Page 21 of The Addendum

“We’ll head to the winery and get ready there.” She looked at me. “Make sure Reed is there on time.”

“I doubt he’ll be late.”

“Don’t wear him out on the basketball court.”

“Ha.” I shook my head as I laughed. “More like the other way around.”

She stood to go, smiling. “I doubt it, Dad. You and my uncles all run circles around the boys.”

“At least the only ball I’ll be seeing will be the one we’re dribbling on the court,” I sighed.

She laughed. “Reed says he will never forget today. He thought it was epic.”

“Are you sure you won’t stay here with us tonight?” Katy asked.

Heather smiled. “No. I like being beside Reed. We’re not doing anything traditional, so why start with that?” She bent and kissed Katy again, then pressed her lips to my cheek. “I wanted a few moments with you tonight. In case I forget to say it tomorrow—I love you and you’re the best. Thank you for being my parents.”

Then she was gone.

I glanced at Katy. “We did good with our kids.”

She smiled. “Yes, we did.”

8

RICHARD

The next day dawned bright and beautiful. I was up early and went for a jog on the beach, breathing in the cool morning air. Maddox joined me, and we ran the length of the beach several times, finally stopping and sitting on the rocks, watching the slow, lazy waves.

“Great day,” I uttered, taking a long drink of my water.

“Stellar,” Maddox replied. “You doing okay?”

I laughed dryly, turning my head and meeting my best friend’s gaze. We’d weathered a lot of storms together over the years. Watched our kids grow, lamenting on time going too quickly. Helped each other through tough times. I doubted I would be where I was today if it weren’t for Maddox Riley.

“I’m fine, Mad Dog. I slept like a baby last night. No walking the floors, worrying over my daughter getting married. It’s different with Heather than it was for Gracie.”

“Why do you think that is?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe because they’ve lived together for so long. Maybe because I’ve known Reed most of his life, and I know what sort of husband he’ll make. Jaxson was a wild card for me.”

Maddox chuckled. “Jaxson was—is—a younger version of you.”

“Then you know why I was so nervous,” I said dryly.

We chuckled and I sighed. “Gracie and I have always been so close. The firstborn thing. The one thing in my life I loved instantly and without reservation. I suppose I learned with her, marriage wouldn’t change things between us. She’ll always be my little girl. It taught me I wasn’t losing her but letting her live her life. It was easier with Penny, although the distance bothered me. Still does. Gavin was a walk in the park. Heather isn’t as easy, but I’m good with it.” I flashed a grin. “Maybe as Katy said, their marriage was important to me, so my nerves are minimal.”

“So, no getting drunk tonight after the ceremony?”

I laughed. “I’ll always have a few drinks, but I have never gotten shit-faced like Bentley did after Addi got married. Drinks with my boys is another tradition. Like basketball.” I glanced at my watch. “Speaking of which, we’d better head to the Hub and get our game in.”

We jogged toward the rec center on the edge of the property. “At least there’re no uniforms today,” I said with a smirk.

“No unwelcome flashes of Aiden’s junk, you mean?”

I laughed at the memory. “I hope he’s in sweats today.”

Maddox grinned. “Your lips to God’s ears.”