by CJ Bishop
The best men exchanged glances, and soft laughter drifted through the room.
“I’ll start us off,” Brandon chuckled and stood up from his place at the best man table, a glass of champagne in hand. He walked over to the microphone. He cleared his throat. “Devlin and I were best friends in middle school and high school before my family moved away. Though we lost touch for a while, I never found another friend quite like him.”
Devlin stared at him, a quiet ache in his heart. It was hard to remember the good times of their youth without the bad now tainting it. He’d had no idea what Craig had been doing to Brandon all the while that Devlin thought his and Brandon’s lives were those of typical happy teenagers.
Brandon chose to focus on the good things, and Devlin was thankful that he could. “If it wasn’t for Devlin,” Brandon chuckled, “I’m pretty sure I would have gotten into a lot more trouble than I did. He was the ‘good guy’ of our duo, always trying to save me from myself and my crazy notions that would’ve gotten me into hot water with my folks, and…um…occasionally the law.”
The painful memories drifted into the far reaches of Devlin’s mind, and he laughed softly, recalling some of the crazy shit Brandon had tried to coax him into doing with him.
Brandon’s gaze rested warmly on Devlin. “The one thing I remember most about Devlin, though,” he said with affection, “was his ability to find worth in things that others viewed as lacking value.” His eyes turned tenderly to Abel. “I’m glad to see that he hasn’t lost his gift for spotting priceless treasure.” He smiled softly and raised his glass. “I wish you both all the best of life and love, may your marriage be filled with many treasures to come.”
Everyone raised their glasses as a chorus of “here, here” resounded throughout the room.
Devlin blinked back tears and stood up when Brandon approached, and the two of them embraced. Brandon hugged Abel. “Make him be a bad boy now and then,” he whispered with a dark smile and kissed Abel on the cheek. “It’ll be good for him.”
“Hey,” Devlin laughed.
“Don’t worry,” Abel whispered back and winked at Devlin. “I know how to bring out the bad boy in him.”
Sitting to Abel’s left, Cole and Gabe grinned. “Does he ever,” Cole chuckled.
“You two.” Devlin pointed at them and scowled. “Hush.”
The room crackled with laughter.
♦
Lex walked to the microphone next. Cole wondered how Lex would approach the subject of how they had met and become friends. A small knot balled in his gut even though he knew he could trust Lex to be discreet and tactful. It wasn’t Lex’s toast that knotted him up inside, but Cole’s own memories of that time in his life. He didn’t let the guilt reclaim him, though. As the pastor had said—let the old things pass away as all things become new. He covered Gabe’s hand and smiled at his husband. A new start with a clean slate.
“When I first met Cole,” Lex began with a soft tone, “he was caught in a storm…of life. He had thought he’d lost the one great love of his life.” Lex glanced around. “Many of you have been there yourselves and can understand such despair.”
Gabe leaned closer and pressed his lips to Cole’s shoulder.
“The pain he was going through broke my heart,” Lex murmured with a strain of emotion. “I feel lucky—honored—that I could be there for him at such a crucial time if only to help him hold his head above the tumultuous waters until the storm passed.”
Cole laid his head against Gabe’s, his vision blurring.
“What appeared at first to be a chance encounter, grew into a deep and abiding friendship that I will cherish all my life.” He smiled at the couple. “The depth of love and understanding and forgiveness between Cole and Gabe was evidence to me that true love exists.” His gaze slid over to Carl with affection and deep love. “That it’s out there and it’s real.” He looked at Cole. “And not just a fable captured solely within the pages of fairytale story. Your love is the true-life fairytale; we should all be so lucky to find what the two of you have found in one another.” He raised his glass and smiled. “May peace, love, and happiness reign supreme within the walls of your kingdom all the days of your life.”
Cheers went out to Cole and Gabe, and both men stood up when Lex approached, each hugging him hard. “You have found what we have,” he whispered in Lex’s ear. “Don’t be afraid to claim it.”
♦
True love exists. It’s out there, and it’s real. Grid grazed his fingertips over the back of Nolan’s hand; he was in full agreement with Lex.
Grid sat at a table with Nolan, Samuel, Jaimie, and the two little boys; Jules refused to sit apart from Reuben. The two boys reminded Grid of him and Nolan. Reuben was reserved, like his dad. Whereas Jules was outgoing and not at all shy about grabbing onto the boy he liked and keeping hold of him. Like Grid.
Twisting around and sitting on his knees, Jules asked, “When do we get to dance?”
Samuel chuckled. “Soon, kiddo. When the best men are finished toasting the newlyweds.”
“Who are you going to dance with, little man?” Grid glanced at Reuben who was sitting flat on his chair, his head hardly coming above the edge of the table. His face was partially concealed by the brim of Jules’ cowboy hat that the other boy had plopped on his head as soon as they’d arrived at the restaurant.
Jules rolled his eyes as if that were a ridiculously silly question. “Reuben. Who else?”
The men laughed, and Reuben looked up from plucking the chips out of a chocolate chip cookie and eating them first.
“You going to do the two-step with Jules?” Grid grinned.
Reuben stared at him, uncomprehending, a shy and uncertain smile on his face. “Huh?”
Nolan smiled. “He’s asking if you’re going to dance with Jules.”
“Oh.” The boy smiled and ducked his head, hiding his face beneath the hat, and shrugged bashfully.
Jules looked at him and giggled, then threw his arms around Reuben’s neck, knocking the hat askew. “Dance, dance.”
The giggles infected Reuben as he wriggled out of Jules’ hold and nearly toppled off the chair.
Nolan laughed. “Okay, boys, settle down.” He pointed toward the microphone where another toast was about to be given. “Shh. Let’s listen.”
After a few last giggles, the boys quieted and turned around to watched.
Grid slid his hand into Nolan’s and wove their fingers. Grid was loving this whole wedding day, but couldn’t deny that a part of him was anxious for it to come to an end in favor of a more intimate rendezvous back at Nolan’s apartment.
♦
“One thing I can tell you about Dane.” Caleb stood at the microphone, an amused smile on his face. “If this guy decides you’re going to be friends…” his lips quirked, “…you might as well give it up because he won’t stop until you’re best buds.”
Dane chuckled.
“When I first came to the Phoenix,” Caleb said. “I was just there to make money to help out my brother, Nick. I hadn’t intended nor wanted to make friends or get attached. Of course, that plan pretty much went out the window when I met Dane.”
A wave of light laughter swept through the guests.
Caleb smiled, and his face softened with adoration for Dane. “Seriously, though. You couldn’t ask for a better friend.” He licked his lips slowly and murmured, “I wouldn’t be here today if not for Dane. He saved my life, brought me back from the brink of death. I was in a dark place, but he never let me forget that I wasn’t alone, that he was my friend and he cared about me…whether I wanted him to or not.”
Dane’s eyes stung, and he glanced over to Samuel. Tears glistened in the young man’s eyes. That was a painful time for all of them.
“But as I soon learned about this family,” Caleb said quietly. “Once you step within that circle, you’re there for keeps. Dane was the door for me. A very insistent door.” He smiled and blinked. “For which I’m now foreve
r in his debt.” He looked at Dane. “My friend, you were there for me when I needed you the most. God rewards good men like you. If you don’t believe me…” he smiled as his gaze drifted to Angel. “…just look beside you. That should be all the proof you need; God sent you one of his own.” He cleared his throat and raised his glass. “May your life together be heaven on earth.”
The guests resounded with a flurry of amens.
“He’s well on his way,” Abel spoke up, eyes twinkling. “He’s already got an angel.”
Angel groaned, conjuring laughter.
“Indeed,” Dane smiled and wrapped his arm around Angel, kissing his head.
“I’m not sure I like my name,” Angel mumbled and grinned. “It makes me feel like I have to be good.”
Caleb chuckled into the microphone. “Somehow I think Dane would discourage that.”
Nodding, Dane gave him a thumbs-up.
“Hell,” Gabe smirked. “We all would.”
♦
“Are you okay?” Noel whispered to Noah.
Noah nodded silently, his mind numb.
“Are you going to give your toast?”
Noah’s stomach churned. “I don’t know.”
“It’s really good,” Noel said. “He would like it.”
“I know he would.” He chewed his thumbnail nervously.
Maddy leaned over and slid his arm across the back of Noah’s chair. “You know Abel won’t be upset with you if you don’t make the toast. He’ll understand.”
“I know,” Noah whispered.
Clint looked at him from where he sat on the other side of Noel. “Don’t stress it, son. No one’s going to think badly of you if you don’t get up there.” A smile quirked his lips. “Hell, I don’t want to get up there.”
“You’ll do fine, cowboy,” Maddy grinned.
Clint grunted, and Noah and Noel smiled.
“For now,” Maddy told Noah, “just sit back and relax. I’ll go next. And if you decide you want to give your toast, you don’t have to stand up there alone. I’ll go with you, or Clint.”
Clint nodded at Noah. “I might need you out there with me as well.”
“So much for our big tough cowboy,” Maddy snorted and rolled his eyes. The twins laughed.
“Watch it, boy,” Clint growled, which made Noah and Noel laugh more.
When Maddy stood and volunteered to be the next up at the microphone, Noah fingered the folded up paper he had stashed inside his tux jacket, on which was written his toast to Abel. He looked across the floor at his older brother sitting beside Devlin. After allhe’d done for Noah and Noel, he deserved to be toasted. But Noah didn’t know if he could actually speak in front of everyone, even with Clint or Maddy at his side.
His heart sank lower in his chest, and he withdrew his hand from inside his jacket, anxiety painfully twisting his gut. He ducked his head as tears started to well, and he blinked quickly to pull them back.
I’m sorry, Abel.
♦
Maddy stepped behind the microphone, all classed up in his tuxedo, and it struck Angel how ‘grown up’ he really was. Mature well beyond his years. So strong and confident now; ready, willing, and able to protect the ones he loved. His fight with Byrd had been the ultimate proof of how far Maddy had come since their life with Wade. Angel couldn’t imagine this Maddy ever feeling so scared and helpless again that death would seem a better option than life.
Dane slid his fingers through Angel’s and smiled at him before planting a soft kiss on his lips.
Clearing his throat, Maddy drew everyone’s full attention. “I know my brother is probably tired of hearing what a genuine angel he is.” Maddy smiled wryly and shrugged. “Or maybe not.”
Dane and the others chuckled. Angel smiled and rolled his eyes.
“But I’m going to say it again. And if he wants to kick my butt for it? Well…” Maddy smirked. “…he can try.”
Across the room, sitting at a table with Anthony, Angelo, and Adrian, Cory and Axel grinned. They had seen Maddy in action, and Cory himself had been taken to the mat more than once in their training.
Maddy gave them a thumbs-up and laughed quietly, then slowly sobered a bit as his eyes settled on Angel. When he began to speak, Angel saw the young, frightened boy Maddy had been creep forward into his gaze, and Angel’s heart squeezed.
“As soon as I was old enough to begin understanding things,” Maddy said quietly, “I knew I was never meant to be born. That my existence was a mistake. I knew because my mom told me all the time; I was a mistake, a burden…and she didn’t want me. Had never wanted me.”
Angel’s heart cinched tighter, and his little brother’s words brought instant tears to his eyes.
“And every single time she said it…” Maddy swallowed, and his voice wavered. “Angel told me it wasn’t true, that I wasn’t a mistake but God’s gift to him. He said that God sent me to him so he would have someone to love.” The soft lighting glimmered in Maddy’s damp eyes. “And someone who would love him back.”
Though laid to rest, the memories of those dark days couldn’t be forgotten. Angel couldn’t count how many times he had held his crying little brother and assured him over and over that he was wanted and loved—by Angel. They had both been little kids then, at least when it started. Maddy had only been two-years-old the first time he’d come crying to Angel because of the mean things their mother had said to him. Angel was barely five then, and the only source of love and comfort in Maddy’s life. It would be so easy to hold onto the resentment and bitterness, would take no effort at all, but their mom was a distant part of their past, the memory of her abuse banished with the rest of the nightmare that had been their life.
“Angel told me I was the first person in his life to ever love him, that he loved me more than anyone in the world.” Maddy paused and cleared his throat again, his words thickening with tears when he added, “And he proved it…by sacrificing himself to protect me.” His throat worked, and he wiped a stray tear from his cheek. “And not just physically, but he protected my mind, my heart. He never gave up the hope of getting away from our bad life and making a good life for me. Even when hope was nowhere to be found, he still held on.”
The room swam before Angel, and Dane wrapped his arm around him and kissed his head.
“And it wasn’t for nothing.” Maddy smiled at Angel, his tears thick. “We didn’t just get a good life; we got the best life.” He sniffed and wiped away another tear. “So yeah, I’m going to say it again; only a real live angel could have endured what he endured…and come out of it as strong and beautiful as ever.” He raised his glass and smiled through his tears. “I love you, big brother. You deserve every good thing this life has to offer, a thousand times over.” His smile quirked. “And that doe-eyed man there beside you is a great start. I wish you both the most amazing life ever.” His eyes held Angel’s tear-filled gaze. “You’ve earned it.”
Chapter 15
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked Noah to be my best man,” Abel murmured doubtfully. “Despite what I’ve told him, I think he feels obligated to make a toast.” He gazed over at the boy. Noah’s anxiety was evident on his tense and troubled face. “I just wanted him to know that I really saw him as a brother, and for him to feel like a real part of the family. I didn’t mean to put him under pressure.”
Max reached over and squeezed his hand. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, son. I think it made Noah feel real good when you asked him to be your best man. He’s probably just got stage fright. Whether he makes the toast or not, he’ll be okay, and he’ll know that you understand.”
Abel nodded. “I know. I just feel like he isn’t enjoying himself as much as he should be because of it.” He sighed, and Devlin slid his arm around him. Devlin started to speak when Noah left his seat and walked back to the restrooms. “I’m going to go talk to him.” Abel rose from his chair then sank back down as Chris waved him off, left his table, and followed after Noah.
“He’l
l be okay,” Max said again.
Maybe, all things considered, it would do Noah more good to have Chris talk to him; a young man tended to be most influenced by the one who was tugging at his heart strings.
♦
Noah followed the short hallway that curved back to the restrooms. Instead of entering the men’s bathroom, he sat down on the padded bench outside and hugged his gut. He was trembling and couldn’t stop. Maddy’s toast had hit him hard, broken open something inside him, and he wanted to cry but fought the rising tears. He ducked his head, squeezing his eyes shut, his breath hitching as he tried to swallow his sobs.
“Noah?”
Startled, Noah’s head snapped up, and he stared at Chris. He quickly wiped his eyes and looked away.
“Hey.” Chris sat down beside him. “What’s wrong?” Noah shrugged but didn’t reply, his eyes on the floor. Chris leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. “Are you afraid to speak in front of everyone? Just so you know, stage fright is very common, even among adults.”
Noah shifted and swallowed thickly. “It isn’t that,” he mumbled hardly above a whisper. “I mean…I thought it was, but…”
“But what?” Chris asked gently.
Noah didn’t answer right away, and Chris sat quietly beside him, allowing him to find his words. Noah finally whispered, “If I try to talk about…things…” he bit his lip, his throat lumping. “I’ll…I’ll start crying.” Even now, tears were trying to escape. Noah blinked as the tears seeped into his lashes.
“And you’d be embarrassed.”
Noah nodded.
“Some of the other best men shed a few tears when they gave their toasts. No need to feel embarrassed.”
“I don’t mean cry…like that.” Noah sniffed and wiped his eyes. “I’ll…I’ll reallycry. When Maddy gave his toast and talked about how their life had been…” Noah’s chin trembled. “It just…it made me realize what Abel and Devlin…and everyone…really did for me and Noel.” He ducked his head and pressed his hand over his eyes, shaking.