Wedding days for dudes are sort of weird. There’s not much to do.
Where women spend the day getting dressed and whatever else, men tend to meander around looking for shit to stay busy until about an hour before things get started.
That morning, the guys in Reuben’s flock, played basketball at the Y. We ran, talked shit, and sweated our asses off.
I was tired from the night before since we’d been up late, but even after that, I hadn’t slept much. I dozed for a while, but then she stirred, and I almost woke her up so I could talk to her.
That wouldn’t have been fair though. The taste of rum on her lips was evidence she’d drank more after she left the rehearsal. I wanted to tell her how I felt when we were sober, and neither of us were.
After her hasty exit, I did three shots of Patron with Nolan and then took a six pack with me up to my room. I’d drank all of them and went to the seventh floor.
I’d just wanted to be with her, and I didn’t regret going, but I’d feel much better when everything was out in the open. There was a weight on my shoulders.
But, as we shot hoops, not one of my three friends badgered me about it, which was good, but strange because all of them kind of knew something was going on. In one way or another, I’d talked to Trevor, Nolan, and Reuben about Dana. But, that morning, the conversation stayed light as we played.
After a long lunch, a few blocks from the hotel, we made our way back to clean up and throw on our tuxes.
Then time began to crawl. I watched part of the Royals home game after I was dressed, but even that was moving slower than normal. I checked my phone, there was still twenty minutes until I needed to head down, and still no reply from Dana.
I was on edge, and when I couldn’t bear to sit in that fucking room another minute, I headed to the room where the groom’s men were supposed to gather. We were meeting early to do some pictures with a photographer before the ceremony, then things would get moving.
The word on the street was that the ladies had drunk mimosas all morning, according to Becca’s dad. But Reuben wasn’t drinking, so none of us guys did either. He seemed like a cool customer, but I noticed him doing this eyes-closed, deep-breath thing every few minutes.
Finally, when most of the guests were seated, we followed him out to the front of the ballroom where they’d exchange their vows.
My mom was already crying by the time the couples’ parents were seated. Craig handed her a tissue, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Dana was radiant in silver coming up the aisle. She smiled at the people she passed, and then took her place like the night before.
Vows were vowed, and promises were made.
Then, before long, Reuben and Becca were walking out of the room hand in hand. I took a step back and let Nolan go before me, which messed up the order, but I didn’t really give a shit.
I only wanted Dana on my arm.
She shook her head at me, but smiled and wrapped her fingers around my bicep. The height thing didn’t work in our favor, but her stilettos helped.
“What are you doing?” she teased as we filed out of the room to music and clapping.
I covered her hand with mine where it hung onto the sleeve of my tux. “Nothing. I just don’t want you slipping out on me again.”
“I didn’t slip out on you. I had to run to Becca’s last night.” That was an excuse.
“You’re avoiding me,” I deadpanned.
She didn’t deny it.
We took our spot in the precession line outside the doors. People we knew began filing out, but, to keep the line moving, it was a quick hug or handshake, and then on to the next.
Between pleasantries with passers-by, I leaned to my side and asked her, “What are you doing between photos and the reception?”
“It’s so nice to see you,” she said to someone and then turned her head to answer me. “All of my family’s here. I’m sure I’ll be with them.”
As the words left her mouth, I heard my mom blubbering as she hugged Reuben and his new wife. If my mother had anything to say about it, I’d be spending the next few hours with her, too.
“There’s my handsome baby boy,” Mom said, holding her arms out wide to embrace me.
“Hi, Mom.”
Craig gave me a sympathetic look over her shoulder. She’d always claimed she loved weddings, but it never looked like it. Clutching a handkerchief, she tried to collect herself. She was crazy, but she was my mother, and I loved her—crazy or not.
She whispered against my cheek, “Which one is she?” It hadn’t taken her long to enquire, but I hadn’t really expected it to.
“Red hair.”
Our embrace shifted so she could get a better look. “Oh, honey. She’s beautiful.”
“I know.”
She released me and pivoted, holding a hand out to Dana. “You must be Dana. I’m Julie Logsdon, and this is my husband, Craig. We’re Cordell’s family.”
Cordell? Really, Mom.
Craig just waved from behind her. He already had a cigar in his hand, and he patted the breast of his jacket, letting me know he’d brought one for me too. He was a good dude.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Dana said with her hand in my mom’s. “I see where he gets that wonderful smile.” My mother was tall, not as tall as me, but she easily had inches on Dana.
Mom shot me a blessing in her expression. Her eyes said everything the moment wouldn’t allow. Mostly, she’s perfect so don’t fuck it up.
“Well, we better keep the line moving. Cord, honey, we’ll be at the bar. Come find us when you’re done. Okay? I haven’t seen you in weeks. It was lovely to meet you, Dana. You’re stunning in that dress.” She cupped a hand around her mouth and added, “You’d make a beautiful bride yourself.”
“That’s enough. Move it along,” I touted and pushed her down the line where she nearly hugged the life out of poor Trevor.
I never noticed if Dana’s mother went down the line, but it was undeniable who her father was. Same jewel-quality blue eyes and red hair—albeit half of it had faded to white around the sides. He didn’t linger, but, when he hugged her, I heard her say back to him, “I love you too.”
Just being near when she said those words warmed my chest.
I wondered, if I told her I loved her, would she say it back to me?
I wasn’t sure, but it was worth the risk.
Just like she had the night before, she kept herself busy—and away from me—by being the consummate attendant. By Becca’s side through nearly every picture, straightening her dress, fixing a lock of her hair, and holding things for the couple as they were courted around the hotel grounds.
The photographer had help from the hotel to hold up traffic for a brief few minutes so the couple could get a picture of the entire wedding party on the downtown street, which I thought was cool.
“Can you help me get this dress off?” Becca asked Dana when the last photo was shot, and I knew I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to talk to her. Yet again.
“Sure. I’ll go up with you,” Dana replied. “I need to change these shoes anyway.”
As she passed me, I touched her arm.
She stopped, looked over her shoulder where her friend waited, took a deep breath, and then her eyes cast down. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you in a little while.”
I’d wait if I had to, but I couldn’t resist the pink of her lips any longer, the impulse to kiss her was just too strong. I leaned over and paired our mouths, taking her by surprise, and she froze. My thumb rubbed the warm skin where my hand was below the elbow.
“Okay. Later then.”
After that, I let her go. Becca stood at the entrance of the hotel watching beside Reuben and Nolan. None of them had expected me to do that, and it was written all over their faces.
I was glad they saw. Proud I’d finally stepped up and owned it.
From the very beginning, I’d made a huge mistake by not letting everyone, including her, see how I felt about her every chance I got.
Dana’s eyes fluttered open, and she slowly walked away.
Get used to it, baby.
I spent an hour or so visiting with Mom and Craig on the rooftop bar. I considered it might be a nice spot to bring Dana if we needed a place to get away where it was quieter. Later.
I wasn’t much of a cigar smoker, but Craig enjoyed them regularly. So sometimes when I drove over to visit them, and after a good steak, I’d have one. Mostly, I liked the smell of the spiced tobacco burning, but the taste and feeling did little for me.
My mom with her double glass of wine, Craig with his bourbon, and me with a beer, we sat in the late afternoon sun.
When I saw a familiar face head our way, I got kind of nervous but straightened and stood when it was clear he was going to join us. A thin cigar in his hand, too.
I stood when he and his girlfriend got to my chair.
“You’re with the wedding party, too, right? Cord?” he asked wearing a genuine smile.
I shook his hand, “Yes, Cord Taylor. This is my mother Julia and step-father Craig. You’re Dana’s dad?”
He shined. “Yep, that’s my girl. I’m Denny Rogers, and this is Angela. It’s good to finally meet ya.” He motioned to my mother and Craig who were sitting opposite me on a rattan sofa. “Do you mind if we join you?”
“No. Please. There’s plenty of room,” Mom answered, and moved closer to her husband so the new arrivals to our group could get around them.
I wracked my brain for every possible bit of information Dana had told me about her dad.
Motorcycles.
Colby was close to Colorado.
God, what else?
When everyone was seated again. Mr. Rogers, who looked nothing like the one from my childhood, lit his cigar, and then blew out a long stream of vanilla smoke.
“Best man, right?”
I sat forward, my arms perched on the side of the chair. “Yes, sir. I hear you’re a Harley guy.”
Denny shared a smile with Angela. “We like to ride now and then.” He took a sip of his drink, which looked like soda. Then again, maybe he shared a love of rum with his daughter. “That’s right. Dana said you had a Wide Glide. A tall guy like you would need something big.”
“You have a motorcycle?” my mom fired from where she’d been intently watching us. “Why didn’t I know that?”
Dana’s dad smiled and sat back in the seat.
“I haven’t had it long, Mom,” I said hoping she’d accept my excuse.
She didn’t argue, probably because Dana’s dad was there, but she gave me the Mom Look, and I knew I’d be getting an ass chewing the second she had a chance.
“The girls had a great time at your lake house,” Denny said, possibly saving me. He had the same knowing glimmer in his eye that I’d seen in Dana’s when she was being a shit.
“I hope so. It’s empty most of the time. In fact, if you ever get down to the lake, you guys are welcome to use it whenever you like.”
Although, if things worked out the way I hoped, I’d take Dana every chance we got. The first few days we were there—alone—she’d seemed so relaxed. So happy and carefree. I wanted more times like that with her.
I did my best to keep up with the conversation, but something Denny had said stuck out to me. The part where she’d told him about me—with my real name, not some Joe persona. I found it interesting and very promising.
He puffed on his cigar while mine died in the ashtray. I sat listening to the four of them talk and laugh. They easily got along. The number of times when I’d met a woman’s family were close to nil, and there had never been a time when my family met theirs.
It was surreal, sitting with them as they talked to each other about trips they’d taken and places they wanted to go. It was a damn shame Dana wasn’t there because I think she would have liked it too.
After my mother told them the story of how I bought the house I lived in for her, it felt like a good time to leave. My mom loved to brag about me, and finally, it might come in handy, but it was too weird hanging around to listen.
“I’m sure I’m supposed to be doing something groomsman-ly. I’ll see you all downstairs.” I excused myself and found many people were already mingling at the reception, even though the happy hour portion was only just beginning.
Dana stood next the bar at the far end of the room facing away from me, and toward the musicians and the empty dance floor. Her head moved like she was having a conversation with someone, and when I got closer, I saw who.
And nearly fucking died.