Page 61 of What About Us
Finn nods, finding my gaze. When I move to take her hand, she turns and gives the wildflower bouquet to Skye, before grabbing both of my hands and giving them a little squeeze. Together, we look at Hutch, expectantly.
“Mawage,” Hutch’s booming voice rings out.
“Oh, Jesus,” I say with an eye roll at my brother, and Finn bursts out laughing.
Hutch lets out a hearty laugh. “I couldn’t resist,” he says, smirking. “That’s aThePrincess Bridereference, for the under thirty crowd in the back,” Hutch quips, splitting a glance between Allie and Skye, who share a confused but amused look.
“What’sThePrincess Bride?” Allie asks, and Finn dissolves into another fit of giggles.
“Never mind.” I smack my brother. “I should have known you couldn’t be serious for one fucking second,” I say, but there’s no heat to it. I’m actually grateful for his jokes, and my nerves die down some with all of our laughter.
He clears his throat and shoots me one last smile. “We’re here today to witness the union of Hudson Elliot Hayes and Finnley Rose Jameson in marriage,” he begins.
I squeeze Finn’s hand in mine, and she smiles, biting her lip. My eyes drop to her mouth, and she pokes just the tip of her tongue out at me, eyes dancing with mirth. A little puff of a laugh escapes my lips, and Hutch clears his throat, casting a stern glance my way. Even during our fake wedding, we can barely stop dicking around.
I expect the words Hutch will use to be funny, full of innuendo and jokes. However, as he goes on, I realize he’s thought about this. And the words he speaks have me turning serious as I look at my best friend.
“Today, you begin a new life together,” Hutch says, “with a foundation of love, laughter, honesty, respect, and friendship. The promises you make to each other today shouldn’t be taken lightly. A marriage is more than a ceremony; it is a lasting and lifelong commitment between two people who deeply care about one another.”
I watch Finn as she listens to Hutch, both of her hands in mine. It’s overwhelming—the juxtaposition of emotions I feel in this moment. It’smore than just feeling good about helping my best friend. It’s a bittersweet mixture of exhilaration at knowing she’s mine—even if only in name—and a sadness that feels a little like grief because I know that, as soon as she’s able to find a way to get what she needs, it will all end. We’ll get a divorce, and it will be like none of this ever happened. I force myself not to think about that and try to focus on being in the moment with her instead.
I know getting married doesn’t change anything between us, but in this moment, I choose to give into the delusional side of my brain that wants this—that wantsher. For real. I settle into the idea of her being my wife in more than name as I stand here, holding her hands. It makes my chest tight, and the back of my eyes burn with emotion.
I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with her, but it’s probably accurate to say that it was a slow progression. I denied it for years, hoping it would fade. But that’s the thing about falling in love with someone who’s been your best friend for years—it’s never one thing that makes you fall for them. One day, you wake up and realize that you just…did.
“The future promises many happy days ahead, filled with unique prospects, adventures, and trials,” Hutch goes on. “It’s through trust, love, and the unfailing support of one another that you’ll meet these inevitable ups and downs.”
My brother turns his gaze on me. “Do you, Hudson, take Finnley to be your lawfully wedded spouse? To live together as partners—as equals—to treat her with love and respect, and to build a marriage that grows stronger and more loving as each day passes?”
A steady pressure builds in my throat. When I speak, all that comes out is a whispered, “I do.”
With a slight nod, he turns to Finn. “Do you, Finnley, take Hudson to be your lawfully wedded spouse? To live together as partners—as equals—totreat him with love and respect, and to build a marriage that grows stronger and more loving as each day passes?
She lifts her tear-soaked eyes to mine, and with a soft smile, she squeezes my fingers. “I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?” Hutch asks.
A second of panic flickers across Finn’s features, and her eyes widen a little.
“No rings,” I tell him.
Hutch raises his eyebrows, glancing between us. “Vows?”
Finn’s eyes drop. I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and shake my head at Hutch.
His eyes drop to her necklace, then split a glance between us. “Do you mind if I say a few words?”
“Of course,” she says, casting an amused glance in my direction, no doubt expecting him to make more jokes.
“The word ‘infinity’ is derived from the Latin word ‘infinite,’ which, when translated, means, ‘having no limit or end.’”
Finnley shoots me a surprised look, and I’m not sure what to do except listen. I pull the corners of my lips down in a comical frown and shrug, darting my eyes back to my brother.
“The symbol of infinity has a deep meaning for spirituality, love, beauty, and power. In a life that is often filled with difficulties and distractions, this symbol represents equilibrium and simplicity.”
I watch Finn as I listen to my brother’s words. There is so much I would give this woman if she was really mine. Images of her at seventeen roll through my mind. The first day I saw her after summer break our junior year. There was something different about her. Or maybe it was me. All I knew was that the second they paired us up as lab partners, I would do anything to see her smile.
The time I stole a bottle of scotch from Dad’s liquor cabinet and walked all the way to her house with it in my backpack, so we could sit on her back porch and drink. The way she shushed me with laughter when I got so drunk, and she was afraid her mama would wake up and call my parents. Dunking her in the pond behind Wren’s house. Racing dirt bikes through the trails at the ranch, her long hair flying around her face when she hit the gas and took off like a shot to try to beat me home. So many amazing memories with this woman, and those were just our first few years as friends.
