The Road To Heaven (Allendale Four 3)

I didn’t say a word. Not one, because my mind was still a jumble from my melt-down with Anderson earlier in the day. Part of what threw me off was the fact that he didn’t freak out. Why didn’t he panic when he saw them together? Why didn’t he get mad? He had a public career to handle. He hated change.

Why was I the only one still struggling?

The car pulled up to my apartment, a high rise downtown. The doorman opened my door but Sabine grabbed my hand before I could get out. “Get your shit together, Hayden. I’ll give you tonight to sleep off the jet-lag, but starting tomorrow you’re no longer the small-town nobody. You’re Hayden Pierce, Star Goalie for Atlanta United. You have obligations.”

I yanked my hand away and strode into the building, grabbing my suitcase on the way. I knew Sabine was right. I knew Bryant wanted the best for my career.

Unfortunately, neither of them would ever understand my heart.

47

Heaven

“Everything’s perfect,” Amber whispered to me, taking a peek down the grassy aisle. Fairy lights twinkled in the tree limbs, creating a canopy of shining light. She clutched her bouquet. “Thank you for everything, Heaven.”

“It was my turn to rescue you,” I said. “I owed you.”

“I also need to thank you for not letting me go down to Oceanside and burning that hell-hole to the ground.”

“Bailing you out of jail for arson was not on my list of things to do today.” I laughed. “Eating cake. Catching the bouquet, dancing...any and all of those things, but not jail.”

“We’ll get them. I already have a plan.”

“Good. Count me in. Revenge is my favorite.”

She smiled and pulled me in for a hug. “Oh my God, I’m so nervous.”

Amber stood near the house, waiting for the signal. Ginger would enter from the other side.

“Don’t be. She looks amazing. You look amazing. Two amazing people are coming together and I couldn’t be happier.”

“I don’t think I’m the only reason you’re happy.” She looked across the yard at the three men wearing light gray suits, ushering guests to their seats. Jackson caught my eye and winked, sending a rush of heat across my skin. “You can thank me later for picking out those suits. Damn, they wear them well.”

&nbs

p; “Who knew coming back to Allendale would make everything better for all of us.”

A small crease lined her forehead. “Well, not all of us. We are missing one of the four.”

“Hayden made his choice.”

“That’s it?”

“For now. Yeah.”

The Justice of the Peace nodded at Anderson, who then walked in our direction. His hair was casually swept back, an artfully arranged mess. I blushed as his green eyes swept over my dress. Jackson and Oliver both took positions on one side or the other of the Justice.

“I won the coin toss,” Anderson said, offering me the crook of his arm. I slid mine into it, feeling the soft fabric of his jacket. There was something oddly intimate about walking like this. Bodies barely touching. “You look beautiful, Heaven.”

“Thank you.” His gaze held such warmth. How could I have ever let him go like that?

The violinist started the music for the procession and the guests stood, all eyes on the two of us. Especially four eyes in the front. I focused on them, on my footsteps and calming my racing heart. I felt Anderson’s breath in my ear and a chill when he said, “One day, this will be us. I promise you that.”

My step faltered at his statement, but he held me upright, so smoothly that no one noticed.

At the altar, I took my position and the music swelled, changing for the brides as they took center stage. But for that one moment it was me and the three of them up there alone, and I could envision what Anderson said, that one day we’d stand in front of our friends and family and declare our commitment.

I knew one thing for certain, now that I had them back in my life I would never let them go again, but something else nagged. Something that lingered despite the smile I wore as Amber and Ginger started down the aisle.