When Deb and her father have their dance, the rest of the guests are invited onto the dance floor, Jade and I make our breakaway. Billy has returned to the table for Ellen, and the rest of the bridal party are all dancing in a circle of their own.
“You two looked great out there,” Billy beams, giving me a pat on the shoulder and his daughter a proud smile.
There’s that slightly awkward feeling again, something I’ve been all too familiar with lately. But at least it’s out in the open that Jade and I are a thing, and we don’t have to hide it.
“Can you believe we only had two dance lessons?”
When she says it like that, it’s hard to believe it myself.
“That’s amazing, you’re both naturals,” Ellen says.
“We’ve been practising the dance moves over Skype mainly,” I add.
“That would have been hard on you both, without being able to practise in person.” Ellen is all smiles. “I loved how your teammates got in on the act at the game last night.”
We all laugh at the memory and a warm, tingling feeling resonates over my entire body as I stand there with Jade and her parents. This is what it feels like to have a family and people who care about you. The girl I love by my side.
It feels better than winning any jackpot.
“Any chance I got, I was practising,” I confess. “I’m just glad I didn’t mess any of it up.”
Jade smiles up at me. “I told you you’d be a natural. Mom’s right.”
“Any chance I can steal my daughter away for a dance?” Billy wraps an arm around Jade and hugs her to his side.
“Only if I can steal your wife away?” I muse.
Billy eyes me, a smile dusting over his lips as he glances at his wife. “One dance, Son.”
I still for a moment, a smile creasing my lips.There’s that word again. He’s said it many times over the years, and every time it makes my heart warm just that little bit further. Fuck, I love this family.
I want to be a part of it forever. There’s no way I’m ever going to fuck this up.
I surrender my hands up. “What do you think, Ellen?”
Jade’s mom reaches for my hand, and I pull her out of the chair to her feet. “I’d say you’re on.”
My phone buzzes late in the evening, when everything is winding down, and the loved up couple are about to leave. The chocolate wedding cake was fucking phenomenal and Luca hasn’t stopped running around all night, the little guy is gonna pass out any second when his grandparents take him back to the room.
I glance at it quickly before we say our goodnights to Tanner and Deb.
I’m surprised to see it’s a message from my mom. Fucking perfect timing.
Mom
Jay. I really wish you’d talk to me. I know you don’t expect anything from me. But it’s different this time. Talk to Uncle Leo. Please
I hold the phone in my hands and feel the shake to them. This woman only has to send a single text to get my motor fired up and running. How the fuck she manages it, I’ll never know.
I don’t want to put a damper on today, it’s been perfect. But old habits die hard with the past being brought to the surface, and I feel that thrum in my chest and my pulse races. Maybe she’s the reason I’ve been having these heart palpitations episodes lately. It’s very probable since I’m having another one right now.
Fucking perfect. Just when everything is going right, there she is on the forefront.
And I should be good at putting all of that behind me by now, I’ve been doing it for years. But with her, nothing is ever simple.
Jade’s arms slide around me and hug me from behind. I turn my head to look back at her. “Hey, Baby.”
“Are you alright?”
