Page 126 of Forever

“You’re so strong, Nigel,” Justin said. “What’s your workout routine?”

“Thank you,” Nigel replied. “I’m a natural athlete. I don’t need to waste time with modern boy jazzercise.”

What is he talking about?I shook my head. “And you have an eye on Jacob?” I asked Matt.

“I’m right here, Mommy,” Jacob said.

“I haven’t let him out of my sight,” Matt said.

That wasn’t entirely true. Because no one had been able to see anything back there.

It was like he knew I didn’t believe him, because he added: “I’m holding his hand. He’s right here. He’s safe.”

I smiled. This must be the strangest sight ever. A bunch of men with women thrown over their shoulders. And one man over Nigel. And Matt holding a miniature kidnapper’s hand.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“It wouldn’t be a proper kidnapping if I told you that.”

“You should probably tell your fiancée who’s been legitimately kidnapped a few times where we’re going.”

“It was Rob’s idea,” Matt said as he pulled me off his shoulder and set me down on a leather seat.

I had a feeling we were in a fancy car.

“He was sad about not being the best man. I thought he could have this win. Besides, this isn’t the real surprise.”

“And what’s the real surprise?” The car started moving and I grabbed onto Matt.

“You’ll see.”

I kept a hold of Matt’s arm. I could make out a few other voices. Penny and James were definitely here. And I heard Rob laughing. We must have been in a limo.

I couldn’t believe Rob had come up with this plan. Right after telling me he was going to pull a prank duringmy rehearsal dinner. He was out of control. It was like my coming back to town had turned him into a high schooler all over again. Or maybe he was just always this poorly behaved?

We pulled to a stop and Matt grabbed my hand, helping me out of the limo.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As long as this is where the kidnapping bit ends.”

He laughed. “No more kidnapping, I promise.” He pulled the bag off my head.

I blinked. We were standing on the Empire High football field. But there were several tents erected on the field and a fire pit on the 50-yard-line.

Oh my God, we’re going to get arrested.

Chapter 29

Friday

Matt

“Matt,” Brooklyn said and looked up at me. “I don’t want to spend our wedding behind bars.”

I laughed. “I have the principal’s permission.”

“To set his field on fire and put a bunch of holes in it from tent poles?”

---