Page 5 of Wild For You

Nico

The air in Lawson Ridge was sweet with the scent of jasmine and roses, an intoxicating perfume that wove through the bustling wedding reception like a silent, unseen guest. Strings of delicate fairy lights draped from the rafters, lighting up the pastel tablecloths and centerpieces of wildflowers that seemed to dance in the gentle evening breeze underneath. From a corner of the old barn turned venue, a violin hummed a tender serenade, harmonizing with the murmur of conversation and laughter that filled the space. I stepped into the threshold. My towering frame was clad in a crisp black suit that did little to soften my imposing silhouette. A shadow fell across my sharp jawline, enhancing the enigmatic aura that clung to me like a second skin. The corners of my mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly, a rare smile that hinted at an appreciation for the carefree beauty of it all.

“Wouldn't have pegged you for a wedding enthusiast,” a familiar voice teased from behind.

“Weddings are all about new beginnings, aren't they?” I replied, turning to face the speaker with an unreadable look. “Seems fitting.”

“Fair enough. Just remember, no brooding allowed tonight. It's a party!”

“Brooding is my default,” I quipped, though the light-hearted tone didn't quite reach my eyes. There was a story there, etched into the lines of my face—tales of loss, love, and the heavy weight of responsibility that came with raising a child alone.

“Is Haley having fun?” I asked, my voice carrying the undertone of concern that only a father would understand. She doesn’t get out much and coming back to Lawson Ridge seemed to weigh heavily on me. After the run-in with my brother, Michael, it reminded me why I never wanted to come back to this place.

“Your little girl? She's been twirling around the dance floor since they started playing,” my cousin replied.

“Good.” The single word was spoken with a sense of relief. I shifted my weight, scanning the crowd until I spotted the curly brown hair of my daughter. My chest swelled with love and fierce protectiveness for the small being who had become my whole world.

“Enjoy yourself, Nico,” he encouraged, patting me on the shoulder before disappearing back into the guests.

“Yeah, you are not on duty tonight. I’ve got her. You just take tonight and enjoy yourself.”

My mom hadn’t left Haley’s side. It was nice to see them bonding, but I was stuck in dad mode.

Enjoy myself.The concept felt foreign, like a luxury I couldn't afford. Yet, here, amidst the enchantment of the evening, it seemed possible—even if just for a moment. Maybe I should just let loose and blow off some steam tonight. It’s a celebration and so far I hadn’t run into many people that knew who I was or they just didn’t make a big deal about it. See, Lawson Ridge was a a small town, and my family had a reputation. Most of that was due to Michael, because my mom and I didn’t stick around long after my dad left us behind.

Whatever. Here I go. I can do this.I’d just have a couple drinks, dance a little bit, and then sleep in tomorrow for the first time in forever. Hell, this chance wasn’t going to come around often, so I needed to seize it.

Stepping fully into the celebration, I found myself drawn to the rhythm of life that pulsed through the room. I moved with a confident stride, each step a testament to the strength I carried—not just the physical kind, but the resilience borne from years of navigating life's unexpected turns.

“Care for a drink, sir?” a waiter offered, extending a tray toward me.

“Thanks.” I accepted the glass, the amber liquid reflecting the twinkling lights as I swirled it.

Here's to new beginnings. I tipped the glass to my lips as the music crescendoed into a hopeful melody. It took weeks for my mother to talk me into coming to this wedding at all after finding out it was in this town. The fear of the whispers when I walked down the street, but everyone had been kind for the most part. No one person had brought up Michael to me yet. But I know it was coming. He was inevitable.

As much as my brother and I didn’t see eye to eye, his son needed a man in his life. Michael was a single father, but not around much. He had become an alcoholic and most days, Chase was alone.

“Mom, what are we going to do about Michael? Don’t you think we should try to get him help while we are here?”

“Honey, he doesn’t want our help, you know that. How many times has he even let us see Chase in his lifetime?”

She made a good point. It wasn’t for a lack of trying though. To be honest, I never pictured myself being the uncle that only came around every once in a while, but Michael made that hard. In fact, he only called me when he needed something or ended up in jail. The last three times, I took Chase in for the few weekswhile Michael did his time and then he took Chase away again. But when was enough going to be enough?

I took a huge sip of my whiskey and shook my head. “I refuse to let Chase live this way. He deserves better. Better than what we had when dad walked out.”

My mother’s eyes locked on mine. “And what are you going to do about it?”

The next time Michael reached out, maybe I should see if I could take Chase. The boy deserved not to be left home alone and to have a steady male role model in his life. I didn’t want him to end up in and out of jail like his father.

For tonight, all my worries were going to fade away and I would allow myself to have a good time. Tomorrow, it was back to dad mode and being the hero in my daughter’s eyes.

4

Josie

I flitted through the crowd like a wisp of spring air, my presence nearly as intangible as the melodies that danced around the warm night. Admist the laughter, I was in my element, my camera an extension of my very being. With each snap, I captured more than images; I caught glimpses of souls intertwined, of glances laden with stories, and smiles that spoke of lifetimes.

“Josie! Over here!” called out Mrs. Leary, her ample form adorned in lavender frills, gesturing excitedly toward the group gathered around her.

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