“Can you go get some bourbon?” he asks,
Wow, he must be nervous if he wants to drink before the ceremony, but I won’t complain. I nod, and pass through the venue, seeing the planner and Harper talking, but don’t acknowledge. Damon probably doesn’t want it to be widely known that he is going to have a drink. No need to make Tessa stressed more than she already is. So, I sneak out of the venue, and down the sidewalk to the liquor store. When I come out with a brown bag, people start to look at me, although I’m the brother everyone knows is an alcoholic so it’s no surprise.
I open the door and peek inside to make sure Harper is with Tessa, and walk swiftly back to the groom’s suite before anyone noticed the brown bag in my hand.
“Alright, here it is. I grabbed a couple glasses from one of the tables in the reception area.”
Is he wanting a drink to celebrate or to take the edge off his nerves? Tessa seems like the perfect woman for him, and Emily is one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever met. He loves her like his own. I brush it off, and say to hell with it. Who wouldn’t be nervous on their wedding day?
Liam pours some in each glass and then we clank them together before taking the first sip. I would’ve chugged it, but then they would have both looked at me weird.
Hazel comes back to mind, and I wonder if she still has that quirky laugh? Does she still wear her hair up in a bun all the time? I remember the first time she wore her hair down, to the Homecoming dance, and it took my breath away.
“So, has anyone talked to Harper or Tessa in the last hour?” Liam asks.
“I did when I got here,” I replied, taking another swig.
A knock sounds at the door.
“Come in,” Damon says.
Emily walks in with her hair curled and wearing a purple dress. “Mommy asked me to give this to you.”
She hands him an envelope. “Also, they want to take pictures in a minute and will knock when they are ready for you.”
“What is it?” I ask.
He shakes his head and opens it to find a note inside.
Liam and I stand idle as tears start to spring from his eyes. Obviously, it’s something sweet she has written for him before the ceremony. This will help him with his nerves.
Another knock sounds, and the photographer pulls us out of the room.
“I would like photos of you and the bride. You won’t get to see her, you will be blindfolded.”
As a man that’s never been married, I’m not sure why the blindfold is necessary. Are they afraid he’s going to peek? Tessa would kill him and he’s not that stupid to piss off his wife on their wedding day.
They bring her out, and she puts her arms around him, and pictures begin. She kisses him, whispers something in his ear, and then they are done. How many pictures can the photographer take in less than two minutes? After they are done, I grab Damon’s shoulders and maneuver him back to the suite.
“Alright, you can take the blindfold off.”
We pick up our glasses to finish before the ceremony starts.
“When were you gonna tell me Hazel is coming to the wedding? Or, did you think I would freak out?” I ask.
Damon smiles. “Why did I need to tell you? She was my friend, too. I didn’t know you had to be notified. Is this why you have been drinking more lately?”
“I just found out. My drinking has nothing to do with her coming.”
So many things are running through my mind now; like what if she doesn’t find me attractive anymore? I think about all of the women I’ve used to try to get over her. What if she brought someone with her? Fuck, if she did, my whole night will be ruined. Hell, the rest of my life. The only thing I’ve been holding on to is the chance to be with her again someday.
The planner knocks, and then opens the door letting us know it’s time to get in our places.
The three of us follow her lead and stand at the altar, waiting for everyone to be seated, and the bridesmaids to make their way down the aisle for the final reveal of the bride. Damon is fidgeting with his fingers, and swaying.
I keep my eyes on the door, wondering when she will arrive. What will she be wearing? Will her hair be up or down in curls? The anticipation is killing me, yet my focus should be on my brother getting married.
Damon is right. He didn’t have to tell me she was coming, and honestly it’s for the best. Since I found out, all I can think about is what I am going to say to her? What do you say to someone you still love, even though she rejected your proposal eight years ago? Hazel and I might not be eighteen anymore, but I’m confident our connection is still there. Tonight will only prove that.
Jeremy walks inside, talking to a woman in a short floral dress and a pin-up hairdo. That can’t be her? My eyes squint trying to see from that far, and then her eyes meet mine and my body freezes. It’s her. I’d recognize those bluish grey eyes anywhere. She continues talking to her brother, but her eyes stay on mine. They break away only for a moment to look over my body.
Her legs are short, but perfect and the dress comes down to about her mid-thigh. The bright red heels she has on only makes me want to push her up in one of these corners and have my way with her. My dick starts to harden, so I look away, trying to focus my attention back to the ceremony and not Hazel when the doors open.
We accompanied the bridesmaids down the aisle, and even then my eyes are fixated are her. How is it possible she is more beautiful? Emily begins down the aisle, throwing the flowers to the sides of the walkway, and then the wedding march commences. Everybody in the audience stands, and then the door opens. Damon’s eyes start to water, and I know he is going to be emotional. No one thought he would find his second chance for love, until Tessa. I pat him on the shoulder, and when she makes it to the altar, they hold hands, and give their attention to the priest.
This is when my attention fades back to Hazel. So, she did come alone. If she knew I would be here, then her outfit reflects her wanting to look her best. My attention is all hers.