Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“How long?” Colter asks.
I turn to the man on the other side of me. He never says much. He suffered from a traumatic brain injury in the incident two years ago, and when he talks too much, he stutters. “How long do we have to stay here?” I ask him, making sure I understand what he’s asking me.
He nods without looking at me.
I shrug and look around the room. There’s a buffet, a cake table, and a dance floor. The party could go on for hours. “I don’t know. Maybe until after the toasts at least. Right?”
The men around me all grunt their agreement. “Yeah, okay. So an hour… or two tops.”
Colter’s frown deepens, and I can’t say I blame him.
It’s only minutes, but it seems longer when the bride and groom finally come through the doors and everyone starts cheering.
“Fuck,” I grunt.
Elias slaps me on the back. “You’re up.”
I feel in my pocket for the folded-up paper and pull it out. “Yep. I’ll be back.”
I get just a few steps and Colter calls out to stop me.
“Yeah?”
He laughs. “Break a leg.”
It’s automatic, and I don’t even think about it. I raise my middle finger at him. “Fuck you, man.”
All the guys laugh, and I shake my head as I make my way to the front.
Olivia is at the front, and I gesture to her. “Ladies first.”
She doesn’t have to read off a paper. She speaks from the heart, and Abby’s wiping tears as Olivia reminisces about their past. She talks about some book club and Abby finally getting her happily ever after.
When it’s my turn, I suck in a breath. I’ve been dreading this for a while now, but I knew I had to do it. No matter how uncomfortable I am, I owe Davis—and the rest of these guys—my life. Surely, I can make it through a small speech.
I start to read, but it doesn’t feel right. I raise my eyes and look out to the crowd and then force myself to look at Davis. Just talk to him. It’s just you and the guys, I tell myself. I fold up the paper and stuff it in my pocket and start again.
“Davis. You of anyone knows I’m not good at these things, but here I am. So here it goes. Two years ago, me, you, the guys—” I gesture to where the other band of mercenaries are all standing against the wall. “None of us thought we would be here. We couldn’t imagine anything past THAT day. It took us awhile to get where we’re at, but we’re here, living for the future, believing in love and forever. Seeing you and Abby and little Alexis”—I gesture to Abby’s daughter—“together is a sight to see. The love you have for each other has healed parts of us that we thought would never heal. Davis, you deserve this. You deserve to be happy and loved. And Abby, I know we’re not much to look at, but I hope you know that we consider you and Alexis our family now. Anytime you need anything, we’re here for you.” I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “So, congratulations,” I end gruffly and turn before I lift my beer to drink.
I don’t get far, though, because Abby has caught up to me. “Kanan, wait.”
I stop and suck in a breath, forcing a smile to my face. I hate the attention, and I can feel all eyes on me. “Yeah?”
Davis is standing over her shoulder with a smirk on his face.
Abby hugs me, and I have no choice but to hug her back. It’s not that I don’t care to hug her; it’s just that I’m not really a huggy person. She pulls back but doesn’t let me go. “I’m honored, Kanan.”
My forehead creases in confusion, and she smiles. “I’m honored to call you guys my family.”
I nod, and she pats me on the shoulder and then Davis hugs me. Emotion wells, and I go over to where the guys are all standing. They all just give me nods, and I know they are all thinking the same thing I am. We’ll never forget that day two years ago.
I’m about to grab another beer when Walker walks up to us. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I’m surprised to be singled out but nod my head. There’s no way I’d tell Walker no for anything. “Sure,” I say, expecting him to tell me something about the compound. Since he’s hired me to take care of the grounds at the compound and the rehab center, it’s not uncommon for him to talk to me about things that need done.
We get to the edge of the room, and he gestures toward Davis and Abby. “You got any other duties as best man tonight?”
I look at him strangely. “No, sir. Just a dance, but I’m pretty sure Jason wasn’t going to let that happen anyway.”