“I’m seething because I want to kick Curtis’ boss’ ass. He keeps giving him shit, and for what? It’s a volunteer job, who does that?” God fumed.
“Let’s not worry about that, right now. Stay calm.”
“What’s Day doing?” God asked for the fifth time in an hour.
Syn sighed, still working on tying the off-white tie to God’s black suit. “He’s getting dressed, just like you are. He’s with his brother in Steele’s room, Furi’s in there, too.”
“What are the guys doing?” God asked, his hands wringing nervously behind his back while he held his head up to give Syn better access.
“You don’t have to keep track of everyone, God.”
God glared at Syn.
Syn closed his eyes and blew his own calming breath. “Again. Ruxs and the guys are finished positioning the arch, now they’re just standing around waiting. Green’s in the kitchen with Blair and Pres—”
“Prescott should be with Day,” God cut him off.
“He’ll have plenty of time to get changed and ready to stand with Day. You know he’s going to make sure the staff is doing what they’re supposed to in the kitchen, first.”
“I can’t believe he’s doing this,” God mumbled. Pres had insisted on providing the food and catering the service with his own staff from some of his restaurants. It already smelled delicious, the scent of baking and of searing meat permeating the entire loft. God agreed to let Pres do the catering, as long as he kept it simple. Nothing fancy or over the top and Pres quickly agreed. Blair did an elegant but modest cake, as well. God was looking forward to just saying “I do” and going to the gorgeous hotel where they were staying, right next to the airport so they didn’t have a long drive to catch their flight at five in the morning. He was ready for days of stretching out under the Aruba sun while Day rubbed oil on his chest, and long nights of hot sex.
“Better.” Syn looked up at him, smiling slyly like he knew where God’s thoughts had gone.
“I’m nervous, man,” God admitted to his good friend. “I don’t want anyone here that wasn’t invited. Make sure Ruxs and Michaels know that. Judge knows to watch the door, right?”
“They know. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing, God. You need to stop. It’s only us for the ceremony, and then a few others will come for the reception later this afternoon,” Syn reminded him. He was glad Syn wasn’t getting tired of repeating the same thing, but as usual, Syn was his voice of composure and reason.
“I’m so fuckin’ nervous. Shit,” God gritted out.
“I know. Hey, hey, look at me.” Syn finished the tie and clamped his hands on God’s shoulders, making sure he was looking at him. “Remember. This is just Day. When you meet him at the bottom of those stairs, keep your eyes on him and nothing or no one else. He’s your other half; he’ll take you all the way through this.”
God breathed deeply, nodding his head. Syn let him go just as he heard the front door open and Curtis’ voice yell out to his dads.
“Gen is here. And there’re still two-and-a-half hours before it’s time to start.” Syn sat down on Ruxs and Green’s bed and began using the lint roller on God’s suit jacket. He was doing everything Vikki told him to do. When God and Day’s former assistant got over the fact she was no longer planning an extravagant wedding for them, she became a pleasant help, organizing the seating and rearranging Ruxs and Green’s loft to fit the guests and make the most of the minimal decorations.
Gen busted through the door with his garment bag slung over his shoulder and his luggage in the other hand. God looked at his baby brother – which was hard to say now because Genesis was almost as tall as him and still well built from his years as a college ball player. His brother collided with him, wrapping his arms around him. “I’m sorry I’m late, bro. I really am.”
“You’re not late,” God replied, happy to see his brother again. It’d been a few months since Gen had been able to make the drive from Richmond. He worked long hours at Apple and his partner, Curtis, had a demanding school schedule. Now that he was here, God didn’t care that he hadn’t been here for the bachelor party or here a week ago, he was here now.
Day
Day stood at the bottom of the stairs next to his brother, Jackson. There was jazz playing quietly on Ruxs’ sound system and it only took him a second to realize it was one of Day’s favorites… one from his collection. God must’ve given it to Vikki to play today. He looked around the loft at the few people who were there to witness the ceremony, most of them already seated and waiting. Their team and their significant others were chatting quietly with each other and God’s mom was sitting in the front between Curtis and the captain. Small and intimate. This is what made God comfortable, and him, as well. In Green’s kitchen, the wait staff was silently filling champagne flutes, smiling professionally. He saw Vikki standing off to the side in a long, silky silver dress, talking quietly with the chaplain. Day winked at her and she gave him a sweet smile.