Remedy

by Kaylee Ryan

“We’ve been friends since we could walk,” he reminds me.

  “Look, Caleb. I know. I’m an asshole. I get it. I know you’re pissed as you should be. Yes, you are my best friend, but, man, so is she. No, that’s not right. She’s more than that. There is not a minute in the day that I don’t think about her. She’s always the best part of every day, good or bad. I love you, brother, you know that. But if you make me choose, it’s going to be her. It’s always going to be her.” My shoulders slump. I’ve put it all out there and now I just wait for the inevitable. The punch… I’m sure it’s coming, the screaming soon to follow.

  He surprises me when he asks. “You said a long time. How long?”

  Fuck. No holding back now. “Everything changed for me three years ago.” I can see him starting to put the pieces together. I’ve told him I left and messed things up. He’s working it out in his head.

  “Collins. My baby sister is the reason you ran like your ass was on fire and never looked back?”

  “She is.”

  “What did you do to her?”

  “What? Nothing, I mean, I left because she made me feel too much. I was worried about what you would think, and then there was medical school. I was states away, Caleb. She had just finished her first year of college. How could I ask her to do long distance? Fuck, man, there is no way I could have. I was only able to stay away because I knew she was mad at me.”

  “So why come back? What changed your mind and make you realize she was worth it?” His voice is calm, and his face is void of emotion. I can usually tell what he’s thinking, but right now, I can’t get a read on him. I’m not sure if it’s me, or my emotions from Bryce, and now Caleb discovering us. Maybe it’s the fact that my girl is going to be pissed if this ruins the wedding.

  “I knew the minute I pulled my SUV out of my parents’ driveway. I also knew that I wasn’t ready. Not in the way you think,” I’m quick to add. “I wasn’t ready to leave medical school, and I couldn’t ask her to come with me. I knew we both had things we needed to do before we could be together.” I take a breath. “I know I hurt her, but I hurt myself, too. Coming home, it’s what we both needed.”

  “Why’s that? So, what? You asked her to wait? You get to play around, living it up while you expected her to wait?”

  “No,” I say adamantly. “Not at all. There was no one in my life, no women, just school and work after I went back. I knew there was no point. I would just be comparing them to her. That wasn’t fair to anyone. So I kept my nose buried in a book and busted my ass at medical school. That way I could have my choice of residency. I busted my ass to come home to her. It cured both of our broken hearts. I told her she was my remedy, but now I see that I was hers as well. We were both not really living. We held onto hope that one day we could fix this, we could be together, and we’re there. I won’t hurt her again.”

  A knock sounds at the door. Neither one of us makes a move. Silence surrounds us, then another knock, this time followed by her sweet voice. “Are you guys in there? Are you ready to go?” Collins asks. My anxiety peaks knowing that all hell could break loose at any moment. Collins made sure we waited to not ruin this day for Caleb and Emily, and my dumb ass had to fuck it all up. I wouldn’t have been able to control my reaction to Bryce’s hands on her if I tried. The growl slipped out. I knew then that the secret was more than likely out of the bag. I just didn’t want to believe it.

  Caleb stalks toward the door and pulls it open. Grabbing her arm, he pulls her into the room.

  “Watch it,” I warn him.

  “What’s going on?” Collins looks back and forth between the two of us.

  “He knows.”

  “Oh.” Her mouth drops open.

  “He figured it out. Apparently, I’m not good at hiding how much I love you.”

  Her face softens. “It was only a matter of time.”

  Holding my hand out for her, she takes it and allows me to pull her into my hold. “Look, Caleb. I’m sorry you found out this way. I’m sorry we kept it from you, but I assure you we had the best of intentions. I’ll apologize as much as I need to make this right. However, I won’t apologize for being with her. I love you both, but differently.”

  “Yeah,” he speaks up. “You already told me you’d choose her over me.”

  Collins looks up at me, her big blue eyes shimmering with tears. “It will all work out,” I say softly, kissing her forehead.

  When I look back at him, Caleb is watching us closely. “I have one last question. What made you think I would be mad about this?”

  Collins and I look at one another shocked. Is he saying what I think he is? “I’m your best friend. She’s your little sister. There are rules against these things.”

  “Says who?” he asks.

  I look down at Collins, and she shrugs. “We just assumed that you wouldn’t be happy about it. I’ve heard you warn off Alec and Bryce several times,” she explains.

  “Alec and Bryce, they’re my friends, but they are also two of the biggest man-whores I’ve ever met. Of course, I want better for you.” He pauses, staring us down, waiting for one of us to speak. We’re too stunned, so he keeps going. “I could see it back then, too. The looks the two of you would give each other. The way you never cared if she tagged along. I always thought one day something might happen between the two of you. I just never thought I would be the last to know.”

  “You’re not, technically only Tabby knows about us. I’m so sorry, Caleb.” Collins pulls out of my hold and steps toward him. He opens his arms for her, and she doesn’t hesitate to step into his hold. “I love him.”

  “I know you do. He loves you, too,” he tells her.

  “Are you… are you okay with this? You’re not mad?”

  “Of course, I’m okay with it. I’ve always thought of Grady as a brother to me, but not to you. He’s an awesome guy. That’s why he’s my best friend. If he can hold that title for me, he can hold whatever title it is he holds with you.”

  “He’s… everything.”

  My arms hang at my sides as I watch them embrace. I have to fight to make myself stand still and not pull her away from him. Not because of jealousy, but because my heart is beating so hard, I feel as though it might beat right out of my chest. Her words have caused a swarm of emotions to race through me. Love, happiness, contentment. She’s my everything.

  “You treat her right.”

  “Always. I promise you there is no one out there who will love her like I do.”

  He chuckles. “From the way you were ready to tear Bryce’s head off, I believe you.” With another tight squeeze, he releases Collins, and she’s back in my arms where she belongs.

  “So, you’re okay with this? With us?” She glances up at me before looking back at Caleb.

  “Yeah, I’m okay with it. I wish you would have told me, but I get it.”

  “Wow,” she breathes. “I was expecting yelling and some fists to be thrown. I was prepared to argue our case. I was expecting you to not talk to us for a while. I mean, I hoped that you would come around, but I never expected this.”

  “Why would I not want my little sister with one of the best guys I know? I’m disappointed and hurt you didn’t tell me, but I get it. I know both of you, and I know you were coming from a good place.”

  “All’s good, my man,” Bryce says, barging into the room.

  I tighten my hold on Collins, my hand on her hip as I hold her possessively to me. Bryce notices, raising his brows in question.

  “I need to get back. We need to get you married,” Collins says.

  “Damn right,” Caleb adamantly agrees.

  She looks up at me. “See you in a few.” Standing on her tiptoes, she meets me halfway as I press my lips against hers.

  “Sounds good, baby.” Reluctantly, I release her and watch her walk out of the door.

  “Hold up, what was that?” Alec asks.

  “Turns out this guy,” Caleb points at me, “is in love with my little sister.”
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  “No shit?” Alec says.

  “Wait! No punches were thrown?” Bryce asks.

  “Nope.”

  “What the hell, Ward? You’ve always threatened me she’s off limits.”

  “She was to you. You stick your dick in anything. She deserves better than that.”

  Bryce crosses his arms over his chest. “He’s that person?”

  “Yep! Now, are you all ready? I have a beautiful bride waiting for me.”

  Bryce seems to simmer, and Alec just looks lost as we follow Caleb out of the room. We shake hands and do the man-hug back-slap thing, and he leaves to go stand at the arch of flowers. We stand at the closed door, waiting for the girls and the bride.

  “Damn,” Alec says when Collins and the girls come walking toward us.

  “I’m next,” I tell them.

  “You’re serious?” Bryce asks.

  “Never been more serious.”

  He clamps his hand on my shoulder, and that’s that. The fight we thought was coming was not a fight at all. And I get to do this. In a few long strides, I reach her. Snaking my arm around her waist, I bend down and kiss her neck, knowing if I mess up her makeup there will be hell to pay from the bride.

  “Yes!” Emily cheers. “I knew it!” She smiles big, then the smile drops from her face. “Does Caleb know?”

  “Yeah,” I tell her. “He knows.”

  “It’s all good, Em,” Collins assures her.

  “Good. Let’s get me married.”

  We pair off, my girl on my arm, and suddenly, I’m smiling as if this were my wedding day. I look over at Collins, who is smiling at something Emily’s sister, Cindy, says.

  We’ll have our day.

  Soon.

  Very soon.

  The wedding went off without a hitch. I cried and smiled all the way through it. Grady held my stare throughout the ceremony, and I know it sounds crazy, but I could feel the love we have for each other in just a look.

  “When do I get to dance with you?” he whispers in my ear.

  We’re sitting at the front of the room reserved for the wedding party. “They have to have their first dance first. Then we’ll join them.”

  “Too long,” he grumbles.

  I feel his lips press against my bare shoulder. “Look.” I give a subtle nod toward the table where our parents sit, and there are four sets of eyes watching us.

  “Oops.” He chuckles. “Guess we forgot a few people were still in the dark.”

  I’m just about ready to suggest that we go talk to them when Caleb and Emily are announced as they enter the ballroom. Their smiles are wide and blinding as the room erupts in cheers. They stop in the middle of the dance floor and go straight into their first dance as husband and wife.

  “You ready for all of that?” his deep voice asks me.

  “Are you?” I counter.

  He laughs softly. “Always answering my questions with one of your own.”

  “I have to keep you on your toes.”

  “And I’ll keep curling yours,” he says, kissing my neck again.

  “Now, if we could have the wedding party join the happy couple,” the announcer’s voice says over the sound system.

  Grady stands and pulls my chair out for me. “Come on, baby. Let’s show them how it’s done.”

  I place my hand in his, and he leads me toward the dance floor; however, we take the long way and stop at the table our parents are seated at. “Hey,” Grady greets them, pulling me into his side. “We just wanted to let you know, we’re together. I’m in love with her.” He looks down at me. “And I’m pretty sure she loves me, too.” I nod my agreement. “We were going to tell you this week at dinner, but Caleb discovered us, and we’re tired of hiding. Let’s just enjoy tonight, and we will answer all of your questions later.” He waves and guides us to the dance floor. Not before I notice the shocked expression on our fathers’ faces and the tears in our mothers’ eyes. I was never worried about their reactions. I knew our moms, if they even thought it was possible we were together, would be planning our wedding before the first date was over. It was wrong to lie to them, but I’m glad that we had that time, just for us. Our families are so connected, it was good to find who we were together before including them.

  “You didn’t let them say a word.” I playfully smack at his chest.

  “Nope. This is Caleb’s night, but they were bound to ask. It’s out there, and we can talk about it later. Tonight, I’m holding you, kissing you, and touching you anytime I fucking want. I’m going to enjoy the hell out of the fact that we no longer have to hide. We can talk to them tomorrow. Tonight, we fade into the background with each other. We let Caleb and Emily have the show.”

  “I love you, Grady Carmichael.”

  “I love you, too.”

  I rest my head against his chest as we shuffle around the dance floor. Nothing has ever felt this right. This moment with him, it’s perfect. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I can imagine the day that the wedding is ours. When we’re the couple being celebrated. When we start the journey of becoming husband and wife. It’s a dream, one I hope comes true.

  “Hey.” My new sister-in-law taps me on my shoulder a while later. We’ve just finished dinner, which was delicious.

  “Yeah?”

  “You mind helping me in the bathroom?”

  “Not at all.” I stand, and Grady grabs my hand.

  “What’s up?”

  “We’re going to the restroom.”

  He brings my hand to his lips. “Love you.”

  He doesn’t lower his voice. It’s not a whisper, just his deep timbre telling anyone within hearing distance how he feels about me. Leaning over, I kiss him on his cheek and follow Emily to the restrooms.

  “Spill,” she says once we’re there.

  “Hey.” I act offended. She knows well enough to know that I’m not. “I thought you had to use the restroom.”

  “I do, but I don’t need help. I need details.”

  “This is your day, Em.”

  “Exactly, this is my day, and I want details.” She grins, disappearing behind the stall door.

  “You sure you don’t need help?”

  “I got this. Start talking.”

  So, I do. I tell her what happened earlier and how cool Caleb was about it all. “I’m still kind of shocked,” I admit.

  “You shouldn’t be. Grady is a great guy, and your brother knows that. You should have told us. Told me at least.”

  “I couldn’t ask you to keep that from him.”

  “You’re right.” She flushes. “It looks serious,” she says, coming out of the stall and then washing her hands.

  “Yeah, it is. I mean, we love each other.”

  “One day, I want it all.” She catches my eye in the mirror. “There’s more to this story, and I can’t wait to hear it.”

  “When you get back from your honeymoon, we’ll have a girls’ night, and I’ll spill all. Deal?”

  “Deal.” We shake on it, both of us laughing at our antics.

  When we get back to the table, Grady pulls me into his lap and nuzzles my neck. The announcer tells the bride and groom it’s time to cut the cake and then takes us through bride and father, groom and mother dances and so on. Once all of the scheduled dances are over, Grady leads me to the dance floor and that’s how we spend the rest of the night. We cut loose with our friends and family during the fast songs, and he holds me close and tells me how much he loves me during the slow ones.

  “Hey,” Caleb says, breaking us out of our trance. “We’re getting ready to head out.”

  I pull away from Grady and hug my big brother tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “You, too, little sister.”

  “I’m sorry,” I tell him.

  “Don’t be. He loves you.”

  “I love him, too.”

  “That’s all I care about.”

  “Congratulations, man,” Grady says.

  Caleb relea
ses me and hugs his best friend. “Take care of her.” I hear Caleb tell him.

  I hug Emily, and she again makes me promise to tell her the story, not leaving out a single detail, and I happily agree, glad I can finally talk about him. About us.

  Standing behind me, Grady wraps his arms around my waist as we watch them leave.

  “You kids ready to talk yet?” my dad asks.

  Turning, I look at him. He doesn’t look angry, which is a good thing. “How about lunch tomorrow?” No matter how old I get, I still feel like a sixteen-year-old girl standing before her daddy before her first date.

  “Our place,” Grady’s mom chimes in. “Noon.”

  “We’ll be there,” Grady assures her.

  Surprisingly, that pacifies the four of them. We accept hugs from our mothers before our fathers pull them out to the dance floor.

  “That was easier than I thought it would be,” I tell Grady, watching our parents dancing.

  “They can see it, Collins.”

  “What? They can see what?”

  “How much we love each other. No parent is going to argue with that.” Again, my heart melts. I love seeing this softer side of him. The one he gives to me. The one that’s not afraid to not just tell me but show me how much he loves me.

  “So, you’re saying our daughter comes home with her brother’s best friend you’re going to be okay with it?”

  He turns me in his arms and crushes his lips to mine. “Not that I’m complaining but what was that for?” I ask when he pulls away.

  “You said our daughter. I think that’s the first time you’ve ever talked about us and a future, that kind of future.”

  “You sure?”

  He throws his head back and laughs. “I’m sure, baby. There are a lot of factors that come into play, but if he’s a good guy, then yeah, I’ll be happy for both of them. As long as she’s at least thirty.” He kisses my temple. “Make that forty,” he says, and I have to bite my lips to keep the laugh from bursting free.

  “Come on, crazy man. Dance with me.”

  “Gladly.”

  We spend the rest of the night laughing and dancing. Enjoying the fact that we no longer have to hide. It’s freeing and exhilarating all at once. I never want to lose this feeling.