Page 38 of Changing Caleb
Caleb keeps my hand firmly grasped in his as we head back to the party. I don’t want to keep us a secret anymore. Christ, I love him so much, and there’s no need in continuing to deny it.
When we step inside, Jade immediately comes to me. She looks absolutely stunning today in a beautiful cream-colored gown. I can tell she picked this one out and not Mrs. Steele. It’s completely her style.
“We’re leaving,” she whispers.
“Okay, you know I’m ready to leave whenever you are.”
She looks down at mine and Caleb’s hands. “Wait. Where the hell have the two of you been? No. Don’t answer that. Let’s find Brady and Lilly and go. Madden is getting Landon, Keegan, and Amelia.”
“Why do I get the feeling we aren’t just leaving a party?”
She leans in to whisper again. “We’re going to get married. Our way. Not like this. Not the way the Steeles want us to.”
“Well, let’s get the fuck out of here,” Caleb says with a smirk and then heads off in Brady and Lilly’s direction.
“I’m proud of you. So damn proud.”
We hug each other, not lingering long so we don’t draw attention to ourselves. I take her hand, and we slip outside, easing away from the party. It doesn’t take us long, and we’re headed back to Hollis.
“Pretty damn surprised the city boy is eloping,” Caleb comments.
“Who’s going to perform the ceremony?” I ask, and he shrugs.
“I’m just following the leader here.”
“I’m so happy for her. She deserves this.”
He smiles over at me, and we drive straight on to Hollis. He follows Madden as he pulls up to Jack’s field. We’ve had a lot of good times here, partying and hanging out. When we get out, Jack is there with his wife along with Marlene. There are a few chairs out for us but no decorations. No fancy location. And it’s beautiful.
“Did you shut down the bar for this?” Jade asks, enclosing him in a hug.
“Don’t get used to it,” he grumbles in true Jack fashion. “Let’s get this thing going, all right? I put the sign on the door that I’d be back in thirty minutes.”
He’ll hold us to it, too. We take a few minutes to compose ourselves, Jade telling everyone where to go and what to do. She’s no longer that timid bride letting someone else make the decisions for her. She’s taking charge.
Jack’s wife goes to sit with Marlene, and Jack stays standing. He’s officiating the service! I almost laugh, but it’s so endearing that grumpy old Jack apparently got his license online. I didn’t even know he knew how to use a computer!
Jade winks over at me. “Let’s do this.”
43
Caleb
Casey stares at me as she walks down the aisle, and I can’t help but imagine for a moment that this is our day.Ourwedding. I mentally kick myself for never proposing to her during all the years we were together. Of course, breaking up is a lot easier than getting a divorce, and I know in my heart I wasn’t the right man for her then.
Things are different now.
I steal a glance at her now, tuning out Jack while he has Madden and Jade repeat their vows. Tears sparkle in her eyes, making them look like emeralds. She wears a slight smile on her beautiful face, clearly ecstatic for her best friend. When Madden kisses Jade, she claps, a tear escaping and rolling down her cheek.
The bride and groom are presented to the crowd, which only consists of a few people. We clap and cheer for them, all of us happy for our friends. Jack announces he’s headed back to the bar. Marlene and his wife tag along, assuring everyone they have the place covered and to come by for food and drinks whenever we’re ready.
“Are you going to cry at our wedding too?” I ask Casey, approaching her and pulling her into my arms.
She laughs at this. “What makes you think I’d say yes?”
“Will you? Marry me?”
I wait on her to acknowledge what I’ve said. Wait on her to tell me yes, she’ll marry me. All our years of fighting, the pain we caused each other, have only led to this. Now we’re both ready for it.
