Audrey nodded, but Fallon dug her nails into her wrist, causing her to wince at the pain. “Fallon!”
“Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of Audrey,” Fallon said, holding her chin a little higher. Audrey looked back up at her dad and saw that his neck was flushed. He was getting mad and for once he seemed to be controlling it.
That was new.
“Fine,” he said, clearing his throat. “I wanted to say that you are beautiful, Fallon. Lucas is a lucky man to have the opportunity to make you his wife.”
Fallon took in a deep breath as he went on. “I am proud of everything that you have accomplished in the last couple months. Most of all, I am proud of you for becoming the woman I knew you were destined to be, which is a great mother, a wonderful wife, and one hell of a business owner.”
Audrey’s eyes filled with tears as her sister continued to take deep breaths. When she glanced back at Fallon and saw the tears also filling her eyes, Audrey let go of hers. She knew that Fallon had always wanted their father’s approval, and to get it on the most important day of her life was the perfect addition to her Happily Ever After.
“Thank you,” Fallon said in a whisper, “that means a lot.”
“It’s the truth. I love you two very much,” he croaked out.
Audrey cried as she wrapped her arms around him. She felt her dad move, and then Fallon’s tear-streaked face was beside hers, hugging him tightly. The three of them held on to one another for a long time before Audrey backed up, taking Fallon’s hand.
William wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I only regret that I’m not giving you away to that knucklehead you’re marryin’.”
Fallon smiled as she glanced up at him. “It’s not too late, Dad, we haven’t left the room yet.”
For the first time ever, Audrey saw her father’s eyes fill with tears. “It would be an honor, honey.”
Yup, this was going to be the best day ever.
Tate was convinced he looked dumb in his fitted dress suit. He was too tall and thin and it made him look like a noodle. For that reason he only owned one suit, and he wore it to everything he needed to. Lucas was lucky, he thought, that he loved both of them. If he didn’t, he would be at home, eating cupcakes and watching TV in a pair of shorts.
Tate ran his hand down the front of his suit and took in a deep breath as he looked around for either of his friends and his teammates, Phillip or Erik. They said they would meet him so he wouldn’t have to do the whole wedding thing alone. He had never been to a wedding—this was his first—and for some reason he felt uneasy. Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to think about it, because he caught sight then of Erik and Phillip.
Phillip Anderson was the guy on the team all the girl fans lusted over. A lot of the guys didn’t like him, but Tate did. Anderson was a good guy, funny. With his dark blond hair, baby blue eyes, and easy smile, he was just an easy guy to get along with. Erik Titov looked the complete opposite of Phillip. He had dark features, with dark black hair and dark green eyes. He was new to the team, after being brought up from the Rays. Tate and Erik had been friends back in Florida, and Tate was more than glad to see him when he joined the Assassins. He was quiet and a little obsessed with Xbox, but all in all a good guy.
His teammates both nodded at him as he walked toward them. Ever since becoming friends with Lucas, Erik, and Phillip, along with the captain, Shea, and Erik’s brother, Jakob, Tate had felt more at ease. He hadn’t had an anxiety attack in months. After the death of his mother, father, and sister, they had occurred often. Coming to Nashville was probably the best thing that happened to him. He never felt alone; someone was always calling him, wanting to hang out. He wished it was someone of the female variety, definitely the Brunette Beauty, but still, he had friends and that was almost enough. At least for now.