Page 28 of All the Promises We Break

Eli and Dylan exchange looks and small smiles. Dylan nods. “I think we have a general idea. I know it’s going to be a lot to pull together but with graduation in June and my audition in July, we thought about the end of May.”

Eli chimes in, “We can take a small trip in the gap and then do something longer in the fall when all the pieces, well, fall into place.”

“Sweetheart, that gives us only like eight weeks to get it all together. Are you sure?”

“We’re sure. It could be just you guys, Dylan’s parents, Gran and Pops, a few close friends, and done.”

“Are you shitting me?! Eli, I won’t let you do that to Dylan or yourself,” Hayley blasts. “Mom, you and I can help them get this done. We’ve planned like a million parties in the last couple years. This will be the night to end all nights.”

“Eli, we’ve unleashed the beast.” Dylan giggles. “I won’t know what I’m doing so help would be great. I know my mom would like to be included.”

“Of course, dear. That goes without saying. Would you like me to call her?”

“I’d like that a lot actually. Thank you.”

“Well, looks like this could be one hell of a party,” I add.

Eli rises up from his chair with his glass in hand. “I know this was supposed to be a simple dinner but like everything else, roll with the changes. I know this isn’t my first rodeo, but I’d like topretend it is. When you find the right person to complete your life, no matter how you got there, you want to seal that deal.

“Second to that, you want the people who support you most by your side. Wes, I know you’ve done this once with me, I want to know if you’d be willing to stand with me again. What do you say, brother?”

I rise up out of my chair with my own glass in hand. “If you hadn’t asked, I would have been pissed. I’d be honored to turn my wing over to the only other person I feel worthy of it.” Walking around to their side of the table, I kiss Dylan on the cheek before I hug it out with Eli.

“Um, I guess it’s my turn. Hayley, you’ve been excited for us and kind to me since the first time we surprised you with the fact we were a thing. You’ve had Eli’s back, and mine. You’re already like a sister.” I focus my attention back to Hayley, watching her listen. I can see in her eyes when they glaze over. “Will you be my maid of honor?”

Hayley nods quickly. She’s crying and completely speechless.

Wow.

I feel this odd sensation watching her cry. Before, I would be the first one to put my arm around her and crack some joke. Now, I still want to hold her, but have it be just us.Be how you always are, idiot.Jesus.

“Sweetheart? Are you all right?” Lily reaches over and takes her hand, while my feet are still frozen in place.

“Yeah. It’s just. It’s just a lot.”

“So is that a yes?” Dylan asks.

“Yes. I’m sorry. Oh my God, yes.”

Jack clears his throat. “I do believe this calls for a toast. To Eli and Dylan, you have our full support now and always as you entwine your lives. May you always have love. If you have that, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Hayley

Needing a moment to myself alone, I sneak up to my room and plop down on the love seat at the foot of my bed. This was a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be. I thought it was a heat of the moment thing between Wes and me. I thought it would go back to normal the next time we saw each other. I can tell it’s different. I don’t want it to be different, but I don’t want it to be the same. It’s in that shitty awkward place and like something happened but nothing happened.

I’m in the middle of a deep breath and a thousand thoughts when there’s a knock at my door. “Hayley? May I come in?”

“Yeah sure. It’s open.”

Dylan quietly opens the door and peeks her head in. “Eli, Wes, and your dad went for a walk. Your mom kicked me out of the kitchen. Do you want company?”

“I would. Yes, of course.”

Dylan closes the door to a crack. I toss a couple of pillows on the floor to make room for her. “So was this always your room?” she asks.

“No. It was Eli’s until he went to college. I sort of took over after that. It’s like a studio apartment. I don’t mind this for the weekends. I decided I’m moving back here after graduation. I’m over the college apartment life. The benefits of an always fully stocked kitchen and my own bathroom are hard to beat.”

Dylan laughs a bit before she sits on the couch next to me. “I get it. So… I could tell you were pretty uncomfortable with all the prying earlier, but do you want to talk about this person you’re seeing but not? You don’t have to. I just want you to know I’m here for you.”

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