Page 30 of Penalty Shots

“About as far as I can shoot a puck,” Izzy admits.

She has trouble hitting pucks, so that’s not far.

“Well,Istrongly encourage you to sit back, enjoy your big day, and let the master of fun do his thing, okay?”

“Whatever it is… just save it for the reception. Please,” Izzy says.

The reception would be less than ideal. But it isn’tmywedding. Her brown eyes plead with me, and I give in.

“Okay, okay. We’ll save it for the reception.”

Izzy is my one and only sister. And apart from our Aunt Ginny, the only family we each have. The last thing I want to do is piss her off. I theatrically pull out my phone and shoot a text off to the rest of the groomsmen.

“Thank you,” Izzy says with a breath of gratitude.

She swishes over to the drink table and grabs a glass of water.

“Narc,” I say under my breath to her friend.

“Man-child,” she shoots back.

There’s a knock on the door, and the wedding coordinator steps in. “Are we ready?” he asks. “The best man is needed for the procession.”

Izzy looks back at me, as if asking for my blessing.

What would mom and dad think seeing their daughter right now? Grown. Happy. They’d be proud of her. Dad would be pretending like hewasn’tcrying. Mom would be all over her like Rina is. Fixing her train—perfecting her look.

In a weird way, what was taken from us was given back in the form of new relationships—a weird little family of sorts.

I give her a single nod, and she smiles, turning to her coordinator. “Yes.”

The coordinator says something into his earpiece and motions for me to follow him out. Rina passes her the bouquet and I give Izzy a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll see you at the altar, Iz. And just remember, if you even think about running away…”

She looks at me confused, but waiting.

"The keys to the Bronco are on the left back tire. Don't think. Just run. I'll catch up to you later." I wink.

Izzy's face breaks into a radiant smile, and when I turn to follow the coordinator, she reaches for my hand. “Kee, wait.”

We all look at her.Did she suddenly get cold feet?I was totally kidding.

“Yeah?” I say.

“I change my mind."

Oh shit. I didn't think she'd actually take me up on the offer. Ryker's going to kill me.

"I don’t want to walk down the aisle alone… will you walk me?”

I couldn’t hold back the tear in my eye if my life depended on it.

“Are you crying?” Rina asks, looking at me, almost disappointed.

“Yes, Rina. Sorry that I have a heart.”

She opens her mouth to say something but shuts it immediately.

“Okay, so a little change of plans. No big deal. What the bride wants, the bride gets,” the coordinator says with a smile. He then turns abruptly, whispering more codes into his earpiece.

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