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My heart pounds as I walk over to her. I take her hand and wrap it around my waist, pressing my lips against hers.
“How am I supposed to get through today, when you're standing meters away from me, in that dress?” I ask. “I'll be thinking dirty, dirty things about you the entire time.”
She laughs, her cheeks flushing red.
“Not to ruin the moment or anything, but we’d better get moving or risk walking in there late,” she points out.
She takes my hand. I hesitate, because I really want to tell her everything before the wedding. But she’s right. We don’t have time. Enough eyes will be on me today already, without giving people another reason to hate me because we’re late.We take the elevator down to the ground floor and make the short walk across the hotel grounds to the little chapel down by the beach. Alana glances at me when we reach the doors, confusion in her eyes.
“If we’re this close to the beach, why not get married on the beach?” she asks.
“Because Casey doesn’t like sand,” I smirk.
There’s no one around==no one milling around outside, which means everyone is already inside, probably sitting down, waiting for those doors to open so they can all turn and stare at Casey. Only when they turn, they’ll be getting an eyeful of me first.
“Are you ready?” she asks.
I nod. But then I laugh.
“Honestly? Not really, but I know that I need to do this. For Josh.”
We walk inside, trying our best not to draw attention to ourselves, but it doesn’t matter. I could’ve skydived in through the roof, wearing a tutu and nipple tassels, and it would’ve garnered the same reaction. Every pair of eyes in the chapel turns to stare at me. I feel sorry for poor Alana, because she's going to cop as much wrath I am.
I glance at her and she shrugs, like she can’t understand their reaction. I can. But it's a hard thing to explain why everyone, including my own brother thinks that I cheated on my wife.
I hold my breath and smile as I see people I once knew, pretending I don’t notice the disapproving glares and angry expressions. I expected a reaction, but this is extreme. What were you expecting with a gathering of Casey’s extended family and friends? A hug and a cheer? I can’t understand why Josh wanted me here at all, let alone to be his best man.
I leave Alana down by the door—which will come in handy if things get hairy and she needs a quick escape—and walk up to stand on the stage next to my brother. He glances over and squeezes my arm.
“Thanks for being here,” he mumbles. Then he laughs. “Holy shit, I'm nervous. Is that normal? Were you this nervous when you…” His voice trails off. He stares at his feet, flustered. I smirk and choke back a laugh over what he was about to ask me. “Sorry man,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I'm just not thinking straight at the moment.”
“It's fine.” I grin. “And yes I was this nervous when I married your wife.”
The music starts playing. I straighten up a little and glance toward the door, along with everyone else in the room. They swing open and Casey appears. She looks stunning, as I expected, wearing an elegant, yet simple white dress.
She passes me on her way to Josh. I smile at her and she smiles back. I take a deep breath and clasp my hands in front of me as the celebrant begins the ceremony.
After they exchange their vows, and her mother reads a poem, the ceremony is concluded with their first kiss. I clap along with everyone else and smile at all the right times. Just when I think I can’t take anymore, I glance down at Alana and see her watching me. She nods and blows me a kiss. I smile and look down, her belief in me enough to help me push on.After the ceremony is over, I walk back down to the front of the chapel, where Alana is waiting for me. I take her hand and squeeze it. As much I hate to admit it, I’m glad I was there to witness their marriage. I would have regretted it if I hadn’t come.
“Glad that's over with?” she asks with a grin.
“More than you know,” I murmur.
We walk outside and hang around until I’m done with the obligatory photos that I need to be present for, and then we’re free for a couple of hours to do our own thing. Standing there with her family didn’t feel awkward at all. The second I'm able to leave, I do, taking Alana’s hand and leading her down to the river, where we sit down.
“What time does the reception start?” she asks.
