by Jo Tannah
“Zach, what’s wrong?”
At his mother’s voice, Zach turned to his mother. His father followed close behind her. He pulled away from Tristan, not missing his mother’s raised eyebrow. He ignored what the look implied, refusing to think about it now, not with Giles and Amanda’s absences.
“Mom, Dad, please take Tristan to Margaret. I have to make an announcement. He’ll tell you what’s going on.”
Without saying a word, Jonathan and Joanna flanked Tristan’s sides and accompanied him down the aisle. Zach watched as Tristan spoke in low voice to his parents, whose expressions went from mild curiosity to shock and then to a deadpan. Seeing that the three were going to deal with Margaret, he looked around at the curious faces of the friends, guests and relatives. Thinking fast, he went up the dais and made up an excuse about a torn hem, asking the guests to please stay put until the bride calmed her nerves. The guests accepted his excuse with quiet laughter and he took off.
Zach walked calmly down the aisle, although once he turned the corner out of the guest’s view, he rushed to the bridal room. The door lay open and he heard Margaret’s screams of frustration mingled with the hushes and pleases of her father, who looked red in the face. Zach winced in sympathy. He knew Tristan was trying his best, but Margaret was not known for her calm demeanor. And truly, Tristan never had been successful at taming his daughter’s temper. She could go on a rage even her father feared. Good thing Zach knew just how to deal with his childhood friend. Zach placed two fingers in his mouth and a piercing whistle cut through the air. It startled everyone to silence.
“Damn, girl. You look like a drunken panda with all of your crying. Do you want to get out there looking like that?” He walked over to the vanity where the makeup paraphernalia lay, ignoring the angry sputters coming from Margaret. After surveying the mess on the table he turned to his mother for help. Thankfully, she took his hint.
“Baby girl, come. Let me fix your makeup,” Joanna said, holding out a hand to Margaret.
“Tita Jo! They’ve ruined everything!” Margaret whined and stamped her feet, but went to sit in front of the vanity mirror.
“Have you found them yet?” Margaret snapped at Zach who couldn’t help rolling his eyes at the possessed woman.
“I’ll find her as soon as you shut your trap and let me go find them without having to get back to your guests and make excuses why a torn hem is enough to give you a nervous breakdown. Now stop being a brat.”
All eyes widened at his words. Margaret pouted. “Zach! Don’t be mean to me! Tita Jo!”
Zach sighed and bent to kiss her head. “I’ll try if you try. Look, you’re almost a married woman now, and guess what? You’re older than I am by two months. Now please. Behave!”
Margaret glared up at him. Zach grinned down. He knew the odd reference to their age had the desired effect, albeit temporarily. Margaret nodded, pursing her lips. Zach turned around with another roll of his eyes and caught Tristan’s look of relief. With a wink and determined look on his face, Zach left the room to search for the elusive duo.
He found Giles running toward him at breakneck speed through the walkways from across the beach. Zach hurried to intercept him, looking around and behind Giles. There was no sign of his best man Jeff. He turned to look at Giles and watched how his hair dripped wet from so much sweat it rolled down his face. Looking down he saw the muddied slacks and dirty shoes. The rest of his tux was just as wet, too. From what, Zach didn’t want to ask.
“Where the hell have you been? What the hell happened?”
“I’m sorry!” Giles wheezed out. He stopped and panted, bracing his hands on his knees gasping for breath. “The car broke down and I had to take a taxi. Then the traffic went on a standstill because of some accident. I had to run three blocks to get here. Am I late? I forgot my phone in the car and I don’t know where Jeff is. Is Margaret mad? Is she okay? Please, Zach, tell me she still wants to marry me.”
Zach shook his head finding the whole situation unbelievable. What was it about weddings that made mature men and women act like children?
“The answer is yes to all your questions. Let me get you in the groom’s room and see if we can salvage your attire. I’ll explain things to Margaret. She’ll be okay once she knows you’re here. The wedding can go on even with Jeff coming in late.”
Giles looked down at himself and groaned. “I’m a mess.”
“Yes, you are. Now come with me. You need to get out of those clothes, you can’t get married in them.”
“But where will I get a new suit?”
“Let me think about it,” Zach said as he led them through the maze of hedges and trees.
Zach deposited Giles in the groom’s room before rushing over to the bride’s. He slammed the door open, spotted Joshua, grabbed his hand and dragged the startled man out before he slammed the door shut behind them.
“Take off your clothes. You’re the same size and height as Giles,” he said, not slowing down their flight down the hallway.
“What? Why?”
“Just do it!” At Zach’s order, Joshua quickened his pace and hurried over to Giles’ room.
“Damn! Okay, okay,” Joshua said, stopping on the doorway when he saw Giles’s state. He began taking off his suit. Zach stayed long enough to make sure the two exchanged clothes before turning around to get back to Margaret. The sooner she knew Giles was here the sooner her tantrum would end.
“Hey, Zach? What about me? What am I going to wear?” Joshua asked, hopping on one leg as he continued to strip off his pants.
Zach thought for a moment before reaching into his pocket for the key card to his room. He handed it over to Joshua, who took it with one hand while using the other to hand the trousers over to Giles, who’d stripped down to his jocks and socks.
“Get to my room. I have something in the closet that should fit you. Luckily I brought an extra tux. We’re about the same size, although you’re a bit... taller. Otherwise, I’m sure the suit should fit you, if a bit short around the cuffs. It’s not as formal as what you had on, but at least you’re not going to be standing in front like the rest of us are.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Give me back the key card when you’re done.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to lock the door. What room are you in?” Joshua said grimacing as he put on Giles’ damp clothes and nodding his head when Zach told him the room number. “Zach, I’m taking a shower in your room.”
“You do that,” Zach said absently. “I’m going to Margaret. Giles, make sure you get yourself to the altar. We don’t want another meltdown happening.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
“Giles!”
Zach and Giles turned to Joshua.
“Go take a shower, you look ridiculous.”
“Oh, right, okay... yeah... .” Giles tore off his clothes and walked into the bathroom.
Zach closed the door behind him, trusting Joshua would make sure Giles looked presentable and in time. He moved quickly to join Margaret and the rest of the family in the bridal room.
“Okay, Giles is here. Jeff is not. I’ll explain everything later. Tristan, take Margaret’s arm and walk her down the aisle.”
“What about Amanda?” Jonathan asked.
“I don’t fucking care!” Margaret’s voice quivered in anger.
“Hey, watch your language,” Tristan said in reprimand, looking down at his daughter.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. But truly, I don’t care. She’s never been a real mother to us. Tita Jo is. She’s who’s important.”
Joanna bent to hide the tears in her eyes. Zach went over to her and tucked her arm in his.
“Come on, Mom. Let’s get this half-pint married.”
“Finally!” That came from Mark, who’d quietly sat in one corner playing Smash Hit balls on his android while the drama unfolded.
* * * *
Tristan walked his da
ughter down the aisle holding onto her trembling hand. At the periphery, he spotted Amanda just getting seated in the back row. Tristan gave Margaret a gentle nudge. She just huffed after she glanced her mother’s way and Tristan hid his wince when she dug her nails into his hand. He had to admit, he was relieved Amanda made it. Despite their relationship, he hated the thought of his only daughter getting married without her mother in attendance.
Tristan delivered Margaret to Giles, frowning curiously when he recognized the tux as the one Joshua had been wearing earlier. Giles looked as if he’d run a mile and freshly showered. Jeff, on the other hand, stood panting behind Giles and he looked... soggy. He turned to take a seat beside Jon and Joanna. Margaret had insisted the Parkers be given the same honor as one would parents, overriding all arguments from Amanda. As the vows were said, Tristan watched Giles’ face. Even flushed and sweaty, it was clear to everyone watching he loved Margaret. Tristan gave the young man the benefit of a doubt. Would he prove to be good enough for his daughter?
The thought gave him pause. He looked at Zach, who stood beside Margaret and reached a decision. He’d give Jonathan that one punch. After that, all bets were off. He wanted Zach. For always.
Chapter Eight
Tristan sat next to Jonathan. Both men had taken off their suit jackets as soon as the traditional ceremonies at the reception had ended. Tristan had danced the first dance with his daughter. The bride and groom had cut and eaten their cake. The doves had been released.
“Wow. Did you see that?” Mouth agape, Jonathan watched Zach and Margaret tango on the dance floor in the middle of The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. The two had been dance partners from a young age and looked good together. Zach tall and lean, Margaret slim and tiny on stilettos.
Tristan laughed low, taking a sip from the champagne flute in his hand. He watched his daughter and lover as they performed complicated leg movements, their backs ramrod straight, their expressions intense. Everything had gone back on track and Amanda was behaving. For now. She was still drinking heavily, but thankfully she wasn’t making a scene. Tristan hoped it lasted.
“Do you remember the dance lessons they begged off us?” Jonathan said, eyes still locked on the dancing pair.
Tristan smiled in remembrance. “How they both looked so scared? I can’t believe that was what—fifteen years ago?”
“No shit. I feel old, Tris.” Jonathan grinned. “But look at them now. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, you know? All the long hours working, making sure the firm was a success. All that hard work, it was worth it.”
Tristan agreed. He felt proud. He felt like taking Zach in his arms and make sure to keep him safe. He flexed his back and gave a sigh of relief when his spine popped.
“How’s your back?” Jonathan said, turning around in his chair.
Tristan twisted his back in his seat and huffed in satisfaction when he felt more than one vertebrae align in a series of relief-inducing pops. “It’s okay, just tired I guess. All that drama, it made me tense. Still am, to be honest. I’m waiting for when Amanda forgets to behave.”
“I hear you,” Jonathan said, turning back to the dancing couple. “Hey, you want to come with us later? Joanna wants to go eat somewhere tonight.”
“I’ll check with Zach first, see what he says.”
Jonathan’s head jerked around. “Why would you want to check with Zach?”
Fuck! The words had come out of his mouth before he could stop them. What the hell was he going to do now? Think!
“I assume Zach is going with you. He hasn’t seen you in months. He may want you all to himself tonight.”
God, how he hated telling half-truths, but this was not the time to tell his best friend he was his son’s lover. Shit!
“Oh yeah, right. Good point. Zach did agree to come with us tonight. Sure, check with him first and see what he thinks.”
Tristan sipped on his drink, hiding his relief behind the rim of the flute. He’d slipped. Quick thinking saved him for now, but how would he deal with a pissed off Jonathan when he at last learned the truth? God help me.
* * * *
Zach brought Margaret over to Giles, gave her a last hug, and shook Giles’ hand before turning around to walk toward the buffet table. Everything looked perfect, thanks to the event planner Amanda had hired. Zach admitted Amanda knew whom to contact when it came to parties and events. Before their divorce, the Maxfields had thrown some great parties at their home. He saw his mother sitting alone two tables down watching the guests on the dance floor. She’d propped her feet over the rung of a chair facing her. He picked up two bottles of cold water from a bucket and walked toward her.
“Everything seems to be working well. Amanda’s not making a scene, thank God,” he said, handing over a bottle of water. She took it with a smile and took a long drink from it.
His mother passed her gaze over the large reception area. “I think you’re right, ‘ta.”
“Now all we have to do is make sure she behaves until Margaret and Giles leave tomorrow.”
“I’ll just sit here, my feet are killing me. These shoes are expensive and do look good but boy, they’re uncomfortable.”
Zach bent to divest his mother of her shoes from hell. Her sigh of relief made him smile. “I don’t know why you insist on wearing them,” he said, making a show of putting the shoes off to one side.
His mother laughed. “The price women pay to look good. I’m fine, ‘ta. My feet just needed to relax a while.” She rubbed her feet together. “What’s going on with you and Tristan?”
The softly said query made Zach blink in surprise. Momentarily stunned, he didn’t know what to say. “What do you mean, Mom?”
Joanna lifted an eyebrow, and Zach couldn’t help shifting in his chair. He felt like a child again. Then Joanna spoke in her usual, quiet way.
“You had your arm around him earlier. I’ve never seen you act like that around him before. You, who always sat across the room when he was around, or were quiet at the table when he joined us for dinner, didn’t look uncomfortable, like you’re accustomed to being close with him. This sudden change in behavior screamed of intimacy. Care to tell me what’s going on?”
If there was one thing Zach knew, it was impossible to lie to his mother. She possessed the proverbial eyes at the back of her head and her vision there was twenty-twenty. She constantly pleaded deafness due to some ear infection as a child, but she heard everything. It was useless to even attempt to lie around her, especially when she turned on her observation skills to a maximum. True, he’d refrained from telling the whole truth from time to time, but when his mother asked him a direct question, he felt compelled to answer truthfully. If he lied now, it would ruin his and Tristan’s chances of a future relationship with his parents. Sooner or later, his parents had to find out.
“We’re lovers,” he said in a rush.
“Hmm... since when?”
“The other night.”
The drawn out sigh was the only response Zach received. He looked up at his mother, who met his gaze without blinking. She looked angry... and disappointed. Knowing her as well as he did, she’d be barely holding on to her temper. Oh boy.
“Please, don’t be upset, Mom.” Zach pleaded.
“Am I not expected to be? When he seduced you?”
“Mom, no. Please. He didn’t seduce me. I’ve wanted him for a long time. The other night, it was the first time we finally connected as adults.”
Joanna narrowed her eyes and stared hard at him.
“Please, Mom, don’t look at me like that!”
His mother’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You expect me to listen to what you two did together?”
“No! Mom, yuck! Please!”
His mother laughed, but it lacked mirth. “Is this a one-time thing between you two?”
“No. Not for me. Not for him.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve loved him for so long, M
om.”
His mother covered her eyes with a hand that trembled, shaking her head. Zach reached up, lowered her hand and cradled it into his. “We don’t know where this will go, but we’re not ready to end it. Not yet—”
Joanna put up a hand to interrupt him. “Have you thought about the age difference, Zach? He’s your father’s best friend. Tristan is his partner. Did you even stop to consider what your father has to say about all this? How he’d feel?”
“That’s just it, Mom. You and Dad have no say in this. We’re both adults, and whatever happens is between us.”
“Ikaw ha,” Joanna said, wagging a finger in his face. Zach flinched and bent his head to avoid the reprimand. “Did you ever stop to consider if you two break up because of some stupid reason or other it’s going to affect your dad’s relationship with Tristan? Have you even stopped to think how uncomfortable your father would be working with the man who sleeps with his son?”
“I thought about all of those and more!” Zach placed his face into his hands. “But please, you have to give us a chance. What if it does work out between us? What if we get married—”
“Huy. Just stop.” Joanna put up her hand again. His mother had a quick mind. Her reactions weren’t always the expected, but she always tried to make things right. Her slipping into her dialect made Zach squirm in his seat. That was usually a sign Joanna was barely holding on to her temper.
She huffed out a sigh. “Ahay. Your father is going to punch Tristan in the face. Mark my words,” she said, slapping a hand over her thigh.
Zach sighed, and tried to placate her. “Tristan said he’ll give Dad that one chance.”
“After which?”
“Then all bets are off.”
“Ahay, linte,” she said softly. Mother and son looked at each other and both sighed in resignation.