The next week was hectic as Nick worked with George to get everything in order for this wedding. Although it brought back memories of late nights going over the most trivial of things with Clifton for their wedding, this was much more straightforward. All they were going to do was go to the courthouse, sign some papers, and have a little get together with a few friends and family afterward.

He'd kept putting it off, but now, just three days before his second wedding, he called his parents.

“Hello?” Hazel greeted.

“Hey, Mom,” Nick greeted in kind. “Listen, are you busy? Is Dad around?”

“Dad's here. What's wrong? Want me to put him on speakerphone?”

“Nothing's wrong, but yeah.”

Within moments, he was on speakerphone.

“So, I have kinda big news...” he started. Even as he began, he wasn't entirely sure how he was going to deliver the news. “I'm getting married.”

Silence.

“Hello?” Nick questioned. Did his parents get cut off?

“We're here,” Hazel spoke up. “You're getting married?”

“Yeah, but let me explain,” he said quickly. “Great Uncle Jasper left me $250,000 in his will if I got married.”

“$250,000?” Hazel echoed, stunned.

“I always knew the son-of-a-bitch was holding out on us!” Peter growled in the background.

“Yeah, I couldn't believe it either,” Nick agreed. “Anyway, you know him... he was definitely intending this inheritance to be an insult if I didn’t take it, or a big ol’ shove back in the closet if I married a woman for it.”

“But same sex marriage is legal,” Hazel pointed out.

Nick shrugged. “It wasn’t when he originally made the will, I guess,” he said. “Look, the thing is... I've gotta get married ASAP to receive the money. So... I'm getting married to George Bennett.”

There was another long, silent pause.

“I know this is a lot to take in...” Nick said, trying to fill in that space.

“I don't know how I feel about this,” Hazel admitted. “I take it that you're only getting married for the money? You're sharing it with George?”

“Yes. I intend to give him half.” Guilt bubbled up inside, but Nick tried to keep it down. “I know it's not an ideal situation, but I could really use this money. It's a serious game changer. I'd be set for years! George, too, could really use it. He's trying to get out of an apartment that has water damage...”

“I say go for it, son,” Peter grunted. “After what that bastard did to you years ago—what he continued to do afterwards to the whole family. Good riddance. Take the money and run.”

“Peter!” Hazel scolded.

“What? Jasper was no saint. He did nothing but cause trouble. He hurt Nick, he hurt you. He hurt all of us. Hell, I love you, darlin', but I'd get married for this, too.”

Nick was overwhelmed with gratitude for his father's powerful and protective words. They'd always had a strong bond.

“And it's not like George is a complete stranger,” Nick spoke up. It seemed like his father was on his side, so he just needed to get his mother on board, too. “Things are a bit complicated right now but... I do care about him. I keep messing up, now and in the past, and this seems like a great chance to get to know him better—and to make everything up to him.”

“I still don't like it...” Hazel said in an uncertain tone. “But if you like this guy... Well, I guess it could be worse. George was always such a sweetheart.”

“He still is,” Nick quickly said, grabbing onto this chance. “As far as sons-in-laws go, I think you guys win.”

“What are we supposed to tell the rest of the family?” Hazel then asked.

“It's none of their business,” Peter said. “He doesn't owe anyone an explanation.”

“It's important that we keep this to as few people as possible,” Nick insisted. He didn't want to make trouble for him or George. “So only you two on my side know the truth. By the way, the wedding is this weekend.”

“This weekend?” Hazel exclaimed.

“Yeah...”

“Very tight, but we'll be there.”

“And congratulations!” Peter chimed in. “I'll have a beer right now in your honor.”

Nick's heart swelled at these words as he blew out a breath of relief. “Thanks, guys. I better get going. There's still lots to do. I'll see you in a few days.”

After he hung up, he phoned Jett next. He had to admit that he’d been putting it off.

Jett was so going to give him a hard time.

“You're actually going for the fake wedding? That's hilarious!” Jett remarked, his glee exploding from the phone after Nick gave him the run down. “I'm so down for that.”

Nick laughed while shaking his head. “Will you be my best man?”

“Of course! Can Ryan come?”

“Yes, you can have your plus one.”

“This is the best thing I've heard all week,” Jett mused, though his voice then grew serious. “But are you sure about this?”

“To be honest, I'm not sure of anything right now,” Nick admitted as he worked his jaw around. “My dad's onboard with this but Mom's not thrilled. She's going along with it, but she's definitely not on the same page as Dad. But having that chunk of money right now would be awesome. I'm starting to feel like I'm in a rut. Having that would help free up some of my time to pursue other things.”

“And the whole marrying George thing?” Jett prompted.

“I'm worried, yeah,” Nick said. “Everything's happening so fast. I want the chance to get to know him again.”

“Well, this is one way to do that!”

“Do you think it's a mistake?” Nick asked, the sudden weight on his chest surprising him.

“I think it's unorthodox, but it could work. It'll give you plenty of time to get close and get to know each other. Then, if you fall in love, the hard part's already done!”

Nick's heart thumped loudly in his chest as Jett used the L word. “Do you think you and Ryan are going to get married anytime soon?” he interjected. He needed to get away from that conversation now. The easiest way to distract Jett was to get him talking about himself.

“We've talked about it,” Jett answered, taking the bait without question. “I still can't believe that I'm even considering getting married. That'd never been on the top of my list, but Ryan changed all that.”

Just like George changed everything for Nick.

“When we do get married, you'll definitely be my best man,” Jett added.

“Good to know,” Nick said, his voice coming out more strained than he thought. “I better let you go.”

“Ah! We should have a bachelor party in your honor!”

“No, no bachelor party. Don't have time for it,” Nick chuckled.

“Party pooper.”

When Nick hung up, he stretched and gazed around the apartment that belonged to both him and George. Thankfully, George was out at that moment handling some stuff with his apartment. It was going to be tricky getting used to having someone else share his space but, so far, George was a great roommate. He kept things tidied, liked to cook, went to bed early...

Actually, it was nice having someone around.

The real question now was how long they'd enjoy each other's company once they had their money in hand. George didn't seem like the type to up and go once he got his payout, but money changed people. If Nick was really lucky, though, perhaps it'd change them for the best.