He had been nervous, stumbling over not only his feet but also his tongue constantly. Steve Hale had never been the most posed individual and DJ knew it was part pre-wedding jitters. Still she knew it was something deeper. At the conclusion of the rehearsal dinner she found a moment to steal him away.
"Spill it."
"Oh I've spilled plenty tonight!" DJ couldn't argue with that. Three glasses of wine, four cups of juice, and he even managed to drop the main course.
"If my dad had been here he'd have a panic attack! But seriously Steve what's going on?"
"Just nervous."
"Yes. And?" She smiles encouragingly.
"And nothing. I'm getting married tomorrow to a great woman."
"Yeah CJ is pretty great huh?"
"Yep she's just swell." Steve sighs and starts tugging at the already lose button on his stained covered shirt.
"Steve? I know you almost better than anyone. What's wrong?" She takes a step closer and touches his hand before he manages to pull the button completely off.
"Everything is great! I'm in Japan about to get married to a pretty swell girl. And…' He pauses and drops his head and moves back slightly. 'And I'm not in love with her."
"What?" DJ whispers.
"I love her. I mean she really is great. But I'm not in love with her. It'll be fine though! I can adjust. Just like you've adjusted being with Matt after you realized you wanted to be…oh shit.' It was a rare occurrence for Steve curse but at that moment DJ wasn't focused on that.
"I um…"
"I'm sorry Deej I didn't mean that. I didn't mean any of this!"
"Kimmy told you didn't she? She had no right…" DJ mutters still in a state of shock.
"No actually you did on the plane."
"Oh." She says confused she had no memory of that, but she hardly remembered half the flight.
"You were going to pick me. But I panicked and got engaged to CJ."
"Yeah. And I'm with Matt now. He's amazing. Great with the boys. I do love him."
"Of course. And CJ is great too." They both sigh and silence blankets them for a few moments.
"But I rather be with you." Laughter escapes as they made the same declaration.
"I don't want to hurt CJ though…"
"Me neither. Nor Matt. But God Steve…" The tears she forced herself to hold in begin to fall.
"I know. Me too Deej. Me too. I think we need to stop playing games and making others happy out of our fear of hurting them if we're honest."
"I've never stolen a groom from the bride before."
"It's not stealing when she never completely had my heart. Are we really doing this?" DJ nods.
"Yeah I think so. Unless you don't want to. I can go upstairs to Matt. I can smile as you exchange vows with CJ."
"I'm tired of ignoring my heart and yours." Steve leans in and kisses her gently.