Fighter (Outsider Series) (15 page)

I grabbed Caeden’s hand under the table and squeezed.

“And then this girl walked into the cupcake shop and stole his heart. He smiled like the old Caeden again and I knew, that thanks to this girl, I had my best friend back. Bryce had his brother back and Amy had her son back. Sophie,” he turned to me. “We owe you, more than you’ll ever comprehend. You
saved
Caeden.” Tears shimmered in Bentley’s eyes. I’d never seen him so emotional before. “Caeden’s gone back to his old self and he’s even happier than before, thanks to you. You complete each other and watching you two, has given me something to strive for,” he reached down and took Chris’ hand. “I just want everyone here to understand that Caeden and Sophie are the two best people I know. They’re willing to do anything for their friends and family. I hope you both know that I’d do the same for you. We all would,” he sat down and pink stained his cheeks.

I felt something wet on my cheek and for a second I thought it was raining. I wiped under my eye and realized it was tears. I looked over and saw Caeden choking back tears.

I smiled at Bentley and he bowed his head.

Bryce hopped up and said, “My turn!”

“Oh dear,” I muttered and Caeden chuckled.

“Caeden
, is my annoying older brother. He’s always bossing me around and telling me what to do. Even now. So, Sophie watch out. You might have a Dom on your hands.”

My eyes widened and Caeden warningly said, “Bryce.”

“Whatever,” Bryce rolled his eyes. “It’s the truth. You should know what you’re getting into with this one,” he looked at me.

“I think it’s a little late for that,” I laughed and held my hand up, pointing to my rings.

“You two need to stop interrupting my epic speech,” Bryce eyed us. “Anyway,” he continued, “I’ll try to be serious for once in my life.” He ran his fingers through his too long hair. “Fate brought these two together and let me tell ya, there’s no better match. If someone asked me to give the definition of soul mates, I’d point to those two. They complete each other in every way possible. Their loveydoveyness grosses me out most of the time though. I mean, it just oozes out of them.” He shook his head. “I better stop this horrendous speech, before I start getting all sappy. All I want to say is that even though sometimes, I wish I wasn’t related to you,” he smirked, “I have the best big brother in the world, and I’m so happy you’ve found Sophie. I love you both… more than you’ll ever know and Caeden…” Bryce choked up. “Dad would be so proud of you and happy for you both. He may not physically be here with us but he’ll always be in our hearts.” Bryce put his hand over his chest and sat down.

Next, my dad stood.

“Wow,” he said, “I thought this day would come
years
from now.” He motioned with his hand. “Most father’s would probably be warning the groom not to hurt their daughter, but with Caeden, I know I don’t need to worry. My daughter has managed to find her soul mate and that’s so rare. So many people go their whole lives and never meet that one special person. I was lucky enough to find that, and now my daughter has been blessed with the same kind of love. A love that is unbreakable. It’s a type of love that so few ever know or understand. You two share a special bond and even as a father I can’t deny it. Despite the love you share, there will be hardships along the way. You have to stay strong and be patient with one another. Talk things through and don’t bottle them up. Listen to each other. Remember you’re both never always going to be right, but when you talk things through, maybe you can find a compromise in both your ideas. Just stay strong, and at the end of the day, never forget to say, I love you. I love you both and remember you’re never too old to come to your parents for anything. Congratulations.”

I squeezed Caeden’s hand and wiped my tears away. I don’t think I had ever cried so much in my life. At least they were happy tears.

Our plates were cleared away and Caeden took my hand, leading me out for another dance.

The song had barely finished when Evan cut in. “My turn
, lover boy,” he bumped Caeden out of the way. I laughed and shrugged my shoulders at Caeden.

Caeden chuckled and said something to Gram. She took his offered hand and they began to swirl around the dance floor.

Dancing with Evan was way different then dancing with Caeden. Caeden had rhythm and knew what he was doing. Evan did not.

“Sorry,” he said after he stepped on my foot for the third time. “I’m not very good at this.”

“It’s fine.”

He grinned and flicked his head to the side, sending his red hair flying.

“You know,” he watched his feet, “I never thought I’d have a friend that’s a girl.”

I grinned. “I never thought I’d join the boys
’ soccer team.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, “I guess
, we kind of forced you into that one, huh?”

I nodded.

“Anyway,” he continued. “Man… this is awkward. I’m not trying to hit on you or anything but I want you to know that you’re very special to me. To all of the guys.”

“Thank you
, Evan. You’re all very special to me too. You’re like the brothers I never had.”

He chuckled. “I’m really happy for you, Sophie. I don’t mean to get all gooey and sappy on you
, but I see you and Caeden…” He shook his head. “I just hope I can have a love like yours one day.”

“I’m sure you will, Evan. There’s a girl out there waiting for you, I know it. You just have to get out there and find her.”

“My turn,” Brody cut in. “It’s time to share the she-wolf.”

“You look nice,” I told Brody and flicked his emerald green tie that brought out his eyes.

“Thanks,” he said. “I’m not used to dressing like this. I think my mom just about had a heart attack when she saw me.”

I laughed and laid my head on his shoulder. “I’m going to miss you and Evan. Promise
, that you guys will call or text me. I don’t want to fall out of touch.”

“Are you kidding? We could never fall out of touch. And don’t forget, you have to invite us all over to try out the soccer nets.”

“I won’t forget,” I said.

“Good,” he swallowed.
“You know… I think you’ve really changed all of us.”

“What?” I lifted my head from his shoulder to look in his eyes.

He shrugged and swayed us to the music. “I think you’ve mellowed us out. You didn’t know us before. You made us realize that there’s so much more to life than being popular or being the best at something. I don’t think you realize the affect you have on people.”

“But
I didn’t do anything.” I was puzzled.

“I know,” he said, “and maybe that’s the point. You’re so… as cliché as it sounds, good. You’re a good person
, Sophie.”

“Awww, Brody.”

“It’s true,” he shrugged.

The song ended and I hugged him tightly. He looked like he needed one. “Thank you for saying that
, but Brody, you’re just as good of as person as me.”

“Thanks,” he grinned crookedly. “That means a lot coming from you.”

Before I could say anything else, Riley was in front of me. “Dance with me milady?”

“Of course
, kind sir,” I let him twirl me around.

With each song
, I was transferred to another one of the seven. They all were sweet and continually brought tears to my eyes. Stupid boys.

After the song that Shane and I were dancing to ended, my dad intercepted me.

“I think my daughter owes me a dance.”

My dad was a pretty skilled dancer, which surprised me. I’d never seen him dance, ever. He’d brushed his dark hair back and his hazel eyes appeared golden in the twinkling light.

“I can’t believe you’re married,” he breathed. “This isn’t a dream is it?”

“No
t a dream, daddy. I’m married,” I looked over my shoulder to see Caeden dancing with his mom.

“I can’t believe you’re all grown up. It seems like just yesterday you were in diapers.”

“Daaaaaad.”

“It’s true. Time goes by so quickly
, Soph. One day, when you have kids, you’ll understand. One minute, they’re a baby and before you can blink, they’re graduating high school and living their life.”

“Daddy,” tears pooled in my eyes and I squeezed myself close to him.

“It’s so hard to let you go, Sophie. I swear, if it was anyone but Caeden, I wouldn’t have let you go through with it,” tears skated down his cheeks. I reached up to wipe them away and noticed little lines around his eyes. Those were new.

“I love you daddy,” I hugged him close and for just a moment
, I could pretend I was five again.

“I love you, baby girl.”

I danced with my dad for another song and then I was back in my husband’s arms.

He nuzzled my neck. “I thought I’d lost you for the rest of the night.”

“The night’s only begun,” I breathed.

He smiled. “True.”

Before Caeden and I could get a second dance in, Bryce was interrupting.

“I want a turn with my sister-in-law,” he winked at me.

I gave Caeden a sad look and went off to dance with Bryce.

Bentley pulled me away from Bryce for a dance and even Logan wanted a turn. If I was a normal human
, I’d be exhausted.

Caeden and I ended up having time for one more dance before it was time to leave.

We made our rounds, hugging and saying goodbye to our friends and family.

Amy hugged us both close and then my parents enveloped us in their arms.

Next was Gram. “I know what’s going to happen tonight,” she said in a hushed voice. I blushed, knowing where this was going. “Just be sure and use protection. Don’t go making me a great-grandma before I’m ready. I need at least five years to prepare,” she let us go.

Oh Gram.

Caeden took my hand and led me around the front of the house and into a waiting limo.

“Where are we going?” I asked as the limo made a circle and pulled out of the long driveway and onto the main road.

Caeden laced our hands together. “Home… I thought you’d prefer that and with… Well, with everything going on, I didn’t think now was the time to go away on a honeymoon, but I promise that one day we’ll have one.”

“Caeden,” I laid my head on his shoulder. “Home is perfect.”

thirteen.

The limo pulled into the driveway of our home. The driver opened the door and Caeden helped me out.

He opened the front door and I went to step inside
, but he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back and swept my legs out from under me.

“Caeden!” I squealed. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying my bride over the threshold,” he grinned.

“This is completely unnecessary.”

“I know,” he said, his dimple winking at me. “But it’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”

He started up the steps and nervous butterflies attacked my tummy. I was afraid I was going to break out into a nervous sweat. Wouldn’t that be attractive?

I buried my face into his delicious smelling neck so that he couldn’t see my face.

I felt silly for my nerves. I mean, this was
Caeden
. He was my mate. My husband. I shouldn’t be such a scaredy-cat but I was.

He pushed open the doors to master bedroom and all the air left my body.

The room glowed with the golden hue of many candles and flower petals covered the floor.

Caeden set me down and I wobbled a bit. He wrapped an arm around my waist to hold me steady.

“When did you do this?” I gasped.

“I had someone come
over and do it. I texted them on our way here. I felt bad that we’re not going on a traditional honeymoon, so I brought it to us.”

“Caeden…” I breathed and put my hand to my lips.
“This is incredible. Thank you,” I wrapped my arms around him.

“I want this to be special,” he cupped my cheek.

I smiled. “No matter what, with you, it’ll be special.”

He pressed his
forehead to mine. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck before pressing my lips to his.

He picked me up and carried me to the bed, never breaking our kiss, and laid me gently on top of the soft comforter.

Goosebumps broke out across my skin and I shivered when he caressed my neck with his fingertips.
My heart rate accelerated to a dangerous speed and my breath came out in gasps.

“We’ll take this slow,” he whispered before pressing his lips to the spot on my neck that his fingers had just touched.

I arched off the bed. Every touch seemed intensified knowing where it was leading.

I reached up and helped him out of his tux jacket and then his shirt. I put my hand against the bare skin of his chest, right over his heart, and smiled when I felt that it was beating just as fast as mine. At least I wasn’t the only one affected
by this.