Sinners at the Altar (Sinners on Tour 6)

“Sit down, Eric.”

Eric sat. Partially because his knees were weak, partially because he was slightly terrified to do anything that would make this man dislike him. Father Blake pulled his hand out of his pocket and opened it to show Eric two silver rings resting on his palm.

“These have been in my family for five generations. It would mean a lot to me if you would use them for the ceremony today.”

Eric was so stunned—so touched—that he couldn’t find any words. His family didn’t have heirlooms. Hell, he didn’t have a family, so the idea that Rebekah’s father would offer something so precious to him completely threw Eric for a loop.

“I…” He couldn’t talk through the sudden tightness in his chest.

“If you don’t want them, I understand. They are a bit tarnished, even though I tried to clean them up this afternoon. A rich guy like you would probably rather have platinum.”

Father Blake pressed his lips together and closed his hand, moving to return the rings to his pocket.

“Don’t,” Eric whispered. Having something so meaningful snatched away before he could even adjust to the idea was like a knife to his heart. “I want…”

Father Blake didn’t say a word. He simply took Eric by the wrist, dropped the two silver bands into his palm, and folded his hand closed over the two bits of aged metal. They sat side by side for a long moment. Eric wanted to thank him for entrusting him with the rings and more importantly, with his beloved daughter, but his emotions were high and he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of his soon-to-be father-in-law by sobbing like a little girl.

“I still say you’re too tall for her,” Father Blake said, “but I know you have a good heart and that’s what really counts, isn’t it? The love between you.”

Eric gave a curt nod. “I’ll treasure these,” he said opening his hand to stare at the bands nestled there. The smaller of the two rings had settled inside the larger, partially filling the gaping space in its center. “And I’ll treasure her.”

“You know they say women tend to marry men who are a lot like their fathers,” Father Blake said.

Eric blinked at him in surprise. A Baptist minister and a degenerate rock drummer couldn’t possibly have anything in common. But the man’s eyes were a bit misty, and Eric recognized that same sentimental quality in himself. At least when it came to Rebekah. So at minimum they shared some syrupy feelings about one tiny yet strong purple-haired woman.

Father Blake laughed. “I just don’t see it.”

“Well, we both love her. That’s enough to have in common, isn’t it?”

The older man nodded and patted Eric on the thigh. “Are you ready to get married?”

Eric smiled, his stomach suddenly a jumble of nerves and excitement. He closed his hand over the rings and squeezed. “I am now. Thanks for saving my ass, Father Blake.”

“Watch your language in the house of the Lord, son,” he said, rising to his feet.

“Sorry,” Eric said at once.

"And for the love of God, stop calling me Father Blake. I'm not a priest."

Eric's heart sank. Great. He'd insulted the man. Was it possible for him to get absolutely everything wrong with Rebekah's parents? Because he was doing a spectacular job at fucking things up. He opened his mouth to apologize again, but Whatever-honorific-the-man-preferred Blake continued.

"Members of my congregation call me Brother Bill," he said and blessed Eric with a warm and welcoming smile. "But you; you should call me Dad."

Again Eric couldn’t find the ability to speak, so he just smiled and nodded. Father Bla— Brother Bil— Dad left the room and closed the door gently behind him, leaving Eric alone to collect himself. He prayed he wasn’t one of those douchebags who fainted at his own wedding. He was feeling a tad light-headed and incredibly overwhelmed. He opened his hand and stared down at the two silver bands, tracing them with one finger. He knew these rings would mean as much to Rebekah as they meant to him. He only wished he could give her half as much as she was giving him by offering the one gift he’d never dreamed of having—a real family. What did he have to offer her in return? Just one banged-up heart and any material possession her heart desired. He hoped they would be enough.

There was a knock at the door, and it opened before he could answer it. Sed popped his head around the gleaming mahogany structure.

“Are you decent?” Sed asked.

Eric grinned, suddenly feeling calmer for no reason other than Sed always had a strange settling effect on him. “I’m never decent. You know that. Is it time?”

“Not quite. Jessica decided Rebekah needed a veil and took off in my car to find one.”

“She’d better hurry. I’m not sure my nerves can take much more of a wait.”

Sed closed the door and took a seat on the bench beside Eric. “You’re not thinking about backing out, are you?”

“Not at all. I just want to get this over with and get on with our lives.”

Sed chuckled. “I can relate to that. Jessica’s mother is driving me insane with reception preparations. Seems your mother-in-law is a ballbuster too. We can commiserate for all eternity.”

Eric laughed. “I think Mrs. B has settled down a bit now that she’s figured out Rebekah isn’t going to marry Isaac, no matter how much she wanted her to.”

Sed squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “The woman seems pretty taken with Trey, considering he’s the one who ruined Isaac for all women.”

“She’s recovering nicely since her mental breakdown at her daughter’s fake engagement party.”

Sed nodded empathetically. “I don’t envy you, but I still say my future mother-in-law is ten times worse.”

“What about Jace’s? Have you met Aggie’s mom?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Be sure to invite her to your wedding. She’s a party waiting to happen.”

Sed chuckled. “I just might. Jessica’s mom is so worried that some low-class loser will show up at the reception, she’s rewritten the guest list three times.”

Eric lifted a brow at him. “Has she seen your friends? We’re all low-class losers.”

“Who happen to have a lot of money, so that’s okay by her. She keeps adding A-list actors I’ve never met and taking Sinners’ road crew off the guest list. Without our road crew, we’re nothing. Those guys work their asses off for us. What’s weird is that Jess’s mom is not a part of high society. She just wants to be. Her ridiculous posturing drives Jessica crazy. Every time Jess talks with her mother, she gets pissed.”

Eric grinned at him, knowing how much Jessica’s temper pushed all of Sed’s buttons—good buttons, bad buttons, and everything in between. It especially wreaked havoc on his lust button. “Which I’m sure makes her completely irresistible to you.”

Sed laughed. “I’m just glad her anger isn’t directed toward me for a change.”

“Do you want a little advice?”

“From you?” Sed laughed, and then his face hardened. ?

??Yeah, I guess I do.”

“Put your foot down with Jessica’s mother. It’s your wedding and your reception; you should celebrate it with the people important to you.”

“I just want Jessica to be happy,” Sed said. “I don’t even need a wedding. It’s all for her.”

“Is she happy with her mother running the show?”

Sed made a sound almost like a growl. “Not at all.”

“So let her mom pick out the table decorations and the champagne, but make it clear that the guest list is yours. Don’t compromise. Put her in her fucking place.” It occurred to Eric how odd it was that he was offering Sed advice. Sed had never needed nor wanted his advice in the past. This wedding shit must really be eating the guy up if he was listening to anything Eric had to say.

“I still think you and Brian have the right idea,” Sed said. “Quick and painless.”

“Not quick enough. You realize I’d probably be married by now if your woman hadn’t decided Rebekah needed a veil.”

Sed pounded him on the back enthusiastically. “A thirty-minute wait isn’t so bad. Try putting up with this bullshit for eight months.”

“No thank you.”

“So what was her dad doing in here? Threatening your life? At least I have only one insane in-law to deal with.”

Eric shook his head, and his hand tightened over the rings still clutched in his fist. “He was welcoming me to his family. He’s a great man.”

“Well, Dave has informed everyone that he will be attempting to put you out of your misery on a regular basis, so be prepared.”

Eric chuckled. “He’s all talk. If his little sister is happy, he’s mush, and I guarantee his little sister will be happy. I’ll make sure of it.”

Another knock sounded on the door. “Yeah!” Sed called.

The door opened, and Trey peeked through the opening. “Did you finish having the sex talk with him yet?”

“Yep,” Sed said and climbed to his feet. “He now knows which hole to stick it in.”