Hard to Love You
Page 18

As we all help MacKenzie get dressed, and then sort out ourselves, the photographer takes pictures. Now that we are all dressed we take group photos, mom photos and then a few of MacKenzie and me.
“Let’s go girls, I can’t wait anymore.” MacKenzie exclaims.
It’s show time.
10
It’s nearing the time and my nerves are starting to get the best of me. I’ve been anxiously going over my vows in my head all morning. The only thing keeping me completely calm is Ryder. I’ve stepped out of the groom’s suite a few times and can see that guests have started to arrive. They are spread out in little groups and are talking amongst themselves. Thankfully the sun is just starting to set and things are cooling off. CC and I are lucky to be having perfect weather, not unbearably hot, but nice and warm. The wind is picking up just a little; CC was worried about the wind being an issue. She didn’t want people to be worrying about their hair being messed up or the decorations falling over - she has candles that will be lit on the beach, just off the deck. I’ve been able to grant all her wishes for a perfect wedding but this is one thing I have no control over.
I’m sitting in my suite, feeding Ryder, when my mom comes in.
“Hi Sweetie, how are you holding up?” she asks me.
I smile at her; she looks beautiful all dressed up with makeup on. She looks younger, happier than I have seen her in a long time. “Good, just finishing up feeding Ryder so he should be pretty quiet for you.”
She walks over to us, bends and gives Ryder a little kiss on his forehead. “He looks so handsome, Hunter.” She looks at me and I see the tears pool in her eyes. “He looks so much like you when you were his age.”
I hear that a lot, but I see a lot of CC in him too.
“He looks handsome in his little suit, huh?” I pull Ryder’s bottle out and lift him to my shoulder so that I can burp him.
“So handsome,” She responds and the tears finally start to fall.
Standing up, I wrap my one arm around her and kiss her head. “I love you Mom.”
She sniffs and nods, still too choked up to speak. I hold her for a few more minutes until Ryder starts to fuss.
She reaches for Ryder. “Ok, give me my grandson and get out of here.” Mom holds him out in front of her and he kicks his legs like a mad man. “Look at you, Ryder, all dressed up just like your daddy.”
CC wanted him dressed just like us, tan suits, white button down shirts and our blue ties to match the girls.
I give them both a kiss on their heads. “Mason will walk you and Ryder down to your seats in a few minutes.”
I leave them in the suite and double check the dining room to make sure everything is perfect. I stop a few times to say hello to a couple of guys that I work with, a few friends and family members on my way out to the deck.
When I step outside I see a few familiar faces; Bentley, Zeke, Logan and to my surprise, Dominic. CC and I talked about Dominic when we were doing the guest list and she convinced me to allow him to attend. I agreed as long as there was no dancing, she agreed.
I shake hands with Bentley first, “Another one bites the dust, huh?”
All the guys start laughing. “Just wait red head; you’ll be in the same boat someday.”
I shake Zeke’s hand next. “Zeke,”
“Hunter, when you going to show your ugly face down in VA?” Zeke asks. “I know you want more work done.”
“We’ll all be making a trip soon, don’t worry about that.”
Logan shakes my hand, “Congrats man.”
“Thanks.”
Dominic is standing there, hands in his pockets and looking nervous. He should be.
Being the bigger guy I hold my hand out to him. He looks at it for a second and then slowly removes his hand from his pocket and shakes mine.
“She’s mine. Don’t forget it.” I say.
He nods. “Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
We all stand around and bullshit for a few minutes before I look around. All the blue and white lights are strung across the deck. The paper light things that CC wanted are up there as well. The DJ is setting up everything just off to the side. Perfect. Now down to the altar.
Everything starts to hit me when I see things all set up. It’s impressive to see that the hotel pulled off everything that CC wanted. She’s obsessed with that damn Pinterest website and wants everything to look like the pictures she showed them.
It’s all perfect for a May evening. All the white chairs with the baby blue bows on the back are set up in rows. The baby blue walkway that CC picked is spread out with white flowers scattered all over it. God only knows why she had to have them; they are only going to get messed up when people walk on them. The altar is up and enclosed with baby blue and white tulle, secured with huge starfish and flowers on each side.
I walk down the steps and off the deck; I stop where we have put a sign that asks everyone to take off their shoes. I step out of mine and slip my socks off. I stroll on the outside of where the chairs are placed so I don’t mess up the flowers. I want CC to see this just like I did.
I shake hands with Dylan, he’s marrying us today. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” The truth is I’ve been ready since the day she said yes.
The videographer comes over and gets me all wired up. Music starts playing in the background and our guests come to find their seats. Mason and Cooper walk a few people to their seats and then come towards me.
“You good?” Mason asks.
“Yeah. You?” I know this is going to be hard on him today. Last night he kept to himself, which Mason never does. He’s always the center of attention, the jokester. When I went to check on Ryder this morning I was surprised to see Mason sleeping in the rocker with him. We’ve talked about what’s up with him and Hailey a few times since CC and I got back together. He was going to ask her to move in with him, so when all that shit went down in the bar with Lily I was really surprised. I think there’s more to the story than he’s letting on, but he keeps saying, ‘don’t worry about it’. He’s covering for someone. I know he is; I just need to figure out who that person is. But today isn’t that day; today I’m marrying my best friend.
Mason nods. “I’m going to go get your mom and Ryder. See you in a few.”
Cooper shakes his head as he watches Mason walk away. I’m not sure if he knows what’s going on with his twin or not, but time will tell.
“The girls are all down here now.” Jackson tells me.