She giggled in response, her smile completely infectious. “Yes, Logan. Thirty people. And we only have a couple hours to get ready, so let’s get moving.”
Three hours later,the house was packed full of people. More people than I realized I even knew. It felt like everyone from my entire life was here. The Campbells came, and I was glad to see that Adam brought Rachel with him. Just like I anticipated, he’d shown up an hour before everyone else, claiming he was there to help set up even though the only thing he set up was a beer in his hand.
Everyone from the shop was here. Andre had brought his sister, Marisela. Amelia had even gone as far as inviting Mara, who’d shown up by herself but soon made friends with Jessica.
Some of Amelia’s close friends were here too. Mackenzie and Eric had shown up with Mackenzie’s brother, Trevor in tow. I hadn’t seen Trevor since the trip to Mexico, and things didn’t exactly end on friendly terms back then—after I threatened to knock his teeth out if he touched Amelia like he had on the dance floor again—but he seemed to be in good spirits here today. Either way, I had my eye on him.
Nora had also come as a tagalong with Mackenzie. I hadn’t seen Nora since Mexico either, and last I’d heard she moved to California to be with a boyfriend she met shortly after that trip, but from the looks of the sadness on her face, I wondered if she was still with him or if she might be home for good.
Hook was hands down enjoying the party the most. He’d quickly ousted me as man of the hour—everyone was rather obsessed with him and his charm. I think this was the happiest I’d ever seen him, surrounded by so many new and exciting people to chase around the backyard.
After mingling with everyone, I saw Richard and Liz standing in the corner of the backyard by the grill. I made my way over there, needing to speak with Richard about something important. His eyes caught mine just as I was stepping toward them, and a warm smile flooded his face. “Logan! This is some party.”
“It was all Amelia. She put way more effort into this than I even realized. Hey, I was hoping I could speak to you alone, Richard”—my eyes briefly cut to Liz in apology—“it won’t be long, Liz, I promise.”
Concern swept over Richard’s face. “Is everything alright, son?”
I nodded, “Yes, nothing like that, nothing’s wrong.”
“Well, go on, Richard,” Liz prompted.
I dipped my head towards the side of the house where there was a door that led to the garage. Richard walked toward it, opening the door and stepping into darkness before I reached past him and flipped on the lights, stepping in behind him and shutting the door behind me.
Richard walked over to the Chevelle, currently parked on the other side of the garage. “I remember when you bought this. I was actually pretty damn jealous.” He chuckled. “But your dedication to this car proved how much more deserving you were of it. I was mighty proud of you for that, Logan.” He turned to face me, a familiar twinkle in his eye.
“Thank you, sir. You and Liz have always been extremely supportive of me, and I’m eternally grateful. I’m actually hoping you’ll support me in what I’m about to ask of you.”
Richard’s eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. “Anything you need, son, of course. What is it?”
“Your daughter.”
His face lit up in surprise. “Amelia?”
“Yes, sir. I’m crazy about her, sir. And I want to ask her to marry me.” I blew out a nervous breath. “I’m hoping that I have your blessing to do just that.”
Richard studied me, taking a moment before he responded, and my nerves intensified with every second that passed. He took a few steps toward me, closing the distance between us as he reached out to press his hand to my shoulder. “Logan, I wouldn’t trust my daughter in the hands of anyone else. The way you love her so completely is as obvious as the sky is blue, and Liz and I are both thankful that you kids finally figured your shit out and made it happen.”
I felt myself catching on his words. “Sir?”
Richard chuckled. “You think we haven’t known about the way you two have always felt about each other? Son, we’ve known for years.” He squeezed my shoulder before pulling me into a strong hug. We’d shared plenty of hugs over the years, but each time it happened, it knocked something loose inside of me, some deep, inner wall no doubt constructed in my youth to protect me. As he held me firmly against him, I heard him sigh. “You have our blessing, without question, son.”
I felt relief overcome me, feeling my shoulders relax as Richard pulled out of our embrace. His eyes still held a twinkle as he regarded me with what looked a lot like pride. I felt an unfamiliar sting in my eyes, not used to emotions like this coming over me, but his words meant more to me than he could’ve possibly known. “Thank you, Richard. I promise to take care of her for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, I have no doubts, Logan. None at all.”
That nightwe laid together in bed, the warm summer air flowing through the open windows, both of us completely exhausted from the eventful and fulfilling day. The party extended well into the evening hours, and it felt incredible to be surrounded by so many people who came to celebrateme. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get used to that.
After Amelia and I practically kicked out the final stragglers—Adam and Andre made fast friends and ended the night in a heated tournament of flip cup in the kitchen—we came straight to bed to curl around each other, leaving the mess in the house for the morning.
As I enjoyed this incredibly meaningful life with her, I found myself constantly feeling like I needed to soak in every single moment—every look, every touch, every sigh that expelled from her mouth—so that I could hold it tight and keep it safe to look back on later. To have a life that was worth wanting to look back on was amazing to me. Something I still couldn’t quite believe was real.
I couldn’t get enough of this girl. She’d found the light within me, the light that I hadn’t been able to find in myself. I spent so much time being angry with the world. Angry at my life. Angry at my father. The demons that came along with such deep anger almost overpowered me. It honestly almost cost me my life on numerous occasions. But in the hellish depths of darkness, when I found myself at the brutal end of my rope, Amelia’s wild blaze of furious light bound its way right into my heart, every time.
I didn’t know how she did it, but she could settle the riot inside of my soul. The anger and sadness and bitter remnants of hurt. She could soothe me with the tilt of her smile. The soft pads of her fingers on my skin. A spark in her eyes that calmed my bones. She was my North Star, my resting pulse. My quiet peace. The only home I’ve ever truly known. Finally.
“Marry me,” I whispered into her hair, feeling her instantly grow still beneath my hands. I traced my fingers up her arm, feeling her soft skin explode in goosebumps.
“What?” she asked, and it made me smile.
