However, something in the woman’s eyes led me to conclude that whatever she held was harmless.
“It’s okay, Don. I got it.” I took the letter from the woman and gave her a nod, before turning to head down the long hall and up to the changing rooms on the second story of the church.
I waved my security off when they told me they’d be in with the rest of the guests. Joshua had enough security for his wedding that mine didn’t need to be on call at the moment.
“About fucking time,” Joshua exclaimed as I entered the room where all three of my brothers, father, and my four nephews were.
“Whatever,” I grunted in response to Joshua. I brushed passed him, seeing the bottle of scotch on one of the tables. Without a second thought I charged over to the table, grabbed the first glass within reach, and poured myself a shot. Usually, I abstained from alcohol during the season, but with my mood, I needed something to take the edge off.
I didn’t even stop to notice how all four men in the room had paused to carefully watch me. Not until my father spoke up.
“There’s only one thing that makes a Townsend man drink like that.”
And just like the assholes they were, all three of my brother’s responded, “A woman.”
“My, my, how the tables have turned,” Joshua added, grinning like a fucking Cheshire cat.
“Whatever,” I grunted again. “Oh, here.” I practically tossed the envelope the woman from earlier had given me.
“What’s this?”
“Hell if I know. Some woman asked me to give it to you in the hallway. One of your guests. Didn’t know her, but she reminded me of …” I snapped my fingers, trying to remember.
“Chelsea,” Joshua stated as he stared at the writing of his name on the envelope.
“Yeah!” I agreed. Chelsea had been a long-time friend turned girlfriend of Joshua’s. His first love, according to my mother. But she’d died of cancer in their early twenties. Kayla, the woman Joshua was marrying in less than thirty minutes, was actually best friends with the both of them growing up. Apparently, they’d become more than that. I saw that one coming a mile away but whatever. I rolled my eyes and poured another shot, downing it.
“Don’t fuck up your brother’s wedding,” my father growled at me.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Father.”
“I need to see Kayla!” Josh demanded, catching all of our attentions. Before anyone could react my older brother was charging out of the room, intent on seeing his bride-to-be.
“What’s going on?” Diego questioned, looking up at Carter.
“Let’s find out,” his father answered.
I trailed behind everyone, including my father and Aaron who were each carrying one of Aaron and Patience’s newborn sons. The boys named, Thiers and Andreas, were close to two months old, and thankfully sound asleep for all of this commotion.
“You can’t see her,” I heard my mother telling Joshua as I rounded the corner. “You will be seeing her in the next thirty—”
“It’s important,” he insisted. Apparently, whatever was in that letter riled him up.
Less than a minute later, Kayla’s voice called out from somewhere behind the door and Joshua was led inside, with his eyes closed. I shrugged and followed behind Carter and Aaron as they started back for the changing room.
“These damn boys are just as bad as you,” I heard my mother mumble.
I happened to look up to catch the smile and wink my father tossed her before planting a kiss to her lips. “No smear lipstick. You’re learning,” he said low, but I was still able to hear it.
“Pretend all you want, but I know you well enough to know how much you like the sight of my lipstick smeared.”
I shook my head and picked up my pace just as my father growled something to my mother, causing her to giggle. The sight of their affection no longer grossed me out but it did, for the first time ever, cause me to feel a twinge of jealousy. No, not a twinge, a fucking mountain full of jealousy. Here I was at my third oldest brother’s wedding while my father and other two brothers were all present with their wives and children, and I was alone. Now, I’m not an insecure man at all. And I certainly could’ve had my pick of women to accompany me to this wedding. But the one I wanted to bring had fled from my hotel suite before I even got the chance to ask her.
“It’s going to be a long fucking day,” I mumbled to myself just as Joshua entered the room again, grinning from ear to ear.
****
“You want to tell me what’s been up your butt today?”
