Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

of me, his mouth open wide. "No. Shit. For real?"
    "And I think I told him last night, when I was drunk."
    "What did he say?"
    "I don't know, I passed out. And then I tried to talk to him about it this morning and he didn't want to, with all the wedding stuff going on."
    "Do you think he feels the same way?"
    I snorted. "No, that's pretty obvious, he's been seeing some other guy in San Diego, and then he was flirting with another guy last night at the club."
    "Which is why you got drunk."
    I looked over at Bobby. His face softened. "Aw, Adam, I'm sorry. Shit." We were both silent for a few minutes before he spoke again. "What are you going to do?"
    "I'm going to plead drunkenness, and either tell him that I didn't mean it or I don't remember. And then try to forget about it."
    Bobby was silent as he looked at me. I got the feeling he wanted to say something more but wasn't sure what to say.
    A knock on the door interrupted us then, and I tensed, expecting it to be Chase, but instead it was Mom.
    "Oh, there are my two boys. My men, I should say. Look at both of you, so handsome! Stand up so I can see you!"
    Bobby and I grumbled but we did as we were told. She hugged both of us and started crying. Bobby put his arm around her and tried to console her.
    "Mom, you can't start crying already, we haven't even made it to the ceremony yet."
    "I can too cry, I'm your Mother and you're my little boy. I just can't stop thinking how proud your Dad would be today." That quieted us all up for a while. There was a lump in my throat and Bobby's eyes were wet. Mom finally stepped away from Bobby and wiped at her eyes. "Which, is why I'm here, I wanted to give you these to wear today, Bobby. These were the cuff links your father wore on our wedding day. I thought maybe you'd want to have a little piece of him with you today. Bobby broke and covered his eyes with his hand as he shed his tears. Mom was comforting him then, rubbing his back and whispering in his ear. I was sniffling too and wiping my eyes. Mom saw me and reached over to pull me in for a group hug. It was a needed moment for all of us I think. We all had Dad in the back of our minds today and it was good to acknowledge it and celebrate it just between the three of us.
    We finally broke apart and cleaned ourselves up. Mom helped Bobby put the cuff links on, and just as she was finishing, Chase arrived with the boutonnieres. Which made me breathe a sigh of relief that Mom was still there. It allowed all of us guys to avoid the awkwardness of being alone with each other. She helped each of us pin our boutonnieres on. Then with one last hug and a kiss for each of us, Chase included, she went back downstairs to wherever the women were getting ready.
    ****
    At the church, I walked Mom down the aisle but all my eyes could see was Chase standing next to my brother in that tux. It was hard to breathe, and all I could think about was having to lie to him later when I finally talked to him. And my chest hurt so much I almost doubled over. Because I realized I really wanted to tell him the truth. But I knew it would destroy our friendship. And yet on the other hand I didn't know if I could just be friends with him anymore.
    The rest of the wedding was simple and beautiful. It felt a little surreal watching my brother. His love for Kate really showed on his face and I couldn't believe this was the same boy I grew up with who left his dirty clothes on the floor until Mom swore there was fungus growing on them, or the same boy who always begged to drink soda with his dinner just so he could see how loud he could belch. I hoped Kate really knew what she was getting into.
    After the ceremony there were congratulations and pictures and then the reception, where there were more congratulations along with toasts and food and cake. Chase and I were stuck at the table for the wedding party with the Maid of Honor in between us so we never really got a chance to talk all night.
    The dancing started and there was the traditional wedding couple's first dance, the dance with their parents, and then one was announced I hadn't been expecting, but then I wasn't exactly a wedding expert. The bride and groom each had to dance with one of the other's siblings. So, suddenly, there was Kate pulling me out onto the floor. It was awkward as hell for me because I hadn't danced with a girl since Tiffany and Homecoming, sophomore year.
    "I'm warning you, I have two left feet. Manly Marine here, not a twinkle