Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(170)

When they left me to go say their congratulations to Kellan, Denny stepped up to me. I inhaled a deep breath as I stared at him. He seemed so much older, wiser. Our separation had somehow matured him from a boy to a man. I could only imagine the internal struggles he’d gone through while he’d being healing from our breakup. He’d been put through the fire, but it hadn’t turned him brittle, it hadn’t turned him hard. He was just . . . stronger. Looking at the man in front of me now, he seemed so different from the boy who’d driven me across country to start our new life together. I’d never imagined then that our relationship would crumble so fast. I’d thought we’d be together forever. But I supposed we still would be, in a way.

The smile on his face was peaceful as he stared at me. When he opened his arms, I wrapped him in a hug. He would always be my friend. We would always care about each other. Folding his arms around me, he whispered, “I really am happy for you, Kiera.”

I nodded into his shoulder as tears streamed down my face. “Thank you. And thank you for being here. You don’t know how much it meant to me, to us.”

He rubbed my back. “I wouldn’t miss my best friend getting married.”

I wasn’t sure if he meant me or Kellan in that sentence, and it made me really happy that I didn’t know for sure. Pulling back, I smiled up at him. “Well, don’t think I’m missing your wedding. When is it, anyway?”

His smile grew absolutely radiant as he looked across the bed at his fiancée giving Kellan a hug. “Abby picked Valentine’s Day.” He laughed. “She’s really got a thing for holidays. She even made us go out to a nice French restaurant to celebrate Bastille Day . . . and neither one of us has even been to France.”

I laughed at Abby’s adorable quirk. Releasing him, I said, “Well, you know I’ll be there for your wedding. Kellan and I both.” I gave him a crooked smile. “And if you need a band, I think I know a couple of guys who would play for you.”

Denny looked around the room, amusement in his eyes. “I might take you up on that.” His expression more serious, he turned to me. “Before we leave, Abby and I want to talk to you and Kellan about something. Okay?”

Confused, I nodded. “What about?”

Denny glanced at the line of well-wishers behind him. “Later.” He started to turn away, then looked back at me. Voice low, he told me, “For the record, I always thought you were gorgeous. I’m sorry if I didn’t make you feel that way.”

His frown broke my heart a little, and I gave him another quick hug. “It wasn’t you. It was my hang up. It was always my hang up. A by-product of having a perfect ten sister.” I shrugged.

Denny gave me his world-famous grin. “I always thought you were better looking than Anna.” His eyes flashed to Kellan. “And I’m not the only one.” Heat flooded my face as Denny laughed and walked away.

Justin congratulated me next, then Kate. Incredibly flirtatious glances were being passed back and forth between the pair, and I was pretty sure they’d be an official couple by the time Kate flew back home. After them, Rachel, Abby, Cheyenne, Hailey, and Riley gave me big hugs, and Hailey made Kellan promise to visit Pennsylvania soon. Deacon, along with the rest of Holeshot and Avoiding Redemption, gave us well-wishes next, and I thanked Deacon for playing so beautifully.

After he stepped away from our bed, Kellan and I were approached by Gavin. Kellan’s father was clearly touched by the level of emotion in the air. His deep eyes, so similar to Kellan’s, were brightly shining. As I watched Gavin struggle to keep it together, I wondered if Kellan’s emotional, passionate nature was hereditary.

“I’m so happy for the both of you. Savor this moment. Remember this feeling, because it won’t always be like this. You’ll have ups, you’ll have downs.” He laughed. “You’ll drive each other crazy. But it’s worth it if you stick through it. I had so many good years with my wife before she died.”

His amused smile settled into a peaceful one; it was also eerily similar to Kellan’s. I didn’t condone what Kellan’s mother had done to him, but I could understand how being around Kellan had been difficult for her—he looked so much like his natural father.

Kellan grasped Gavin’s hand with both of his. “Thank you, Dad.”

Gavin’s eyes widened. Kellan had never called him anything but his name before. Maybe not wanting to break the moment, Gavin simply nodded his head. Or maybe he was too choked up to speak. I know I was.

For the reception part of our wedding, chairs were brought in for everyone to sit on, and we had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Even though it was my idea to get married on Thanksgiving, it was humorous to me, and I had a serious case of the giggles when the nurses started bringing in trays of turkey dinners complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, and green bean casserole. And for our “wedding cake,” we had pumpkin pie. I guess a potluck with baked beans wouldn’t have been so far off the mark after all. But the food didn’t matter—just the company did.

Gavin and my father had done an outstanding job with securing the meal. The turkey was tender and moist, the potatoes were rich and buttery, and the pie was to die for. Everyone was celebrating as they ate—celebrating our marriage, and celebrating a day for thanks. Mom and Dad were chatting with Anna and Griffin, Mom securely holding Gibson. Gavin was alternating between catching up with his son and talking to Carly, who seemed very interested in everything Gavin had to say. Evan and Jenny were cuddling in side by side chairs while they ate. Rachel and Matt were sitting next to each other, both of them all smiles. Abby and Denny were discussing something in the corner, while Cheyenne asked Hailey and Riley about the Avoiding Redemption concert. Kate and Justin were sitting on the windowsill with their heads close together as they talked and flirted; their food looked like it hadn’t even been touched. Kellan wasn’t eating much, but in between giving me a peck or two, he was taking small bites of the potatoes.