“We’re going to start some music soon, but before we do, I want everyone to put your hands together for our host tonight, Talon Steel!”
Among the applause, Dad and Uncle Ryan take the stage. Dad walks slowly but almost looks like himself. His strength is returning, and that makes me ecstatic. The woman next to me has a little to do with that as well.
Uncle Ry, of course, takes the microphone. He’s always the Steel spokesperson, because he has the most personality of all of us. Present company excluded.
“Thanks again for all of you being here,” Uncle Ryan says. “We almost lost my brother a week ago, and we’re all so grateful that he’s going to make a full recovery. Talon, I love you, bro.”
Dad takes the microphone then. “You all know me. I’m not like my brother here. I’m not gifted in the way of the word. I just want to thank you for all your support and for being here. I want to thank my lovely wife, Jade, and my lovely sister, Marjorie, for putting together another one of their awesome parties. What would we do without them?”
More clapping.
“And my kids, Dale, Donny, Diana, Brianna, thank you for being my reasons along with your mother for getting up each morning. For loving my life.”
More applause, and a few sniffles.
“But enough about me. Now I want you to put your hands together for my son, Donny. Come on up here, Donny. You too, Callie.”
Callie and I walk up the four steps and onto the stage.
“I am absolutely proud to announce the engagement of my son Donny to this lovely lady, Callie Pike!”
Applause. And more than one gasp. I’m not surprised. The first of the Rake-a-teers to take the plunge.
I take the mic from Dad. “Hey, everyone. I can’t thank you enough for being here to support my dad. Callie and I didn’t want to rain on his parade, but he insisted that we make our announcement tonight.”
Jesse, to the right of me, gives me an angry gaze. His brown eyes shoot darts. Poison darts.
“Before you try to kick my ass, Jesse,” I say jovially, “I got your father’s permission.”
Laughter from the crowd as Jesse’s cheeks turn slightly pink, but he grits out a smile. It’s forced, sure, but at least he’s trying. I didn’t expect him to be thrilled. Hell, I wouldn’t be thrilled if he married one of my sisters.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” I continue. “Callie and I haven’t set a date yet, but you’re all invited!”
I give the mic back to Uncle Ry, who introduces Dragonlock, and they take the stage.
“Let’s go,” I say to Callie.
“Go…where?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere private. I need to talk to you.”
She lifts her eyebrows. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just… There’s some shit I should have told you before you agreed to become my wife.”
Before she can say another word, I take her hand and weave through the crowd, into the house, and to my bedroom, locking the door.
I open my mouth to speak, but she covers my lips with her fingers.
“It doesn’t matter to me, Donny. Nothing matters. Not now and not ever. All that matters is that you love me and I love you.”
“You have to know what you’re getting into, Callie.”
“I do. And you know what you’re getting into with me. Together we’ll figure this out. The operative word is together.”
I believe her. Looking into her sparkling amber eyes, I believe her the way I’ve never believed anyone before.
Our love is strong enough to get through all of this. But still… I can’t keep something that is so much a part of my life from the woman I love.