“Already got our response typed up. Just needs my bride’s approval,” he says, taking the iPad from Anika and placing it on my lap.

Hello, friends, fans, and family,

Lyle Livingston here, to tell you that this time the rumors are true!

Your favorite member of The Rhett Taylor Band—that’d be me, for those who might be confused—is off the market. But I guess I should start by telling you that I was never on it to begin with.

You see, yesterday I had the honor of marrying the woman who captured my teenaged heart. Sammi Deluca was the girl next door, my best friend’s little sister, and completely off limits.

When I left home years ago to join the band, it was always with the intention of returning for her someday, when our three-year age difference was no longer an issue. After she’d had time to live and love and was certain that a life with me was what she wanted.

As luck would have it, I waited too long, and she moved on with someone else, under the assumption that I’d given up on us.

Fast forward to yesterday—her wedding day.

I found myself pacing outside her bridal suite, kicking my own ass for letting her slip through my fingertips. I was debating whether to go in there and shoot my shot when the groom showed up, and I overheard the man she was set to marry call off the wedding.

It was as if the stars had aligned, and I knew I’d been gifted a second chance.

Call me a lovesick fool, but there was no question in my mind what had to happen next. I was gonna have to locate my balls.

I knocked on that door, dried my girl’s tears, got down on one knee, and asked her to be my wife. By some miracle, she said yes.

I understand your shock. But believe me when I say that this union was a long time coming. Sammi and I are very much in love. And while the path we’ve taken to arrive at our happily ever after was filled with bumps and bruises—and riddled with mistakes, largely on my part—I believe it’s made us stronger, both as individuals and as a couple.

Everyone wants a fairy tale, but that’s seldom real life. Real love is messy and complicated. Our story is no different.

I truly believe we’ve finally gotten it right, and I can’t tell you how much I look forward to spending the rest of my life driving this woman positively insane, both in and out of the bedroom.

So, without further ado, I hope you’ll help me welcome her to the crazy world of country music with a hoot, a holler, and a red solo cup.

Bottoms up, folks!

“Folks? Who are you? Bugs Bunny?” I snort. “That doesn’t sound like you at all.”