Page 274 of Steeling Her
“You still got it, Coach Steel.” Reggie grins before taking a sip of his beer.
“And always will.” Rodger winks back playfully. “I wanted to stop by and wish you all the best today and to thank you for taking care of her in the recent years. I know we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs, but I’m only looking out for her. She’s my only daughter, I’m sure you can understand.” He holds on to my hand so we can keep the bond that we have developed over the years. I nod back in appreciation. “I know you’re a good guy and that your heart is always in the right place. I know I won’t have to worry about you guys because I know she’ll be safe with you.” His lips try to smile but I can see he’s visibly trying to hold himself together as he thinks about Carter. “Welcome to the family, officially.” He winks before he lets go.
“Thank you, Mr. Steel. You are welcome in our home anytime. The door is always open for you guys,” I respond before he gets choked up thinking about his daughter.
Thinking about the wedding has always made him nervous and upset, but in some strange way, it’s brought us all closer together. I’ve gotten my alone time with the father of the bride many times, and I knew it was needed. We got to talk some things over about the past, present, and future for the two of us. He’s good for advice . . . but only for football.
Elaine is the woman you need to talk to for things outside of it. But the main woman I like to hash things out with is the woman of my dreams; Miss Carter Steel, soon to be Mrs. Carter Jackson.
“Thank you. we will be using that open invitation.” Reggie laughs raucously at Rodger’s joke. He absolutely knows about what I’ve landed myself in.
Reggie has three kids after all these years, with one more in the oven with Cassie. They got married straight after college when he got signed for the Kansas City Chiefs. Reggie out of all of us has moved the most. I don’t think he’s stayed with one team for more than two years. Currently, he’s playing for the Giants as one of Rodger’s players and Austin Steel’s teammate.
The industry is tight, so it’s a pretty small world to work in. Everybody knows everybody.
“Now, I will leave you guys to it. And TJ!” Rodger roars over to him to get his attention. “I want him at the top of the aisle NOT swaying from side to side when I give my daughter away. That goes for you too! Ease up on the shots and scotch!” he yells, only for everyone to laugh in good spirits. “And I do mean both of you.” He turns around and slides the glass of scotch away from me. “You’ll have all night to drink yourself into a coma after the wedding.” He raises an eyebrow as one of his playful warnings. I salute him before he leaves to go and see his daughter. The man is a powerhouse. You can’t disagree with him. “I want you there on time and sober,” he warns again. I know he’s being serious.
“You got it!” I reassure him that I will be at the altar standing straight for when I see him walking the beautiful bride down the aisle to me so we can start our new life together.
The amount of things he’s been through himself as a person is mind-blowing. Even then, very few know anything about him even if he’s a large personality. I respect him immensely and I know he just wants today to go right for the both of us.
After speaking to Rodger, my own dad enters the room and they shake each other’s hands as they cross paths. It took some time to get them on board with one another. Two years, maybe even more. We got there in the end. Now, they have a mutual understanding with one another after having a one-on-one discussion which none of us know anything about. It’ll remain a secret between only the two of them. I think they will take that conversation with them to their graves.
My dad does his rounds and talks to the people around. I catch his eye and he gives me a small nod of congratulation for the day. I send one back to thank him for coming and recognizing my love for her. It means the world to me. I know this day will be a special one for both families and parents, but for my dad, it means a lot to him that I’m happy, he just won’t say it out loud. He’s a proud Mississippi country man, but I know that nod was his way of letting me know he cares, and I value that.
I am a firm believer that being around certain people can make you happy, but there is a fine line between depending on someone to make you happy and being around someone that makes you happy. Understanding the difference has been a key factor for mine and Carter’s relationship to heal for the better. We started to depend on each other for happiness and slowly made sure to ease up on that dependency, and it made us so much more happier in our everyday life; it made things easy and natural. The flow was back, and we didn’t have to force it despite having to remind each other several times. We got there in the end.
We respect each other’s boundaries and never push it.
Being around someone that makes you happy is much better than depending on them. Depend on yourself to make your own happiness, but you can share it with your other half. Codependency is not the key.
Making sure of that is why I’m here today. I’ve waited eight years for me to wed that very person, and I cannot wait to make her my Mrs. Jackson forever.
There’s no going back now. I’m happy with her, and I know I will be for the rest of our lives together.
***
Carter
A soft knock greets the bridal party.
Danielle opens the door, peeping out to see who it is in case it’s someone looking to come see me when they can wait until the wedding starts. She swings the door open to reveal my dad, who has come from the groom’s gathering that’s in another suite. I can only imagine what TJ has them doing down there.
My dad enters inside after hugging Danielle and kissing my mom afterwards. He makes his way through the room and finally gets to me. We are all in our robes and some lounge pants, getting ready for people to get into their dresses. Once the bridesmaids are in theirs, we can start preparing to move. My mom has to help me into mine so nothing gets torn or stained.
Plus, I’m so nervous that I’m sweating; I can’t be sweaty when getting into the dress or else there will be stains. My mom keeps feeding me ice cubes to suck on so I cool down, which seems to do the trick.
Even though I’m so nervous, I’m also excited to marry Nick, to marry my best friend in the whole world and to be with him forever. It’s finally happening after so many years of high and low points, I’m getting my happily ever after.
A soft kiss on my cheek from my dad helps keep the jitters at bay. “Well, don’t you look beautiful, Carter.” He smiles down at me. I have had my hair and make-up completed with a seamstress on standby in case I need anything done to any of the dresses. He rubs both of his hands along my arms to comfort me.
“Thanks, Dad. You look so handsome in your suit,” I compliment him while fixing his tie that has shifted slightly to the side.
“Thank you. You picked out a good suit, huh? How are you doing now? Your mom said you didn’t sleep too well last night.” he asks even though he already knows the truth. I know he and my mom talk nonstop about it all the time.
“I’m a little tired. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep last night because I was so impatient. I wanted the night to move faster. I want to see him—I want to be with him. That’s all.” I shrug as I notice some of the girls beginning to fetch their dresses to get this wedding started.
“I know, and I get the feeling he’s excited to see you. Especially in your dress.” He rests both of his large hands on my shoulders then spins me around to push me towards my mom. “But they are starting to move soon, so you have to get changed in case you need more alterations, or makeup, or whatever it is you girls spend your lives doing.”
