Page 3 of The Forever Game

My eyebrows pull together and she relents with a sigh. “My parents are… being my parents.” She shrugs.

I let out an irritated huff, wondering what they’ve said to make her feel bad this time.

Glancing down the table, I check that they’re behaving themselves. Thankfully, they’re talking to Uncle What-His-Name and looking nonthreatening… for now.

“You giving a speech, son?” Grandpa takes a seat beside me.

“Yeah.” I pull out my index cards, my hands starting to shake.

Stupid traditions. Why the hell do we do this stuff?

You’re doing it for Tammy. Just focus on her and you’ll get through this.

I glance up and notice she’s watching me. Her pained smile hurts my chest, and I lightly brush my fingers down her face and whisper, “I love you. I’d do anything for you.”

“I know giving speeches is not your thing. I’m so?—”

“Don’t apologize,” I quickly cut her off before she can. “I love you, TT.”

Her smile is beautiful, and I rise from my seat before I can chicken out.

Asher notices and starts tapping his fork against his wine glass.

“Speech!” Casey pumps his fist in the air. “Go, Bax-Man!”

I cringe as a cheer goes up from the Hockey House table. Tamara’s mom looks like she’s been sucking on a lemon as she gives the unruly bunch a disapproving glare.

Clearing my throat, I focus back on my bride-to-be. She takes my hand, her brown gaze bright with affection.

“I, uh…” I clear my throat again and check my cards before scanning the tables around me. “Thank you all for coming. Tammy and I are so happy you could make it.”

“Finally!” Ethan calls out, and everyone starts to laugh.

“True. Looks like we’re actually going to make it this time.” I grin. “Thanks for sticking with us. I love this beautiful woman beside me so much.” I glance down at her, then wink at Kai. “My family is the most important thing to me, and being able to make it all official tomorrow is something I’ve wanted for a long time now.”

Tammy grins up at me and mouths, “I love you.”

“We—”

Someone’s phone starts ringing, and I pause, fighting a smile when I see Mikayla jerk in her seat, her eyes bulging in apology as she wrestles out her device, then winces and gets up from the table, running out of the room to answer the call.

Ethan watches her go—a dark, irritated grimace scrunching his face.

I’m not sure what that’s about, but I’m once again struck by the unsettling vibes that seem to be emanating from so many of my friends tonight. Everything just seems kind of off, and that was not what I was hoping for coming into my wedding. It’s like Tammy and I are cursed when it comes to this big day.

This is attempt number three, and I have to make this work for her.

“So, yeah… uh… just wanted to say a big thank you to all my friends and family who are here celebrating with us. And I want to honor my gorgeous woman who I’ve loved since I was ten years old.”

Tammy squeezes my hand.

“I can’t wait to finally marry you tomorrow. Being your husband has been a long-time goal for me, and I’ll be the best one I possibly can be.”

“You’re going to be amazing.” Tammy jumps up, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me down for a kiss.

Our guests start cheering and applauding for us.

We pull away from each other, Tammy giggling, and I brush the tip of my nose against hers before smiling out across the room. My mouth dips as Ethan jerks out of his seat with an angry frown and stalks out of the room after his wife.

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