Bound 2: Epilogue | A Simple Bet

My eyes shifted down my body in the mirror, smoothing my manicured nails down the blush pink dress I wore. 

It was strapless and flowy, stopping right above my knees as I wore matching thick heels. 

I kept my hair down in loose waves with light makeup on my features.

Accessories-wise, I kept it simple with a silver necklace, the bracelet Karter had gotten me for our first marriage anniversary, and then the princess-cut diamond ring that sat heavily on my ring finger. 

"Lo!" I heard Cher call out from the other room of the large suite. 

"Coming!" I quickly said, knowing her nerves were probably settling in. 

I backed away from the mirror, my heels clicking underneath me as I walked through the open double French doors to the other room. 

Which was much more chaotic. 

There were different people running around as a makeup artist finished Cher's lipstick and her hairstylist touched up the stray hairs framing her face. 

"The dress looks good right, Sloan?" Freya asked me, anxiously standing off to the side with her large iPad in hand. 

Creds to her because I could never be a wedding planner. 

"It looks perfect Cher," I assured her, eyeing the silky halter wedding dress that flowed out right at her waist. 

"I think I'm just having nerves you know—I barely slept last night, I feel fucking rushed, and then it's hot—is the AC even on?" she suddenly asked, glancing over to her wedding planner. 

Freya immediately nodded, "Yes, but the open windows aren't helping," she said, motioning to the windows that allowed the subtle countryside breeze to roll in. 

Each gust of wind guided the sheer curtains, the sun shining so brightly into the large French-styled suite. 

"It's fine, we're heading down in a few minutes, Cher bear," I quickly said, gently grabbing her hand to squeeze in mine for reassurance. 

"Oh my god, we are?" Cher suddenly breathed out, drawing in a deep nervous breath as her hair stylist stepped back. 

Freya took a sudden step closer to Cher at her nervousness—but I quickly held my hand up, motioning her back. 

"Let me have a minute with her," I said, knowing this chaotic environment with people rushing around wasn't helping her nerves. 

"We have seven minutes until—" 

"I only need five," I quickly cut Freya short as Cher let go of my hand and ventured off to the window with a deep nervous breath. 

"Everyone out!" Freya shouted, her voice echoing against the walls of the suite as I walked over to Cher. 

All the groups of people managed to clear out in less than thirty seconds, leaving me alone with my best friend. 

Who is making one of the biggest decisions of her life today. 

"You remember when Davis first asked you to be his girlfriend?" I asked her, stopping by the open window displaying the view of the estate's backyard. 

This entire estate has been in Cher's family for decades, settled in upstate New York. 

It was the place Cher had decided she wanted to get married, in the spring when she claimed the breeze carried the faintest scent of honeysuckle and the warm sun shined just right. 

And she was right. 

Everything about this estate felt magical. 

The sparkling infinity pool sitting just at the edge of the mountain, the distanced fire pit that you had to follow a trail to get to, and then the outdoor lights illuminating the outdoor entertaining space just perfectly at night. 

Every wall was lined with crown molding and the wood floors were authentic and shiny. 

Each room was proper, almost fit for a Queen to stay. 

There was even staff on the estate catering to any guest's needs. 

The only difference today was that there was a dramatic white-rose archway off from the estate and lines of chairs filled with guests. 

It was a faraway view but I could easily spot the bright white walkway under the sun. 

It was small like Cher had preferred it all to be—even if there were still over two hundred guests who stayed at nearby hotels. 

Only close friends and family stayed at the estate personally. 

"It was prom night," Cher suddenly whispered, letting out a deep breath, "Davison had decorated the Escalade we rode in," she said, answering my previous question. 

"And now here you are—ten years later," I said, still shocked at how fast time had flown past us.

Karter and I got married last year—which was as soon as we were out of Harvard and settled in. 

We got a Brownstown in New York, deciding to stay close to family. 

"What are you doubting?" I suddenly asked when Cher remained silent. 

"Nothing," my best friend immediately said, "It's just... everything changes after this? I don't know." 

I immediately nodded, "It does," I agreed, knowing a lot changed after Karter and I got married. 

But only in the best way possible. 

Of course, we have our fair share of petty arguments—like when I use all the hot water or when she came home that one time with a donut and didn't bring me one. 

"I don't want this to change us—I don't want to get married and then suddenly we have all of these issues," Cher admitted, fiddling with her hands. 

"You've made it ten years together. You'll be perfectly okay," I assured her, gently grabbing one of her hands, "This is just nerves—you were just excited last night remember?"

Cher nodded, "It is," she whispered, finally glancing away from the view that the open window held to meet my stare, "I really love him, Lo." 

I smiled, "I know," I whispered, gently squeezing her hand, "How about we get some nerves out before we head down?" 

Cher immediately nodded, "That sounds like a perfect idea," she agreed as I reached for my phone and turned on Brooklyn Baby by Lana Del Ray. 

"Oh my god, this is such a throwback," Cher laughed, throwing her head back as I pulled her closer to me by her hand. 

"Your best friend gets the first dance," I joked with a loose smile growing on my lips as I grabbed her other hand. 

Cher shook her head, her smile growing wider as we stepped apart and then closer together—spinning her in a small twirl by her hand. 

Which earned a small giggle from my best friend, the breeze carrying all around us as the sheer curtains flowed with the gentle wind. 

It almost felt unreal with Brooklyn Baby playing loudly from my phone speakers and echoing around us, our laughter and giggles mixing with the song. 

"I'm a Brooklyn baby," Cher sang with a forced serious expression. 

"Pa-da-pa-pa, pa-de-da," I sang the rest of the lyrics as she spun me out and back, earning a small laugh from me when I stumbled slightly over my feet. 

 Cher's smile widened as we swayed to the beat, falling into the smooth song as the sheer curtains flowed back and forth with us. 

"Yeah, my boyfriend's pretty cool," Cher sang, leaning into me, "But he's not as cool as me." 

"Husband soon," I added with a wider smile as Cher suddenly hugged me to her body, keeping me close as we swayed together to the song. 

Until it slowly faded out, leaving us in a soft comfortable silence that we stood in for only a few more beats. 

Then it was time to leave the room and head downstairs where Freya and a team of people awaited us. 

Cher's parents were also waiting for her since they both planned to walk her down the aisle. 

The ceremony had already started by the time we got in our line-up. 

I was first in line as her maid-of-honor and only bridesmaid. 

And even I felt fucking nervous walking down the aisle lined with people and white rose petals, noticing my mom along with Nancy and Nina sitting in the front row. 

Pierce stood with them as the ring bear, wearing a tux, and his dark hair gelled precisely. 

I still can't believe he's already seventeen. 

Luckily, he grew out of flirting with me by the time he turned ten. 

Or else it would've been very awkward. 

I smiled slightly, immediately locking eyes with my wife. 

Her dark hair was slicked into a low bun with loose curls framing her sharp face covered in minimal makeup. 

She wore a black off-the-shoulder jumpsuit, matching Jaden and Jalen who both wore tuxes as they stood beside Davis in a full suit and tie. 

Beautiful, Karter mouthed to me, eyeing me as I finally stopped at the end of the aisle near where Cher would stand across from Davis. 

I smiled at Karter, shooting her a brief air kiss as I held the bouquet in my hands. 

Which naturally made my wife pretend to subtly catch it, glancing over when the crowd suddenly stood.  

And there she was. 

Cher stood between her parents with the most beautiful smile on her face. 

She nearly glowed in white, the sun glistening against her soft skin as they slowly walked down the aisle to the tune of the piano. 

The sight of her made tears burn in my eyes, clutching the bouquet in my hands tighter to me. 

Davis's eyes noticeably grew with tears and fell from his eyes, not even bothering to wipe his tears as he let out a deep shakey breath and focused on Cher entirely. 

It was almost like none of us were here. 

That's how they looked at each other. 

It was how they looked at each other the entire ceremony, purely staring at one another as they listened to the priest and exchanged vows.

It was such a beautiful ceremony—and so was the reception. 

Which consisted of two long tables settled out near the glistening infinity pool, serving an array of different seafood. 

Cool ranch Doritos were the only thing out of place on the menu, which I found hilariously a Davis thing to do. 

The sun was setting and all I could do was stare at my wife as we ate, processing how beautiful she looked under the sunset. 

"You look beautiful," I said as she took the bite of cake from the fork I held to her lips. 

Karter naturally smiled as she chewed the bite she took, "Thank you, babe," she said, mocking the pet name we still use to this day. 

"You're welcome babe," I mocked back, leaning into briefly kiss her lips. 

Karter didn't hesitate to kiss me back, softly kissing my cheek when we pulled back to finish our cake. 

Then it was time for Davis and Cher's first dance—something we all gathered around the polished marble dance floor to watch. 

Karter kept her arm around my waist as I leaned into her side, swaying to the gentle melody as we watched our best friends dance for the first time as husband and wife. 

Later we all gathered out on the dance floor with them to more upbeat music.  

"Karter," I laughed as she jokingly danced with the twins who were now break-dancing horribly. 

"Slo come on," Karter said, holding out a hand to me as Davis joined in, pulling Cher in the circle of people with them. 

I shook my head with a grin, grabbing Karter's hand as she pulled me in close beside her. 

Then I matched her hilarious footing, swaying my body as we jumped up and down. 

What was even funnier was the crowd around us genuinely cheering us on. 

I hope they know this is a joke. 

"Pool party!" Jaden suddenly called out, taking off running through the crowd toward the pool. 

That's when we all halted our motions, glancing over to Jaden who dived into the pool with his tux and shoes on. 

I quickly backed away when my wife leaned down, "Karter, you better not—" I cut myself short when she threw me over her shoulder, "Karter Shaye Greyson!" 

"Davison Reyes!" I heard Cher call out, using his newly official last name. 

It was only right he took hers due to family legacy and such.

Davis comes from a wealthy family, but Cher's background is entirely different. 

I suddenly squeezed my eyes shut, holding my breath when Karter jumped into the deep end of the pool, holding me tightly as we splashed into the room-temperature water. 

As soon as we were submerged, I felt Karter underneath me guiding us to the surface and emerging from the water as everyone jumped into the water around us. 

Even Nancy and Nina were jumping in with Mickey and Francis while Pierce took the liberty of taking his shoes off before getting in. 

"I can't believe you," I said as I wiped under my eyes, already knowing my makeup looked fucking crazy. 

"We couldn't be the only ones not jumping in," Karter said as she jokingly splashed me. 

I splashed her back, "I was willing to be," I said with a narrowed look. 

"Not as Mrs. Greyson," Karter corrected me, gently pulling me closer to her by my waist, "It's a bad look on the image." 

I shook my head with a smile, "Right, I have to be reckless and obnoxious now?" I joked with her, running my arms around her neck as I focused on her, tuning out everyone around us swimming in full wedding attire. 

"You definitely know how to be obnoxious babe," Karter purposely said, leaning down to kiss my lips. 

My smile grew as I kissed her back, basking in this moment that I knew would always surface to the front of my head every now and again. 

The sun was slowly fading and the fairy lights were already on, illuminating the countryside as we all swam in dresses and tuxes without a care in the world. 

If someone asked me where I envisioned myself all those years ago back when I was a senior at Montrose, I would've never imagined here. 

But this is all I could ask for—incredible friends and family with a beautiful life in the city alongside my wife. 

Karter fucking Greyson. 

Someone who carries my heart with her everywhere she goes. 

"I love you," I said as we pulled back from the kiss, eyeing her beautiful face. 

"I love you too, Slo," she didn't hesitate to say, smiling down at me as she gently squeezed my waist. 

Then we naturally glanced away from each other, taking in the lively crowd around us in the pool and outside the pool. 

How the photographers took continuous photos of us as music echoed through the air. 

This. 

This all came from a simple bet. 

One that was bound to seal the fate of my future.