Page 32 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
“So has it been everything you hoped it would be?” I ask.
She nods softly. “Yes, actually even more than I had hoped it would be.” For some reason I get the feeling that her words hold meaning, but before I can think more of it she reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck. “What about you?”
Most guys don’t give a shit about things like this. I know girls think about this moment from the time they are kids, but us guys don’t. Well, maybe the wedding night, but not the actual wedding. I could have cared less what we did or where we had our wedding just as long as she was here. “Yeah, baby, because all I needed was you.”
“Well, yeah, it wouldn’t have been anyone else or I would have cut a bitch.”
I bust out laughing, knowing it’s true. “I wish you would be more possessive where Gladys is concerned. Jesus, that lady has been relentless all night. Where is your ass kickin’ skills when I need them?”
“Now come on, Coop, you don’t really want me to kick an old lady’s ass, do you? You should be flattered, Sheriff. I mean, she could call anyone to come find her panties, but she trusts your investigatin’ skills to get the job done.” I grunt at her sarcasm, not finding it very funny, which only makes her laugh.
Unfortunately, that is not where my torment ends when it comes to Gladys. An hour later, when I’m sitting at a table with all the guys, she comes up to me, looking excited as shit because my wife just told her that I would dance with her. My eyes snap to Kayla on the dance floor, where she’s dancing with the girls, and she gives me a sassy little wave of her fingers. Oh she is going to fucking pay for this.
I look back up at Gladys’ hopeful expression and try to figure out how the fuck I’m going to get out of this. “Well that’s real nice of you, Miss Gladys, but unfortunately, I’m not a very good dancer.” Her face falls, making me feel like shit, so I add: “But Sawyer here loves to dance.”
Her face lights back up and I feel Sawyer’s hard gaze on me but I don’t acknowledge him. That will teach the fucker for messing with me about the pink ties.
“Oh he will work just fine, too.” She turns to Sawyer. “What’s your favorite dance, Sugar?”
Jaxson chuckles next to me, and when I glance over at Sawyer, I swear, if looks could kill I would be ten feet under right now. He snaps out of it quickly and pastes a smile on his face. “Sorry, but I’m only allowed to dance with my Cupcake. She gets really mad if I dance with other women, especially ones as beautiful as you, and I sure wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
What a smooth motherfucker.
Gladys nods, as if fully understanding this. “Oh yes, I get that a lot. It seems the younger ladies do find me a little threatening, and I love Miss Grace. I wouldn’t want her feelings hurt either.”
You have got to be shittin’ me. I start feeling like an ass as she watches us eagerly, waiting for one of us to fill the role. Right when I think I’m fucked and have no other choice but to dance with her, old Gus, Kayla’s grandpa, comes walking over and asks her. She’s caught off guard but happily accepts then walks off arm and arm with him. Thank fuck!
I glance back to Kayla to see her looking amused as shit. When she gives me a wink, I shake my head to let her know she’s going to pay for this later. Suddenly, a napkin gets thrown at me from across the table and pulls me from our stare-down.
“You fucker!” Sawyer berates me under his breath. “Why the hell did you throw me under the bus? Why not him?” He points to Jaxson.
I whip the napkin back at him. “Because he hasn’t been annoying me by running his mouth all day about the pink fucking ties.”
He grunts. “That’s because he enjoys dressing like a chick, too.” Jaxson throws his napkin at him now, which he catches with a laugh. “Oh calm your shit, ladies, I’m kidding. And what the hell are you thinking inviting that lady anyway? I mean, jesus, she is off her fucking rocker and you know it.”
“Yeah, but she’s harmless…most of the time, and Kayla said we had to since she’s Grams’ friend.” It’s pretty much the only reason I agreed to it.
Before anyone can say more, Ruthie comes skipping over and jumps up on Cade’s lap. Her beanie is now back on her head, even though she’s still in her flower girl dress, but I have to admit, if anyone can pull it off it’s her. “Hey, big guy, you havin’ fun?” she asks Cade.
“Yeah. How about you?”
“Oh yes. I tan’t wait until you and Faif get married and I weally tan’t wait to be your best man, or I guess I should say best girl,” she adds with a giggle.
He smirks. “Me too, kid.”
Cade and Faith’s wedding is in a few months. Sawyer was always his best man while Jaxson, Chris and I are his groomsmen. Then Ruthie told him that the best man is supposed to be his best friend, and since she’s his best friend she asked if she could stand next to him. Of course he said yes. Who could say no to her? However, we have all agreed that Sawyer is still in charge of the bachelor party.
The conversation gets broken up when the music suddenly switches from a slow song to a fast one, I’m Sexy and I Know It, blaring loudly from the speakers. “Oh my gosh, Sawyer.” Grace squeals from across the dance floor, drawing all of our attention. “It’s your song,” she yells with a laugh then turns to him and starts dancing along. When she kisses each of her biceps we all burst into a fit of laughter.
