Page 149

I tear up at the sight of Declan so overcome with emotion for the woman he loves. I never understood how a man could cry at a wedding. Now I know. The likelihood that she’ll pick you and return the feelings you’ve held bottled up for so long is so incredibly slim. To see her walking toward you, committing to be yours for life? That’s everything a man wants.

Cass is more than halfway up the aisle when I glance back at her. She sees my tears. I can tell. Her face softens. A silent understanding passes between us.

Her sister. One of my best friends. This is their moment.

We’re just grateful witnesses. What she doesn’t know is how deeply I want her—how I could see this being us a year from now. I already love her. I can’t imagine wanting another woman the way I want her.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

The music changes to the bridal march. Winona and her dad step into the sanctuary, and everyone stands and turns to join Declan in staring at Winona. He’s wiping a tear that’s visibly streaming down his cheek. I’ve seen Declan take hits on the field that flattened him. I’ve seen him out for a season. He never cried. None of that wrecked him like the sight of Winona approaching him, love in her eyes and a smile on her face.

I glance over at Cass. Her eyes are on her sister. The smile on her face is proud and tender. I love the way they love one another.

Winona and her dad make it to the end of the pews—less than two yards from Declan.

The pastor asks Mr. Carter, “Who gives Winona in marriage?”

Mr. Carter glances back at his wife and says, “Her mother and I do.”

My thoughts travel to a time so far down the road it’s misty. I’m a dad—one who stayed around to raise his children. One who shouldered the hard times with his wife and laughed and cried over every joy and hardship we lived through together. And I’m in Mr. Carter’s spot, giving our daughter to a man who earned her heart and devotion. And when I picture turning to a woman in the pew—my wife—I see a face. Only one face. She’s not mine. But she’s the only one I ever dared to imagine taking that spot.

We’re calling it off tonight.

The farce ends at the end of the reception.

She’ll be free to leave me.

And I’ll be free to pursue her in earnest.

Declan steps down to meet Winona. She gives him her hand and they walk up the broad steps until they’re both facing the pastor.

After a few words of greeting, a short sermon on love and devotion, and the exchange of their vows, the pastor says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Declan, you may kiss your bride.”

Declan leans in and dips Winona. Treyvon whoops. The music kicks on: On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons. The crowd of guests spontaneously starts clapping along. Some of them are even singing along.

Winona throws her arms up in the air, turns to Declan and shouts, “I’m your wife!”

Declan’s smile is one I don’t think I’ve ever seen before, not even when we won our way into the Super Bowl. He lifts Winona off her feet and twirls her, then he throws her over his shoulder and takes off running down the aisle.

Winona’s laughing and squealing, “Put me down, Declan!” So, he does.

They clasp hands and dance the rest of the way out of the sanctuary. The bridal party had planned this organized exit, but the room is joyful chaos, so we just leave in a mass of tuxedos and dresses, dancing and running our way after Winona and Declan.

The photographer corners us for bridal party photos. Cass is here in the mix, but we’re being ordered to stand here, sit there, and look this way and that.

After photos, we make our way through the snow-lined paths to a reception hall on the property. The room is lit with twinkle lights. Tall, beamed ceilings rise up overhead, and the band is already playing. Declan and Winona have their first dance to All My Love by Coldplay.

I catch Cass’s eye from across the dance floor. She was watching her sister dance with her new husband, but her gaze hangs on mine, and for that moment, I dare to hope—like that instant on the field when coverage is tight and all my receivers are blocked but one—the one that matters. And it’s a longshot, but I pull my arm back and send the ball sailing. I put everything into that one throw. It’s a chance I have to take.

The next song is Declan with his mom, and Winona with her dad. And then the bridal party is on the dance floor.

We’re supposed to dance with our assigned bridesmaid, but I approach Patrick. “Want to dance with your wife?”

He smiles. “Want to dance with your girlfriend?”

I chuckle and head toward Cass. She looks momentarily confused until she sees Patrick grab Daisy.

“Slick move, Delaney,” she says as I pull her into my arms.