“It’s time, ladies,” Nick said. “Brody’s getting lonely.”
They carefully jumped into ATVs and made the short trip to the rec cabin. They’d spent all day transforming the recreation center into a silk-strewn, flower-laden rustic wedding venue.
Warm-toned string lights zigzagged across the ceiling and served as the main source of light. The guys had built a wooden arch that the girls then decorated with swaths of white silk, fairy lights, and flowers. Half the cabin was set up for the reception. The other half, lined with rows of white wooden chairs that would be cleared later to make room for dancing.
The wedding party assembled on the porch, waiting for the signal to enter. When the music started, Faith and Nick walked first, followed by Holly and Cole. Tess, Juliet, and Maddie brought up the rear.
Alex’s grandpa escorted her down the aisle and left her next to a deliriously happy Brody.
After a brief but lovely ceremony, they went directly into party mode. Alex and Brody had agreed to postpone the honeymoon until the off-season, so there would be no big send-off tonight.
Tess had gone to refill her drink and returned to Nick and Faith arguing about baby names.
“We are not naming our baby Door Knob or Laundry,” Nick said. “Or whatever you came up with.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “I proposed Damian Knox or Lavanya.”
“Why can’t it just have a normal name?” Nick asked. “Like Jack.”
“So kids can call him Jerky Jack?” Faith asked.
“Kids called me Nerdy Nick,” Nick said. “And look at me now.” He waved a hand up and down his body.
“Yeah, I was Angry Alex,” Alex said. “And I turned out all right.”
“Debatable,” Tess teased.
“Angry?” Brody said, wrapping his arms around his new wife. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
“Alex was the angstiest of us all,” Faith said. “But she had her reasons, and I agree, she turned out fantastic.”
“What was your nickname, Tess?” Logan asked.
“Bossy!” everyone said at once.
“Hey,” Tess complained.
“You denying it?” Nick asked, raising a brow.
“Well, no.” Tess smiled. “But I feel like we’ve derailed. Maddie, what’s up in Hollywood? How’s Patrick?”
“Not much,” Maddie said, shrugging. “Show’s plugging along. Patrick’s been shooting in Vancouver, so I only see him every couple of weeks.”
“Are the rumors about your co-stars, Amber and Jaxson, true?” Faith asked. “Are they really drug-addled wild children?”
“We’re not supposed to talk about it,” Maddie said. Tess thought she caught a hint of weariness. “But the term train wreck wouldn’t be amiss.”
“Tell them about the movie you auditioned for.” Juliet used an elbow to nudge her sister.
“What?” Faith exclaimed. “That sounds exciting.”
“Oh, yeah.” Maddie blushed. “That’s a thing I did. I find out next month, but I want it soooo bad.” She gave a synopsis of the plot—an action-packed drama à laMission Impossible.
Tess noticed Max shoot a discreet, but scornful glare at Maddie and wondered what that was all about. Did he disapprove of her career choice? Or her decision to leave GVF? Her haircut?
A slow song came on, and Brody stood. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Collins?”
“Ooh. I like the sound of that,” Alex said. “Of course.”
