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“The baby’s getting married. You know you could have put this off at least eight more years the way we did,” Wells announces.
I snort. “And do what with my woman and baby?” I ask.
“Mom and Dad would let you do anything you wanted. You could just live together.”
Shoving my hands in my pocket, I shake my head a couple of times, then shift my gaze up to meet his. “That’s not what I want, though. Allison is mine, she’s been mine since that fucking club, and I want to marry her, to have this family with her.”
Wells smirks as he closes the distance between us, then he wraps his fingers behind the back of my neck and squeezes gently. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,” he murmurs. “Parker is excited as fuck, but she’s also nervous because you’re so young.”
“You act like Allison is so much older than me,” I say with a laugh.
He shrugs a shoulder. “She’s not, but it wasn’t long ago you were out running around and fucking anything with legs, so she’s concerned.”
I almost laugh in his face. Mainly because he was doing the same thing at the same time I was, and now he’s going to act like he was so pure and holy. Granted, I was a little deeper into some shit than he ever was, but that’s not what this is about.
“I haven’t fucked another woman since I met Allison.”
He lifts his hands, palms facing me, almost as if he’s surrendering. “Okay,” he says, “I believe you.”
“I’m ready to marry her. It’s Allison,” I say.
He dips his chin, then takes a few more steps backward. But Coleman decides he’s going to move in and take his turn. I watch him, waiting for him to say whatever it is he’s got on his mind. He surprises me, which is interesting because neither of my brothers usually does. We were raised by the same people, and beyond that, we’ve received the same training.
“I am happy for you, Hendrick. The fact that our children will all be months apart, I don’t know why, but that makes me feel some kind of way.”
“Scared shitless?” I ask.
He laughs softly. “Exactly that, but also excited for what’s to come. The chaos that is going to completely overtake our lives. I can’t fucking wait for it all.”
The way he says it, with such invigorating excitement, rubs off on me, and I can’t help but feel the exact same way.
“Let’s get you married, little brother, so you can start the rest of your life.”
Coleman grips the back of my neck and forces me forward. He touches his mouth to my forehead in a kiss, then he and Wells slip out of the room and head to the front of the church.
A woman appears a moment later, telling me it’s time. Then there is my mother. She is standing at the doorway, appearing absolutely stunning as usual. “Are you ready, my son?” she asks.
“You look beautiful,” I say.
She touches the back of her hair as she smiles. Watching her, I realize that in this moment, I see why my father chose her as his prize. She’s beautiful and smart, poised and dignified. She is old money through and through. And it’s worth mentioning again, smart. So fucking smart.
“Your bride is stunning, Hendrick. Walk me to my seat and marry the girl.”
I laugh softly as my feet move toward her. But she doesn’t step out of the doorway. She stays where she is and lifts her hand to my cheek. Her thumb slides beneath my eye as she looks directly at me, and I know she sees through me. She always has.
“You love her. And you’ll do right by her. Treat her with respect. You’re ready.”
I’m not sure if she’s asking me or telling me. Either way, the answer is yes. That’s what I say, too. “Yes,” I exhale. “I’ll do all those things and more. I love Allison. I’ve never felt that way about anyone I’ve been with before.”
“You’re a good boy,” she whispers. She sounds like my father the way she says that, and it makes me smile. “Let’s go, then.”
That is that.
My mother steps to the side and allows me to pass. I take a few strides toward the closed doors and I offer her my elbow. She slips her arm in mine, and together we walk up toward the double doors.
I can’t even hear the song that’s playing as the doors open simultaneously. I’m thankful to see that there are only a few people in the church as we walk down the aisle. My mom squeezes my arm, no doubt noting the small number of guests.
So small in fact, it’s just the higher members of the family and their wives. That’s all. The executives and the managers. Allison wouldn’t want some big affair anyway. I know she wouldn’t, especially on this short fucking notice.
