Marry Me (Lyrics and Love Book 1) Page 3

  “I’m happy for you, Ren.” I sling my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side.

  “Plus, if I stayed and go to UK, I’ll get to see you all the time.”

  I’d already signed a letter of intent and accepted a full-ride scholarship to play football with the University of Kentucky earlier this year.

  “I’ll be living on campus, so you can always come visit me in the football dorms.” I pause. “Actually, maybe you won’t be able to come visit me in the dorms. I don’t want all those bastards thinking they can try and date you,” I tease.

  “Very funny, Sam. You and Steven can’t keep all the guys away from me forever. I’m a big girl, I can decide when and who I want to date,” she huffs at me.

  So it appears she’s caught on that we’ve pretty much threatened every guy in our class, and maybe even the junior class, that they will answer to not just one of us, but both of us, if any of them even attempt to ask her out. No one is good enough for her.

  No one ever will be, in my eyes.

  Sam

  Now

  I’m startled awake from my short snooze by the alarm on my phone going off. I started dreaming about Lauren and me in high school and the day came back to me as if I’d just lived it today. The excitement she possessed that day her acceptance letters arrived still brought a smile to my face.

  I roll out of bed and after a quick stop in the bathroom, I pull out my black suit to get ready for Lauren’s big day.

  Before I leave my room, I slip my flask filled with whiskey in my inner suit pocket. I have a feeling it’s the only way I’m going to make it through, since I can’t just skip out and not attend the wedding of my best friend, the woman who I’ve loved for years.

  I pull up to the farmhouse, making sure to park my rental car off to the side, in a place I hope I don’t end up being blocked in. That’s all I need, to want to make a quick exit and end up trapped by some asshole. After pulling out the gift I picked up yesterday from one of the stores where Lauren was registered, I make my way toward the tent set up in the back. I find the gift table and set down the box that’s filled with some kitchen items. Lauren always loved to bake, so I figured she’d enjoy some things to fill her own kitchen to carry on the tradition.

  Pictures from both Lauren and Brad’s childhoods are framed and set out all around the tables. I stop, looking over all the memories. I only pay attention to the ones of Lauren; the memories that some of the images bring back fill me with even more nostalgia of the past and how close we used to be.

  We stayed close throughout college. With both of us attending UK all four years of college, Lauren was always there cheering me on at the home football games, and I was still there, doing my best to scare off all the guys that were drawn to her. Unfortunately for me, she kept Brad to herself until after they started dating. I’ll never forget how pissy she got with Steven and me, the day she introduced him to us and we both about lost it on the guy.

  Sam

  20 years old

  Ren: Hey, you busy tonight?

  Sam: Nope, you want to meet up for dinner? I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks.

  Ren: Yes! I know, sorry about that. These classes have been kicking my butt this semester. But if it’s any consolation, I miss you.

  Sam: Good to know, Ren. Wouldn’t want you to forget about me.