Page 29 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
“Isn’t she beautiful?” my mom says, her voice laced with emotion. “Cooper isn’t going to know what hit him.”
I smile. Well if my dress doesn’t make his jaw drop, the baby news definitely will.
CHAPTER 7
Cooper
“I still can’t believe she talked you into making us wear pink fucking ties. I swear my balls are shrinking by the second.” Sawyer complains as he adjusts his tie in the mirror.
Yeah, well I don’t like it either, but Kayla really wanted it and anything my girl wants I give her. Hell, I probably would have worn a pink fucking suit if it made her happy.
“Good,” Jaxson says, clapping him on the back. “Now they will match your small dick.”
All of us chuckle but Sawyer. “My dick is far from small, asshole. Just ask—
A knock on the side door interrupts whatever arrogant remark was about to be made and opens to reveal Christopher. “Hey, some lady named Gladys out here is confused on what side she should sit on. I told her if she’s friends with both of you she can pick anywhere, but she’s insisting I ask you where you want her seated. She said she doesn’t want to make Kayla jealous.”
I groan and shake my head but everyone else seems to find it fucking hilarious. “Seat her on Kayla’s side, next to Grams.”
“Okay, I will, but I’ll let Alissa deal with her. That old lady is grabby.”
Don’t I know it. “Thanks, Christopher.”
He nods then backs away, but before the door can close my mom comes barging in. “Oh my, look at how handsome all of you boys are.” Strolling over, she grabs the lapels of my jacket then pulls me down and kisses my cheek. “I can’t believe my baby boy is getting married today,” she says with a quivering lip.
Oh jesus.
I’m just about to ask why she isn’t with the girls but Evans walks over and grabs my face. “I know. I can’t believe our baby is all grown up, pink ties and all.”
I slap his hand away and shove him. “Get the fuck off of me.”
“Cooper!” my mom gasps. “Don’t talk to your friends like that, or you won’t have any at all.”
I roll my eyes but before I can respond Evans does. “Yeah, that really hurt my feelings, I might just up and leave you one man down.”
I grunt. “You do that and I’ll make sure to find the perfect guy to walk your Cupcake down the aisle.”
His amusement vanishes in an instant and he points his finger at me. “That shit’s not funny.”
The rest of us chuckle, thinking it is. “Okay, that’s enough boys, be nice to each other,” my mom says as she starts adjusting my tie, her expression becoming somber. “I still can’t believe your sister is missing your wedding.”
“Mom, we’ve talked about this. She has a year left on her teaching contract then she will move here and we will see her all the time. I spoke with her this morning. It’s all good, I promise.”
She shakes her head, still not liking it, but I am fine with it. I’ve never been that close with my sister. I mean, she’s awesome and all, but she’s five years older than me and was in college when we moved to Sunset Bay. After getting her degree she travelled the world, teaching English abroad. She couldn’t leave Korea to come today or else it would have been a breach in her contract. Kayla and I thought about waiting but I didn’t want to, I’ve waited long enough. My sister and I are fine with it; my mom, however, is not.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with the girls?” I ask, trying to bring her out of her thoughts.
“Yes, I’m on my way, but I wanted to quickly stop in and see my boys.” She walks up to Jaxson and pulls him down for a hug. “You look as handsome as always. Julia and Annabelle are so lucky to have you.”
Jaxson hugs her back easily, used to her affection. After his useless dad split on him, my parents insisted he live with us and they made him a part of the family. He’s not only my best friend but also the closest person I have to a brother. “Thanks, but I’m the lucky one.”
My mom smiles at his response then walks over to my cousin Shawn next. “My favorite nephew. I’m so glad you could come and stand with Cooper on his special day.”
I roll my eyes again. Jesus, does she have to talk like we’re fucking ten?
“I’m your only nephew,” he replies with a smirk.
“True, but you’re still my favorite.” She chuckles then moves on to Cade for a hug, which makes him uncomfortable but he’s polite about it. The guy has gotten better, but if it isn’t Faith or Ruthie he’s still not all that comfortable with affection. Sawyer, of course, eats that shit up.
“All right, and one more for my boy before I go.” She walks back over to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I mumble uncomfortably and want to punch Evans in the face at his smirk. Thankfully, my dad walks in and breaks up the awkward moment.
“Hey, Coach.” Everyone greets him.
“How goes it, boys?” He shakes their hands and gives them a clap on the back. “All right, Arlene, let the boy go and head on over to the girls’ suite. I just spoke with Pastor Williams and we’re ready in five minutes.”
“Okay, okay.” She squeezes me one more time then looks up at me with a smile. “I’m excited to see Kayla, I know she’s going to be beautiful today.”
“She’s beautiful every day.” I answer honestly because it’s the damn truth. No one, and I mean no one, holds a candle to her. She’s the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out. Even when she’s a pain in the ass she’s still sexy as hell, and fuck did I miss her sassy ass last night. I didn’t sleep worth a shit without her and I never want to do that again. Not under any circumstance. I can’t wait until the wedding is over so I can haul her ass upstairs to our room and show her how much I missed her.
