Page 39 of The Sounds of Her
I thought about it for all of five seconds. I don’t take advantage of drunk women. I’m not the right person for her to open up to, I made the right choice leaving.
“Come on, one last toast to Adam for making an honest woman of my sis.”
“You’re a dick,” Adam says, but accepts the glass of tequila.
“You love me. To Adam,” Jordan raises his glass. “And your dick. I hope it’s still attached after all the beating off last night.”
“Fuck you, my dick is fine.”
“Glad to hear it,” Nick drawls.
A knock at the door precedes Adam’s dad entering the villa.
“Hey, Mr M, tequila?” Jordan asks.
“I’m good,” he holds up a hand, then he turns to his son. “You ready to head out?”
Adam swallows and nods.
“It’ll be fine, son. They want to take some pictures out on the beach first.”
“Okay,” he mutters, turning back to the mirror to fix his hair for the millionth time.
I kick Nick’s ankle. “Come on, Mr Model, show us how it’s done.”
“Not sure our big dicks in tight undies are the way they want this to go. Sorry Mr M,” Jordan winces when he remembers Carl is here. He is used to Jordan. We all are.
After pinning on our flowers, we move down to the beach. The pictures take about fifteen minutes. The wedding coordinator and photographer know what they want, and I have to admit, we look good in our matching outfits.
They switch to video as we head up towards where the wedding ceremony is being held, telling us to act natural. Jordan takes out his camera and films them filming us, as well as walking backwards and getting his own shot of us. Adam tells him to cool it, but Jordan holds out his arms.
“They said act natural, this is natural for me. Now smile you grumpy ass bastard.”
Nick grabs Adam and throws his arm around his neck, pulling Adam back to his chest with a cheesy grin. I get down on one knee and gaze up at him like he hung the moon. Adam shakes his head, but he’s laughing as I pretend to propose. Without warning, Jordan runs, and jumps on my back, plastering himself to me. I topple and we fall sideways into the sand.
“Did you get that?” Jordan shouts to the cameraman. With a bemused smile, he holds up his thumb in confirmation.
I get up and brush the sand off me, then kick Jordan in the ass, making him yelp.
“It’s like middle school all over again,” Carl mutters with an eye roll.
“Yeah, get your shit together,” Nick laughs.
Adam looks up at the area we’re approaching, and his face sobers. The guests are taking their seats, and the officiant is chatting with Adam’s mom.
A wooden aisle leads down to the arch where they’ll take their vows facing the ocean. On either side of the aisle are two rows of chairs. I hang back as Nick and Jordan hug Adam before heading to a tent at the end of the aisle, where they’ll meet the bridesmaids.
Carl is walking with Keira, Nick with Elsa, and Jordan with Meg. Brooke will be walking alone ahead of Jenna and right after Jake, to make sure he is alright. He’s six now, I’m sure the little guy can handle it. The rings are tied to the cushion he’s carrying, just in case.
I’d offered to take Brooke down the aisle, but I’m the best man, so stand up front with Adam. Lou and Sandy are walking Jenna down the aisle. As her dad’s best friend, he stepped into the role of father figure after James died in a fire.
Carl gives Adam a hug and whispers something that has Adam swallowing hard. Carl pats his shoulder, then mine, and heads to where the others are waiting.
“You ready?” I ask.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything my whole life,” he answers.
“I’m happy for you, man. You two are made for each other. And I don’t want to hear any more bullshit about you not deserving her.” I grip his shoulder and give it a squeeze. “And so you know, Jord is running a bet on how long before you cry.”