Neil. They deserve each other and all the pain that comes with that.”
“Sis, stop”
“No. I won’t stop. I’m serious and I would say that to her face.”
“You just did.” I lifted my chin, motioning behind her.
Harmony, totally unfazed, turned around. “Can I help you with something? Or were you just eavesdropping for fun?”
Rachel ignored my sister and looked past Harmony to me. “I just wanted to see if we could talk.”
“No,” Harmony answered for me. “You can’t. You lost that privilege when you accepted Neil’s penis into your vajayjay.”
Accepted Neil’s penis? Vajayjay?
“Harmony.” The tone in my voice caused my sister to glance over her shoulder at me. I could see from the pure joy of her expression that she was clearly amused by the situation. “I don’t need you to speak for me.”
“Oh, I know.” She smiled widely. “I’m just doing it for fun.”
I know, I thought. That was the scary part. I’ve said it before and I’d say it again, Hudson was a brave man.
“Now, can I get all single men onto the dance floor, please? Single men to the floor. It’s time for Bentley to toss the garter.”
On principle, I’d made it a hard and fast rule that I did not participate in this portion of weddings. The tradition dictated that the person that caught it would be the next in line to get married. I’d never wanted to tempt fate.
“Beau? Please.” Rachel took a step toward me.
If there was one thing that would get me to break my rule, it was getting out of this conversation. I turned to my sister and instructed her, “Behave.”
“Can’t you see my halo?” she asked.
“Yeah, and it’s being held up by horns.”
“I’m not the one with horns.” Harmony shot a pointed stare at Rachel.
As I walked past Rachel, I thought about ignoring her completely, but I figured that wasn’t the most mature response. So I paused and said, “This isn’t the time or place.”
Disappointment clouded her delicate features. Seeing her reaction inflamed the resentment that I’d been carrying around for her. Where did she get off thinking she could just show up after ten years and I’d still be at her beck and call? I wasn’t the same whipped kid that had followed her around like a puppy dog and done everything she’d asked. She’d made sure of that.
As I lined up with the other single men, I looked down the line and saw how much it was dwindling. Just a few years ago, all six of my brothers, the ones that still lived in Wishing Well, would have been at my side. Now, I was representing the Briggs family on the solo tip since Wyatt lived in D.C.
Brady was in the lineup, as well as a half dozen younger guys, all in their twenties. And then there was Fred Rogers. Yes, that was his real name. Mr. Rogers was a retired postman who was in his eighties. He’d never been married. For as long as I could remember, at least twenty years or so, he’d been in love with Dixie Rose Porter, who, to my knowledge, had never returned the feeling.
My future flashed before my eyes of being the old single guy at the wedding. Was I going to be Mr. Rogers?
I was so lost in thought that when I noticed something flying at my face, instinct overtook me and I reached up and grabbed it. It took me a second to realize I’d just caught the damn garter. I’d only participated to get out of talking to Rachel, I’d had no plans on being the last man standing.
There was a wave of applause and I played the part, smiling as I held it up and spun the lace and silk band around my finger. I took a bow and started to walk off the floor.
“Wait.” The photographer stopped me. “I need to get a picture of you.”
I smiled hoping to look proud of my win.
“And now you two together.”
I turned and saw the woman that I’d locked eyes with. Sasha, that’s what Harmony had said her name was. She was holding the bouquet and her light eyes were glimmering up at me. As soon as our gazes met, the same phenomenon occurred, but this time it was even more potent than the first. I could see the gold flakes swimming in her blue-green irises. I noticed the way her thick eyelashes framed the almond shape of her vibrant stare.
Say something, I ordered myself.
“Can I get you two to look