Yearn A. Ellis (carter reed .TXT) 📖

Music, dancing, and laughing with friends was something I would forever enjoy. Doing all of it with Dre by my side made it a thousand times better. We danced with Hadley and Bev, had hilarious dance offs with Logan, Rai, and Cooper, and held each other as the slow songs played.

After the traditional first dance and cutting of the cake, it was time for our speeches. We’d convinced Cooper to let us go first because no one wanted to follow him—there was no telling what he’d say.

Dre took the microphone and gave me a wink before he began to speak. “I met Gabby over ten years ago in school. Despite how cool and amazing we are now we both had our beginnings as total theater and band geeks.”

My sister laughed and nodded.

“She’s been my friend through a lot of shit and I’m so grateful she’s still by my side. When I moved in at Remington Place and saw Gabby and Dalton together, I knew for a fact that they’d found something that most people spend their entire lives searching for.” Dre raised his glass. “To Gabby and Dalton and finding a love others only dream of.”

Everyone drank and applauded.

Right as Dre was about to hand the microphone to me, Cooper raced toward us and grabbed it. “Sorry, gentlemen, you know how it is. ADHD…gotta speak while I’ve got the words in my head.” He gave me a wicked grin and rushed to the stage. “Promise I won’t be that much better than you,” he hollered over his shoulder.

Cooper beamed at the small crowd before taking a sip of his water. “Y’all, I gotta say, this is the queerest straight wedding I’ve ever seen.”

Laughter erupted from the group.

“I mean, almost half of the people here are gay or bi, and those are just the ones I know of. Clearly, my brother and his new wife know how to party. You want a fun event, invite the gays.” He laughed along with the rest of the crowd. “In all seriousness, I knew this day would happen from the moment I first met Gabby. I’ve never in my life met two people more perfect for each other. Not that Gabby has much to improve on, but Dalton was definitely in need of someone to keep him in line.” He paused for laughter and for his brother to flip him off. “Now, I told Khi I wouldn’t outdo him with some spectacular speech, so I’m going to keep it simple—partly for Khi’s sake. Mostly because I can’t remember a damn thing I planned to say.” He winked and raised his glass toward me. “To Dalton and Gabby and finding your perfect match.”

As everyone drank and clapped, I took the mic from Cooper and told him he was an asshole.

Taking my place on the tiny stage, I sipped my water. “For a long time, my sister and I only had each other. I’ve always known she’d be a fierce independent woman, but I’ll be honest and say I worried about her on her own—it was mostly selfish, I missed having her need me.” I glanced toward Gabby and watched her wipe away a tear. “I knew I had nothing to worry about the very first time Gabby told me about Dalton. I wouldn’t meet him for a few years, but I knew from her words and tone that she’d found the person she was meant to be with.” I paused and took another sip as my eyes traveled to Dre. “Sometimes we meet our soulmate and it’s like a slap in the face with how perfect we are together.” I winked at Dre. “Sometimes we meet our soulmate and it takes nearly a decade of growing, living life, and pulling our heads from our asses to realize our happily ever after is right in front of us.” Smiling at Gabby and Dalton, I went on. “I’m grateful that Gabby—while no doubt a badass independent woman who doesn’t need a man—found Dalton. They complement each other perfectly, support each other fiercely, and love each other unconditionally.” I lifted my glass. “To Dalton and Gabby. Here’s to celebrating that epic type of love that only some of us are lucky enough to find.” As I took my drink, my eyes caught Dre’s and held.

It may have taken a painful journey to arrive at our current destination, but I planned on spending the rest of my life treasuring the gift of love Dre and I had been blessed enough to find.

The End

Read on for a Remington Place series epilogue.

Series Epilogue

Remington Place

Nine years later

“Spencer texted and said they’ll meet us by that coffee place in the food court. Said it would be less crowded than down by the luggage,” Dre said.

Khi nodded. “Rai was insistent that we didn’t have to come in to pick them up, even said they’d take the shuttle to the parking lot if we wanted.”

Dre snorted. “You’d think they’d get it by now. The crew is always happy to have them back home.”

The two men meandered toward the airport coffee shop to wait for Spencer and Rai to return from one of their three-month long trips. After Rai got his nursing license and Spencer broke away to start his own construction company, they spent a year building their dream house on some property just outside of Remington. Then they joined an organization that spent three to six months a year traveling to low-income areas of the States and overseas building safe homes and providing medical care along with food, clothing, and basic needs.

The entire Remington Place crew, while not all living in the house these days, had jumped in with enthusiasm and made it their mission to provide as much in monetary and material donations as possible.

Spencer and Rai arrived with bags in tow, looking as if they were about to crash, and hugs were exchanged all around.

“I know we have a birthday party to attend