by T L Bradford
I see Archer coming our way. I haven’t had much time to spend talking to him, mostly because the dude has been hanging with my brothers and Kai.
“Hey guys, I have to catch a flight early in the morning, so I’ll have to bail.”
“Are you going back to LA?” I ask.
“Yeah, a couple of days more there, then I’m back.”
“If you’ve got time, call us up. We can take you out.”
“You bet. I’ll see you then.”
“Hope you had fun. It was great having you here again. You and Kai made for some stiff competition.”
“Yeah, we did.” He looks around, finding Kai across the room. He gazes over at him for a little too long, giving me pause.
“Oh, did Kai mention he got a part in a great little indie film? It looks like he might be around in LA for a while.”
“Good to know,” is all he says before he gives us each a hug, then heads off. After he leaves, I ask Noah, “What was that all about?”
“Your sister Chloe is what that’s all about.” I make an “O,” with my mouth in understanding.
“Are you guys getting married?” my 9-year-old cousin Suzy interrupts.
“Not anytime soon. Why?” I ask, defensively.
“Will you be wearing the dress?” she is says in her typical sweet-smug tone.
“Only if it’s Vera Wang sweetie.”
Not getting the reference, she shakes her head and walks away to annoy someone else.
“Damn, that rivalry goes deep.” Noah leans over and kisses my cheek.
“You have no idea,” I say, completely straight-faced.
“So uh, how long do we need to stay at this shindig? Can we bail?” Noah nuzzles my neck.
“I know a place.”
“We won’t get caught?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“You are one bad boy tonight. I think I like it,” he growls in my ear.
I grab his hand and pull him to the stairs of the basement.
“It’s soundproofed so that no one can hear us down here.”
Noah gets a wicked gleam in his eye. We haven’t done anything like this since that ill-fated night in the limousine. I turn on the light and open a small side door to the left of the washing machine.
“It’s an old storage room we use to keep the Christmas decorations. There should be lots of room in there now.”
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with the great idea to slip away and get freaky. Because standing before me is something I can never unsee. Xander and Sarita are tangled up in each other, going at it full force.
“Oh, shit! Josh!” I hear Sarita screech.
“Yeah, that’s it, baby, shout it loud! Hey, wait a minute, my name is Xander!”
I slam the door shut and look back at Noah. After the moment of shock and awe, we stare at each other and start laughing uncontrollably.
“Let’s get the hell out of here before they come out. I don’t think I can look them in the face,” I say. We scramble back up the stairs, hand in hand.
We go upstairs and shut my bedroom door behind us. “Oh my god! I can’t believe what I just saw! I was pretty sure my eyes were going to melt like Raiders of the Lost Ark.” I laugh so hard I have to hold my stomach and hunch over.
“I love to hear you laugh like that,” Noah says. He keeps searching my face, looking for something unknown, then he turns around toward the door. “Does this lock?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He locks the door and approaches me. The entire atmosphere changes on a dime. The playful look is gone, to be replaced by one of lust. He pushes me backward until I fall on the bed. I scoot northward toward the headboard. He moves predatorily, his chest moving deeply in and out.
Noah strips out of his clothes, leaving me with absolutely no doubt that he wants me. He yanks my shoes, pants and briefs off, then crawls up the bed to lift my shirt up over my head. He takes complete possession of my mouth. His lips slowly drift down to my neck where I feel his hot breath against the sensitive skin there.
Claiming me like a wolf, he takes a deep bite, suckling on my skin, not letting go.
“I want you and you’re mine. Don’t you ever forget that.”
“Never.” I’m panting.
That night Noah unleashes a beast he’s had locked up for too long, and he takes it all out on my body. Thank god the music downstairs is loud enough to cover the sounds of the headboard beating against the wall because we are powerless to stop. We use and abuse each other over the next few hours until our bodies can no longer take the punishment. Spent and reeling, we lie together, drenched in each other’s love.
We leave the house early the next morning to make our flight back to LA. I have to fight every instinct in my body to not lean over the console and jump into Noah’s lap. As it is, we can barely keep our hands off of each other. It does not go unnoticed.
“So, did you have a curling iron accident on your neck this morning?” Sarita says in typical snarky fashion.
“Yeah, it must be because it looks pretty similar to the one I saw on your neck last night.” I lob it right back into her court.
“Touché Hill, touché,” she says giving me her half-smile.
“Holy crap! Did you hook up with Xander last night!” Olive asks.
“Hookup is a strong term,” she deflects.
“Is boning in the closet a better term?” Kai whips out.
“Bazinga!” Noah choruses in.
“Damn, when did I start letting you guys get the upper hand on me. I must be getting soft.”
At the same time, all us gay dudes say, “That’s what he said!” We all high-five and howl with laughter at our own spin on the phrase.
On our way back to the airport we make a quick stop to grab something at the Fork in the Road diner, the same one that Noah and I went to the first time we drove out.
Delighted to see the old-timey jukebox against the wall, Olive grabs her purse and fishes out some change.
“Oh lord, forgive her for she knows not what she does,” Sarita says as Olive begins fishing through the music choices. After about a minute, Kai jumps up to join her. They agree on a song because we see a high-five between the two.
Shortly before our food arrives, we hear the selection.
Agreeing it was a great choice, we all begin singing the song Just Like Heaven by The Cure. So, of course, we start a spontaneous dance party. I dance with Noah, his arms around my waist, swaying to the tune. I look up into his eyes, dazzled by what I see every time we are together.
Chapter 49
Noah
“How do I look?” Josh asks me.
How can I express how stunning he looks to me? He is indescribably beautiful. The scars from his reconstructive surgery have long since healed. The studio graciously offered to pay for his orthodontia. He no longer wears the eye patch. Luckily, the specialist was able to save his eye. However, the damage left him partially blind. His right eye is slightly discolored from his normal hazel, but he wears tinted contacts to even out the color. It’s not easy for him, but he’s taking it all in stride. I walk to him and fix his tie. “You look gorgeous.” He gives me his huge, charismatic Josh Hill smile.
Today is Gemma and Ash’s wedding. To avoid media attention and to keep their day special and personal, they opted for a destination wedding. After getting me good and medicated/drunk, we flew in a few days ago and are staying at a small Italian Villa they have rented for the occasion. Hence, this morning, we were able to wake up in the scenic landscapes of Tuscany in Italy.
I’ve never been to Italy before and am captivated by the rolling green hills and old-world style architecture. Gem and Ash couldn’t have picked a better location.
Josh and I have taken full advantage of our time here, by going on cycling tours, sightseeing, eating amazing food, and taking in the culture. Josh tried his best to get me into a hot air balloon, but let’s be honest, that was not going to happen. Not without somebody los
ing a body part.
Us guys are wearing 20s style zoot suits instead of tuxedos. I am in a black and white pinstripe suit complete with suspenders and a pocket watch fob. I topped it off with a cranberry colored tie. Josh is Ash’s best man. He’s dressed similarly, but in a light silver dress suit with a royal blue tie. Its tailor fit just for him.
“You are so lucky we have this wedding to go to because I wouldn’t let you leave this room today,” I say.
“Nope, don’t even get started; we are leaving the room today. We can’t have a replay of yesterday.”
“Are you cutting me off?”
“Until after the wedding, yes. I’m the best man. I have the biggest responsibility of anyone in this thing.”
“Holding the ring?”
“It’s not just holding a ring; it is a symbol of his trust and faith in me as a best friend.”
“Where’s the ring?”
“It’s on top of the dresser.” He glances over and finds nothing there. Panic crosses his face. “No, no, no…I know I put it there for safekeeping. Or did I put it on the bathroom sink? Oh, shit!” He runs to the bathroom on a sprint.
I can’t do this to him. I have to fess up. “Josh! Come back. I’m just messing with you. I have it.”
He comes back out. Sweat had broken out on his forehead. “Not cool man. You’ll pay for that.” I take the ring box out of my pocket and hand it to him.
“Ready to go to Ash’s room?” I ask.
“Yeah, let me grab my dignity, and we can go.”
We pound on Ash’s door which is down the hall and around the corner from ours. When he opens the door, he looks exactly like his name. Ashen.
“Dude, did you get food poisoning or something last night? You look like shit,” Josh says.
“Nah, I’m okay. Yeah, okay. Just a little nervous maybe,” he says.
“Yikes, it looks like we got here just in time,” I say.
“What are you nervous about? It’s your wedding day. You’re marrying the greatest girl on the planet. You’re in freakin’ Tuscany for Christ sakes. How can this get any better?”
“What if she wakes up this morning and sees me for the backward hillbilly I really am, huh?”
“I truly doubt she would have waited this long to say something. I’m sure she knew. After all, I knew you were a hillbilly from the first time I saw you,” Josh says, playing on Ash’s correct assumptions about Josh a while back.
“Ha, ha,” Ash says, turning around and heading back to the bathroom. He truly does look physically ill.
“We don’t have long until the ceremony. We have to get you together. Come on. Where’s your suit? Let’s get this show on the road,” I say.
We pull out his suit and make sure he’s looking tight. Then Josh goes to work on his hair, pulling out his secret sauce for how he gets those amazing waves in his hair. When we are done, Ash looks wedding ready. His sandy light brown hair is parted to the side and looking slick.
“What do you think? Did we do a good job?” Josh asks.
“I got a makeover by two hot gay guys. Duh, of course, I look like a pimp!” The color is finally coming back to his cheeks.
I walk over to a small table in the corner and take a little surprise out of my pocket. It’s three small bottles of whiskey (thank you, American Airlines).
“I want to make a toast,” I set all three bottles down and remove the bottle caps. Ash and Josh come over to the table, and each takes their bottle. The three of us hold them up and prepare to clink.
I begin, “Ash, you’re about to marry someone very dear to me, and I want you to know without a doubt, there is no one more fit to marry her than you.” Ash’s posture relaxes, and I can see the tension release from his body. “Gemma is special, and you should remember to treat her that way every damn day, even when times get hard. She loves you. She told me once that the most important thing in any relationship is chemistry. It encompasses so much, yet it’s so hard to understand. Chemistry is the easy part. It’s what keeps you forever linked to the person you love, even when you cannot logically understand why. You both have that chemistry. I love you like a brother Ash. I wish you both the greatest happiness that life can give.”
With tears in our eyes, we lift the bottles and down the shots. Then we grab each other for a group hug.
“I have to get downstairs to Gemma now. The girls should be done dolling her up. I’ll see you guys downstairs. Take good care of him, Josh.”
“I will, baby.” I never tire of him calling me baby.
As a man entering a bridal suite, I must say the experience is surreal. The sweet smell of women’s perfume is intoxicating. Her french lace bridal gown hangs from an open portal that serves as her window. It is simple and chic, just like the woman herself. The gown is a champagne color with lacework that will resemble small wings in a sheer pattern down her back.
“Noah! You’re here!” Gemma squeals. She jumps up from the table where Sarita was applying her lipstick with precision expertise.
“For god’s sake! Don’t mess her up!” Sarita shouts.
“Jesus, relax! I’m only hugging her, Hitler.” She gives me a seething side- eye, then grins.
“She’s been like this all morning,” Gemma says apologetically. “Oh, Noah, you look so handsome. Don’t you think girls?” Sarita and Olive both nod in agreement.
“Where’s Josh?” asks Olive.
“He’s with Ash, keeping him sane. You’ve got that poor boy so tangled up.”
“That was my master plan. Get him, then rope him up to a chair and force him to marry me.”
“I wish he could hear this. He needs the confidence booster about now.”
“Really? What is he going on about up there?”
“Ridiculous stuff about you waking up and realizing you’re marrying a yokel or something. It’s nuts.”
“Maybe I should go see him? You know, to reassure him?”
“No freakin’ way. I’ve worked too hard on this wedding for you to jinx it at the last minute,” Sarita moans.
Gemma looks desperate. “Maybe I should call him then? Yeah, give me my phone, Olive.” Gemma leaps across the room, grabbing her phone from Olive and goes into the bathroom then shuts the door.
“So much pressure. Glad it’s not me,” I let loose a big sigh and take a seat in a nearby chair.
“Not so fast there, Noah. Aren’t you going to ask Josh to marry you one day?” Sarita says. “Before you answer, let me remind you, I made the grand sacrifice for your love so you two could be together.”
“And for that, I will be eternally grateful, but I don’t think it will be anytime soon.”
“But there is a possibility then?” Olive chimes in.
“Quit putting me on the spot. Yes, there is a possibility. And when the time is right, we’ll see how it goes. Stop glaring at me with those mascaraed eyes!”
“Fine. We both better get invites, though. And don’t wait too long. I only have so many years before this fabulous body gives out,” Sarita says. “I have to look good for my ex’s wedding, so he can see what he passed on.” She walks by my chair, and hip checks me playfully.
Chloe says, “Oh, my goodness, can you picture their wedding? I see them at a mountain top chalet hideaway. It will be snowing, and they will be in a grand vaulted ceiling room with a gigantic fireplace where they exchange their vows in front of family and friends.” She holds her head to the side dreamily, seeing the vision in her mind. “It will be magical.”
“You’ve like, really thought about this, like a lot, huh?” Sarita says.
“Yes, I have. It’s all in my new #JAX fan fiction I’m putting in my blog next month.”
“Oh, for the love of…Olive, you are crazy; you know that?”
“Yes, but you still love me.”
“Hmm…that makes me even crazier.”
Just then, Gemma comes out of the bathroom. She is all smiles and happy tears.
“Gemma! What did I tell you! No, crying!�
�� Sarita says, dashing over to the makeup table to get her face repair tools.
“Sorry, he was just so sweet. I love him so much.” Gemma says.
“Well, hold it for after the ceremony, you still need to take pictures, girl!” Sarita gets ahold of Gemma’s arm and sits her back down at the makeup table.
“Gemma, where’s your mom?” I ask.
“She was here just before you came in. I had to dismiss her. She was making me nervous. All of those years she warned me about dying old and alone with a house full of cats. I honestly think she was almost disappointed it didn’t happen. Witch.”
When Sarita finishes reapplying her makeup, we make a group effort to get her wedding gown on her without causing any further damage. The final product is amazing. She takes my breath away.
“We need to finish up. The ceremony starts soon. Let’s move!” Sarita orders.
“Excuse me, sweetie; this party can’t start until I arrive. Chill out,” Gemma claps back.
“Amateurs,” Sarita huffs. “Come on, Olive; let’s make sure everything is ready for her entrance.”
“See you downstairs, Gemma!” Olive shouts as Sarita shoves her out the door.
“Alone at last,” I say. I take a step back to look at her in her full glory. My mind wonders what she would have looked like on our wedding day. No doubt, just as beautiful if not more so. “Sweetheart, you look amazing.”
“Thank you, Noah, it means so much for you to be here with me.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world right now, but here with you.”
She says, “There were so many times I was afraid I would lose you in my life. First, when we moved out to LA, then the fame became overwhelming, and we started to drift apart. We found each other again, only to have me nearly wreck our friendship with a lie. Through it all, we’ve been there for each other.” She grabs my hands with her tiny ones. “You are the best friend a girl could ever have and the love I will always treasure.” A giant tear wells in her eye. I use my thumb to catch it before it runs down her flawless cheek.