37. Dia

THIRTY-SEVEN

It's beentwo days since Dalton and I had our talk. I finally feel like I'm free of my past. It was never really my fault that the people in my life treated me the way they did. The only thing I did wrong was put my trust in the hands of the wrong people. People who didn't treat it like a gift, the way my husband does. And although it took me a long time to put the puzzle pieces together, once I did, it was like a switch had been flipped. All along, I felt like I didn't deserve love and wasn't capable of giving it. That every time I came close to it, I somehow messed it up. But now, I see what real love and trust looks like. Dalton has shown me that I am worthy of more than my parents made me think I was. That I can accept love and help while still being strong and independent. He's shown me that I have so much to offer the people around me, starting with being the best wife I can be to him. I don't think I'll ever truly be able to thank him for opening my eyes simply by standing beside me while I figured all of this out.

We decided to invite everyone over to the new house today. I only talked to Mads for a moment the other night, telling her I would fill her in on everything when I saw her. As we left it, she has no idea that Dalton and I are staying together, so we get to break the news to everyone at once.

"Baby, have you seen my wedding ring? I left it on the counter and now it's not there," Dalton says from the top of the stairs. He's fresh from the shower, with only a towel slung loosely around his waist, and if I wasn't down here cleaning like a nut job, I would definitely be up there on my knees in front of him. Something about the way the excess water drips down his abs makes me turn into a different person. But I have the rest of my life to enjoy that. Because right now, company is coming.

"It's on your dresser," I reply. I've been moving things around and cleaning up all morning, even though you could literally go through this place with a white glove and it would still look brand new. I've never owned a home that I could be proud of, so I want everything to be perfect. This will be the first of many get-togethers at our new house, and the thought makes me so happy. I grew up with nothing. We moved around so much, my parents constantly being evicted due to nonpayment, that I never really knew what it felt like to be secure in one place. But now I have everything I've ever wanted, and so much more.

The doorbell rings and Dalton rushes down the stairs, almost biting it on the very last step. I try to hold in my laugh, but fail miserably, bending down with my hands on my knees as I cackle at his expense.

"God, you're fucking brutal," he says under his breath as he reaches for the doorknob and pulls it open. Tanner stands on the other side, and I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised to see him, considering he's been in and out of town for what seems like the last two months or so. But I'm glad he's here because our group wouldn't feel complete without him.

"Hey, man," Dalton greets him, giving him one of those weird bro hug, back pat things. "Glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it," he says, handing Dalton a bottle of champagne that looks like it cost more than the entire outfit I'm wearing right now, shoes included, which my very impulsive husband bought for me, so you know the price tag was steep. Tanner looks over at me before looking back at Dalton. "Everything good?" he asks, and I wonder exactly what he knows about the last week. Not that it matters, because I have a feeling he knows more about love and heartbreak than all of us combined.

"Yeah," Dalton says, looking over at me and winking. I swear, this man's objective in life is to ruin every single pair of panties I have. Those dimples alone have me ready to throw this six-foot-four professional quarterback right out my door so I can take my hot-as-fuck husband for another ride. As if he can read my mind, he turns to me and mouths ‘bad girl'. I roll my eyes as if I wasn't fantasizing about sitting on his face, before motioning to Tanner to head into the kitchen. Dalton gives me a little pat on the ass as he follows behind me, which does nothing to lessen the ache that's blooming between my legs. I step far away from him, trying to collect myself as he grabs three beers out of the fridge, handing one to each of us.

"So," Dalton says, focusing on Tanner, "Where have you been lately?"

He looks like a deer and headlights at first, but is saved from having to answer by another ring of the doorbell. My husband darts out of the room, and moments later, I hear Mads and Blaze as they step into the entryway. For some reason, I feel my nerves kick up. Maybe it's because I didn't tell her immediately after the other night. I was just so wrapped up in things with Dalton, that I didn't have time to call her with all of the details. I'm sure I'll be paying for that one later, but at least I have some ammunition. All I have to do is remind her that she was canoodling with her boss-turned-boyfriend without informing me just a few months ago. I know she'll be happy for me, no matter what. All my best friend has ever wanted is for me to be happy.

We all fall into a comfortable conversation about the upcoming NFL draft, when the doorbell rings again. I know it's Bella and Maverick because they're the last ones we're expecting. We broke the news to Dalton's parents when they called him last night. They were both completely ecstatic and so upset that they would have to miss our little housewarming party today, but promised to get here as soon as they could. Now that hockey playoffs are in full swing, they've been traveling to watch Benton play as much as they can. I love how tight their family is and I am so thankful to be a part of it now.

Once we have everyone gathered in the kitchen, I can barely contain myself as I walk over to Dalton and take his hand in mine. He looks down at me, giving me a supportive smile before we turn to our friends.

"We have something to tell you," I say. A collective gasp fills the room. Mads' hand covers her mouth, and her eyes immediately fill with tears. "For those of you who don't know, Dalton and I got married in Vegas. I wouldn't call it an accident, but I guess it wasn't really on purpose, either." I look at him as he shakes his head in mock annoyance, making me laugh. "It was a fight to get to this point, mostly on my part, but we've realized that we love each other so much. And we're staying together. Welcome to our new home," I say, tears spilling over as I smile proudly at them. Saying the words felt a million times better than I could've ever imagined. Dalton leans down and kisses my forehead as Mads jumps up, rounding the counter and wrapping me in the tightest hug I think I've ever gotten from her. They each take turns hugging and congratulating us, and at this moment, my life finally feels complete. I have a husband who adores me, a best friend who would do absolutely anything for me, a newly found family that I trust with everything I have, an upcoming job that is literally a dream come true, and a future that I am truly excited for. The battle was long and hard, but thanks to the man beside me, I've finally won. I've let go of the darkness of my past and all I see are bright skies ahead.

"Hey, guys?" Maverick says, breaking me from my thoughts as he peeks into the living room. "Why don't you have a couch?"

I can't help the laugh that bursts out of me as I look over at Dalton who has a smug look on his face. I point at him, giving him my best stern look, one that says don't you dare, before he doubles over with laughter, too.

"Oh, ew!" Mads says, realizing what's going on. "You guys are gross."

"What?" Blaze asks, obviously still oblivious.

Mads grabs his hand, yanking him out of the chair he's sitting in. "Just don't sit…anywhere," she says, looking around at all the seating options in the house. We haven't christened them all, but we're working on it. I can't even tell you with one hundred percent certainty that the new couch we're having delivered won't suffer the same fate as the last one, but I can tell you that marriage is the most fun I've had in a long time.

Here's to many more years of love and laughter with the husband I never wanted, but couldn't live without.