Page 144 of Over Time Advantage

Daylen tries to swallow it down, but he fails as he starts laughing in a manner I’m confident will clear out the restaurant. This is by far the loudest table here.

Hank pumps his fist in triumph before raising his arms in the air. “I’m the master,” he shouts as if there aren’t fifty other patrons nearby.

Daylen nods in agreement with a giant grin on his face. “You certainly are, big guy. Grandpa Hank,” he smiles.

Hank leans over and kisses his wife’s cheek. “How ’bout some sugar for the big winner?”

She giggles as she turns and kisses him on the lips, with him pulling her close and deepening it.

Jagger rolls her eyes. “Ugh. Not again. Cut it out, you two. Get a room.”

Hank winks as he pulls away. “I got one. With soundproof walls.” He points to Ashleigh. “This one’s a screamer.”

Jagger covers her face. “Ohmigod, Dad, cut it out.”

Hank chuckles. He’s officially the happiest motherfucker on the planet.

I think I’m jealous. I wish I was happy. I wish Fallon was next to me tonight. I could be kissing her. I could be touching her. I could be making her scream through soundproof walls. But no, I’m the fucking idiot who lost the love of his life. My seven-week self-pity party has only gotten worse since Tanner left my house the other day.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’ll beg her to take me back.

In a private area, out of the view of the guests, I take Kennedy’s hand and kiss her cheek. “You’re a beautiful bride, sweetie. A vision in white.”

She points to her stomach, which has popped an unbelievable amount in the past month. “I think the bride already had the white fucked out of her.”

I briefly close my eyes. “Even on your wedding day? Do you need to talk like that?”

She gives me her mischievous smile. “Every day, Dad. I know how much you love it,” she jokes before her face turns more serious. “Are you nervous about seeing her?”

I swallow. “Don’t worry about me today. Worry about the buffoon you’re marrying...again.”

She crosses her arms. “Stop calling him that. He makes me happy. You must see it.”

I can’t argue with that. I’ve never seen Kennedy as happy as she’s been since I found out about the two of them. I hate to admit it, but they’re very good together. They’re supportive and encouraging. He was her biggest cheerleader at the victory parade, and she’s now constantly featured on the big screen at our games as she cheers him on.

They cohabitate well and miss each other when they’re apart. He’s always searching for her at our games, finding her in whatever suite she’s in and making stupid heart gestures with his hands.

They already act like a team. And they agree on everything. Every little thing. From having the wedding in this rooftop restaurant in a Philly skyscraper, to the invitees, to what they would each wear. It’s…seamless. Effortless. It’s like living in the damn Twilight Zone.

She’s wearing a long, silky, white dress. I think it’s a bit too revealing on the top, but she said Daylen prefers that. I bet that fucking pervert does. I still struggle with the thought of him touching her—and he never stops touching her—but I’m doing my best to manage my emotions for her sake.

Getting to know them as a couple and this wedding have been good distractions from what has been the worst time in my life. I’ve also completely thrown myself into my job. If it wasn’t for Kennedy and Daylen, I’d have no life outside coaching because free time is the worst for me. I think about her and what I’m missing. My evenings and my bed are lonely. I’ve slept on my sofa in my stadium office more nights in the past seven weeks than the entire rest of my coaching career. I can’t stand sleeping in a bed without her.

I got a glimpse into how happy my life could be, only to have it taken away. It would have been better not to have had it in the first place because now I know how perfect things could be for me. Self-loathing is practically my middle name. I’m so pathetic.

She nibbles nervously on her lower lip. “I’m ready, Dad.”

I take a deep breath before offering her my arm. The curtain is pulled back, and we begin our walk down the aisle. I need to stay present. I’m pretty sure this whole ceremony is just for me, given that they’re already married. She knew how devastated I was not to walk her down the aisle.

I’m two steps in when I sense her eyes on me. It’s a warm blanket after seven weeks of bitter coldness.

Because we’re two halves of a whole, in a sea of several dozen people, my eyes immediately find Fallon’s. Hers fill with tears, as do mine. It feels like a knife to my heart all over again. Like it all went down yesterday.

My heart starts beating fast. She’s all I see. The pull to her is so damn strong. And she’s in a red dress. She knows how much I love her in red.

She looks skinnier. I hate it. I’ve lost weight too. It’s hard to eat with a broken heart. Everything loses taste. Everything loses meaning.

Kennedy whispers, “Keep it together,” so I do. For thirty minutes, I focus on them and their vows, around half of which are appropriate.