The Wedding Planner

by GA Hauser

  “I’m in no rush.”

  After a pause, Elijah asked, “Any luck on getting a modeling agent?”

  “Zip.” Tyler frowned. “Too many Google me, and that’s the end of my chances.”

  Elijah growled in annoyance. “I don’t get that. That was ten fucking years ago.”

  “Hey, don’t tell me.” Tyler raised his hand. “They even let cops who smoked dope in high school join the police. You tell me what’s wrong with that picture.” He took another drink of his juice. “I made seven movies between fifteen and eighteen years old, and I’m branded for life.”

  “I’m so sorry, Tyler. You should be a model. You’re better looking than any of the morons out there.”

  “Thanks, Elijah. That’s very sweet of you.”

  “There they are.” Elijah pointed to two women just entering the room. He waved at them excitedly.

  Tyler stood as they approached. “Hello, ladies.”

  They each kissed his cheek. “Hi, Tyler.”

  “You want me to get your drinks?” he offered.

  “We got it. Thanks, though.”

  Tyler sat back down as they went to the bar. He noticed an interracial lesbian couple kissing in the corner and smiled. He was about to give his attention back to Elijah when he froze, taking a moment to internalize the information his brain had gathered in a split second and reevaluate it for accuracy. He moved his chair back and took another long look at that couple. “Fuck!”

  “What?” Elijah asked curiously.

  “I have to make a call. Be back.” Tyler rose up, stepped only slightly closer to the couple to have one more look to be certain, and hurried outside the restaurant entrance, dialing as he did.

  “Hello?”

  “Jordon?”

  “Mr. Holliday!”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Watching men’s swimming. Why? What are you doing?”

  “I need you to come to meet me right now.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes. It’s urgent.”

  “Are you okay?”

  The concern in Jordon’s voice touched him deeply. “I am. But, please, I need you to meet me as soon as possible.”

  “Where are you?”

  “531 Hudson Street.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Tyler hung up. He was so sick to his stomach he could puke.

  ***

  Jordon sat in a cab trying not to fret. He seriously could not imagine what was so urgent that Tyler needed him that quickly. If he was going to proposition him, it was a waste of time. But for some reason, that wasn’t what it sounded like to Jordon. It sounded very dire. Tyler wasn’t the kind of guy to pull a bad joke or make trivial things seem important.

  The cab stopped at a restaurant he had never heard of. Jordon paid the fare and instantly found Tyler waiting under the awning out front, wringing his hands anxiously.

  “What’s going on?”

  Tyler grabbed his arm and without a word, took him into the restaurant.

  Jordon couldn’t be more confused. He was escorted through a noisy, crowded area to another room with a bar was on one side and tables and chairs on the other. Laughter, music, chatting; it was a busy place, and the movement all around him was distracting. Finally Tyler held him still, physically grabbed his jaw, and pointed his face in the right direction.

  With his head swimming, simply because he had no clue what he was looking for, finally he found it.

  He died.

  As if he were seeing something that could not be real and must be an optical illusion, Jordon’s skin went ice cold.

  He saw a pretty blonde woman kissing, and already at second base with, an attractive African-American woman. There was so much passion it would most certainly have turned on any red-blooded straight male.

  Being “turned on” was not on his list of priorities at the moment. He felt homicidal. “Fawn!”

  She jumped so violently at the sound of his voice, she almost toppled off the chair.

  Camisha gave him a look that could kill as Fawn scrambled to her feet, pale as a sheet, and shaking her head while she stammered, “I can explain.”

  Jordon ground his jaw, suddenly feeling the wool pull back from his vision at all the passionless sex, the stringing along, the excuses. He held up his hand in a symbol of stop and closed his eyes in agony.

  ***

  Tyler was near tears.

  It wasn’t his intention to spite someone in order to net a man he loved or to break off a wedding. No. This was agony for him. Seeing Jordon crushed was like witnessing his execution. But he loved Jordon, and Jordon had to know what his fiancée was doing behind his back. Had to.

  Though he was too far away to hear any of it, Jordon’s tense body language was enough to speak volumes. When Elijah stood near to ask what was wrong, Tyler gave him a patient glance and whispered, “I’ll call you later.”

  Without a word of explanation, Elijah nodded and walked away.

  Tyler gave his attention back to the heart-wrenching scene.

  ***

  “Jordy! It isn’t what you think.”

  “Stop.” Jordon clenched his jaw to prevent his scream. “Please, don’t treat me like an imbecile.”

  “Baby…”

  When she went to touch him, he shoved her off. “I can’t even look at you right now.”

  “That’s rich. You tolerate your faggot brother.”

  “I’m not marrying my brother,” he roared, biting his lip and knowing it was suddenly a scene. He detested scenes.

  “It’s just a silly fling.”

  “No.” He turned away from her. It all made so much fucking sense that he felt like the biggest fool on earth.

  “Jordy! I still want to marry you.”

  He jerked out of her hold and snarled, “I don’t want to marry you.”

  “No. Come on. I thought you’d be turned on. Maybe ask for a threesome.”

  Jordon glared at her. “You don’t know me at all, do you, Fawn?”

  “I thought I did.”

  “Does the word fidelity mean anything to you?” He wanted to yell but held back his volume painfully.

  “I never went with another man. I wouldn’t.”

  He gestured to Camisha, who was still glaring at him like he was stealing her lover, which Jordon was very sure had been true. “You've already cheated on me.”

  “No.” She waved him off with a belittling smirk. “It’s not cheating with Camisha. We’re best friends.”

  “Get away from me.” He turned toward the exit.

  “Jordy!”

  When she touched his arm to stop him, he spun around in fury. “Get the fuck away from me. It’s over. You got that?”

  “No. I want to get married, Jordy.”

  “Then find a man who can tolerate your infidelity.” He stormed out, not looking back, chasing a taxi down the block. He climbed in and fumed, so angry he couldn’t see.

  ***

  Tyler raced after him. He'd heard the last part because the volume of their argument had increased. He wanted to comfort Jordon. Tyler sprinted out of the restaurant to find that Jordon had already gotten into a cab and vanished.

  Chapter Twelve

  All night Tyler tried Jordon’s mobile phone. No answer. His home phone. Nothing. He left one message, then took a cab to Jordon’s condo Monday morning. Tyler rode the elevator to his floor and banged at his door. “Jordon!” He pressed his ear to the wood. “Fuck.” He rubbed his face and descended back to the lobby and headed home. Maybe Jordon had gone to his parents’ place. Or maybe he just needed time alone.

  Once Tyler was in his own apartment, he tossed his keys down on the table and stood in the middle of his living room in a daze. He felt guilty for being the one. The one to let Jordon know about Fawn, but he had to.

  Scrubbing his hand over his eyes in agony, Tyler cried, “Jordon… oh Christ, Jordon.”

  ***

  Monday morning, sweat running down his pits and c
hest, Jordon pushed a lawn mower over his two acres of grass. He liked spending time here. His grand, 1950s split-level Montclair abode -- eighteen hundred feet of privacy, three bedrooms, two and a half baths. The home had been completely updated before he bought it, with wood floors and brand-new appliances. The large lot had mature trees and a delightful patio where you could either stretch out on a chaise lounge or have a barbeque. It was suburban bliss. He wished he could spend more time there, but it was too long a commute. After all, in the city, he walked down his street and was at work.

  He turned the yard work into a workout and briskly made geometric patterns on the green sod. He would spend the day pruning, weeding, and doing general maintenance, which he had been neglecting with having a second place to live.

  He dumped the clippings on his compost pile, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the bottom of his t-shirt.

  He had taken the week off. Fuck it. The stock market could survive a goddamn week without his input. Adrian could handle his emergency calls. Screw it, screw it, screw it.

  Since Saturday night, he’d called no one. Not even his mother.

  Though, with the engagement off, Jordon had no doubt Fawn had already spread the news to Blithe, who would have called his mom, who would have called all his relatives, and so on, and so on… and he was now a laughingstock because his fiancée preferred to kiss and fondle female flesh behind his back.

  He shook the last of the grass out of the catcher and hung it back on the mower to continue where he’d left off.

  Wouldn’t Bryan get a good laugh? Bridezilla finally ate New York. Or at least a New Yorker named Camisha.

  “No wonder…” he muttered as he labored, “…no wonder Camisha glared at me. Christ, she used to like me.”

  How long had that affair been going on? He felt like the biggest idiot for being so naïve, so blind.

  In another half hour he finished the lawn, emptying the last bag of grass. He stood tall and had a look around, pleased with his efforts.

  Jordon kicked off his grimy garden sneakers, and at the back door brushed off the grass that had stuck to his bare legs. Once inside, he removed a beer from the fridge and brought it back outside, where he could drop down on a garden lounge chair.

  When someone appeared around the side of his house, Jordon tilted his head curiously, half expecting Bryan to show up unannounced once he found out what had happened. Only it wasn’t Bryan.

  “Oh, my God.” Jordon watched as the man approached.

  “I am so sorry.”

  “Tyler? How the hell did you find me here?”

  Tyler dropped down to crouch next to him, holding the arm of Jordon’s chair. “Bryan told me you’d probably be here. Jordon, what can I do? I’m sick about it.”

  “Why should you be sick about it? She’s the sick fucker, cheating like that on me,” he spat out, drinking his beer bitterly.

  “Do you hate me for letting you know?”

  Jordon reached out to cup Tyler’s face. “I could never hate you.”

  Tyler held Jordon’s hand and kissed his palm affectionately. When he met Jordon’s gaze, Tyler whispered, “I felt so guilty I was the one who exposed her. I didn’t get any sleep last night, Jordon. I tried to find you. I was frantic.”

  Jordon lowered his hand to his lap. “I’m sorry. I just had to get away.”

  “Please. Tell me what I can do. Do you want me to leave? Do you want to be on your own?”

  “No. Don’t leave.” Jordon reached for his hand. “Stay with me. I feel like the worst reject on the planet. I have never felt so alone, Tyler.”

  “Baby,” Tyler moaned reaching around Jordon to embrace him off the chair.

  “I’m a sweaty, grass-coated mess, Mr. Holliday.”

  “Ask me if I care, Mr. Buck.” Tyler tightened his hold.

  As Tyler’s arms surrounded him, Jordon balanced his beer bottle down on the patio and drew him close, resting his head on Tyler’s shoulder. Jordon closed his eyes, feeling so much relief it was palpable.

  When Jordon sat back to see Tyler’s light eyes, he smiled. “I’m being a lousy host. You want a beer?” It was then he noticed the tears standing in Tyler’s eyes. “Tyler, please.” Jordon shook his head.

  “How could she hurt you?” Tyler whispered, “How? Look at you. You’re so kind. So nurturing. How can she not see who you are?”

  Jordon dabbed at the slow-moving drops that ran down Tyler’s high cheekbones. The care Tyler was showing was so touching it left Jordon speechless.

  “You would have given her the moon.” Tyler began to weep. “Your loyalty and honesty is as tangible as your beauty, Mr. Buck.”

  “Tyler… don’t cry.” Jordon used his thumbs to brush away the fresh drops.

  “I would never have done that to you. If I were privileged enough to have your commitment, I never would have squandered it, Jordon.” Tyler knelt on the patio in front of him, holding Jordon’s right hand tightly in both of his own. “I would have loved you until death pulled us apart, never cheated on you regardless of the temptation, and held you dear to my heart, forever.”

  Jordon teased gently, “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were a wedding planner.”

  “Please…” Tyler blinked and a river of water flooded down his beautiful face. “Don’t mock me.”

  “I am not doing that.” Jordon sat back down, grabbing Tyler’s jaw in both palms. “Are you kidding me?” Jordon whispered, lost in irises he couldn’t believe could be so blue. “You are everything to me, Tyler. You have become my closest friend. The time we spend together means the world to me. Do you have any idea how important you are to me?”

  Tyler shook his head, but it hardly moved in the grip of Jordon’s hands. “No. Tell me. Just how important am I to you, Jordon?”

  In a leap of faith, Jordon drew Tyler’s mouth to meet his.

  The contact was so electric, Jordon felt dizzy.

  In response, Tyler unleashed whimpering moans of agony and ecstasy, wrapping his arms around Jordon, urging him to stand.

  When they were on their feet, Jordon clung to Tyler’s body, tasting his tongue in his mouth, shocked it felt arousing and not strange.

  As if the emotion had grown too much for Tyler, he parted to pant for breath, groaning passionately, kissing Jordon’s neck and cheek.

  “Let’s go inside.” Jordon didn’t need to put on a show for his neighbors.

  Tyler held Jordon’s hand. Jordon led him into his kitchen. The minute the door closed, Tyler spun Jordon around, getting back into his arms. “Christ, I love you, Buck.” Tyler made for his lips again.

  Hearing it said -- the right way -- astonished Jordon. In the three years he had been with Fawn, she had never once said it with feeling, need, pure affection. His head was spinning and his heart was exploding in his chest.

  He cupped the back of Tyler’s head, digging his fingers into Tyler’s thick black hair and deepened the kiss. A kiss like no other he had ever had. It sent shockwaves through him. It was both rough and tender, scratchy and soft, but the taste of Tyler’s adoration floored Jordon. He felt the devotion in this man’s contact.

  Suddenly Tyler backed up, his eyes filled with anxiety. “Is it okay I’m kissing you?”

  Jordon laughed at his late but adorable request for approval. He nodded. “Yes.”

  Tyler purred in delight. Jordon chuckled at the tickling kisses Tyler ran down his neck. “But I’m filthy. Tyler, I just mowed the lawn.”

  “I know. Your sweat is delicious.”

  Tyler ran a long, wet lick up his skin that sent Jordon’s cock upright. Jordon quivered all over from it. This man actually wanted to touch him? Taste him? Excite him?

  “Am I moving too fast, Jordon?” Tyler panted, caressing Jordon’s back through his t-shirt.

  “I don’t know. I’m in a daze.”

  At the admission, Tyler slowed down, his hands on Jordon’s hips as he stared at him. “Am I taking advantage of you?”

  �
�Yes. Please,” Jordon replied. “I’m so starved for genuine affection I’m in pain.”

  “That bitch,” Tyler hissed, shifting his weight from leg to leg.

  Jordon put his finger against Tyler’s mouth. “No more mentioning her.”

  “No problem,” Tyler snorted sarcastically.