Page 4 of Burning for the Truth

“Well, don’t worry, I won’t make a habit of it. We wouldn’t want you to spontaneously combust or anything from shock, laughter, or plain stupidity.” She glares at me, clearly thinking I’m making fun of her, which I’m not. Okay, maybe a little bit but she’s so cute when she’s mad, and I can’t help it.

I lift my hands in surrender as Drew makes his way to us. His dark-colored gaze sparkles with amusement as he reaches to shake my hand. “Dean, what’d you do to rile my girl up this time?” he laughs.

Briella turns on him and her face is flaming with embarrassment. “Nothing, he’s simply being his usual D-bag self,” she replies with ease.

Drew chuckles and pulls her to him. “Lighten up, babe. He’s a big softie at heart. You know that.”

She bristles slightly and the look in her eyes flashes to something else for a second before seeming to settle back on the here and now. “Yes, babe. I know. We’ve picked on each other our entire lives. I thought for once he was going to be semiserious today is all. It’s a new chapter. Life as we know it is now different because Sterling is a married man.”

“He’s still Sterling, BB. Married or not, dad or not. If I can’t have fun on the happiest day of my best friend’s life, then when can I?” Again, she throws me a glance I can’t decipher before changing the subject.

“Okay, well, let’s get over to the reception area. I’m dying to see the dance floor they set up and all the twinkle lights.” She gives me one final glance before taking Drew’s hand and leading him toward said dance floor. Drew salutes me over his shoulder, grinning like a fool behind her. Yep, most definitely in love.

I start to follow and feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see Hawk Abbott standing there. He shakes my hand. “Hell of a wedding,” he says grinning.

“Sure was, man. I’m happy for them.” We start to walk to the reception area not far from where the ceremony took place. They had some party company/event planner come and set everything up and I have to admit I almost forgot we were on the Valley B. They did a fantastic job transforming this space into “dream wedding” worthy.

As we walk, I see Brittney Jameson wave at me and return the gesture. Hawk turns to see who I waved at and his jaw clenches, but he gives little else away. “What’s up with you two? Are you ever going to tell us?” I prod, grateful to have something else to focus on.

“There’s nothing to tell. I just…know her from a long time ago, that’s all,” he deadpans.

I stare at Hawk like he’s grown a second head. “I know plenty of people from a long time ago, but I don’t look like I’m either in pain or about to tear a hole in something because I happen to see one of them.”

Hawk grunts and adds, “Drop it, man.” I don’t press the issue. I’m a stout, well-built man, but Hawk Abbott is in a league of his own. He’s not a man I want mad at me.

As we reach the dance floor set up out here under the twinkle lights, the music and dancing have already started. Several couples are swaying to a love song, and Briella and Drew are among them.

I’m like a moth to a flame, I can’t tear my eyes away. Drew holds her close and stares into her eyes as he says something…something serious, but good from the looks of it. If I had to guess, I witnessed him telling her he loves her for the first time. My heart leaps into my throat as I see her lean up and kiss him. I try to turn away and still can’t make myself.

I’m reminded Hawk is still beside me when his voice carries quietly to my ears. “Seems like you might have a story to tell of your own if the emotion on your face means anything.” I tear my gaze from Briella and Drew to face Hawk.

“Nah, man. I’m just happy for them, that’s all. She deserves the best, and it’s him.” Hawk grabs a drink from a nearby table and hands a second one off to me, then makes a noncommittal noise saying he’s calling bullshit, but he remains quiet nonetheless.

“Ilove you, Bree. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a few weeks, but I was waiting for the right time. Surprise, this happened to be it.” Drew smiles but it’s not playful like normal, it’s sincere and dripping with honesty.

I’m taken by surprise, but my heart is filled with love for this man too. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m not good at sharing my feelings. So, I do the next best thing besides repeat the words I know he wants to hear…I lean up and kiss him deeply. My tongue explores and dances with his as he pulls me impossibly closer. I hope against hope that for now, he understands this is me returning his feelings.

When we break the kiss, his eyes are blazing with love and desire. Nothing about our relationship is lacking physically. The man knows how to touch and caress every inch of me, and I plan on letting my body say to him what my words can’t yet express later tonight.

The song changes to something more upbeat and the mood lightens again as I feel my skin prickle with the sensation of being watched. I turn in search of the eyes I know are on me to find Dean’s gaze locked exactly where I knew it would be. He smiles tightly and nods before turning away and taking a drink from Hawk Abbott.

I shift my focus back to Drew as we finish dancing. When it ends, the music stops, and Lucy and Tate stand together at the bride and groom’s table with a microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to take your seats and eat before continuing the dancing and what not,” Tate says.

Lucy stands next to him wearing the same dress as I am and rocking it. Lucy has become another sister to me this year. She’s one of the most resilient and genuine people I know. Tate passes the microphone to her, and she takes it with grace.

“But quickly, as maid of honor and best man, we thought we’d give our speeches so the festivities can continue uninterrupted once we’ve eaten.” They both turn so they can see Sterling and Ivie seated at their table.

“Ivie, I told you a long time ago I saw sparks between you and Sterling. Turns out there were more than sparks. What y’all have is nothing short of an inferno. Even in the years you spent apart, the fire you have for each other continued to burn brighter. Y’all have loved and lost and found your way back to each other again. You make the rest of us mere mortals squint with how brightly your fire for each other burns. Your love story is one for the ages and it’s already stood the test of time. I’m so happy you both found each other again and are starting a brand-new life together with your precious baby girl in your arms. I love you both. Welcome to the family, Sterling.” She blows them both kisses before wiping at her eyes and then hands the microphone to Tate.

Tate takes it and softly presses a kiss to Lucy’s head. “I don’t think I can top what my lovely fiancée just said, but she’s right. You two deserve every happiness together and I’m so glad you both got over your stubbornness and fought for each other.” He glances from the bride and groom back to Lucy. “Love with the right person,your person,is something worth fighting for. Today is a new chapter for you both, and for Aria. I’m so glad we get to witness your love story. Yours is one that would make anyone want to strive to find and write their own. Congratulations to you both and we wish you many years of happiness to come.”

Sterling grins like a handsome devil at them before turning to Ivie and kissing her lips gently as the guests applaud the speeches. Tate quickly pulls the microphone back to his mouth and says, “Okay, guys, let’s eat!” He turns off the microphone as music cues back up.

Drew leans into me. “That was quite a speech from them both. I know I don’t know your brother and Ivie’s story in as much detail as everyone else, but I’m glad I was here to see this. They seem like ultimate relationship goals.”

I take his hand and lead him to our table. “They are definitely something to aspire to; Tate and Lucy too.” I pause sensing I should say something more about us. I turn to him but stay focused on our hands as we sit.

He takes his finger and tips my chin up slightly, making me stare into his eyes. “Bree, about me telling you I love you…I don’t want you to feel pressure to say it back. I didn’t tell you to rush your feelings along. I only wanted to let you know how I feel about you. I didn’t want to keep it to myself anymore. I’m a big believer in when you know something like that, you make sure to tell it.”

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