Page 32 of With You

“Sorry we’re late.” Familiar voices have ten sets of eyes darting their way.

Both wearing black slacks and dress shirts with their sleeves rolled up, it’s impossible to miss the bronze-like glow that radiates off them.

“I could’ve sworn you two were in Australia,” Deacon says as both men move around the circle, shaking everyone’s hands.

“We were,” Pierce answers. “We got back this morning.”

“And let me guess, after a million hours on a plane, the first place you wanted to be was here,” Deacon jokes as Pierce leans into him for a hug.

“Definitely that,” Pierce says. “Or maybe this was a good way to combat the jet lag.”

“User,” I murmur jokingly as we greet one another hello. “Seriously though, how was Australia?”

“The surf is no fucking joke,” Auden says as he shakes my hand and leans in for a hug. “And the kangaroos. We went to some beautiful beaches and, holy shit, they’re just out there hopping around, minding their business. And they’re so huge, some of them were easily as tall as Pierce and me.”

The conversation continues, Auden and Pierce sharing more about their trip, only for someone to go off on a tangent that everyone follows.

Being around everyone, my cup is full, my chest is about to burst with just how happy I am in this moment, and I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry. My mind takes me back to that twenty-six-year-old man, lying on his bed in a suit, crippled with grief, crying his eyes out.

You couldn’t have told me that this is where my life would be all these years later. And if you did, I wouldn’t believe you. Because there is no way one man could be this lucky.

No way I could be this lucky.

“Pa.” Rowan’s voice pulls me out of the past, his green eyes wide and staring up at me. “Can I talk to you and Dad for a second?”

The crease forming between his brows is a dead giveaway that something is bothering him. “What is it, Row?”

Deacon’s hand finds the small of my back, his body shifting closer, clearly paying attention to Rowan’s distress. “Let’s go inside,” he says, his voice taking on that protective but authoritarian tone.

Wading through the guests, the three of us make our way inside, bypassing the kitchen and Deacon’s parents, and head to Rowan’s room.

Closing the door, I turn to find Rowan sitting on the edge of the bed and Deacon standing beside him.

“What’s wrong?” Deacon asks him. “Did something happen?”

“No.” Rowan shakes his head. “I didn’t mean to worry you, but…” His words are replaced by a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to say a speech in front of everyone tonight.”

“What?” Deacon turns to look at me, clearly confused. “What speech?”

Before I have a chance to fill him in, Rowan’s explaining what we had planned to Deacon. “Reese wanted us to say our own vows. Like, not to one another.” He rolls his eyes, as if to say obviously. “She wanted us to say all the things we love about you and Pa.”

I can’t help but steal a glance at Deacon, whose mouth is curling up at the side in a small smile just like mine. We’re truly the luckiest men alive.

“But I don’t want to say all that stuff in front of everyone,” he reiterates. “Dad, you know I hate being the center of attention.”

His eyes dart to Deacon, needing the solidarity, and Deacon gifts it to him effortlessly. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“But I do want to do it,” Rowan insists.

“Just not in front of everyone,” I finish for him.

He nods vehemently. “I just don’t want to let Reese down. She’s so excited.”

A knock on the door interrupts us.

“Rowww it’s me,” Reese cries emphatically. “Open up.”

“Is it okay if she comes in?” I ask, wanting to make sure we’re validating his feelings and not prematurely railroading him with hers.

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