Scattered pieces of clothing cast shadows across the floor from the light coming through the window. The morning sun slowly grazed Erika’s face as her eyes opened to notice Mason no longer lying beside her. She slid her hand slowly across the bed where he had previously laid, smiling contently as thoughts of last night replayed in her mind. Mason had gotten up early to prepare for the day, leaving her in bed to rest. Sounds of water beating against the shower walls echoed throughout the room as her eyes traveled over his body through the reflection of the steam-fogged mirror. Though momentarily captivating, her imagination was abruptly interrupted by the telephone ringing on the nightstand.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Good Morning. This is the front desk with your 7 a.m. wake-up call. Please let Mr. Everett know his tuxedo for the Everett Wedding is ready for pick up at the concierge desk.”
“I’ll be sure to let him know, thank you,” she replied.
Just as she hung up the phone, Mason quickly rushed out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. “Who was that?” he asked.
“It was a wake-up call and something about your tuxedo being ready,” she yawned.
He shook his head with a light chuckle.
He finished drying off, removed the towel from his waist, and climbed back into bed.
“Do you think Jackson will be upset about you leaving last night?” she asked.
“Not as much as he would be if he knew why,” he responded, placing kisses on her stomach. “Both he and Keri would kill me if they knew.”
Slightly nudging him off, Erika got out of bed and began looking for her clothes.
“You know… you are really unpredictable,” she said. “You were nothing like this before, back in high school.”
“Like what?”
Mason leaned back on his elbows in the bed.
“All into me…” she stressed with a hint of sarcasm, sliding her pants on slowly and almost seductively. “We’ve known each other since fifth grade. We hated each other all through middle school; we dated our sophomore year of high school for what, like a week? Until you dumped me for not going to church with you or something like that,” she laughed. Up until a few months ago we hadn’t spoken in years. It took a random coincidence of my friend marrying your brother just for us to get together.”
Mason looked off towards the window.
“Don’t get me wrong,” she continued, “I love this sex anytime anywhere thing we have going on, but you have to admit it is kind of weird, don’t you think?”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all. People grow up.”
“Yeah but you grew up and changed entirely. One thing we all knew… all the girls in high school knew was that you were off limits. You were the good guy, waiting til’ marriage guy, and I swear I saw you a few times carrying a Bible around,” she laughed.
His calm and pleasant demeanor slowly changed, and his face contorted in an all-consuming anger, more on the side of irritation. She was right, he was the good guy, the ‘I’m waiting for marriage’ guy, the bible carrying, good, Christian guy. But life happens, and things change.
“People change,” he said.
“I get that, but your change was a bit drastic. I mean, polar opposite of each other.”
“There was a lot going on then…” he agitatedly admitted.
“Did it have anything to do with your mom getting remarried?”
“My mom,” he smirked carelessly, “That was her choice. All of it was.” He paused, thinking about it. “There’s no sanctity in this relationship crap. There is always one person half in and half out. Why even waste the time? Lies …secrets. There is always something someone is hiding.”
“What?” Erika was a little taken back by his bluntness.
She wasn’t surprised of his feelings on marriage and relationships, she just didn’t expect it to come out that way.
“Before you get all high and mighty on me, need I remind you that your boyfriend is in his room asleep, thinking you’re still with the girls,” he laughed.
“I’m not even entertaining your arrogance right now,” Erika winced.
She walked over to Mason, still lying on the bed, and kissed him on his cheek just shy of his lips. “Go pick up your tuxedo, and please don’t give that same speech at the reception,” she laughed as she grabbed her purse and cell phone.
It was 10am, only two hours before the wedding. The finishing touches were being made in the ballroom where the ceremony was taking place. It was perfect. Direct sunlight came through the windows, subtle enough to feel intimate. The brass chairs were lined up facing the podium, with the cream cushions providing a level of warmth to the décor. Splashes of soft royal purple accented the floral arrangements leading all the way back to the doors.
“This is such a fairytale wedding” the coordinators said to each other in excitement.
Tony one of the groomsmen and a good friend of both Mason and Jackson rushed through the doors, nearly frightening the both of them.
“Have any of you seen Jackson?” he asked.
“No” they replied hesitantly.
One of the coordinators who was standing on the chair stepped off with the flowers for decoration still in her hand. “Is he missing?” she asked.
“Um, no, not missing, necessarily. We just can’t find him”.
Chapter 3
“I’m pretty sure I freaked the wedding planner out when I told her,” Tony mentioned to Mason over the phone. “We looked everywhere and we can’t find him. He’s not in his room, and he didn’t meet us for breakfast this morning.”
Mason didn’t seem bothered at all by the worry in Tony’s voice.
“I’ll find him,” he assured Tony, “he’s probably running a last minute errand for Keri or something.”
Mason headed out towards the elevators. He had to admit it was still out of character for Jackson. He was never late for anything and was a stickler for keeping a tight schedule. He felt his nervousness set in a little.
Walking down the hallway, he called Jackson’s cell phone repeatedly but got no answer. Where is he? The hallway was long and he had to walk by more than fifteen rooms on both sides before he reached the elevator. A few people passed by him along the way, going into or coming out of their rooms. As he got closer to the elevators, one person in particular caught his eye. There was a man, about six feet two inches tall, who looked as if he was still getting dressed while pulling the door closed. His pants were wrinkled and his shirt was half in and half out. It took only a second glance for Mason to realize it was Jackson. He was coming out of a room that clearly wasn’t his, and with whom, Mason couldn’t even imagine. Unexpectedly they made eye contact, which carried with it a wealth of words although neither of them actually spoke. Only one thought ran through Mason’s mind, and that thought mirrored the memory of his own actions the night before. It was farfetched, but anything was possible. This was nothing like Jackson, but then again neither was him missing breakfast and being late for his own wedding. Neither of them said a word to each other as they got into the elevator and stood side by side. Both had tight smiles on their faces, trying to suppress their laughter.
“Do you know what floor you’re going to?” Mason joked.
“Uhh…the Lobby. please,” Jackson answered.
Unable to hold back any longer, the two laughed hysterically. Finally, calming down a bit, Jackson leaned back in the rear of the elevator.
“So, you had a little extra fun last night, huh?”
“Something like that, but not what you think. And if I recall correctly, you didn’t come back from where you ran off to so quickly.”
Mason intentionally avoided what started as a follow-up question by shaking his head in laughter. They were almost to the lobby and rode a nice portion of the way without asking anymore questions, but that was short-lived. Mason had to know whose room he was coming out of.
“So…what did happen last night?”
Jackson’s eyes d
rifted from Mason, almost as if his mind took him to a whole other place.
“Honestly…nothing,” he replied with a smile on his face.
“Really? Your face looks like a little more than nothing,” he sarcastically suggested.
The elevator doors opened at the lobby. All of the groomsmen and the wedding coordinators were standing around with scattered looks on their faces. Tony was standing off in the corner on his cell phone, still trying to reach Jackson, until he looked up and noticed the two of them getting off of the elevator.
“I’m assuming you lost your phone. Please tell me you lost your phone, because there is no way you would have seen me calling all morning and not answered, right?” Tony asked.
Jackson reached into his pocket for his cell phone.
“It’s right here!” he responded, trying to power it on.
“Did you forget to charge your phone last night?” Mason joked, walking away in laughter.
Mason walked over to the concierge desk to pick up his tuxedo with Tony and a few of the other groomsmen.
“What’d both of y’all get into last night?” Tony asked with a sigh of relief that Jackson hadn’t actually disappeared.
“Both of us? Nothing! I know what I got into last night. As for Jacks, maybe he and Keri decided to test the waters before they jumped in.”
Tony looked at Mason in complete disbelief.
“You know as well as I do that Keri didn’t let Jackson test a thing without that signed, sealed, and delivered marriage license.”
Mason laughed, “You’re right about that.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” one of the coordinators cut into their conversation. “The wedding is starting in less than an hour. Please finish getting ready so we can start on time.”
The hotel had provided changing suites for the bridal party on the lobby level. The room for the gentlemen was elegant, with stations set up for each of them to change into their tuxedos. Mason, once fully dressed, walked into a small room off to the back of the suite where his brother was. Jackson was sitting at the table facing the window writing something on a piece of paper.
“Tell me you are not just writing your vows now,” Mason said, pulling up a seat next to him.
Jackson looked at him more seriously than he had expected.
“What’s going on Jacks, everything okay?”
“I need you to do me a favor,” he said.
He folded the paper, feeling every bend and crease, and slid it into a small envelope.
“I need you to take this, find Reign, and give it to her.”
“Wait, Reign is here? You actually invited her?” Mason asked.
“Of course she’s here, why wouldn’t I?”
Reign was one of those female best friends that girlfriends never liked, and fiancés hated. Keri couldn’t stand her. More than that, she couldn’t stand the way Jackson was towards her. The two had been friends for as long as Mason could remember, and although they never dated to his knowledge, there was undoubtedly something there between them. Both would always turn their noses when the topic of them together came up, but it was obvious; feelings were there, whether they admitted to them or not. They were there, and Keri saw them clearly. A part of Mason did wonder, now knowing that Reign was invited, if she had anything to do with Jackson being missing in action that morning. Of all people, Mason wasn’t judging him. If it came down to it, he would choose Reign over Keri for him any day.
There was an awkward silence for a moment, and a pretty funny one to Mason.
“I’m assuming Keri doesn’t know.”
“Not yet,” Jackson replied.
Mason dropped his head. “Jacks, you’re getting married to a shrink. You really think she won’t pick up on whatever y’all have going on?”
“There’s nothing going on and there’s nothing to pick up on,” he argued.
“And yet you are writing her a note on your wedding day.”
Jackson gave him an ungainly stare.
“Hey, I’m not judging you. I’m just saying. It’s obvious, that’s all.”
He took the envelope from Jackson without asking any more about it. This wouldn’t be the first secret they’ve kept between them. And if this was something more than it appeared to be, Mason would be the last to blow the whistle on it.
Mason peeked through the side door, trying his best to be discreet. From the looks of it over four hundred guests had arrived in the ballroom, seated and ready for the wedding to begin. How in the world did Jackson expect him to find Reign in the midst of all of these people? Best to start with the groom’s side, because she sure as hell wasn’t going to be on the bride’s.
“What are you doing!?” The wedding coordinator tried to whisper, extremely nervous seeing him in the ballroom with the wedding about to start.
She speed-walked up to him,” hoping not to gain any unnecessary attention. “You should be with Jackson. Why are you out here?”
“I need to find someone”
“Now!?” she asked.
“Yes. Now.”
“No, no, no, we don’t have time for this. You have to––.”
Mason brushed past her without entertaining any more of her conversation. He went row by row looking for Reign. It almost seemed impossible to do before the wedding started, given the fact that Jackson didn’t bother to tell him what she was wearing. As if he doesn’t know, he thought. He made his way to the other side of the room and he saw her just a few rows back, but not before classic Mason kicked in. Distracted by the woman beside her, he almost forgot what he was supposed to be doing. He’d seen beautiful women before, but this one held his eye for longer than a glance. Even he had to stop for a second and say wow. Mason took it upon himself to pass everyone in the row to get to Reign in the hope of exchanging a few words with this woman. Excuse me, he whispered stepping on one lady’s toes. Pardon me, to another.
Reign looked up at him as he made his way over to her. “Mason what are you doing?” she whispered.
Focused on the guest next to her, he had completely zoned out.
“I’m sorry, did I step on your toes? I’m Mason,” he held out his hand.
“No, you didn’t, and I’m” she hesitantly turned away from him, “here for a wedding…” she countered.
“Mason!” Reign whispered loud enough to pull his attention.
Just in time to keep him from making a complete fool of himself, he turned to her.
“What are you doing?” she asked again.
He reached into his pocket and slid her the envelope. “Jacks asked me to give this to you. He said you’ll know when to read it.”
He didn’t stick around to see if she read it. He could tell by the look on her face that she had a pretty good idea of what he had written. The two of them sometimes looked as if they had their own language. He remembered a few years ago when Jackson and Reign sat a few tables from each other at a function they had. Mason just happened to glance at Reign, who was talking to one of the gentlemen at the table. He wouldn’t have noticed anything had he not seen Jackson lightly chuckle and Reign doing the same after not having shared a single word with each other.
He walked back to the room preparing for the wedding, unable to shake the woman sitting next to Reign. She was beautiful, he thought, and at some point today he was going to make sure he left with exactly what he wanted.
Chapter 4
The room stood, and applause echoed from around the tables.
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Alexander Everett.
Champagne bottles popped at every table at the reception. Everyone appeared to be having a great time. Laughter and conversations moved like waves from one side of the room to the other as the bride and the groom made their rounds for photos and thank yous. It was early afternoon, but the shading on the windows created a feeling of early evening. After the meal had been served, Mason gathered everyone’s attention by tapping his spoon against the champagne glass he held hi
gh in his hand. The room grew silent.
“Three and a half years–”
“Four,” Keri eagerly corrected him.
“Four,” Mason clarified, looking down at her. “Four years, and they finally did it. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mason Everett, Jacksons younger brother. Today is actually a good day, because after all these years, in front of every single one of you, Jackson is finally admitting that I am the best man.”
Laughter spread across the room.
“But the better man, in all honesty, without question is …him. Jackson and I…have been through a lot together. More than most, I would say,” he said, looking at Jackson. “And if it weren’t for you, I honestly wouldn’t be able to stand here today and tell you and everyone one else how proud I am to be your brother, and how honored I am to be your best man and share this day with you. Jackson led by example, and I followed close to almost everything ...almost.” He laughed, “I don’t see marriage for me in any part of my foreseeable future. So you are going to have to forgive me if I stretch out the eternal bachelorism a little longer.”
Jackson laughed, joining in with the guests.
“But seriously, it’s because of Jackson that I know the extent of caring for someone beyond a situation and circumstances. So to Keri, take care of my brother. There is only one of him. Treat him well and be to him what he needs, when, how, and in every position,” he joked. “To Jackson,” he said, raising his glass. “I love you man. Congratulations to the both of you.”
Clinking of raised glasses filled the room, and the day went on. Mason walked down from the head table, where he had been sitting with the bridal party, and headed to the bar. Walking in between the tables of friends and guests, he admired the turnout of so many people there smiling and laughing, sharing Jackson’s moment. They didn’t have a lot of family; in fact, the little they had could be summed up as one person. Even with her especially with her Mason kept his distance. At least he tried to for the most part. On days like today, it was nearly impossible. Piercing through the guests, both seated and standing, he heard his name being called. Hesitant at first, he wasn’t sure that it was his name he heard. By the third time, he knew exactly who it was. He turned around slowly, seeing her walking towards him.
Where We Left Off Page 2