Page 11 of Risking the Pucking Defense

4

HAILEE

Ihave a love-hate relationship with weddings.

As a little girl, I was obsessed with them.

We’d get invited to a lot, thanks to my parents’ connections, and I just wanted to get swept away by the romance and magic of it all.

I’d spend my free time planning my perfect day. I’d design my dress, my bridesmaids’, and an outfit for my mother. I knew she’d never approve of my choice, but that didn’t matter. It was all a fantasy.

Deep down, I really believed that one day, I’d meet the man of my dreams and he’d sweep me off my feet just like I used to read about in the books I kept hidden under my bed, and that he’d give me the most incredible day before we embarked on an amazing life together.

But then, I grew up.

All my dreams were shattered by the harsh realities of life, and when I did end up standing in a dress at the altar, it was nothing like I’d ever imagined.

Regret trickles through my veins as I watch Linc and Parker laugh together on the head table with Parker’s parents, Rett, Casey, Nova, and Sutton. Linc’s mom is up there, too, but she doesn’t look to be enjoying herself like the others. In fact, she looks like she’d rather be anywhere else.

I understand to a point—she probably spent her life dreaming of watching her kids get married with her husband by her side. Unfortunately, life doesn’t care about our dreams. It does whatever the fuck it wants and messes with all of us, whether we deserve it or not.

I don’t realize I sigh quite so heavily until Hayden turns to look at me.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

I force a smile on my face. I’m not usually one to allow myself to get lost in my own thoughts while surrounded by colleagues. I have no desire for any of them to know more about me than my role in the franchise. Before Bea became a part of this group, as far as I was aware, no one knew anything. Bea and I haven’t ever dived into the past, but there is an understanding between us. And I’m more than happy to keep it that way.

My past is exactly where it belongs: in the past.

“Yeah, of course. They look so happy, don’t they?”

“They do,” Hayden agrees, also watching the happy couple. “Do you think there’s someone out there like that for everyone?”

My breath catches at his question. “I…um…” There was a time when I’d have said yes. Without a doubt, yes. But now, I’m not so sure. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

“No, me either,” he muses.

“Are you finished, ma’am?” a server asks before taking my plate.

“Yes, thank you. It was delicious.” I’m struggling to find my appetite while my head is spinning with memories of the past, and the pain that Hayden helped drag up earlier.

“Did you just let her take food away?” Calvin asks in horror.

“Uh…yeah. Sorry, did you want it?”

A chorus of “hell yes” from every single guy, including Hayden, hits me.

“Oh, sorry,” I say with a wince. “Forgot you’re all growing boys.”

“Strength and speed, Hailee. Strength and speed,” Kodie mocks.

“Right, yeah. Sorry.”

“Daddy,” Sutton squeals, stealing the attention of the entire table.

“Hey, peanut. Are you being good up there?”

“Yep,” she says, popping the P. “I’m just checking in that you’re all being good.”