“What about the sex?” Vincent repeated.
I ignored him as I gave him a final once-over. He was wearing black slacks with a white dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his forearms, giving the outfit a little bit more of a casual look that would fit the informal ceremony and setting. His bow tie wasblack. It was a simple look, but he pulled it off flawlessly, and I couldn’t wait to see him and Nathan standing side by side.
“The sex, Everett,” Vincent reminded me.
I turned to check my own appearance in the mirror, then said, “Time to do this.” As I walked past Vincent, I put my arm around him and gave him one final squeeze. “Love you, Vincent.”
He clasped his arm with mine. “Love you too, Ev.”
It wasn’t until we’d reached the door to the bedroom that I said, “About the sex, Vincent?”
“Yeah?”
“Turns out youcanteach an old dog new tricks… and my guys have taught mea lotof tricks.”
I smiled as complete and utter silence followed me down the hallway.
Chapter 26
NASH
I’d never beento a wedding before, but as far as this one went, it took my breath away.
Mostly because it was so very simple.
The ceremony had only just begun as the sun had started to fall. Despite the cool October air, the weather gods had provided good fortune in that the forecasted rain had moved south. There’d been some last-minute scrambling to move the strings of white lights and candle-filled mason jars outside to the pier where the guys would speak their vows, but it had been worth it. The backdrop of the water and mountains, along with the fiery orange sky as the sun fell behind the horizon, was truly breathtaking. There weren’t any chairs for us to sit in, which was just more proof that the ceremony would bypass all the pomp and circumstance that wouldn’t have fit a couple like Nathan and Vincent anyway. There were only a dozen or so guests, so we lined up along the water’s edge. Everett and Brody had already taken up their spots by Dom closer to the end of the pier. There was no music as the grooms made their way down the walkway, just the gentle soundtrack of the water lapping against the wood of the dock.
Vincent and Nathan held hands as they walked. They worenearly identical outfits, but with Nathan wearing a tie and Vincent a bow tie. As they walked, their bodies touched. It was a familiar thing because it was what Gage and I were doing. As soon as Gage and I had arrived just a few minutes earlier, Gage had held my hand as I’d been introduced to everyone. It had felt so strange to be able to do something as simple as hold hands or, in our case, hold hands and press close to one another with our bodies as we shifted our gazes back and forth between the grooms and Everett. I knew Gage was more used to being able to publicly display his affection, but it was completely new for me. Not only had there never been anyone I’d been with long enough to warrant that kind of contact, I’d been hiding for so long that the mere act of being allowed to touch another man in such an intimate way in public was a huge step for me.
But one I was enjoying every moment of. I’d enjoy it even more when Everett was free to join us.
Once Nathan and Vincent stepped onto the pier, the rest of the guests filed behind them so we’d be close enough to hear the words they spoke to one another. The dock was wide enough that there was easily room for all of us to see and hear everything. My eyes drifted to the other two men who were part of a threesome. Like us, they seemed to only have eyes for their partner, Brody, who was standing just behind Nathan. I’d gotten to see the three men interact for a few minutes before we’d gotten started and I’d been amazed at how naturally they were accepted into the fold. One of the men, Beck, was significantly younger than Brody and their partner, Quinn. He also had both of his fathers there, but no one looked at the threesome like they were any different than any of the other committed couples in attendance.
“Vincent and Nathan have asked me to keep this short because they’ve each been waiting for this moment for a very long time. I think it’s safe to say a lifetime, even,” Dom began.
Several of the men around us nodded.
“Will you join hands?” Dom asked the couple.
Nathan and Vincent faced one another and joined hands. I wanted to smile at how hard Vincent was hanging onto Nathan’sfingers, like he was afraid the man might make a run for it. I could tell from the expression on Nathan’s face that the hounds of hell couldn’t drag him away.
“Nathan and Vincent, you’re here because you both took chances. On yourselves and on each other. Your family is so very glad you did. I’m going to steal some of the words my older brother first spoke almost a decade ago and that still remain true today. We’re often taught that family are the people you share your blood with. But we’ve come to learn that family is so much more than that. It’s about the people who will be there when you come home, or will look for you when you’re lost. They’ll bring light to your darkness and comfort you in your sorrow. Nathan and Vincent, you’ve found family in each other and in those who stand behind you now both here and in spirit, to celebrate this moment with you. Our bond isn’t blood, but something so much stronger.” Both men nodded as Dom paused before saying, “Do either of you wish to say something before you speak your vows?”
“Yeah, do the really short version, okay, Dom?” Vincent said. His eyes were fastened on his husband-to-be and even from where I was standing, I could see him shaking. Nathan pulled their joined hands up to his lips and brushed a kiss across Vincent’s knuckles. The move calmed Vincent somewhat. Of course, it didn’t hurt when he tugged Nathan even closer to him so there were just mere inches separating their bodies.
“Can we have the rings, please?”
Everett and Brody stepped forward to hand the rings to each man.
“Vincent Dorfmeyer?—”
“Seriously, Dom?” Vincent drawled as he glanced at Dom.
“Sorry, force of habit,” Dom said, completely failing to suppress his smile of amusement. Several of the guests chuckled.
“Uh-huh,” Vincent said doubtfully.
“Vincent, do you take Nathan?—”
