Page 86 of Last Boy

She nods, looking from Jake to me before she points at Walker. “This guy is the one who made it happen though. I think he knew how much it would mean to both of you for Jake to be here and to have the honor of doing this.” She looks at Jake, smiling at him. “So, we got online, and Jake here is now ordained and can tie the knot for y’all.” She pats his arm. “Isn’t that right?”

His cheeks are rosy red, and he nods his head up and down. “Yes, it is. I can marry people now.”

“Oh boy.” I laugh as a shiver runs down my body. “Let’s get started. Before we all turn to ice sculptures.”

“Mine would probably be worth the most.” Walker winks. “You know, NHL center and all.”

“Your head is getting bigger by the second,” I tease him, putting my palm on his forehead. “Ready?”

“Baby, I’ve been ready for this since we did that pretend wedding in the woods when we were nine.” He kisses the top of my head. “Let’s do it.”

Walker

Is it crazy that months ago, I was still trying to convince myself I hated this girl? And now, we’re hitched? Maybe. No, it is. But the thing is, we’ve been attached since we were kids. I’ve loved her for most of my life. And when I didn’t know her, I think I was waiting just for her to come along.

So, crazy or not, I don’t really care. Because this thing we have? It’s forever. And I want forever to start now.

Yesterday, we were lucky enough to find a thrift shop open, and we each picked out a tacky ring for each other. We decided that traditional rings weren’t what we wanted. We want to get tattoos instead. That’s how sure I am about her. I’m willing to put something permanent on myself for her.

Taking the ring I picked from my pocket, I hold it out. It’s not ugly by any means, but it’s plain and simple. Yet still stunning.

“I love you the most, P—more than anything in this whole entire world. You are my reason for waking up every day. And my biggest push to be the best and to try harder. You have been since the first time I saw you.” He squeezes my hands. “I know to the rest of the world, this probably seems crazy. Two freshmen in college just finally figured their shit out weeks ago, and now, they’re getting hitched. But I don’t care. Because I’ve known since the first time I saw you that you were it for me.” I chuckle. “I had to literally collect change from everywhere I found to buy you Warheads to get you to talk to me, but that’s okay. Because eventually, you knew you could trust me.”

A tear falls from my eye, freezing on the way down as I fight to speak through the lump in my throat.

“There has never been a greater feeling than when you look at me and I know you trust me. Doing that is the best gift you could or will ever give me. And I promise you, with everything I have, I will never break that trust.” I pause. “I might piss you off some days—that’s the truth. But I swear you will always know where I stand. And that’s next to you.”

She’s crying now, looking up at me through her thick, dark, tear-soaked lashes. I know her body, her face, every part of her. I’ve studied her for years, wanting to absorb it all. But at this moment, right now, I see something I haven’t seen before.

I see my wife.

“I’m not an easy person to love,” she barely croaks out. “I’m not a fan favorite. I’m not warm and soft. Sometimes, I swear I don’t belong in any room I enter. And I usually don’t know the right thing to say or when to say it.” She gives me a crooked smile. “But you’ve never cared. You’ve seen me at my very worst. And you’ve seen me at my best. There’s no hiding from you because you already know everything.” She blinks, and a stream of tears glides down her cheek. “You’ve loved me since far before I ever loved myself. You saw me when I didn’t want to be seen. And, Walker James, I promise that for the rest of our lives, I will make sure that you are seen. That you are loved. And that you are cherished. Because that’s what you deserve. We were already family, but I am honored to have your last name now.” She sniffles. “I can’t believe I get to be your wife. I am so lucky,” she whispers. “This life has been good to me. Because it’s given me you.”

Jake says a few more things, but all I can do is stare into her big green eyes and melt. My heart is thundering in my ears because I know that in a few seconds, he’s going to say the words I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear.

Poppy Wilson is mine. Only she’s not Poppy Wilson. She’s finally Poppy James.

26

Walker

Two Months Later

I take my phone out of my pocket and make sure it’s silenced just as a message comes through from Poppy. With the show starting in a few minutes, I wasn’t expecting any contact from her till after.

Poppy: I put a note in your pocket. Can you please give it to Cade?

I frown at the message. Cade’s been home for a week, and Poppy insisted he come to this show, though I’m not sure why.

Poppy: Don’t be a jealous butthole. Give him the note.

Me: I wasn’t.

Me: I didn’t get a note though.

Poppy: Don’t be a whiny ass. Love you.

Me: You can make it up to me later. Love you. Good luck.

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