arm and says, “We’ll find him, Dad. He’s just scared.”
“I know,” I reply, and I do.
I join the search party as we make our way through the lodge, looking for Derek but trying not to make it obvious to anyone else what we’re doing. Guests fill the room where I’ll hopefully put a ring on it soon, as our crew of friends and Steph search for the missing twink whose tight little ass I’m going to spank after I officially make him mine, for not coming to me.
“So…we’ve searched this place top to bottom three times, and while we have the top, we don’t have the bottom,” Frankie says, looking at Evan. “Well, not the bottom we’re looking for at least.” He winks.
Evan’s face flushes pink. “Frankie.”
“Is it okay to appreciate that joke right now, or are we starting to freak out?” Travis asks.
“We’re not freaking out,” I snap. “I know him. I know he doesn’t want to run from me.”
Gary’s hand squeezes my arm in support, but it’s Travis who speaks. “I know that, man. It’s the only reason I’m joking right now. And it’s not like I’m one to talk. I lost my boyfriend on the day I was going to propose to him.”