Although Braxton was younger, he was several inches taller and broader than Noah. Still, he seemed to almost stoop over so that he was closer to his height as he said, “No, you never do, do you?”
When both brothers pulled back, Braxton turned and offered a hand to Charlie. “It’s nice to meet you, man. Charlie was it?”
“Yes. Braxton?”
“Yeah,” Braxton said, a wide grin on his lips that made Aspen’s butterfly flutter in recognition. They looked strikingly similar in adulthood, with the same light hair, light eyes, and mischievous smile. Noah’s smile just didn’t come out anywhere near as often as Braxton’s did.
After they finished the obligatory masculine handshake and arm pat, he turned to Aspen, and they didn’t even hesitate in throwing their arms around his back. “Hey, Aspen. It’s good to see you.”
Aspen squeezed him a little harder than necessary, just so he didn’t get confused and think Aspen had forgotten all the hell Braxton had put Noah through with his antics over the years. Hemight be turning over a new leaf now, but he had a long way to go to prove that he was worthy of all the love and heartbreak he’d caused Noah.
“Yeah,” Braxton wheezed, keeping his grip light around Aspen. “I deserve that. I’m really sorry about whatever hell my mom’s put y’all through. I heard you’re not even staying at the house anymore—although maybe that’s for the best.”
“It might be,” Aspen said. “I accept your apology, for now. Let’s see how the rest of this week goes.”
Braxton gave them a two-finger salute. “I got this,” he said, turning to face their parents.
Aspen had almost forgotten Braxton had promised to make a scene. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, standing up to his full height, which actually appeared to be taller than both his mother and father.
“If Noah can’t bring his partners, then I think he would be well within his rights not to come to the wedding. And if Noah isn’t there, I won’t be either.”
His parents spluttered, trying to talk over each other to admonish them for being “absurd,” “unreasonable,” and “childish,” but Aspen thought this actually might be the most adult, level-headed thing Braxton had ever done.
“It’s really not up for debate. I have all the vendors’ phone numbers and the contact information for all the guests. I can cancel this thing before you can even make it to the country club. Then how are you going to sell them some made-up story about how I’m out of control or whatever it is you always say about me? I’ll tell everyone that you disinvited your own son, and your other son refused to get married under those conditions. I’ve already spoken with Abigail about it multiple times throughout this fucking horrible process, and we’re ready to pull the plug whenever. We’ll go to the courthouse today if?—”
“Alright, that’s quite enough,” his father said, slapping his hand down on the table loud enough that the few remaining diners and staff who weren’t already looking over at them sure were now. “You’ve made your point. Both of you. We obviously have no interest in cancelling the wedding, so if these are your conditions, that Noah and these two…men should be able to attend, we will just have to make it work.”
Aspen glanced down at their black pointed men’s loafers and masculine cut slacks, paired with a baby blue blouse that only somewhat covered their tits. Even though they’d wondered if it would be better to dress hard and butch today, it was a good tit day and they had nothing to prove to anyone. Besides, Charlie had said they looked gorgeous, and Noah had pressed a kiss to their cleavage before they left the hotel room, so they wereveryhappy with their outfit.
“Aspen is nonbinary,” Noah said just as Braxton huffed.
“The correct term is folks, right? These two folks?” Braxton said, turning to look at Aspen.
“Partners also works,” Aspen said, giving their most saccharine grin. “Noah and his twopartnerswould like to attend the wedding.”
Braxton’s smirk returned, and he tipped his head. “I knew I liked you.”
Noah’s parents looked like they’d rather cancel the wedding than say the word partner, and both of their sons could clearly see it. Braxton appeared to be gearing up for another fight, but Noah said, “If we’re all in agreement on that, should we maybe invite Abigail back in to join us for lunch? I know we need to figure out logistics for the week, and Aspen and Charlie have graciously volunteered their time to be here to help as well.”
Aspen had been right. The food was amazing, even if the company was mixed. Noah, Braxton, and their parents shared a stilted conversation, while Charlie and Abigail ate quietly. Aspenspent most of the meal cooing over Leroy in his baby carrier, which sat between Aspen and Abigail. He had huge, expressive eyes, and Aspen made silly faces just to watch him gurgle around his pacifier and wave his hands around.
“So, you’re a business owner?” Noah’s dad asked, and Aspen glanced up to see Charlie lowering his still full fork back down to his plate.
“Yes, sir. I own a rescue shelter for dogs.”
Noah’s dad made a noncommittal noise, but before he could change the subject, Braxton chimed in, “That’s so cool, man. Do you get to play with all the dogs?”
“I’m sure he’s too busy managing the business side of things,” Noah’s dad huffed.
“Noah and Aspen have been helping with the business side of things. Aspen is a marketing genius, and Noah has helped diversify our revenue and modernize a lot of my business practices. Together, they’ve helped me establish integral ties with the community, and it’s been an honor having them serve on the board of the shelter.”
Aspen had heard Charlie mention this in passing, and they weren’t sure if they were actually on the board, but it sounded like something Noah would do for sure.
“We do emphasize the importance ofcharityin this family,” his mom said with a sniff, rearranging the salad on her plate for what looked like not the first time.
Despite the innocuous-sounding words, Aspen could feel Noah stiffen beside them. “It’s more than just charity. Charlie and his dog shelter mean the world to me. I have been so incredibly lucky to have the chance to work with him. I’ve learned more from him in six months than I have at my job in years.”
“Are you still at that shi–stuffy job mom forced you into?” Braxton asked, and when Noah nodded stiffly, Braxton huffed.
