Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Oh, fun. I might use Sommer as a shield.”
“I can’t wait to see that.”
We make our way toward the barn where my mother gives us a stern look.
I point at Rainn. “His fault.”
Rainn’s mouth falls open, but my mom doesn’t believe me anyway and rolls her eyes.
Then she squeezes Rainn’s arm and says, “Good to see you again, Rainn.”
“You too,” he murmurs.
She hurries off to take care of some last-minute detail, and I swear Rainn blushes, but that can’t be right. “Are you blushing?”
“Shut up. I want your mom to like me.”
“Aww, that’s so cute.”
“I will hurt you,” he growls.
It only makes me laugh.
He pushes me toward Sommer, who’s sitting near the back, and we bring her with us to take the spots saved for us in the front row.
My brother glares at me, probably for disappearing on him, but he shakes it off when Gordo slaps his back and mutters something to him.
When we stand for Christie’s entrance, Rainn slips his hand in mine. I’m not even sure the move was intentional, but I hold on tight because I will take any excuse to touch him.
Christie looks beautiful in a gown that hides her tiny baby bump. Their reasons for moving up the date weren’t sex-before-marriage concerns, but that she wanted to fit into the dress she’d already bought.
As we sit again and watch them exchange vows, it’s hard not to think about my future. Not just with Rainn, but in general. Though, Rainn definitely plays a starring role in my thoughts. And I realize I’ve only known the guy a few months and that we’ve been dating even less than that, but nothing makes you think about relationship stuff more than attending a wedding.
I have no idea if I ever want to get married, but I do know I want what my brother has with Christie. They have that perfect kind of love people only dream of.
After the ceremony, I’m obligated to take part in family photos. Luckily, we get through them quickly, and, after making my escape, I find Rainn and Sommer by the open bar. They’re talking to some of Campbell’s high school friends, Nathan and Anton.
I approach and wrap my arm around Rainn’s waist and pull him to my side. “Hey.”
Rainn stiffens and turns to me with widened eyes, killing the conversation in the process.
I’ve done something wrong, but I don’t know what. I take a hesitant step away from him, but he scrambles to wrap his arm around me and pull me close.
“Hey.” He kisses me on the lips, but it’s super quick.
“What did I miss?” I ask.
“What did you miss?” Nathan says. “What did we miss?” He eyes Rainn.
I’m confused. “You guys know each other?”
“College,” Rainn says, and then it clicks.
Rainn is the same age as my brother, but Campbell never went to college, so it never occurred to me that they might have mutual friends. I carefully step away again, because being affectionate in front of my family is one thing. His friends are completely different.
Surprising me, Rainn turns to them. “Guys, this is my boyfriend, Whi—”
“I already know these losers,” I say.
“We didn’t know you had a boyfriend, little Leigh-Leigh,” Anton teases. “Or that Rainn was gay. Especially because in college—”
“I swing both ways,” Rainn says.
My knees almost give out. I was not expecting him to say that. Not here. Or anytime soon.
“Something I’ve only recently discovered.” He pulls me to his side once again, and I let him. But he’s stiffer than usual and not really present for the rest of the conversation.
Later, when I ask him to dance, he says no. He did tell me he doesn’t dance, so maybe that’s his reason. Sommer takes me out onto the makeshift dance floor instead. Eventually, Gordo cuts in, sweeping Sommer away with a grin. I glare at him, but apparently Sommer’s more than okay with it.
I make my way back to Rainn and shrug. “Apparently, women like to dance with straight guys over gay ones. That doesn’t seem right.”
Rainn gives me a small smile.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He leans forward and places his drink on the table. “I’m just thinking of when we’re allowed to get out of here. I have promises to follow through on.”
I promptly stand so I can get the toasts out of the way.
We don’t need to stay for cake.
23
Rainn
Somehow, despite today being a good day, it’s brought a million insecurities forward, and it’s hard to comprehend.
If I was ever going to have doubts, I thought it would be about the elephant in the room I haven’t really addressed yet. The big queer word. I didn’t think I’d be freaking out over our future.
When he showed me his house and his future plans, he was his animated and lively self, and that’s when the panic began. Because creating a future with him sounded … perfect.