The Best You Ever Had

Sappy Songs

A/N: I despise author's notes, so I'll keep it short. This chapter is also short. I apologize for that, but it needed to end where it ends. I've linked the song referenced in the story above. Please listen if you haven't heard it! Makes Brendon's feelings for Piper that much sweeter. And thanks for your comments and votes! XO, Leigh.

I felt Brendon's eyes on me. Mark and Amanda both looked amazing, and the love between them as the ceremony went on was practically palpable. Nobody could look away from the glowing couple. Except my boyfriend, apparently. I looked at him a few times, and every time, sure enough, he was staring, a dopey grin on his face.

I kept my attention on my friend and his bride as best I could though. This was about them, after all. And I'd never seen Mark so happy. The smile that split his face was one I'd never seen before. Clearly reserved for Amanda. And she was absolutely radiant as they exchanged their vows. Before I knew it, I was crying and the whole thing was over.

****

Mark and Amanda had a little table all to themselves, with the rest of the wedding party set up nearby, and the other guests spread over the expanse of my yard. Brendon and I sat with Jenny and Ronnie, both cleaned up past their usual state of rock and roll. Who knew Jenny could walk in heels? Speeches were made and cake was cut and dinner was delicious.

Brendon kept one hand on my knee whenever he wasn't using it to eat, and Jenny noticed.

"Watch that hand, mister," she joked.

Brendon raised both hands into plain view. "Nothing inappropriate, I swear."

"Yeah, not yet," Ronnie said, swirling his drink.

"Not yet," Brendon repeated, making me elbow him softly.

"Come with me to get another drink?" Jenny asked me. 

I got up and the two of us made our way to the bar that had been set up. 

"He hasn't taken his eyes off you," she remarked.

I smiled. "I know. It's kind of sweet."

"Wedding bells in the future for you and the guy we used to hate?"

I snorted. "I can't even think beyond the tour."

"This is true," Jenny admitted.

"Besides which, we haven't even gotten to the 'I love you' stage."

"Wait, seriously?" She looked surprised, with her new drink poised halfway to her mouth and her eyebrows raised.

"Seriously."

"Well, it's obvious to me that you're gaga. Both of you."

"Gaga?"

"Don't nitpick my choice of words. This is about you."

Just then, the dinner music faded and the DJ called the newlyweds to the dance floor.

"No, it's not about me. It's about Mark and his blushing bride. Come on, let's get closer to watch them dance."

I pulled her towards the dance floor. The light was at its most beautiful dusky purpley-pink, and the lights in the trees were coming to life. It was as gorgeous a backdrop as I'd ever seen for a first dance. 

I squeezed Jenny's hand in mine as Mark pulled his wife close and they began to dance. The music swelled and the two of them gazed at one another, not another soul in existence mattering as much as the two of them in that moment. They let Andy Grammer's voice carry them away from all of us.

"Just another love song from a simple man
I been searching for some chords underneath these hands
So I can try to tell you I love you

You know I need you
Like you're oxygen
Be my atmosphere
Let me breathe you in
So I can try to tell you I love you"

They were so in love. You could see the were "gaga" for one another. Was that what Brendon and I looked like? Was it that obvious to the world, even if we hadn't admitted it to ourselves?

Jenny leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed happily as we watched them for a minute. Then she giggled and pushed my chin so I was looking across the dance floor.

Brendon was there, gathered with the other guests. But he wasn't watching Mark and Amanda dance. He was looking straight at me, mouthing along to the words of the love song that floated through the evening air.

"I been lost, I been found
But I know I am now, I am yours

I am yours
Now and always
Wouldn't dream to be anything more
You take my breath away every night
Still can't believe it when you say you're mine and
I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

I been lost, I been found
But I know I am now, I am yours"

"Breathe, Piper," Jenny whispered in my ear. 

I hadn't even realized it when I stopped. Even with Jenny right there and the song coming to an end and the applause that followed, I couldn't stop looking at Brendon. And when the DJ put on a faster song and opened the dance floor, I made my way across it to crush his mouth with mine, my heart pounding out of my chest.

There was a heat in my cheeks when I realized we were being watched. 

"Piper," Mark cleared his throat, making his presence known. "I can't thank you enough. But uh, I'll leave you to it." He walked away, towards the outstretched hand of his new wife.

"I am yours," Brendon whispered to me. 

I watched Mark and Amanda a moment, thinking of everything the sentiment could possibly mean and what the appropriate response would be. He still wasn't saying he loved me, but this was damn close.

"Now and always," I said, settling on the lyrics of the song we'd just heard, and the two of us took to the dance floor.