He wanted Chad.
…
Chad had never seen his sister so happy. Not when she graduated from Penn State with honors, not when she scored the job at Gamers, and not when she earned the promotion last year. Not even when they went to visit the Land of Little Horses in Gettysburg and she got to frolic with ponies.
Nope, he’d never seen her as happy as she was today, in this park, clutching Austin’s bicep, grinning and looking like a queen.
Chad cried during the proposal, and he was still on the verge of tears. His favorite person in the world was happy, and he loved it, even as his own broken heart poked him savagely with its ragged edges.
Marley caught his eye. She whispered something in Austin’s ear. He pressed a kiss to her temple and then watched as she made her way toward Chad. Marley walked right into his open arms. They hugged, one of their really tight, fuck-I-love-you-so-much hugs. “Happy for you, Mars.”
She pulled back and wiped at his leaking eyes. “I’m happy for me, too.”
“He loves you so much.”
She smiled. “I love him, too. He said you helped with all of this.”
He nodded.
“You and Owen.”
He blinked at the name of his former lover, masking the wince as his heart jabbed him. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, me and Owen.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute, her gaze on his face. “It was him, wasn’t it?”
Oh, man, this was when he hated her, when she was able to read him like no one else. “Uh, what?”
“You fell for Owen.” Her voice was soft, but the words still hurt. Like a concrete pillow.
“Mars, this day is about you—”
“Oh, stop,” she said. “I don’t own this day. You’re my brother. Just tell me the truth. Was it him?”
He was angry about answering, but he did it anyway, with a jerky nod.
“He’s been making eyes at you all day,” she said. “I don’t think he realizes how obvious he’s being.”
Chad looked away, staring sightlessly at a tree. “No, he hasn’t.”
“Yeah, he has. There’s unfinished business. Don’t pack him into the past just yet, okay? I know how you get. You just move on and—”
“I haven’t moved on this time,” Chad said fiercely. “Not one bit. I wish I could, like every other time, but that fucker is like…in me. All over me.”
Marley sighed. “Maybe don’t call him a fucker.”
“I’m mad at him,” Chad muttered. “Mad at him for making me care so much about him.”
“You two need to talk.”
“I know.” He did, more than anything. He knew that. He wasn’t leaving here till he did, even if Owen told him to fuck off.
Marley leaned in and pressed a kiss to Chad’s cheek. “Let me know if I can do anything.”
Chad chewed on his lip. “Can I make a toast? At dinner?”
She smiled a little wicked smile. “Of course you can, little brother.”
Chad rubbed his palms on his pants, cursing leather for being so fucking nonabsorbent. Everyone was seated at the picnic tables, glasses in front of them, catered food on their plates, staring at him with eyes that told him to hurry the fuck up so they could eat.
Yeah, yeah, he was hurrying. As soon as he was able to fucking breathe.
He held up his champagne glass and looked over at Marley. “So, I’ll probably make a toast at the wedding, too, but I’ll be considerably drunk then, I’m guessing. So this will be my sober toast. Which means probably a lot more boring, but oh, well.” He took a deep breath. “Mars, you’re my best friend. You’re the better Lake by far, and I’m okay with coming in second if I get to follow you. I’ve never seen you as happy as you are today. And I know that happiness is because of that fine-ass, harnessed nerd sitting beside you.”
Marley laughed, and Austin looked mildly irritated.
Chad smiled. “Austin, you are one grumpy bastard, but when Marley is around, you’re like a different person. Man, I didn’t even know your face did that thing, like, where your lips part and your teeth show? A smile? On Austin’s face? Who knew?”
The crowd laughed, and Austin even sort of smiled. Just a little bit. It was good enough.
Chad wasn’t done. “I was there when you guys met and when you went through some tough times, and I admire you both so much for realizing what you had and working to keep it. I…” He swallowed, knowing this was where he’d have to choose his words carefully. “It’s hard to know who’s worth it. Who’s that one person worth putting your heart on the line for, who’s worth all your time and effort, who’s worth getting down on your knees and apologizing to when you fuck up.” He glanced at Grant, who sat beside Sydney. “Uh, sorry for swearing.”