Hard to Love You

Hunter and I laugh. “What are you two over here talking about?”

Cooper looks up to Hunter and he tells me, “Cooper is asking if we can change the song for the wedding party.”

I look to Cooper for an explanation. He huffs, “It’s a song that reminds Mason of Hailey. He doesn’t know that I know that. I heard him tell Hailey the other night when we were all at the bar.”

“Changed By You by Between The Trees.” We both say at the same time. Cooper’s eyes widen.

“She told me all about that night. I think it’s perfect.”

Hunter shifts just slightly so that we can see where both Mason and Hailey are. Mason is talking with Chloe and Jackson in one corner while Jaylinn and Hailey are in the other corner, chatting. Our family is divided and it’s killing me inside.

Hunter places another kiss to the side of my head and says, “I’ll go change it up.”

I turn in his arms and place a kiss on his lips. “Thank you, baby.”

Cooper and I walk over to Jaylinn and Hailey and start talking to them while Hunter sneaks away. A few minutes later he returns, winks at me and then says, “Let’s get this party started.”

The DJ announces the wedding party, Chloe, Jackson and Alex, followed by Cooper and Jaylinn and then Mason and Hailey. Our wedding song, Easy To Love You by Theory Of A Deadman, starts playing and the DJ announces us. Everyone is standing and cheering for us as we walk in hand in hand.

Hunter and I are dancing in the middle of the dance floor while our wedding party stands to the side. I have my fingers locked behind Hunter, while he has his arms tightly around my waist.

“Thank you for today. Everything is amazing and perfect.” I tell him.

He rests his forehead against mine. “Perfect, just like you.” He kisses me before he continues. “While you look stunning in this dress I can’t wait to strip you out of it later.” I feel my cheeks start to burn. “It’s all I can think about since you wouldn’t come home with me last night.” He pulls me a little closer to him and I feel his hardness between us.

I giggle. He’s in for a treat. Hailey and I had gone shopping for the lingerie under my dress; she even talked me into getting waxed. While it hurt like hell, I’m glad I did it. The look on his face is going to be priceless. “You’re in for a surprise.”

“I can’t wait.” He says, almost breathless.

We continue our dance, telling each other how much we love each other. Hunter’s mom sneaks up on the dance floor and hands Ryder over to us. The three of us wrapped in each other’s arms finishes up the dance as the DJ asks the wedding party to join us as he switches the song over to, Changed By You. Our friends and family have no idea what we secretly did for Mason and Hailey as the song is fitting for us as well.

Cooper and Jaylinn look over to us and then over to Mason and Hailey, who are barely holding on to each other. Hailey looks up at me and I give her a look that says, “Pretend for me.” She rolls her eyes and holds on to Mason tighter. I see Mason’s shoulders relax and then he wraps his arms around Hailey and rests the side of his head against hers so his mouth is just near her ear. As they are dancing Mason is now facing our direction. I glance up to Hunter who lifts his chin to Mason. I give Ryder a little kiss on his cheek while his head rests on Hunter’s shoulder.

Everything is perfect now, if only it would stay this way. Hunter and I sway back and forth and I see Hailey just over Hunter’s shoulder. She has tears streaming down her face.

I look up to Hunter who smiles and starts singing the song to me. It’s about being tongue tied and trying to express what the heart needs to say, changes that happen and the more that happens, the closer you become, and melting fears away. Being blessed and being the one, forever.

Now it’s my turn to cry. This song really is perfect for all of us, especially for Mason and Hailey. I don’t think Hailey has a clue about how much she really has changed Mason.

I steal a quick glance over at Cooper and he’s singing to Jaylinn, and Jackson is singing it to Chloe.

The song wraps up and there is barely a dry eye in the place. Hunter fully grabs Ryder in his arms and walks towards his mom and his aunt and uncles sitting at the table just off the dance floor. I follow behind them but catch Hailey running off in the direction of the bathrooms.

I place my hand on Hunter’s back, he turns and I tell him, “I’ll be right back.”

He smiles and says, “Love you.”

I follow after Hailey but swing past the bar first. I need my best friend to get her shit straight for the rest of the wedding. I want her to have a good time, not painful memories. We will remember this day forever. I take the two glasses of sex on the beach and stroll over to find Hailey. Just as I am about to open the bathroom door I hear Hailey’s laugh. I stop and listen for a second.

“I promise, no pranks. Well at least for a week.” I recognized that voice as Bentley’s.

“Okay. Deal.” Hailey says.

I push the door open and walk in. Bentley and Zeke are sitting on the couch in the bathroom in the ladies’ room. When they notice me both of their eyes go wide.

“Having a party without me?” I ask them. “In the bathroom nonetheless.”

“Of course not, beautiful.” Bentley replies.

“Benny, you know I don’t like liars.” I joke around with him.

“Hey now, Sweetie, you know it’s not a party unless the two of you are together.” Zeke says while waggling his eyebrows.

“Pig,” Hailey laughs.

I look over at my best friend, her eyes are all red and puffy but she’s beautiful anyway. I take a few steps over to her and hand her the drink I got for her.

“God I love you. For a minute there I thought you were two fisting it.” Hailey says while taking the glass out of my hand.

“Would I ever leave you hanging like that?” I kid around with Hailey.

“Well our job is done here. Save me a dance, hot stuff?” Bentley asks.

“Of course.”

I catch both Bentley and Zeke wink at Hailey as they leave.

“Going on a trip?” I probe.

She shrugs her shoulders at me, “Maybe, still deciding.”

We are both quiet for a few minutes. It’s a little uncomfortable and I feel the need to say something to fix it.

“You know I love you right?” I say with a smirk on my face.

“Like I’d ever give you a choice.” Hailey quips back.