Oh hell no. I’m an educated woman. I’m not stupid!

“Let go!” he mouthed, since it was so damn loud I couldn’t even hear my own screaming voices in my head.

Shaking my head, I held on tighter.

He mouthed, “You’ve got to let go!”

Sticking my tongue out at the instructor, only because I didn’t dare let go and give him the finger, I shouted, “No, I don’t!” But I’m pretty sure he didn’t hear me.

After a few minutes, the instructor realized this was not going to happen, we finally moved out of the giant rat tube, and I was back with my feet on the ground.

Glancing over to Zach, I pointed and said, “Do you love Em?”

He nodded and looked over to where Em and Aaron were currently making their game plan. Turning back to me, he took in a deep breath and walked to the tube. Not before letting out a whimper.

“Suck it up! You’re a damn UT football player, dude. This is embarrassing,” I said as I looked at him.

His eyes widened as he said, “Right. Right. I just need to get my head in the game.”

Slowly moving to the rat tube, poor Zach cursed under his breath and jumped.

Once his adventure was over, he slowly made his way over to me and sat down on the bench. Pulling off the helmet, he dropped it to the floor. “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever encountered in my entire life.”

Nodding my head, I watched as Aaron and Em ran into the tube and went all the way to the top.

Letting out a long sigh, I gave Zach a pat on the back. “To think she’s the adventurous one of the two.”

Zach turned me with a deadpan stare. “I see zip-lining in your future, dude.”

Closing his eyes, Zach let a moan slip from between his lips followed by a fuck. Smiling, I made a mental note to suggest zip-lining to Em for Zach’s birthday.

STANDING ON THE BACK PORCH, I slowly drank my coffee as I looked out over the Texas hill country. Smiling, I thought back to some memories of Em and I running all over this place when we were kids. My parents owned twenty-five acres along Barton Creek, and I couldn’t be happier knowing today I was going to marry Sierra at one of my favorite spots.

Smiling, I chuckled to myself as I thought about waking up this morning and feeling like I was on cloud nine. My mother had insisted Sierra and I not see each other after the rehearsal dinner last night. Letting her have her way, I spent the evening with my dad, Lark, and Tristan. We played poker until three in the morning when my father finally wiped us all out of money.

Hearing the back door open, I glanced over my shoulder to see Lark coming out. Lark and I had really gotten to know each other when I went to South Padre Island. Tristan had invited his and Ryn’s close friends to take part in when he asked Ryn to marry him. Some might say our group of friends is a bit strange, but we make it work.

Lark gave me a wink and sat down. “Nervous?”

“Nope,” I said with a smile.

“Liar.”

Laughing, I sat down next to Lark. “Honestly, I’m not nervous. I love Sierra and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I’m ready for this.”

Lark nodded his head. “I meant are you nervous you’re going to call her by another girl’s name when you take your vows, or maybe trip and break your leg before y’all go off on your honeymoon.”

Slowly turning my head, my mouth gaped open as I stared at Lark. “W-what?”

Shrugging his shoulders he said, “You know . . . nervous that in some way you’re gonna fuck this special day up for her and years from now she still be reminding you of how you ruined her one special day.” Winking at me, he said, “I so could see Sierra bringing that shit up all the time.”

Swallowing hard, I pulled my head back then let out a nervous laugh. “Why . . . I mean . . . an old girlfriend’s name? Why would you even plant that in my head, for Christ’s sake?”

Tossing his head back and laughing, Lark said, “To fuck with you. Why else?”

Tristan came walking out yawning as he pulled up a seat next me. “So you’re the last to tie the knot. How’s it feel? Scared? Nervous you’re gonna say another girl’s name?”

Jumping up, I spun around glared at the both of them. Looking between both, I pointed my finger. “You bastards! You did that on purpose. There is no way in hell I’d ever say another women’s name. I love, Sierra. She is the love of my life.”

Tristan looked over to Lark and said, “Holy shit. He’s cracking before the day is even started.”