Nate starts making his way back to the table but not before I stop him and pull him into a tight hug. “Just you wait, big brother,” I whisper. “Your time will come and when it does, you better watch out.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he promises before making his way back to his seat.
An hour later, a chair is placed in the very center of the dance floor and my wife is asked to take a seat. Excitement filters through me, I’ve been waiting for this very moment to show off my impeccable skills.
The guests all crowd around the dance floor as the emcee announces that it’s time for the garter removal. I’m dragged onto the dance floor and placed right before my wife as Jackson steps in behind me and begins blindfolding me. “I know she’s your wife now, but she’s still my little sister,” he warns.
I grin, knowing just how much fun this could be. Just for good measure, I’m spun around three times and when I find my bearings, I call out. “Kaylah?”
“I’m over here,” she coos, sounding just as excited.
I move toward her but don’t have to look long as the fabric from her dress gives her away. I drop down in front of her and grab hold of the dress. It’s huge and as I try to lift it, I realize there’s another layer and then another. I finally get under her dress and grin as I shove my head up between her smooth legs.
Kaylah laughs and it spurs me on. Not being able to use my hands, I feel around the top of her legs with my face, listening as the crowd laughs and enjoys the show. She wriggles around a lot but I find exactly what I’m looking for and grab hold with my teeth before yanking it down her leg and finally freeing the garter.
I pull back and tear the blindfold up as I shoot to my feet, holding the garter up in victory. I grin down at my wife, only it’s not Kaylah who I see, it’s Nate in a fucking wedding dress, looking as pretty as can be as he shakes violently with silent laughter.
I throw the garter at his head. “Don’t tell me that I just had my head wedged between your legs.”
Nate lifts his dress to show off his wedding heels and legs. “I had them waxed just for you.”
I shake my head as Kaylah booms with laughter. “I’m sorry,” she says, sounding anything but sorry. “I couldn’t help it. The boys suggested it and well…”
“You caved like a little bitch.”
“Yep,” she says proudly. “And it was worth every second, but I promise, the second we get out of here, you can shove your head wherever you want.”
Well, damn. What can I say? The girl knows me well. “You got yourself a deal,” I tell her before looking over her shoulder and glaring at my smug brother.
Just you wait, Nathaniel Ryder, your time will come and when it does, I won’t be holding back.
Jesse
10 Years Later
I run as fast as I can, hoping to God that I don’t miss this, otherwise I’m going to be in a shitload of trouble. They’ll never forgive me. I can just picture it; I’ll be cast out and sent away with no one to love.
My phone screeches in my pocket and I cringe. This is the fourth call in less than an hour. “I’m coming,” I promise, answering the call to my pissed off wife as my feet take me faster than they’ve ever gone before.
“They’re going to kill you. Where the hell are you?” she screeches in a deathly low whisper, though somehow her voice comes across louder than I’ve ever heard it.
“Three seconds, Tiger. I’ll be there in three seconds.”
“You better be.”
I barge through the big double doors and groan as I come into another long-ass corridor. How fucking big is this place? I keep my eyes glued to the doors on the right-hand side of the corridor while narrowly avoiding crashing into the people that pass by.
I run past a door that has me screeching to a stop and I double back to check it again.
‘RYDER’
Thank fuck. I push through the door and open my arms wide, knowing exactly who will be on the other side. “You can all relax, I’m here.”
All eyes turn toward me yet only one seems thrilled to see me. “Daddy,” my beautiful little cherub, Charli, beams, racing across Tora’s hospital room and throwing her hands up for me to catch her.
“Hey, beautiful girl,” I say, scooping her into my arms as I walk deeper into the room, still unable to believe that she’ll be two next week.
I walk toward my family as my daughter snuggles into my arms and drops her tiny head against my chest, right where she belongs. The crowd of people around Tora’s bed begins to shuffle around to make room and I step in beside my newly pregnant wife, pressing a hand to her back as she beams up at me with pride.