Chapter Song: I Guess I'm In Love- Clinton Kane// Everybody- Backstreet Boys
"Because when you love someone, it's the best and worst thing in the world." His eyes met mine and I gulped. "It's the worst because of how all consuming it is. But it's the best damn thing in the world to have someone that loves you back just as much if not more."
He rocked on his heels a little bit, cracking a joke. He was good with words. He was quite captivating as he spoke. I couldn't help but stare. I was always staring at him. Sometimes entranced by his mere existence. In a way that I'm glad I can exist at the same time as him.
"If there's anything I could hope for or look forward to. It would be to have the love that these two people share." He smiled at the two of them before meeting my eyes. "I think we would all be lucky to even have a glimpse of what it'd be like with that kind of love."
I broke first. I had to look away or I didn't think I'd ever stop.
Let him go let him go let him go.
That's what we decided. It would be okay. We'd done it before. But something was different about it this time. It felt final.
He wrapped up his speech and handed back the microphone before walking back over to me. He gave my hand a quick squeeze before pulling me closer to him.
"After they finish this dance," he nodded to Riley and Liam swaying together. "Dance with me."
It wasn't a demand. It sounded more like longing. A wish almost.
"For old times sake," he added quickly.
"Did you think I would say no?" I asked. "Feeling nostalgic are we?" I smiled softly at him taking his hand.
He shook his head grinning wickedly at me. His dimples popped and I couldn't help but return the favor. I wish I had my camera to capture his smile in that moment. It was something I didn't think I'd get from him after tonight.
It was the smile only I used to get when we shared something. It was a secret or joke or something from the heart. That was my smile, and I was relishing in it.
"Your speech was incredible by the way," I nodded.
He dragged me onto the dance floor and wrapped his arms around me. They fit too perfectly. I nestled into him inhaling his teakwood scent. It was always my favorite.
"No they loved yours much more," he said to me. It was a matter of fact to him. As if he couldn't have spoken beautiful words.
"Definitely not." I shook my head. "You really do have a way with words."
"Thank you," he muttered spinning me. "Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight, Parker?"
"I can't say you have," I stuttered. I'm pretty sure he already told me earlier today.
"Well you look incredibly beautiful." He whispered in my ear.
"You don't clean up bad yourself." I looked up at him. "Magnificently handsome McCormick."
"Magnificent eh?" He smirked. "I'll have to add that one to my resume."
"Of course you will," I laughed. I wanted to meet his eyes again. But I was afraid I would do things I should not do. "First under your list of skills."
"Right above devilishly charming," he added.
"But under terrible dancer," I winked.
"Keeping me humble I see," he sighed in delight. "But I'm not that bad."
He twirled me around and I felt the parts of my dress flutter around us. I did love this dress. It was silky and hugged me just right. I felt beautiful for the first time in a long ti-
"Ow!" I winced. "Did you just step on my foot?"
"I would never," he gasped. He lightly tapped on my foot again. Only this time it was intentional and a lot lighter than before.
"Okay that was on purpose," I couldn't help but laugh. "You keep stepping on me," I groaned as he did it again. I couldn't tell if it was on purpose or accident.
"Am not," he scoffed as I stepped on his foot. "Honestly Kennedy why would you ever accuse me of such malice?"
"Oh so stepping on someone's feet are a crime now?" I raised a brow.
"You words not mine. But I would prefer you not to say such slandering things about me," his eyes twinkled with mischief. "It'd tarnish my reputation."
"Oh my apologies I must have gotten you mixed up with someone else," I nodded hiding a giggle.
"Damn right you did." He paused, looking around at the changing of lights. It was our signal. "It's time. You ready?"
"Of course," I grinned wider looking for everyone.
The flash mob. We had been practicing all week when anyone was free. Last night it was a miracle we had all gotten away to practice. And then this morning we all snuck off.
I dragged Riley and Liam to two chairs in front of the dance floor. They looked at me in confusion and tried to protest but I forced them to sit.
"We have another speech or something?" Liam asked.
"Something like that," I smiled. "Of sorts."
"What are you talking about Ken," Riley eyed me.
"I promised to not say anything. So as your best friend and sister and maid of honor you both are bound to those chairs until told otherwise." I instructed. I even wagged my finger at them to prove my point.
"Or what," Liam asked.
"I'll kick your ass and put Nair in your shampoo."
"How do I know you didn't do that already?" He stated.
I winked at him as I slowly started backing away while the music quieted down. I looked at the bridal party and smiled. Cal met my eyes and gave me another wink as the new song slowly began.
The way the two of their faces changed the instant the notes hit the air was priceless. They had the same "oh" plastered on their lips, and I swore their eyebrows were so high it touched their foreheads. I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. They'd probably be sore the next day at this rate.
Thankfully it wasn't a hard dance to learn. We only had to teach a few of the bridesmaids and a couple groomsmen. I was surprised the rest of us still remembered it. I mean we did have a video of it to reference in case we were so lost.
It was Ty's talent portion of our Mr. Perfect competition in high school. Basically a fundraiser in the form of a male beauty pageant. Riley and I helped him and the boys choreograph a dance to Everybody by the Backstreet Boys.
He won of course, but I didn't bet it was because of the dance. Although that moment in senior year history was iconic. Almost as monumental as Mason's lip sync performance of I Will Always Love You while the boys interpretive danced behind him. He won Junior year. The competition wasn't rigged because the whole school voted.
The people love our boys. Almost as much as we did.
After a series of skips and twirls and partner changes we pulled Liam and Riley to join our dance. It was a miracle that we hadn't messed up yet, especially with Cal's two left feet.
"I can't believe you guys did this," she laughed wiggling her hips along with us.
"I can't believe we still remember this," I shimmied across changing places from her. "Is it not a great wedding surprise?"
"Oh it's the best," she laughed some more. "You guys did good."
I was glad to see her smiling so much. I even caught Liam getting so into the dance. He was such a dork.
"Ready for the big finish?" Cal called as he side stepped out way. I nodded.
This was the part where all the boys were supposed to lift Ty dirty dancing style, only this time they lifted Liam. All of the girls got on one knee and egged them on. Riley caught on and followed.
The whole thing was outrageous. I'm not sure anyone in the audience really understood what was happening. I'm sure some were possibly offended. But it didn't matter because it wasn't for them. It was for two of the most important people in my life.
And they had smiles bigger than anyone here. Because they were just as crazy and wild as the rest of us. This dance was for all of us, one last time. And it was perfect.