Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
He laughs. “I’m always in a pickle when it comes to Emery.”
“True.”
“Not everyone gets a true second chance.”
I look up, meeting Cameron’s gaze as she watches me, confused as to why I’m not getting out of the car. I swallow hard and look at Quinn. “You know why I think you’ll end up with Emery?” His expectant gaze meets mine. “Because she came to be with you, to support you, to love you, just as Cameron did for me. She had a meet this weekend, she had a paper due, but she has been here, for all of us.”
I can see the pain fill his features. “Not everyone gets a happy ending, Ben.”
I shake my head at that. “We do,” I insist. “We Adlers. We do, because we don’t give up on who we love.”
Confusion shines in my brother’s eyes. “I’m marrying someone else.”
“We’ll see,” I say, feeling the words even more than I did before. I have no clue what Emery is going to do, but I know it’ll be something.
And Quinn will have no chance.
When our gazes meet, Quinn says, “I love you, brother.”
My grief-stricken heart soars. “I love you.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Cameron
The pond house sits only feet away from where they are scattering Mark’s and Jenna’s ashes. Benson and I spent hours in there the night before, just losing ourselves in each other, and it’s really hard to focus on such a sad event with the constant reminder of the things we did in that shed. I wish I could go in there with him and hide, because once more, I’ve made a bad choice.
I met Mark and Jenna one time. Once, yet here I am, about to give a speech about them. How? Fuck if I know. I don’t know a damn thing about them except how much they loved each other and their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. The latter was already said over and over again at the funeral, so what in the hell am I supposed to say to the fifty people who are gathering around the pond?
I’m such an idiot.
Shea and Grace, his twin, are on their knees as Shea drills a small hole in the ice for them to pour Grandpa’s and Grandma’s ashes in. Apparently, this pond doesn’t just hold memories for Benson and me; it’s where the senior Adlers came daily. It was their spot—that we defiled and made our own yesterday. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I need to let it go. I’m already stressing as it is.
Benson wraps his arms around me as I watch Shea, while Grace sobs. My soul hurts for them. For everyone. Losing both parents without hours of each other isn’t fair, but man, it’s kind of sweet. I close my eyes as Benson moves his lips along my lobe. “Cameron, my love.”
I lean into his mouth. “Yes?”
“Breathe,” he reminds me, and I inhale. “Let it out slowly. I’ve got you.”
My body melts into his as my heart sings for this man whom I know has me. He kisses my ear and then the spot below it. “I love you,” he whispers, and my shoulders sag in relief. I don’t know why they do that, because I know he loves me, but hearing him say it fills me with peace.
I turn my head, moving my lips close to his. “I love you.”
“You ready?”
“Nope,” I admit, laughing. “I have no clue what I’m doing.”
He gives me a look of confidence, one that makes me feel like he knows I’ve got this, even though I don’t think I do. “Giving a final word about two people who loved harder than anyone could ever fathom. A love for the ages.”
My breath catches as our eyes meet. “I’m gonna use that.”
I give him a quick kiss and then head toward where Shea and Grace stand with Elli between them, holding their hands. All three of them give me a strained smile, and I hug each of them, making sure not to slip on the ice or fall into the hole that Shea has made. Honestly, I’m surprised I don’t do either as I look out around me. Along with Shea’s kids, their spouses, and his grandkids, Grace’s kids are here with their spouses and children. It’s a huge crew, and instantly, my anxiety grows with each set of eyes I see on me.
I swallow before taking a deep breath. I find myself looking toward the two silver urns Grace and Shea hold, and my insides turn to mush. Tears gather in my eyes as I look for Benson. He’s watching me from right where I left him, and when his lips curve just for me, a calmness washes over me.
I clear my throat free of emotion as my gaze doesn’t leave his. “I met Mark and Jenna at Owen’s wedding almost a year ago, and while I didn’t get to know them well, I didn’t have to to know they were devoted to each other.” I watch as Shea’s hand tightens on Elli’s, and nerves eat me alive. I don’t want to let them down. I don’t want to ruin this. I want to honor his parents the way they need to be honored, but maybe I wasn’t the right one for this.