“Come on, Matt. Let’s leave the big boys to get ready now. One hour, guys…don’t forget. ” Mark looked right at Jeff. “Don’t get him drunk. One beer, and that’s all. ” He took Matt’s hand, turned, and left.
Jeff gave me a shocked look. “What the hell? That man has no faith in me whatsoever. ”
Gunner, Brad, and I all lost it and started laughing.
Gunner slapped Jeff on the back. “Come on, let’s all go grab a beer. ”
As Gunner and Jeff began walking out, Brad grabbed my arm. “Josh, can I talk to you for a minute?”
As Gunner shut the door, Brad turned and smiled at me.
“What’s up, dude?” I sat down.
Brad took a seat across from me. He smiled and let out a laugh. “Dude, out of all of us, I honestly never pictured you getting married. I’m so damn happy for you, Josh. ”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate that…I think. ”
He looked down at the ground and then back up at me.
Oh fuck. What if he’s doing drugs again? Or he wants to do drugs again? Dude, don’t do this on my wedding day.
“We’re going to find out the sex of the baby when we get back. ”
I slowly let out the breath I’d been holding. “That’s awesome, dude!”
He nodded. “Yeah, I know. But, um…I’m scared, Josh. ”
“Of what?”
“What if something’s wrong with the baby because I was taking drugs when I got Amanda pregnant? She hasn’t said anything, but I know if it’s crossed my mind, it’s crossed hers. I’m so scared. ”
“Dude, it’s going to be okay. Everything has been good in the pregnancy so far, right?”
He nodded.
“Brad, you made a mistake. Stop beating yourself up every chance you get because you slipped up and made a bad choice. I honestly believe in my heart that you’re going to have a beautiful, healthy baby. Dude, don’t worry. ”
He stood up and let out a sigh. “You’re right!”
I got up and looked at him. “Can I ask you something? Friend to friend. ”
“Of course, Josh. ”
“Have you wanted to…”
He grinned and shook his head. “Not one damn bit. I’ve never felt so much peace and happiness in my life. I actually love my job right now. It doesn’t hurt that it’s one of my dad’s biggest competitors! I’m looking forward to becoming a father. Amanda was so excited about starting a new career, but she’s decided she’s more interested in becoming a mom more than anything. ”
I grinned. “Does that mean y’all aren’t moving to Florida?”
“Nobody knows this yet, but I talked to my boss and asked what the chances of me staying in Austin would be. I got hired on for their Florida office, but he said they are so happy with my work that they were actually going to offer me a raise to stay in Austin. This couldn’t have happened at a better time. Amanda and I talked about it, and we are still selling the house to pay my parents back what they want. Then, we’re going to look at some land outside of Dripping Springs. It’s close enough for me to get to work and for Amanda to go visit the girls when she wants. ”
“Ah hell, Brad. You don’t know how happy this makes me. ” I walked up and gave him a quick hug.
“Let’s keep it between us for right now. I think Amanda wants to tell the girls herself, and I’m going to tell Gunner and Jeff later today. ”
“Will do, Brad. Gunner and Jeff will be just as happy. ” I slapped him on the back before we left the room and made our way down to the bar.
As we walked by the windows, I looked down at the beach. I could see the white arch in front of the chairs covered in the light blue fabric Heather had picked out. I quickly turned away as my heart started pounding.