“Our friendship was instantaneous. We became best friends and were not easily separated.” I find my mom in the crowd. “Right, mom? What was another kid in the house! She didn’t mind though, sometimes I thought she loved him more than me!”
“Sometimes I did!” mom calls out and everyone breaks into laughter again.
I nod. “I knew it!”
“From High school to college, the NFL and then back home, we never left each other’s side. Distance didn’t matter, we were only a FaceTime away.” I knock his side again, “Some of those FaceTimes I wish I could erase from memory. There are only so many times you can see your best friend’s junk or let him flaunt those tight football pants.” I give an exaggerated shudder to drive my point home.
“Those tight pants are my favorite!” my sister calls out.
“Yea, yea, Chessy we know all about it.” I wink at her. “Speaking of Chess, I have to thank my sister for keeping him locked down here in Christmas, though. Imaybe” I raise my voice at that word, “fought their relationship at first, sorry about that black eye, Jackson.” I put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “But having my two favorite people, sorry Billy and Tom, close to me every day is like nothing else.”
They both grumble out a ‘whatever, you love us.’
“I do love you, every one of you.” I smile and meet the eyes of everyone at our table, each one of them making a huge impact on my life, being there for me at every turn, and if they weren’t there at a certain moment in time, they made their way back to me. I can’t let these people go.
I can’t let her go.
I find her watery eyes watching me, and I give her a wink.
“Now for the sappy stuff. Pay attention, you’re only going to hear it once.” I clear my throat. “Jackson, you’ve been like a brother to me since day one. You’ve put up with my controlling habits and workaholic ways and you still come running when I call. You’re the most loyal man I know, and I couldn’t ask for a better person to love her, so I’ve no doubt you’re the best man for my sister. I love you, man.” Jackson rises and we hug, a full-on man to man, hard back pats, hug. Pulling fromhim, I grab my champagne and raise my hand. “Raise your glasses, to Jackson and Francesca!”
thirty-one
BRITT
Maid of Honor Speech
Once Adam gives his speech and takes a seat beside Jackson again, I stand and take the mic back from the DJ.
“And now I understand the phrase ‘save the best for last’. That was great, Adam, but yea, it’s my turn. Pay attention to how it’s really done.” I give him a smug grin, knowing I’m getting under his skin, and take my position next to Chess.
“Hello all! For those who don’t know me I am Britt Gallagher, Jackson’s sister and Francesca’s best friend.” I lean down by her side and nudge her. “That worked out pretty well, huh? You’re welcome.”
She grins and shakes her head at my antics, whispering at me to behave. “Oh, Chessy it’s fine,” I wave her off then stand and look out to the crowd. “She’s afraid I’ll say something outlandish. I mean, do I do that?” There are some murmurs from the crowd. “Jackson, I’m well behaved!”
He barks a laugh. “You’re never behaved!”
I wave him off now, too. “Anyway, let me just say that Chess is the sister I always wanted. Brothers are great and all, but we each needed each other, and needed that girl time only we could give. We spent every day together as kids and whenshe moved away it killed me. I lost my designated driver. I mean, both her and my brother were gone! My husband can only take so much you guys!”
“Francesca has always been the chocolate to my marshmallow. The coke to my fireball. The calm to my crazy. She’s been my best friend since we came across each other on that football field all those years ago, watching our stupid brothers chase a pigskin around.”
“Easy sis!” my brother calls out.
“Gage, she’s still my bestie and always will be my bestie, so don’t get any ideas. Chessy, me love you long time.” I wink at her. I’m doing my best to get her to relax and just enjoy the rest of the night. If I have to act like a fool to make it happen, I will.
I pick up my glass, ready to make my final words. “I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom. They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style. And friends are the family you choose. I’m so thankful you chose me. Beauty, you are the sweetest soul I’ve known. And I am honored to call you my sister, for real now. I love you.” She stands and we hug, tears leaking.
“I couldn’t be happier, Chessy, you got your happily ever after.” I whisper in her ear, and she squeezes me tighter.
“Raise your glass to my girl and my brother!”
thirty-two
FRANCESCA
Garter and Bouquet Toss
I’m standing on the opposite side of the room talking with Jameson and his dad about his next step with LPR. “I know we’re not talking shop today, but I want you to know I reached out to Coach Karol at Candy Cane Key in Florida. They want you Jameson, if you’re ready to make the leap.”
