Page 200 of Play Along

And that smile. That goddamn, earth-shattering smile she shoots me. It steals my breath with how grounded, how content it is. Like she knows, just as I do, that this is where we belong.

Hi, she mouths from down the aisle, red carpet runner ahead of her.

Hi, I return. I shake my head in disbelief because in what fucking world did I get it so right that I get to have the privilege of being the one she’s walking down the aisle to?

If I thought deeper into it, I could probably give a few hundred reasons as to why I’m not good enough to have this moment, but I’m a selfish man. So instead, I just hold eye contact with her and count my blessings.

The music shifts, not to the original song she walked down the aisle to, but something a little more classic. The crowd stands, and that’s when she takes the first step towards me.

She’s stunning and confident, no question or hesitation in her movements, and I know for a fact it’s an image that this time I won’t be able to forget.

Especially when she takes a step towards me and the toe of her shoe peeks out from the hem of her dress. There are no heels on her feet, just a pair of black sneakers I bought her when I was desperate for her to be comfortable enough that she might be willing to spend a bit of time with me.

I can’t help but laugh to myself, and when my eyes make it back to that beautiful, freckled face, she’s laughing with me, her steps never faltering.

Fuck, I love her.

I can’t wait to marry her again.

The backyard of the rental house is packed with our family and friends. Food, dessert, and drinks cover every table. There’s a makeshift dance floor in the middle of the yard, and string lights illuminating the Nevada night sky.

Our wedding reception is in full swing, and it’s been a fucking blast.

We’ve mingled, we’ve eaten, and Kennedy has changed into her reception outfit, which was a surprise specifically for me.

That white mini dress, platform Vans, and denim jacket from our first wedding. Only this time, she had Indy embroider the back of it. Mrs. Rhodes is stitched in white thread and that’s where my eyes are glued, watching her dancing with Max on the dance floor.

He’s got his hands in hers, his feet resting on top of her shoes, smiling at her like she’s the prettiest girl he’s ever seen.

He’s not wrong there.

I fucking love my family.

“Man of the hour.” Travis stands behind my chair, hands on my shoulders, before he and Cody take a seat on either side of me, all three of us looking out to the dance floor.

“You did the impossible. You got that girl to fall in love with you,” Cody says, connecting his beer bottle to mine. “How’s it feel?”

I take a long swig. “Fucking fantastic.”

“Wish me luck to do the same,” Travis adds.

Cody and I burst a laugh.

“Not a chance in hell,” Cody says. “Natalie would never.”

I shrug. “You never know. She might.”

Natalie is the new athletic trainer that Kennedy hired as her replacement last season. Trav’s had a crush since her first day. I can’t say I envy the guy getting that constant rejection, but I can relate.

“Last time I saw her, she told me my glutes felt tight. You know what that means.”

Cody shoots him a deadpanned glare. “Not what you think it means. It only means that you’re a catcher and your entire lower body is fucked.”

“It means she was looking at my ass.”

“Dear God, you sound like Rhodes.”

I tilt my beer bottle to the dance floor. “And look where that got me.”

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