Page 19 of Rock Out Together
Brandon is chanting under his breath as we get into position. Best to leave him at times like this. He’s psyching himself up. I just hope it’s because he’s nervous and excited, not wondering if he’s making a mistake.
I’ve never thought about getting married, I’ve never met the right woman. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t seek her out in the crowd.
Snap out of it. There are more important things to think about. Like handing over the….Shit, I pat my pocket frantically. Oh, thank fuck, the rings are still there.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch and my grin is enormous when Brandon picks Franny up and twirls her before setting her down and punching the air. If he’s happy, I’m happy. That is all that matters.
Pictures are taken, food and drinks shared, and guests are mingling before the sit down meal. It’s amusing to watchguys trying to hit on Cora. It pleases me she isn’t entertaining any of them.
Which is the main reason I keep my distance. She’s sticking close to her sister. Diego is doing groomsman shit, but he checks in regularly with his girl.
My share of attention is non-stop. Most of these people are family, but the extended guest list is unpredictable. Put a celebrity in the mix and people can’t help themselves.
I won’t spend my brother’s wedding signing autographs and taking pictures. This is their day, not mine. To make things easier, I slip away unnoticed.
The house is something else. I mean, I’m not hurting for cash. I have a big beachfront house, three cars, and I own an apartment in Portland. This house is next level. We were given a ‘wing’ to get ready in while Franny and her bridesmaids got another.
Something about the place is off, though. It feels more like what it’s being used for today, a venue, not a home. I can’t help but peek in some rooms as I pass, even opening doors that are closed and off limits to the guests.
Then I come across a room with a pool table, foosball table, and old-style arcade games against one wall. Damn, I’ve died and gone to heaven. This is a total man cave in here. Or woman cave. I’m not sexist. Who can resist checking this out a little more thoroughly?
I slip inside and close the door over, then go to the arcade games, which include Galaga, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. It all brings me back to my childhood. Do I need a quarter to get the game started?
Voices approaching outside startle me.
“I can’t believe she came.”
“You invited her.”
“I didn’t. Diego is Brandon’s cousin. I had no choice.”
“I thought you guys made up.”
“Well, I did it for Brandon. He wasn’t going to not invite his cousin’s girlfriend.”
Okay, that’s Franny, and I’m assuming one of her bridesmaids. They’re talking about Diego’s woman? Quietly, I creep closer to the door.
“Francesca, you were the one who should apologize for what happened.”
“She turned my hair purple.”
“Yeah, but…she did it for a reason.”
“Do you know how embarrassing that was? Mom wouldn’t even take me to the salon because she was angry about what happened.”
What the fuck are they talking about?
“Looking at her face is ruining my wedding.”
“You can’t kick them out.”
“Says who?”
She sounds like a petulant little bitch. This is a side to my brother’s new wife I haven’t seen or heard before. I’m not sure I like it.
“You’ll only make a scene.”
“Have you seen what she is wearing? That red dress, ugh.”
