Shelli snorts. “Man, he’s a mess today.”
I nod. “I think he’s drunk.”
“But even under the threat of death, Shelli was too hard to resist. I mean, did y’all hear her sing? She’s pretty incredible,” he says, and I clap along with everyone as Shelli beams up at Asher. “But what you don’t know is, she was made for my brother. She not only adds to his life, but she complements it, makes it shine. When he is down, she is there, lifting him like he weighs nothing. I’ve watched her watch game videos with Aiden until three in the morning. Mind you, I went to bed because no one wants to watch that much tape, but Shelli did. But he does the same for her. I don’t remember my brother ever liking Broadway, but you better believe, he knows all the words to Chicago, Frozen, and soon, he’ll be singing songs as Alexander Hamilton to her Eliza.”
“It’s true,” we say at the same time, and then we laugh along with our wedding party.
“I mean, it’s insane. They are a team. She pours herself into Aiden, and to my surprise, Aiden does the same to her. Now, I have had the pleasure and the gift of being Aiden’s little brother, and let me just say, I am more than a little excited to be Shelli’s brother-in-law.” Asher looks at both of us then, his eyes soft and full of emotion. “I love you, Shelli, and I love you, Aiden, but I think I love you guys together even more. I don’t need to wish you a lifetime of happiness, because y’all won’t settle for anything less. But know that you have a whole family, and we’re big and loud, cheering you two on. To Aiden and Shelli.”
As the room erupts, I help Shelli stand, and we hug Asher tightly. “That was beautiful, thank you,” Shelli says, kissing his cheek.
“All from the heart,” he says, winking at us. He hands the mic off to Posey, and the look she and Shelli share shakes my soul. Asher and I are close, but those two, they’re basically twins.
“Well, hell, Asher, thanks for the pressure of topping that,” she says into the mic, grinning, though tears are already gathering in her eyes.
“You can’t,” he teases, and she flips him the bird, which has everyone in fits.
“So, I wanted to let everyone know that we know things are a little different from your typical wedding. They were supposed to dance before they ate, but if you know Shelli and Aiden, you know they aren’t traditional, and they love to eat,” she jokes, and Shelli grins. “We had flamethrowers, for goodness’ sake. I doubt y’all are expecting traditional around here.” Posey’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder, and I meet her watery gaze. “I have heard the name Aiden Brooks since I was old enough to process that it was your name. I hated sharing a room with Shelli because all she did was talk about you, and she would draw A+S’s all over our stuff. She was, like, eleven, by the way, and like any teenager, Aiden didn’t even know Shelli existed. A little insight into her love for you… She wrote A+S on one of my hockey sticks for good luck. How her loving you is good luck for me, I’ll never know, but I’m telling you, there was never a moment when I thought she wouldn’t end up with you.”
I glance over to Shelli, who is beet red, which I find so endearing.
“For one, my sister gets everything she wants. She hustles like no other. And every guy who came along, she would say, ‘Eh, he’s no Aiden Brooks, but he’s good enough for right now.’ I’m not joking, like that was legit what she said, and I believed her.”
“Man, our wedding is turning into a comedy hour.”
Shelli laughs. “Right?”
Posey then moves, coming between Shelli and me. Shelli reaches up, placing her hand in Posey’s, and they share a look that is so private, I almost feel wrong for staring at them. “My sister—” she starts, but then she gets choked up. “My sister is the best person I know. She has always had my back. She worries for Owen and Evan like they’re her boys, and Quinn, with all she has been doing lately, she has been helping him with college papers. She’s a giver, and we are lucky to be her siblings. I know for a fact she’ll be the best aunt ever, and I can’t wait to see her with my baby,” she continues, and Shelli’s lip starts to wobble as she places her hand on Posey’s growing stomach.
They share another grin, and then Posey looks at me. “Aiden Brooks, I said earlier that she doesn’t do anything mediocre, and I wasn’t playing. She has to be the best at everything she does, and no one could be by her side but the best. You are a good man, and my family loves you, but I also know how to drive the Zamboni, and that’s a promise.” I laugh out loud as she holds up her glass of water. “To the bride and groom, to a lifetime of happiness, joking, and love!”