After our dance, I watched her down an entire glass of champagne. Now that we’ve each made our toasts to the happy couple, she’s had two more. I hate that she’s drinking to forget. I’ll give her tonight, where I’m here to keep a close eye on her.
Tomorrow is a brand-new day. The wedding will be over and the gloves are coming off. I’m not going to give up, not without a fight.
“I don’t think you’ve taken your eyes off her all night,” a deep voice says from behind me.
I don’t have to turn to know who it is. “Mr. Stanton,” I greet Avery’s father.
“Good to see you, Dylan. Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl.”
I don’t acknowledge his comment.
“Listen, Dylan. I think I might’ve played into this thing more than I should have. When Alan told me what happened, all I wanted to do was thank you for putting her first. Not many young men your age would’ve done that.”
“I love her.”
“I know you do. That’s why I feel as though maybe I’ve played a part in the two of you staying apart all these years. I knew how both of you were feeling, yet I still encouraged her to stay at Western.”
“That’s what was best for her.”
“A year ago—hell, six weeks ago, I would’ve agreed with you. Seeing the two of you together again, you both wear it on your sleeves. She’s hurting, Dylan, because she still loves you. I just want to see my little girl happy. That’s what she deserves.”
“Me too. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“Fight for her, Dylan.”
“I plan on it, sir.” He gives my shoulder a tight squeeze and disappears into the crowd.
Over the years, her parents have been good to me. Her mom would stop by the shop and drop off cookies or brownies for Dad and me. Her father, Alan, my dad, and I have been fishing a few times too. They’ve kept me close, just as they would have if Avery and I were still together. Her mom even told me that she was confident that we would end up together one day. I can only pray that she’s right.
“There’s my best man. What are you doing over here all alone?” Brad asks as he stops to stand next to me.
“Just taking it all in.” I nod toward the dance floor.
“Ah, I see. You ready to make your move?”
“I was being considerate of you and your wife. I didn’t want to ruin the wedding.”
He grins. “My wife and I are behind you one hundred and ten percent.”
“Good to know.” I watch closely as the girls head toward the bar and order a round of shots. They toast and then toss them back. My eyes zone in on Avery, her long slender neck as she drinks. I always did like kissing her there. If my memory serves me correctly, she liked it too. Just one more thing I need to remind her of.
I spend the next hour standing around with Brad and the rest of the groomsmen. Avery is never out of my sight, as I continue to keep an eye on her.
It’s not until “Slow Hands” by Niall Horan starts playing that I start to get worried. Avery and the girls are dancing in ways that would bring any man to his knees. Brad and another groomsman excuse themselves to go dance with their wives. Avery is wasted, and I don’t want some other asshole grinding up on her. I can’t stand by and watch that, not again. I did it a few times over the years, hidden in the shadows watching over her. Tonight, I’m here and she knows I am. No chance she’s leaving here with anyone but me.
I make my way to the dance floor just as some guy I’ve never met before heads toward Aves. Reaching her before he does, I place my hands on her swaying hips and give him a look that says “Fuck off, she’s mine.” He gets the message and backs away. Avery continues to sway her hips and push her ass into me. At this point, I have no idea if she even knows it’s me behind her, but I keep my hands on her hips, moving in time with her.
I tense up when she turns in my arms. She looks up at me and I see sadness in her eyes. She stops moving and wraps her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest. There is no hesitation on my part as I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. We’re the only couple standing still in the mass of bodies bumping and grinding, but I couldn’t care less. Avery is in my arms. I hold her a little tighter, knowing her walls are down from all the alcohol. I don’t know how long it’ll be before I get to hold her like this again. Nothing and no one can pull me away from her—well, except for her.
When the song ends, she doesn’t let go and neither do I. I’m not going to, not until she does. I can stand here all night. I will stand here all night, if she lets me hold her. For two more songs we stand here in the middle of the dance floor, not really moving, arms locked tight around each other.
She pulls away slowly. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night.” She sways a little on her feet.
“Let me help you to your room.”
“I’ve been doing just fine the last four years, Dylan. I can manage,” she slurs. There is no hate in her voice, no anger; she’s just matter-of-fact.
“I know you can, but it would make me feel better if you let me make sure you get in okay.”
“Whatever.” She turns and wobbles on her heels.
Reaching out, I place my arm around her waist to steady her. I don’t say anything as I lead her to the elevator. I catch Brad’s eye as we leave and he nods, knowing I’ll take care of her and Harley doesn’t have to worry. I keep my arm around her on the elevator, and to my surprise she lets me.
“What room?” I ask her.
She pulls a keycard out of her garter and I fight the urge to groan. We stop outside her door and she manages to get the key in and unlock it. Walking inside, she holds the door open for me. I assumed she’d kick me to the curb at this point, but I’m taking any chance I can to be with her.
“I need your help. I can’t do it on my own.”
I nod, afraid to speak and have her change her mind. She turns to me and raises her blonde locks, revealing her neck and ultimately the zipper to the dress. With shaking hands, I grab the zipper and slowly, painfully so, I lower it. Her back is exposed, and of course she’s not wearing a bra. Unable to resist, I run my index finger down her spine. She takes a step away from me and the dress falls to the floor. I don’t speak, just bite down on my bottom lip. I don’t take my eyes off her in nothing but a white lace thong as she pulls a tank top out of the dresser and slips it over her head. It’s one of those that hangs around her neck, leaving most of her back exposed. Finally she turns to face me, and I can see her nipples through the thin white fabric. She doesn’t say anything as she climbs onto the bed and lies on her stomach, one arm under her head as she looks in my direction.
“That should’ve been us tonight, Dylan.”
“It still can be,” I tell her honestly. If she were sober, I’d take her to the nearest airport and we’d be in Vegas or whatever tropical destination she has in mind. I would take her anywhere. I would marry her in a heartbeat.
“You don’t want me,” she says softly, her eyes closed.
“You’re wrong,” I tell her. I kneel beside the bed and move her hair away from her face so I can see her. “I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
“Why does this seem so familiar?”
I can’t tell her it’s because it is. Two years ago, Brad and Harley were visiting home and Avery decided not to come with them. They called me and I followed her, to make sure she was okay. She and some friends ended up getting shit-faced, much more so than she is now, so bad she could hardly stand. She recognized me, so I was able to get her to come with me, even though she talked to me as if I was a dream to her. I got her back to their apartment and tucked into bed, then stuck around for a few hours, making sure she was going to be okay before slipping away. Brad and Harley know, but they never told her. She even went as far as to tell Harley how real the dream was. Just one of the things I need to come clean to her about, but not tonight. She won’t remember tonight.
“Sweet dreams, Aves.” I lean in and kiss her temple. Standing to leave her like this is hard as hell.
“Dylan,” she calls out.
Looking down, I see her eyes are still closed. “Yeah, baby?”
“Will you stay, maybe until I fall asleep? My heart hurts when you’re not here.”
I swallow back the emotion. “Anything for you, Aves.” I drop back to my knees beside the bed and gently rub her back.
“Lie with me?” she whispers.
Standing, I kick off my shoes, take off my shirt and undershirt, and throw them over the chair. Climbing on the bed, I kiss her shoulder before resting my face against her cheek. Her hand grips the sheets. I lace mine with hers and we hold on tight to one another. I know her barriers are down from the alcohol, but this moment, this right here, gives me hope for us.
“I love you, Aves,” I whisper next to her ear.
“My Dylan,” she whispers before falling to sleep. Rolling onto my side, I pull her in to me and hold her tight while she sleeps. I don’t close my eyes—I can’t. I never want to forget this time with her. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I do know I’m going to fight like hell to hold her like this every night for the rest of our lives.