Last week, I thought this would be a ten chapter story but it’s shaping into eleven parts, with a possible twelfth in the form of an epilogue. But as you can tell from this chapter… the big day is nearly here! I’ll post the next installment next week!
Happy Reading! Lane xo
**Previous chapters: Chapters 1-6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8
The stack of files and law journals on my desk had taken on a life of their own. I stared out the window at the lone fluffy cloud marring the otherwise perfectly blue sky. I’d been at my desk since six o’clock in the morning and I was pissed I hadn’t accomplished more. Two major contracts needed to be prepared by the end of the week but my concentration was shot.
I glanced at my watch then closed my eyes. I had less than two hours before I had to be home. I forgot the reason but Aaron had been adamant about the time. Maybe it was a last-minute fitting or—
A loud buzz ripped me from my reverie. I reached for my cell, pausing to check the caller ID before answering.
“Hi Shel, I—” I pulled the phone away to save my eardrums from the shrill screaming on the line. When I thought it was safe, I tried again. “Shelly?”
“Oh my God, are so excited? Four days and counting! Are you ready for your big day, little brother?”
“Uh… yeah. I think so. At least, I will be.” I raked my fingers through my hair then swiveled my chair away from my computer. “When are you arriving?”
“My flight gets in tomorrow afternoon but I think Mom and Dad and the rest of the fam will arrive before me. Mom mentioned something about checking into the hotel and hitting a museum before dinner with Aaron’s folks. And of course, she’ll want to inspect the rehearsal dinner venue. I have a killer speech prepared and I can’t wait to make you cry,” she teased.
“I’m not gonna cry.”
“Liar. We all will. Mom especially. You know how weepy she gets at TV weddings. She’ll be sobbing when she walks you down the aisle. You’d better have tissue on hand just in case.”
“As long as she behaves herself, it’ll be fine,” I said.
“She loves Aaron, Matt. We all do. I’m sure she’ll have her annoying mother-in-law moments but Aaron can handle her. He’s become an expert at it.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want him to have to worry about anything. He’s stressed out enough as it is. We both are,” I admitted with a sigh.
“Matt, it’s going to be gorgeous and amazing and I can’t tell you how excited I am for both of you. And in her own way, Mom feels the same. Just wait until you and Aaron have kids of your own. She’ll probably want to move into your spare bedroom.”
“Great. Something to look forward to,” I snarked.
Shelly chuckled. “I know it’s about to get crazy for you with out of town guests and dinners and speeches and a gazillion details to worry about, but if you need me to do anything at all, call me and I’ll be there in a flash. I can get an earlier flight. No hesitation.”
“Thanks Shel.”
“I love you, Matt. See you tomorrow.”
I ended the call and stared at my computer screen for a full minute, willing my pulse to slow down and for some semblance of focus to return. Holy fuck.The lightheaded, slightly nauseous feeling seemed to get worse. Was I having a panic attack? I stood abruptly and paced from one corner of my office to the other then back again, giving myself a pep talk as I picked up speed. You’re not nervous. You’ve got this. You won’t forget anything. And even if you do, he’ll still love you. It’s okay.
I stopped in front of the floor to ceiling window and let out a rush of air. Nope. It didn’t work. If I didn’t have a million things to do on a cramped schedule I’d take a walk and grab a latte or a dozen donuts or something. But time wasn’t on my side and I had a tuxedo to fit into. So I did what I always did when I was at wit’s end. I called Aaron.
“Hi, Matty, I’m—hang on a sec.” Loud voices and a crackling noise sounded in the background. Aaron barked an order to someone before addressing me. “Is everything okay?”
“Sure. Whatcha doing?”
“I’m at a photo shoot near the Lincoln Memorial. It’s a zoo. What’s wrong?” Aaron asked worriedly.
“Nothing.”
Silence.
Well, not really. It was noisy on his end but I could tell he was moving to get away from the cacophony so he could hear me. And now I felt like an idiot. We were both busy. Neither of us had time for meltdowns.
“Okay, I can talk now. What’s up?”
His breathing sounded labored. I could picture him walking fast and then stopping to push his hair from his brow. It was longer than he usually wore it but it looked sexy on him. I love threading my fingers through it. Like this morning when I was inside him. He’d been on his knees, gripping the headboard with his ass in the air, urging me on with a steady “fuck me, Matty, fuck me”. I had one hand in his hair, pulling his head back to lick his neck while I stroked his cock with the other. The frenzied heat had an almost manic quality that was seriously hot, though a bit jolting at five a.m. In a good way. The memory of him falling apart in my arms and then licking his cum from my fingers had me in a semi-aroused state all damn day.
I adjusted my suddenly interested dick and refocused. “Nothing. I just… wanted to say hi.”
“Are you going to tell me you’re having second thoughts?”
I barked a quick laugh and sank into my chair. I knew calling him was a good idea. I already felt better. “Not a chance. Are you?”
“No, but your ‘hi’ sounded a like a cry for help.”
“Wow. You know me pretty well.”
“I should hope so. Well? Details, please.”
“My sister called to say she was excited for us and…I freaked out. We have so much to do. So many dinners and speeches and people. Maybe we should go to city hall tomorrow and get married in front a judge. Let’s take care of the real thing so we can enjoy the parties without so much stress.”
“You have no idea how tempting that is,” he said with a sigh.
“I was kidding, but yeah…I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
“I’ve had a few of those moments too, Matty. This morning I was in my office going over layouts with my team for a holiday ad Marsha decided had to be completed by noon. It was going well until Vic called with twenty questions about the seating chart. We worked through half of his list before I had to cut him off when my assistant said your mom was on hold. She wouldn’t leave a message. She insisted on waiting to speak to me.”
“My mom? What did she want?” I asked, furrowing my brow.
“She wanted to know my mother’s favorite perfume.”
“That’s random.”
“Honestly, I think it was a test. She keeps me on my toes to make sure I’m worthy in-law material. She calls me all the time, Matty. Usually she’ll leave a message but lately, everything is urgent,” he huffed in amusement.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was harassing you?”
“She’s not. Today was a bit much but most of the time I don’t mind. I figure she needs assurance that I love you and that I’m going to take good care of you. Like a good wife,” he said sarcastically.
“You’re not going to be my wife.”
“I know, but you know how she is. I kid you not…the other day, she asked if I was going to stop working when we have kids.”
I slumped forward and banged my head on my desk. “Oh my God. You should have told me.”
“You have enough to worry about. Yes, I was mildly annoyed but I wasn’t surprised that she considers me your “wife to be”. I played it cool and told her we’d consider all options when the time came.”
I chuckled at his businesslike tone and then let out a beleaguered sigh. “Fuck, I love you, Aar. I’m stressed out of my mind and…I just needed to hear your voice.”
“I love you too. Take a deep breath and remember we’re almost there. In one week we’ll be on a beach in Puerto Rico, kicking back on chaise lounges with margaritas… and we’ll be married. Finally.”
“I can’t wait,” I said earnestly.
Aaron hummed in agreement. This time the silence on the line was comforting. I was tempted to close my eyes and sink into it. But there were things to do.
“Give me a brief rundown of what’s happening over the next couple days so I can wrap my head around where I need to be and what I have to do.” I pushed my chair back slightly and reached for a piece of paper and a pen.
Aaron chuckled. “Okay. Tonight we’re picking up our tuxes and getting haircuts. Tomorrow, our guests start arriving. We’re having dinner with our families downtown and then drinks at Jay and Peter’s house with our friends. I’m working a half-day Friday to finish up any details with Katie and Jay. The rehearsal starts at five o’clock and dinner is directly afterward. Fifty people RSVPed for dinner and—”
“Fifty? Do we know fifty people?”
“Oh my God, Matty. Chill. Yes. It’s mostly family and some out town guests. If you have to work all day that’s fine, but you’ll need to be at the venue at five p.m. sharp. I’ll remind you ten more times, I’m sure.”
I swiped my hand over my stubbled jaw. “Do I have to make a toast?”
“Yes. Something simple to thank everyone for being there. Do you want me to do it?” he asked.
“No. You’ll get emotional and then I’ll get emotional and…I can handle it,” I assured him.
“Okay. Well, the wedding is Saturday. Brunch the next morning and then…the honeymoon. Ta da! Everything is nearly in place. You just have to show up on time, smile a lot and make a small speech Friday night,” he said patiently.
“What about the vows? Did you write yours already?”
“Yes, of course. Don’t tell me you want me to help you with yours.”
“No need. I did it months ago. Want to hear? I memorized them too,” I bragged.
“You did not,” he snickered.
“I did. Let me practice, baby. Just once.” I cleared my throat theatrically before launching into storyteller mode. “’Five years ago, I thought I was a straight dude but the second I saw this guy—’…that’s where I’ll either point at you or sling my arm over your shoulder like we’re a couple of bros and say, ‘I knew I had to have him. Often.’”
Aaron groaned. “You’re hilarious. Now let me get back to work so I can help pay for this wedding. Are you feeling better now?”
I grinned and though he couldn’t see me, I knew the gesture wasn’t lost. “Much better. How many more hours until this is official?”
“Seventy-one hours and thirty-four minutes… give or take a few,” he replied quickly.
“I’m ready, baby.”
“Me too, Matty. Me too.”
To be continued…
It’s getting better and better. 🙂
Thank you, Linda! <3