Broken Dreams (Broken 2)

Layton whistled and leaned back his chair. He drew in a deep breath and said, “Dayum, you a little on edge, Reed, my boy?”

I stopped and glared at him. If he wasn’t my best friend, I’d punch the shit out of him right now. Layton stopped smiling and dropped the front legs of the chair back down to the floor.

“Reed, what in the hell are you so nervous for? You’re marrying the love of your life in one of the most beautiful places on earth. You’re going to be a father, and a damn good one at that, I might add.” Layton stood up and walked over to me. He grabbed me by both shoulders and gave me a little shake. “Just relax, and take a deep breath.”

I instantly felt better…until Kendra banged on the door.

“Mr. Moore? Mr. Moore, are you still in there?” she screamed from the other side of the door.

I rolled my eyes as Layton laughed.

I pulled open the door and stared down at her. “Yes, Kendra?” I flashed her my signature smile.

My patience was running out with this girl, and I thought she was starting to see that.

Her face immediately flushed. “Oh, um…we’re ready for y’all to take your places on the beach now. Miss Will is about ready.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, God. I was going crazy in this small room.”

Layton slapped me on the back. “Let’s do this thing!”

We headed down to the beach, and I smiled at the white arbor covered in red and white roses. I had made a call to the florist at the hotel as soon as I could after we arrived to change up the flowers Court had arranged. I’d also had them bring the flowers up to our suite last night. When Courtney had asked me why I wanted white and red, I’d told her that the two colors done together signified unity. I smiled, thinking back to her saying that I had scored another swoon-worthy moment.

“What in the hell are you thinking about? Wait, never mind. I don’t want to know.” Layton walked up to the preacher and began talking to him.

I turned and looked out over the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tahoe. I couldn’t wait to see Courtney’s eyes with this blue all around us.

Layton walked up behind me. “Reed, it’s time, dude.”

I turned to see my best friend smiling like a little kid in a candy store. I couldn’t believe we had both gotten what the girls called our happily ever afters. Layton deserved to be happy, but I still wasn’t a hundred percent convinced that I deserved Courtney’s love.

I looked down and kicked the sand as I let out a laugh. “Holy shit, I’m about to get married.”

Layton grabbed me and pulled me in for a quick hug before he pushed me away and walked over to his place. I followed him and said a quick prayer that I didn’t mess this up for Courtney. I wanted to make this day special for her, and I was pretty sure what I had planned would be a swoon-worthy moment for sure.

I moved up next to Layton and smiled at the preacher.

“Are you ready, son?” he asked in a fatherly tone.

I nodded and said, “Yes, sir. I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

When the music began playing, I glanced up and saw Whitley walking down the aisle. She looked

breathtaking, and I heard Layton suck in a breath of air.

He whispered, “My girl.”

She was dressed in a charcoal-colored dress that Courtney had said was a perfect fit. She had also said something about it being perfect for a beach wedding with its cocktail length and satin sheath. Whit made her way up to us on her bare feet. She smiled and gave me a wink as I smiled back at her.

Then, something in the air changed, and I looked back down the aisle of red and white rose petals. My heart stopped beating. Courtney was standing there, wearing a beautiful strapless white dress that hugged her body perfectly. My eyes moved up and down her body as she began walking toward us. The bottom of the dress was lower in the back and higher in the front, so she had no problem walking through the sand in her bare feet. She was carrying a huge bouquet of white and red roses. Her hair was pulled up with a few strands hanging down, blowing gently in the wind. She looked so beautiful.

When she walked up to me, I had to remind myself to breathe before I passed out. She held out her hand, and I took it and kissed the back.

“You take my breath away, Courtney. You look so beautiful.”

Her blue eyes sparkled, catching every single bounce of light coming off the crystal-blue water. She bit down on her lower lip and then whispered, “I feel like a princess.”

I placed my hand on the side of her face. “You’re my princess.”