I hear Cam’s name over the speaker, but the blood is rushing through my ears, making it impossible to hear what they’re saying. Before I can ask one of my brothers, I see Cam. I see him flying down the mountain, and when he hits that jump and is launched into the air, I fight the urge to cover my eyes with my hands. It’s something I’ll never get used to.
I count his flips, the moment seemingly in slow motion, though in reality, it’s probably only about four seconds.
One…two…three…four…five.
“And he lands it, ladies and gentlemen! Camden Hess is breaking records here in Aspen again, and I think it’s safe to say, the King is back!” The applause that follow is deafening.
Cam slides down the hill, cutting through the snow, coming to a stop directly in front of us. He rips his helmet and goggles off and kisses River on her forehead before smashing his lips to mine.
“You did it, baby!” I squeal, so unbelievably happy for him. I know he’s missed it. Being Emersyn’s coach and dragging River on a mini snowboard around the living room floor just isn’t the same.
“Hey, Mollie Mabey!” he shouts over the chaos. “What are you doing for the rest of your life?” He holds out his hand, and Andrew reaches over to drop a little box into Cam’s palm before he goes down on one knee.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, completely taken aback. Cam pulls my hand away from my shocked expression and slides the ring on.
“You know when a rider goes down hard, and their gear goes flying everywhere, and they’re completely laid out? We have a name for that. It’s called a Yard Sale, and baby, you’re my fucking yard sale. Dare and Cordell called it from the start. You knocked me on my ass, and I was never the same again. And I never want to be, because this life with you and River is more than I will ever deserve. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I scream, and River mimics the sound, throwing a little mitten-covered fist up. “I love you,” I mouth, as the crowd bursts into applause. My eyes fill with tears—I’m starting to think I’ll be an emotional sap for the rest of my life at this point—and Cam leans over the barrier, giving me a kiss far too indecent for public. But I let him, because he’s my yard sale, too.
“I love you, Mollie Mabey,” he says against my mouth.
“I am majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love with you, Camden Hess.”
The following summer…
“Do you, Camden Scott Hess, take Mollie Elizabeth Mabey to be your wife, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor her, to love her faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with her this day?” the pastor recites, speaking loudly to be heard over the sound of the waves in the lake. Mollie wanted to get married here, right where it all started.
Cordell stands behind me and Sutton stands with Mollie, our families taking up the front row of chairs on the sand. Dare, his girl Logan, Asher, Briar, Matty and Alec from Dare’s shop…they’re all here. Even Adrian.
“Fuck yeah,” I respond without thinking, staring at Mollie’s big, honey brown eyes. My eyes drift to the deep V-line of her dress, showing off her tits that are held up by thin white straps. She’s so fucking beautiful. I hear a mix of chuckles and sniffles from our guests, Cordell flicks my ear, Sutton covers River’s ears, and Mollie blushes at my crude response.
“Shit, sorry.” I clear my throat. “I do. God, I do,” I say, squeezing her hands in mine. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that this started as a one-night stand, when now, I don’t even want to spend one night without her. Or River.
“Do you, Mollie Elizabeth Mabey, take Camden Scott Hess to be your husband, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor him, to love him faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with him this day?”
“I do,” Mollie says, her eyes filling with tears, and I brush my thumbs across her cheeks to catch them before they fall.
The pastor asks for the rings, and Cord hands him the box. He gives me Mollie’s ring.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” I say the line I memorized for this moment, sliding the diamond onto her shaky finger. Pastor Thomas gives Mollie my band.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” She glides the ring over my knuckle, the black band coming to sit against the colorful tattoos on the back of my hand.
Pastor Thomas speaks about the significance of exchanging rings, but I don’t hear the words, too stuck on the fact that this is happening, and I
don’t have one, single fucking doubt. This is what I want. Forever.
“And now, by the power vested in me by the state of California, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Camden, you may kiss your bride.”
So, I do. I kiss the fuck out of my bride.
My bride.
I cup her cheek with one hand and grip the back of her neck with the other, bending my neck to bring my lips to hers in a kiss that’s far too indecent for public. It’s my wedding day. Ask me if I care. Mollie stands on her tiptoes and melts into my touch, like she always does. Whistles and applause break out, and Mollie is the first to pull away, smiling wide.
“Family and friends, I present to you for the first time ever, Camden and Mollie Hess.”
Mollie bends down to catch River, who runs into her arms, and the three of us make our exit down the aisle together. Just the three of us. Just the way it should be.