Page 80 of Forever

“Wait, you told Nigel before you told us?” Rob asked.

“Yes,” Nigel said. “As the best man I know everything first.”

Rob stared at him. “What the hell did you just say to me?”

“As Matt’s best man, I learned all the news first. I’m helping with the wedding. And I’ll be in charge of the little one once he or she is born. Probably a she. That’s what Tanner thinks.”

I don’t think we’d talked about him watching our new baby…

“Tanner already knew too?” Rob asked. “Seriously, what the fuck?”

Tanner held up his hands. “I just guessed.”

“Good.” Rob turned his attention back to me and glared. “Dude, is Nigel your best man?”

Definitely not.

“Yes,” Nigel said.

I ignored him. “That’s actually the other reason I invited you all over here. The game doesn’t start for another half hour. So I figured we could start the night with a different game. A little best man competition.”

“A best man competition?” Nigel asked. “Whatever for? I’m the best man in the room.”

“Maybe,” I said. “We’ll know soon. After a series of challenges.”

“Not a chance in hell, Nigel,” Rob said. “I’mthe best man.”

Tanner laughed. “You young silly boy, Robert. I’m the best man. Right, Matt?”

“I’m not a silly boy!” Rob yelled.

“I told you this was ridiculous,” Brooklyn whispered to me. “Super ridiculous.”

“But fun,” I said.

She laughed and shook her head.

“Okay, to start,” I said and rubbed my hands together. “Tell me why each of you should be my best man.”

“I’ll go first,” Tanner said. “I got the two of you back together. I did that.” He tapped his chest. “And who’s the one that’s been hanging out with you the most these past few years while all these guys have been married?”

James laughed. “He has a point.”

“And Brooklyn and I are very close too. Right, Brooklyn?”

Brooklyn smiled. “Yes. But I’m staying out of this competition.” She held up her hands.

“We’re all close with Brooklyn,” Rob said.

“You call her by a last name that she hasn’t had in years,” Tanner said. “You know the old her. Not the new her.”

“Sanders is a term of endearment. And I’ll keep calling her that even after she’s a Caldwell. Because that’s our thing. Right, hot stuff?” Rob turned back to her.

Brooklyn held up her hands again.

“Okay,” Tanner said. “One final point. I’m Matt’s best friend.”

“Son of a bitch,” Rob said under his breath. “False. My turn. I’m Matt’s best friend. I know literally everything about him. And I’ve known him much longer than that creep over there.”

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