brother Andy and his mom, and some uncles I don’t know.
“No. Why?”
I lift my hands like I’m cupping boobs. “Someone’s pizza and beer diet has hit her in all the right places. It’s obscene. He’s going to have a jammer.” I can’t help but laugh even though I know it’s not pizza and beer.
“Seriously?”
“Carson and I were dying at the last fitting. She was all out of the dress and Sami was losing her mind.”
Matt doesn’t say anything but the pleased smirk on his face when he turns to Brady is noticed.
“What?” Brady shouts at him. “Why do you two shits look so pleased with yourselves?”
“No reason.” Matt waves him off, causing Eli to stir and make a face. “I better put him to bed before this becomes something. Be right back.” He gets up and Sami’s eyes are on him as if she’s double-checking his movements.
The breeze is perfect, warm but fresh, and the sun is setting, leaving a glow in the sky around us that’s lighting up the dark-blue transition to night.
Jenny’s laugh draws my stare. She’s miming something, shooting. Bev’s finishing her sentences. The girls are gutting themselves over the story. I assume it’s about the paintball game but God knows with those two.
She’s so free with them, I’m jealous. She hasn’t been that way with me since the LA thing.
“Looks like we lucked out with the weather,” Nat’s dad says as he walks over to where I’m sitting, interrupting my thoughts.
“It’s supposed to be beautiful tomorrow, Mr. Banks. As will your daughter be.”
“Yes, but Nat could wear a paper bag and be stunning. Takes after her mother. Do you mind?” He points at the chair Matt was in.
“I insist, please.”
“You know, Lawrence, when you have a daughter, you expect to cover the costs of the wedding. It’s tradition. From the moment Natalie was born, I’ve been saving for it. But when Sami and Nat decided to include their weddings in their online company, I understood all funds would come from the business.”
“Right.”
“So then I hoped we would be permitted to at least cover the rehearsal dinner. I tried to convince her to let us help, but she said you covered it.”
“Did she?” I glance in her direction and see her attention is suddenly focused on us. “Well, the thing is, I owed Brady a lot. So me offering my place and services was repayment of an old debt.”
“I see.” He nods his head as if contemplating the sentence. “Well, I guess the next time we’re all in the city, dinner’s on me.” He offers me his hand.
“That sounds perfect.” I shake his firm grip and give a kind smile back. “You should take that money you saved up and go on a nice holiday. Nat would want that.”
“You’re a strange kid, Lawrence. So old and responsible for such a young man.” He lightens up. “People must tell you that you have an old soul.”
“Yes, sir,” I confess. “My grandfather has been saying that very thing since I was about six or seven.”
Matt saves me by coming back.
“I’m in your chair.” Mr. Banks stands but Matt puts a hand on his arm.
“No, stay. I’ll sit here. Better view of the sea.” Matt sits in a different chair and lifts his drink and the three of us watch the water for a moment as the last of the light fades.
“Some view you got here,” Mr. Banks offers after the silence.
“It’s why I picked it.”
“You plan to move here and live with your family one day?” His question is absurd.
“Oh, uh, maybe one day.” I try not to make a disgusted expression. “Ten years down the road, maybe twenty.”
Matt chokes on his drink.
“No rush like these crazy fools.” I point at Matt.
“Indeed,” Mr. Banks agrees. “You’re only young once, might as well enjoy it.”
Matt struggles to recover.
“It’s good scotch, Brimstone, but you can’t huff it.”
Mr. Banks laughs and stands. “On that note, I better turn in. I have a feeling I’ll have a hard time sleeping tonight. Night, boys.” He pats Matt on the arm once and walks away.
“Remind me tomorrow when the wedding’s over and we’re all drunk that you and I should have a chat. In case I forget.” Matt lifts his drink.
“I don’t need to remind you, you never get drunk.” I clank my glass against his.
“That’s true. Not in a long time.” He turns back to where the girls are seated and stares.
“You thinking about that weird strip show you gave them?” I can’t fight