Page 72 of Moving Forward

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CAIN

I watch Max say goodbye to her parents. We’re leaving before the fireworks begin. Her mom enthusiastically claps her hands, and her father turns a deep shade of red that rivals Max’s signature blush. I imagine she’s going to try to avoid telling her grandfather she’s leaving with me. Probably a good idea not to poke that bear.

Conner stiffens beside me at the sight of Ellie skipping toward us. She’s all decked out in jewelry and makeup. If this is how she dresses for a casual party, her wedding day will be interesting. The Millers might just top the English monarchy for wedding expenses.

“Hello, friend,” she says to me, then to Conner, “Brother-in-law.”

“Ellie,” Conner answers tightly.

“I’m glad to see you’re here with Maxie,” Ellie tells me, and continues on her merry way.

Conner crosses his arms and lets out a breath. “She’s not a bad person, but man, she makes me nervous.”

“Amazing all that energy can exist in one person,” I agree.

“It’s all the ice cream she eats. You know, if you and Max stick together, that’ll be like marrying Ellie too. I think they come as a package.”

I’m beginning to see their friendship isn’t all that bad. At least Max has someone in her life to depend on, who loves her, even if Ellie can be overbearing and crazy at times. She and Danny have done their best for Max since Ethan died.

“Imagine how Danny feels,” I remark.

“He’s had all this time to prepare himself for a life full of her. But I’d imagine he’s still going to need some inspirational eighties rock music to get him through the wedding,” he jokes. He smacks my arm and starts walking backward. “Here comes your girl. Hit me up sometime during this week and we’ll grab a beer.”

“Yeah, man. I’ll do that.” Weird enough, I think I will.

Max heads back to me, her eyes glistening in the twinkling tiki lights that pepper the Millers’ backyard. “Did you miss me?” she asks when she’s a few steps away.

“You were only gone for like four minutes, but god yes.”

She closes the distance and links her arms around my waist. “Good.”

I kiss her, drawing her lip between my teeth. “Agreed.” I pull back and tuck her hair behind her ears. “You look beautiful tonight, Peaches. You always do.”

“That’s a lie, but you can tell me that as much as you want.”

“I would never lie about that. I don’t think I could if I tried.” I press a small kiss to her forehead and then pull her through the crowd to the front yard full of parked cars. She hangs onto my arm, letting me lead her. “So, what was Ethan’s biggest flaw? And what was your favorite thing about him?”

“Are these my questions?”

I nod, searching for my truck. “I figure we shouldn’t make a martyr of Ethan, considering I’m pretty sure he and I were cut from the same cloth in some respects, but I also think it’s important for you to remember everything about him.”

“You’re right.” She squeezes my hand and points out my truck a short way down. “Hmm . . . his biggest flaw? Sometimes he wasn’t the best at being serious . . . but that’s also what I loved most about him. It could be infuriating, but it could also be sweet. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“You don’t have to. I don’t need to understand it. You do.”

She walks around to the passenger side of my truck. “You’re really great, you know that?” she asks, flashing me a grin that quickens my heart.

I can’t help smiling back at her. “Funny, I think the same thing about you.”

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