Page 162 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“Actually,” I cock my head, “I haven’t. And it’s interesting that that’s the only thing you’re defending.”

He shuts up, his lips forming a firm thin line.

“Anyways, I do believe that it’s in your best interest to sign these documents.”

He eyes them suspiciously. “How do I know you won’t just turn these over to someone as soon as the adoption goes through?”

“You have my word.”

I almost thought he was going to ask to get his lawyer involved, but I should have known that a man like Tony would put pride above anything. He doesn’t care about Elara, he doesn’t care about anything but money and power.

If he did bring a lawyer, they probably would have read over the documents a little more. Or asked some tougher questions.

Because while I gave him my word, I wasn’t the only one with this information. In fact, I turned it all over to Briar. Briar, I told was in control of the situation completely.

We had gotten married at the courthouse the day after I proposed, worried Tony would make the first move before we could. I immediately paid off Briar’s lease at her old place, something that should have happened a long time ago, and I called the schools to get the proper paperwork for a transfer.

We’re still having a wedding, that’s for damn sure. Fuck, if I missed out on throwing a huge party with my best friends and watching her walk down the aisle in a beautiful white dress I’d be pissed. That’ll come in a couple of months.

Right now getting her and Elara in a safe place where they don’t have to worry about this asshole is the most important thing.

I promised Briar that this would be the last time I used my money to get what I want. And I meant that.

It is the last time. And it feels really, really good.

49

BRIAR

“Are you ready?” Owen whispers to me, hooking his arm around mine as I watch Elara skip through the door, already throwing flower petals.

“I think so,” I tell him, taking a deep, calming breath.

He nods, tears already in his eyes. “I hope you know I’m proud of you,” he says, watching as Isla and Zara enter the room.

Nervous, I try to focus on anything but the fact that soon it’ll be my turn to walk through that doorway. What if Leo doesn’t cry? I always cry at wedding videos because these big guys are always crying like a baby. What if Leo doesn’t?

What if I mess up my vows?

So instead of worrying, I watch the others. I watch as Heidi ducks her head when Emmett whispers something to her, a blush creeping up her neck. They’ve been hanging out all summer as Heidi started as a nanny for Juni. She loved the work, but since Leo hired a real assistant, I’ve been working from home full-time. Although Leo said that I didn’t have to work, I’ve been cranking out cookbooks, and with the help of Mila taking over my social media, they’ve actually done really well and have made quite a bit of money.

When I had asked Leo which of our joint accounts to put the money, he had told me absolutely not. He was adamant that I put all that money into my own separate account. It was my money that I should have complete control of, he said.

Having that freedom has never felt so good.

Behind them is Amara and Cooper, who look like they’d rather be paired with anyone else. Amara leans away from him, while Cooper holds his arm loosely at his side, barely wrapped around hers.

As much as I’ve asked, I don’t really know what’s going on there.

Mila is paired up with Dirwin behind them, and for a second my stomach churns. Dirwin was traded in the offseason. We all knew it was coming, but he deserved to go somewhere he would get more playtime. He was a free agent, and it was the right decision.

He made a big deal of wanting to be back for the wedding.

Each couple walks through the doors as the wedding planner’s signal, and finally, after what feels like a million years, the music slows.

“It’s game time,” Owen says, straightening his shoulders.

“It is,” I nod, my body shaking.

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