Chapter Sixteen
“Oh, my God, this cake is so good,” Malcolm murmured. “I’m glad Riley decided to surprise Carter with his favorite flavor.”
“It was good,” Stuart agreed as he scraped his plate clean. He’d had a bite of the chocolate layer cake with peanut butter mousse and it was delicious, if a touch sweet for his tastes. “Still glad I got the passion fruit and lime. You said that was Riley’s favorite?”
“Yes. I was torn between the two layers.”
“Want me to get you a piece of this, too?”
“No,” Malcolm said with a laugh. “All of the food was incredible today. I’d be stuffed if I had another bite.”
“From what I saw, there will be plenty of leftovers,” Stuart said. “You can always raid them later tonight or tomorrow.”
“I like the way you think.” Malcolm sat back with a contented sigh.
Stuart draped his arm across Malcolm’s chair as Cam approached the deejay equipment set up on one side of the deck. Straightening the crown of flowers on his head, he picked up the microphone, then grinned at the crowd. Cam had been put in charge of the music for the reception and he’d set up playlists and worked as a low-key emcee, unobtrusively helping direct the flow of the events.
“I know you’re all dying to get on the dance floor tonight,” he said into the mic. “Before we kick this party into high gear, we have a few speeches. Dan, Max and Jesse, will you come up here, please?”
When Stuart rubbed his thumb against Malcolm’s shoulder, Malcolm glanced over at him, a smile lighting up his face before he looked back at Cam. He’d been smiling nonstop since the reception began and the good mood around them was contagious.
Stuart had expected three things from Riley and Carter’s wedding and reception: emotions running high, great food, and fantastic drinks. He’d been right about all three. He didn’t quite know what to do with the former. The latter two he was enjoying the hell out of.
Kyle had, of course, helped Riley and Carter plan the drink menu. He’d brought in several staff members from Under to mix the cocktails so he could enjoy being a guest. The grooms had gone for passed hors d’oeuvres and an elegant buffet setup, similar to the CEC event, which worked perfectly for the small guest list and intimate feel. People were spread across the deck and the beach surrounding it and the mood was more joyous than any wedding he’d ever been to before. He knew Malcolm and all the speakeasy crew were determined to make it a good day for the grooms. So far, everything had gone off without a hitch.
After they worked their way through dinner and drinks, Stuart looked on with interest as Jesse gathered with Carter’s brother-in-law, Max, and Dan, a friend Riley and Carter had known since their late teens. When Cam held out the microphone, Dan reached for it first. Stuart hadn’t had many opportunities to talk to him yet today, but the man was handsome as hell with his light brown skin and small neat beard. His gray eyes twinkled as he smoothed down the lapel of his suit jacket, then smiled at the crowd.
“I’m not going to lie. When Riley and Carter said they wanted to limit the number of speeches tonight, I expected fistfights over who got to do the honors.” The crowd laughed. “If there’s anything I’ve learned about these guys over the years, it’s that they inspire loyalty in their friends. As the person who was there from the very beginning when these guys met, I had a vested interest in saying a few words.”
Out of the corner of Stuart’s eye, he saw Riley lean in and whisper in Carter’s ear, making him grin.
“Although at the time we all met, none of us could have anticipated ending up here. It was clear to me from the very beginning that Riley and Carter had something special together. The bond between them was different from the ones they had with anyone else. And while the road to get here hasn’t been the easiest for either of them, I think it’s clear that this is where they were meant to end up all along.”
Stuart glanced over at Carter’s ex-wife, Kate, sitting a table away, and wondered how she was taking all this. That had to sting. Yet Stuart saw only serene happiness on her face. Kate’s blue eyes were bright, and her smile didn’t waver as she snuggled into her boyfriend’s embrace. She appeared content and happy for her ex-husband.
That blew Stuart’s mind. If he put himself in Carter’s shoes and considered how Becky would react to Stuart marrying a man, it was a far less pretty picture. While he deeply hoped that the hurt he’d caused her had faded over the years, he didn’t think for a minute that she’d be happy for him. He did hope she was happy, however. That she’d found a good Mormon man who loved her and gave her the kind of relationship Stuart hadn’t been able to. Who gave her the children she’d wanted. The life she’d dreamed of building.
He’d never considered the idea for himself before either. Not with any degree of seriousness. Outside of his marriage to Becky, he’d never met anyone he’d considered spending his life with, much less making it legal and permanent.
Being at a same-sex wedding had his head spinning, especially since he was here with the man he was dating. He glanced over at Malcolm, who was laughing at something Dan had said. Stuart and Malcolm were a long, long way off from considering anything like marriage, but could he imagine that someday? The idea made his heart beat faster in a mix of nerves and excitement. Maybe he could picture giving marriage a go again. With the right person. Someone he could be totally open and honest with. Except, that sent up that ever-present spark of fear. Because he still hadn’t told Malcolm the truth about his kink. It would continue to hang over them until he did.
Despite the fear gripping his heart, Stuart was determined not to let it spoil their evening. This moment wasn’t about him and Malcolm—it was about Riley and Carter. With a shake of his head, Stuart tuned back into Dan’s words.
“When I planned this speech, I considered all of the stories I could tell about the early days of the Riley-and-Carter duo. Like the many, many times people assumed they were a couple. Boy, are you two slow on the uptake!” The crowd laughed again, no one louder than the grooms. “You’re here now, though, and, in the end, I decided not to focus on your past. Because today, we’re here to celebrate your future. As a man who has been married to my wonderful wife, Melanie, for almost as long as you two have known each other, I want to offer you the best advice I have to give.
“Fall in love with each other continually. Every day, every hour, every minute you’re together, continue to see the wonderful things that made you fall in love in the first place. If you’re focused on being good to each other in the present, the future will work out for itself. View the other through that lens and your relationship will continue to grow and deepen over the years.”
Dan’s expression grew more serious. “Although, I suspect you two have already figured that out. So tonight, let’s celebrate this new chapter of your lives. What began nearly twenty years ago in the dorm rooms of Harvard has led us to today and I wish them a lifetime of happiness together. Please raise a glass to Riley and Carter and their bright and happy future!”
The gentle roar of the waves in the background was drowned out by cheers and applause and the clinking of glasses. A deep, lingering kiss between the grooms led to even louder cheering and it took a while for everyone to settle down.
When the crowd had calmed, Max took the microphone from Dan with a rueful smile. “Well, that’s not a tough act to follow or anything,” he said. Stuart chuckled along with the rest of the guests. “As Carter’s brother-in-law, and someone who is married to a Hamilton, I have one piece of advice for you, Riley. It’s not as deep or as eloquent as Dan’s, but it might save your life. When a Hamilton is having a bad day, just hand over some chocolate and get the hell out for a while.”
“Oh, I learned that years ago,” Riley called back to him, his tone dry. “Either that or bacon.”
Everyone roared.
Max raised his eyebrows at his brother-in-law. “Carter, I suggest you figure out what Riley’s thing is and do the same.”
; “It’s gin!” Carter called back with a laugh, draping an arm around Riley’s shoulders. “Definitely gin.”
“And cheese!” Dylan piped up, prompting another laugh.
When the crowd settled down, Max continued with a smile. “All joking aside, I couldn’t be happier that you are an official part of our family now. You’ve been in our lives for so many years and I’ve been truly happy to watch your relationship grow from friendship into love. I’ve been proud to call Carter my brother-in-law for years and I’m delighted to call you that, too, now, Riley. I wish you both only happiness together.” He held up his champagne flute. “So let’s toast the grooms and the lifetime of happiness that you both so richly deserve. To Carter and Riley.”
Stuart lifted his own glass and echoed the toast. After he took a sip and set down his glass, Malcolm rested a hand on his thigh. Stuart leaned in, brushing his lips across Malcolm’s hair. When he sat up straight, Jesse was holding the microphone. This could get interesting.
“I think we all know we saved the best for last.” Jesse flashed a big smile. “I’m not here to offer any advice on relationships tonight. You all know me and that the idea of getting married myself gives me hives. But I have never met anyone who should be married more than Carter and Riley. When Carter and I met, he was at a low point in his life. As I got to know him, I realized I’d never met a man more determined to dig himself out of that low point. The grit and determination he displayed were impressive. What impressed me more was the way he lit up when Riley came back into his life. It started a fire under him and has sustained him since. He became the best possible version of Carter Hamilton I could imagine.
“Since then, I’ve watched him and Riley build an incredible life together. Watching that has inspired me. You all know my partner Cam and I have a less traditional relationship than most. What you may not know is that Carter and Riley’s relationship has inspired me.” He smiled at the grooms. “You’ve taught me so much about how to be a good partner and how to make a relationship work. Your relationship has had a profound impact on me.”
Surprised by the earnest and heartfelt toast, Stuart glanced at the grooms and saw both of them wiping their eyes.
Jesse smiled even wider. “So while I’ll never stop reminding you two that if you ever do decide to open up your relationship, you better make sure I’m the first one you tell.”
The crowd roared with laughter and Stuart saw Malcolm shake his head, his expression amused and fond.
”I couldn’t possibly be happier that you two are getting married today. Despite your incomprehensible insistence on monogamy, I love you both and respect your choices. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the two of you will always love each other, no matter what the world throws at you. So I want to toast to your happy life together. No one deserves it more.”
“Damn,” Stuart murmured in Malcolm’s ear after everyone had lifted their glasses. “That man has more depth than I gave him credit for.”
“He does,” Malcolm said quietly. “He may not see relationships the way most people do but he loves as hard as any of these people here, if not harder.”
With a kiss for Jesse, Cam took back the mic. “Now, let’s get this party started!” he said.
An upbeat tune Stuart didn’t recognize filled the air and the small dance floor area quickly filled. Malcolm stood, grinning at Stuart. “Time to dance.”
Stuart got to his feet with a groan.
“Hey now, no complaining. You promised to shake your ass for me!” Malcolm said, laughing. “Don’t think you’re getting out of it.”
“Fine, fine.” Stuart shrugged out of his suit jacket. “At least, let me get more comfortable first.”
The moment Stuart had draped it over the back of the chair, Malcolm grabbed his hand and tugged him forward. Despite Stuart’s initial reluctance, time flew by as he danced with Malcolm. They were surrounded by Malcolm’s friends, who were all in high spirits. The grooms were in the thick of it and there was no shortage of partner swapping, though everyone kept it relatively tame since Sadie and Dylan were dancing alongside them, too. At one point, Cam spun Sadie and dipped her, making her shriek with delight, while Will and Dylan did something that vaguely resembled a foxtrot.
Eventually, the music slowed and became more mellow and romantic. While the grooms had skipped an official first dance, as they embraced and began to sway together, it was clear they didn’t have eyes for anyone else. Malcolm touched Stuart’s arm.
“Would you dance with me?” Malcolm asked. “To this?”
“I’ve never…” Stuart cleared his throat. “Yes. I would like to.”
Malcolm stepped closer. “You can lead if you’d like.” It took them a moment to figure out the hand placement and find a rhythm but soon it was as if Malcolm had melted against Stuart. Stuart hummed. This was nice. David offered him a small smile as he and Will danced nearby and Stuart closed his eyes. All he wanted right now was to focus on Malcolm. The scent of his cologne, the warmth of his body and the strength of his arms. Stuart lost himself in those sensations and he only reluctantly pulled away when the music segued and became more up-tempo again.
He pressed a brief, chaste kiss to Malcolm’s lips before drawing back and saw Kyle watching them with a smile.
Someone pressed a drink into Stuart’s hand and he sipped it while they continued dancing. Eventually, he grew warm enough to roll up his sleeves and loosen his tie. Malcolm had already done the same and the sight of his flushed cheeks and damp hairline made Stuart wish they were alone. But the music was good and when a familiar, favorite tune filled the air, Stuart threw his hands up in the air and swiveled his hips. Cam wolf-whistled while Jesse gave him a big grin.
“Now that’s a sight I’ve been looking forward to,” Jesse shouted over the music. Stuart just shook his head at them and rolled his eyes.
A few songs later, Stuart leaned in to speak in Malcolm’s ear. “I’m going to sit for a minute.”
Malcolm craned his neck and gave Stuart a questioning look. “You want me to come with you?”
“No, have fun.”
Malcolm and Carter appeared to be having a dance-off and just because Stuart needed a breather didn’t mean he wanted them to stop. Giving Malcolm a reassuring smile, he slipped through the crowd and dropped into his chair at the table. Stuart had never been much of a shake his ass kind of guy, but he’d done it for Malcolm. And had fun, too. Seeing Malcolm laugh and smile and let go of the stress he’d been carrying around lately made Stuart happy. He’d just taken a sip of water when Riley dropped into the chair next to him.
“He seems happy,” Riley said. “Malcolm, I mean.”
Stuart nodded. Riley’s cheeks were flushed and his dark hair was in disarray. Stuart had never seen him so disheveled. Or so happy. “I think Malcolm is thoroughly enjoying your wedding reception,” he said.
“I’m glad.” Riley shot him a smile. “I meant he seems happy with you.”
“Oh.” Stuart glanced at Malcolm before looking back at Riley. “Well, I hope so. I want him to be happy.”
“I’m glad you came with him this weekend.”
“I appreciate you inviting me.”
“Of course. As long as you’re good to Malcolm, we want you here.” Riley’s expression was open and his words didn’t sound threatening, but Stuart knew if he fucked up, there would be hell to pay from a lot of people who loved Malcolm. Which basically meant all the guests here.
“I’ll do my very best,” he said. “I really care about Malcolm.”
“Hopefully, we haven’t scared you off,” Riley continued. “I know this group can be a lot to take.”
“Ahh, yeah.” Stuart raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not used to all this, I guess.” He gestured to Kyle, Luka and Cam, who were dancing as a group. They weren’t being inappropriate exactly, but they were getting there. Jesse slid in behind Kyle, placing his hands on Kyle’s hips, and Stuart wondered if the four would end up in bed tonight, a little dr
unk and a lot horny from all the dancing. Not that he was judging. He simply wasn’t used to seeing poly hookups at wedding receptions.
“This group can be a lot to take,” Riley said, his voice light. “We do hope you’ll stick it out. Everyone likes you a lot and we’re glad to see Malcolm so happy.”
“I don’t have any plans to go anywhere,” Stuart said as he watched Will and Malcolm cutting loose now.
“Good.” Riley clapped a hand on his shoulder as he stood. “Glad to hear it.”
“Congratulations, by the way,” Stuart said. “I’m happy for you.”
He meant that. Despite the strangeness of feeling a bit out of his element, Stuart liked these guys. He’d liked them when they took the cooking class he’d taught with Marisol years ago and he was truly glad they’d found a way to be happy together.
“Thank you.” Riley beamed at him. When the song changed to a familiar late ’80’s rock tune, Riley laughed and held out a hand. “Want to join us out there again?”
“I’m good,” Stuart said with a smile. “Go have fun.”
Riley made a beeline for the dance floor and soon the entire speakeasy crew was singing along to Pour Some Sugar on Me. Even the typically strait-laced Senator Mori and his boyfriend were belting out the song and several of the guys had arms over each other’s shoulders. Cam and Jesse were flat out diva singing, and as the song progressed, the group split into two, singing to each other with progressively louder voices and more exaggerated motions.
Astrid danced her way in between the two groups, out-diva-ing Cam and Jesse. Stuart laughed when the date she’d brought to the wedding—a stunning Latina woman whose name Stuart couldn’t remember—shook her head in mock horror.
They were an interesting bunch, that was for sure.
After the sing-along, Cam and Malcolm headed Stuart’s way. Malcolm paused beside him and set a hand on Stuart’s shoulder. “I’m grabbing a drink. You want anything?”
“Nah, I’m good for now.” Stuart held up his half-finished cocktail. He was feeling no pain at the moment, but he didn’t want to overindulge and be useless later. It had been far too long since he and Malcolm had explored each other in the bedroom and if Malcolm was on board, Stuart was ready to pick that up again.
Straight Up Page 23