Page 201 of Love in Riverbend
Smiling, I nod.
I can play nice for my best friend. And once this day is over, I can wipe Ricky Dunn from my shoes for the last time. There is a giant world outside of Riverbend, and that’s where I plan to live. If love comes along, great. If it doesn’t, I can live with that too.
With each step upon the runner, I do my best to keep my gaze averted from the man I will soon be partnered with. The best man and the maid of honor. Despite my best efforts, I can’t help but steal a glance at the way he fills out his tailored shirt, the way the suspenders stretch over his wide shoulders, or the gleam I see in his stare.
Any positive thoughts I’m entertaining about this man are wrong.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Chapter 2
Ricky
My smile twitches as Marilyn walks toward the front of the church, the eyes of many Riverbend residents shifting between her and those of us already at the altar. No doubt, many of the people sitting in the pews are thinking what I thought the day my little sister informed me she was dating my best friend. While my first reaction was disbelief, which morphed into shock and anger, I slowly realized what Devan obviously knew. Justin Sheers is a good guy. As he’s my best friend since childhood, I couldn’t come up with a better person for my sister to share the rest of her life with.
It is funny how the significance represented by the numbers associated with our ages diminishes as we grow older. The gaps shrink as the years multiply.
Five years ago, when Devan graduated from high school, she and her friends seemed so much younger. I suppose that makes me an asshole for hooking up with Marilyn during that graduation party. We couldn’t blame alcohol. It was something more basic, something that has existed since the beginning of time—desire, continuing from generation to generation and populating the earth.
After Marilyn and I did what we did, I was an ass. It hadn’t occurred to me that I was Marilyn’s first. The moment I realized that I was, I froze. Sure, she was beautiful and legal, but taking her virginity was more responsibility than I was prepared to accept. We agreed to keep what happened our secret—no strings attached.
I wasn’t ready for the hostile aftermath. I suppose I should have been. What can I say? I’m a guy, and admitting feelings for my little sister’s best friend was a hard no. Hurting her was never my intention. Due to our connection—Devan—avoiding each other was impossible. Over the years, we settled into an adversarial relationship. She never missed an opportunity to snap some smartass response whenever we were together. The thing is, I’ve grown not only to expect her zingers, but to look forward to them.
Last night at the rehearsal, I played along with her complaints about being paired with me. After all, I’m the best man and she’s the maid of honor. The coupling should have been assumed before we listened to the minister’s instructions.
For the sake of Justin and Devan, we agreed to play nice.
As she glides up the aisle, I can’t help but scan from her dark hair, pulled up in a twist with glittery accessories, to her pleasing face and the way her pouty lips purse when she glances my way. My focus continues down her slender neck and to the way the clinginess of her long dress showcases her curves—curves that have grown over the last five years.
My circulation warms thinking about her aversion to me. For this one evening, she has no choice but to accept her role and mine. I nod slightly with a grin as she takes one last look in my direction and scrunches her adorable nose. If the congregation wasn’t oohing and aahing over the flower girl, Justin’s niece, I could laugh out loud.
The guests stand as the music changes.
Dad and Devin appear at the end of the aisle.
The happiness on my sister’s face tells me what I knew as soon as I quit sulking over my best friend finding what I haven’t—love. Devan glows as she holds on to Dad’s arm and comes forward in her long white bridal gown.
The wedding occurs in a blur as I bear witness to the marriage of my sister to my best friend. Before I know it, the minister declares them husband and wife. The church erupts in applause as they kiss. My smile returns as the bride and groom walk down the aisle, I bend my right arm, and grin down at my partner for the night.
Marilyn’s smile is forced as she places her hand on my arm, and she tips her chin higher.
“Maybe we should kiss, you know, see if they applaud again?” I whisper low into her ear.
Her face snaps toward mine. “Please don’t make me sick. I’ve already had too much champagne.”
My laugh comes from deep in my throat as we walk toward the back of the church. As soon as we cross the threshold, Marilyn lets go of my arm and hurries to Devan, wrapping her friend in a hug. My hand goes out to Justin. “It’s official, asshole. You better treat my sister right.”
His shoulders broaden and his neck straightens. “You know I will.”
“I know.” I pat his shoulder. “I’m still uncomfortable with it, but I know.”
Our talk is cut short as Jill and Dax arrive—the last couple from the wedding party. They’re followed by my parents and Justin’s. Soon, we fall into line, Devan on my left and Marilyn on my right. One by one, the guests walk by. All the women hug my sister, and the men shake Justin’s hand. The rest of us are met with the obligatory comments: beautiful wedding, you look nice, you clean up well. To hear the people of Riverbend, they aren’t used to seeing me as anything other than Jack Dunn’s son, a farmer.
That is changing.
I’m also not living in Riverbend any longer.
