Page 10 of Embers in the Outfield

“Oh my gosh. You two are the most beautiful couple. Please tell me you’re together.” I assume from the silence she’s met with, River is giving her the same disgusted look as I’m giving her.

I feel like any answer that isn’t a positive one is going to burst this woman’s bubble. I try to formulate a response that will soften the blow, but before I get a chance to kindly respond, I’m interrupted.

“That’s so sweet of you. Too bad Kennedy doesn’t agree. She dumped me after one date.” He feigns sadness, looking at me like I tore his world up.

“The stalking charges you raked up afterward prove to trust my judgment,” I respond, a smile plastered on my face, feeling proud of myself for the quick hit back.

An uncomfortable laugh escapes said guest, and we continue to walk out. The moment the double doors close, where we’d once separated contact immediately during the rehearsal, I feel River hold on an extra second longer. I can’t help the confusion on my face. It isn’t until he hears his brother’s laugh behind us that he finally lets go of me, and I immediately mourn his warmth when we separate.

Clay is chuckling, and even with all their similarities, I do not see them as the same in many ways beyond their looks. Where River is the thorn in my side, Clay has a softer side to him.

As much as River is as irritating as a stone in my shoe, his brother is usually not too bad most of the time. He likes to have some fun, but for the most part, he is a little more mature than his twin.

Clay got married at a young age, and when he and Abby were together, I’d say he was all about the happily ever afters. That romantic side of his flourished with her. I hung out with her as she befriended Samara, and I tagged along when they had girl nights.

Unfortunately, about a year ago, they went their separate ways, and I’ve only recently seen pieces of the old Clay making their way back to the surface. To say his divorce devastated him is an understatement.

“You have something to say, Clay?” I move my hands to my hips, annoyance lacing my tone.

“What? What would I have to say?” I give him a bored expression, knowing something is coming.

“Oh, you mean the fact that you and my brother make a beautiful couple? I agree, despite the fact you probably sit at home with a voodoo doll poking his eyes out.”

“Come to think of it, my left eye has been twitching lately.” River ambles up to his brother, covering his eye in mock discomfort.

I roll my eyes and decide I shouldn’t waste my breath. The night is young.

“Awww, you think I’d waste my time making a voodoo doll of you, Riv. Fat chance. Also, between the two of you, you already know Clay is the worthy one.” I pat Clay’s cheek and wink, pulling a scowl out of River as I walk away, chuckling like a Disney villain.

It’s all fun and games between Clay and me. We love to ruffle River’s feathers, and I know it’s a point of contention when I favor Clay over him as the better brother. I love to play off that when and where I can.

I hear Clay’s laugh from behind me, followed by an “Oof, what the hell, River!” I smile, satisfied my job here is done as I approach the bride and groom.

“Congratulations, you two. I’m so happy for you both.” I embrace each of them.

Last night, when I pulled Sam into the restroom to confirm the reasoning behind drinking water, she told me all about the pregnancy test. She kept apologizing because she didn’t tell me sooner, but I think we all learned a lot with things that happened between Clay and Abby, Samara wanted to play it safe when it came to announcing her pregnancy with all of us.

Apparently, in all the wedding prep, she skipped a few birth control pills. She thought doubling up on them would do the trick, but not so much. She said Ashton is ecstatic, even though she was scared when she found out. The idea of jumping into parenthood is alarming yet exciting, all mixed together. With the chaos of the festivities, she’s still having to remind herself that she’s carrying a baby in there.

The moment she told me, my heart soared for her and Ashton. I cannot believe my best friend is going to be a mother. She’s already glowing, despite the fumes that seem to constantlycome out of her ears when she’s pissed. Maybe the baby is taking all her calm. I guess time will tell.

I feel the tears well up as I pull away from Samara, my happiness overflowing as I take in my bestie and her husband.

“I can’t believe we’re married!” she squeals, grabbing onto Ashton’s arm and jumping up and down.

The moment Ashton proposed, she’s been knee-deep in wedding planning. She’s been meticulous about each wedding detail, even before that gorgeous ring was placed on her finger. I think her future was laid out with this man the moment he took her out on their first date years ago.

“This has been a dream of a wedding, Sammie.” I give her another hug, and soon, we’re rocking each other back and forth, laughing as the tears stream down our cheeks.

Our moment is interrupted when the photographer grabs the attention of everyone in the wedding party, telling us to follow her outside to take photos.

* * *

My feet are killing me as I’m dancing the night away, and the wedding has been an absolute blast. From the moment the reception started, it’s been one thing after another: toasting the bride and groom, cutting the cake, dinner, and now dancing. The night has been beautifully put together. Sammie’s attention to detail has shown in the way everything has come together flawlessly from the ceremony down to the reception.

This DJ has been choosing song after song that keeps me from sitting down, and I know this was exactly what the bride and groom wanted. They had attended a wedding shortly after graduating college where the guests couldn’t get their dinner until they answered questions correctly about the bride and groom. She said the hunger on top of the irritation was growing with each failed answer for their table. She gave up on answering after the DJ asked them what the bride’s first word was. She saidthe night dragged on from there, with the DJ making up all sorts of games throughout the evening. She vowed her wedding would be nothing like that. She wanted it to be a night to be remember, but in the best way possible. I think Sammie got that wish in the best way.

There’s not one wedding that’s complete without the classic song “YMCA” blasting from the speakers. I’m swinging my arms in the air, moving them to mimic the letters to the title of the song as I sing along. I look around me and see everyone laughing and taking in the fun surrounding them. It’s then I realize many of the wedding party are no longer close to me.

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