Page 50 of The Wedding Toast
Jacob bit back a laugh.He didn’t intend to share with his brother that Becca liked to prove her assertion that he had a very biteable ass as often as she could.
Xander glanced over at him again.“All that matters is that we each made it through losing our folks in our own way, and now we’ve found our way back to each other – back to being a family.And … screw it, I’m going to say it.I like this new family even better.I still miss the folks, but I love Grady and Ava for Hannah.I love Becca for you – and her folks bring something to our family that we would never …” he cringed.“I probably shouldn’t say that, should I?”
“I’m glad you did,” said Jacob.“I know what you mean, I feel the same way, but it makes me feel … disloyal.”
“It’s not disloyal.It’s just … realistic.”
“True.And listen, while I have you to myself.I wanted to check again …”
“You don’t need to.”
He laughed.“Are you a mind reader now?”
“No, but I know that you need to check with me one more time that I’m not mad you asked Bentley to be your best man.I’ve told you before and I’ll say it again – I’m not.Not mad, not hurt, not … anything.I get it.It’s as it should be.And to be honest, it makes it easier for me to ask Slade to be mine.You know it makes sense – we’ve been close since we were kids, just like you and Bentley.”
“I know.That was my theory from the beginning, but now that the time’s here …”
“You still have nothing to worry about.It’s all good.Relax.”
“Do you and Slade intend to go off after we’re done this evening?You guys don’t get to catch up very often these days, do you?Will you be hitting the bars after we leave Bentley’s place?”
Xander laughed.“I should probably warn you now – if Antonio has his way, we’ll all be hitting Muse later.”
“No.I want to get home to Becca.”
“We all know that.But you should know Antonio better than that – he’s trying to get the girls to meet us in Muse.You know what he’s like; he’s happiest when he can get all his people together in one place.”
Jacob chuckled.He should have thought of that.He liked the idea of going to the wine bar after they all had dinner at Bentley’s place, if Becca was going to be there.Especially since it’d make it easier for them to duck out and leave the others to their evening.
When they arrived at the DuPont estate, Jacob was surprised to see some of the guys’ vehicles parked out front, and Bentley standing on the wide steps that led up to the grand front door.
Xander laughed beside him as he parked the truck at the end of the row.“He’s going all out on the VIP treatment.”
“He is.”Jacob couldn’t remember the last time he’d come in through the front door.Whenever he came over, he parked around back and entered through the kitchen.
“Finally,” said Bentley when they got out.
Jacob checked his watch, and Xander laughed.
“We’re not late.It’s just Bentley, you know what he’s like.Although, to be fair, the two of you are the same way.I’ll leave you to it.Where is everyone?”
“In the dining room,” Bentley told him.“Although you might not recognize it as the dining room when you get there.”
Xander gave him a puzzled smile and slapped Jacob’s shoulder.“See you in there,” he said before heading inside.
Jacob turned to take in the view.This place had been like a second home to him when he was a kid.He, Xander, and Hannah had shared their childhood with Bentley, Willow, and Tori.He sighed.
“Is everything all right?”asked Bentley.“A big sigh isn’t exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
Jacob chuckled.“Everything’s great and thank you – for all of this.For getting everyone together and …”
“But what?”
“Nothing.I was just thinking that … well, you guys are family.Even though our folks are gone, we still have family.”
Bentley nodded.“You do.We are.”He chuckled.“And other more eloquent expressions that I can’t come up with right now.I’ll just say that I know you have Xander.But despite the fact that I only have Willow and Tori, I’ve always felt like …”
Jacob punched his shoulder.“I know.Thank you, brother.”He met his friend’s gaze and they both nodded.
