Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Well, someone had to give Mom another grandkid, since you guys are being so slow with the babymaking.”
Dex’s face darkens.
I laugh, mostly to myself.
There’s one little piece of big news we haven’t shared with the world just yet. We only found out a week or two ago.
Winnie’s not far enough along to mess with the fit of the wedding dress, thankfully, so that’s good. Turns out, all that dirty talk about knocking her up wasn’t just heat-of-the-moment bedroom play.
We didn’t plan this, but it happened anyway.
We thought we’d announce it this afternoon at the reception my mother keeps calling a ‘little party.’
Family and close friends only and that’s fine by me. We’re going to mingle and eat deep dish pizza at Solitude before I grab my bride and blast off for the Pacific.
That was my idea.
Tropical islands are a nice break from the winter chill, plus there’ll be loads of exotic bees for her to freak out over. Makuna and Hawaiian honey colonies are all over the place.
Dexter swings his attention back to me. “Get dressed already. We need to be there by nine.”
I check the clock. “It’s half past seven.”
“So? You know what Mom’s like, and she’s coming over here as soon as she’s got Winnie in her wedding dress.”
I roll my eyes. “I thought the plan was for her to stay with the bridal party?”
“Like Mom was going to do that,” Patton says with a snort. “You’re her baby, the firstborn, and the last to get married.”
“Slacker,” Dexter adds, flashing a grin.
“Get ready. She’s going to be weeping all over you. When you guys got engaged, she told me she knew it was going to happen. But you know what else she said?”
I don’t think I want to know.
“About fucking time?” I suggest.
“How did you know?” Patton looks genuinely surprised. “But it’s Mom, so obviously she didn’t swear.”
“Obviously,” I spit.
“Anyway, if you’re not dressed when she shows up, she’s going to hit you,” Patton says.
“You’re not dressed yet either,” I point out.
“Yeah, but I’m just marrying you today, not getting married.”
I convince them to let me have breakfast first to quiet my gut rumbling, and from there we start the wedding prep.
Dexter wakes up Colt.
As a growing boy, he’s hit his ‘sleep in forever’ stage. It takes effort.
Once he’s alive again, though, we all get ready together.
“What do you think, Dad?” Colt asks, tightening his tie and turning to face me.
All four of us—my brothers, Colt, and me—are wearing matching suits. Now that he’s starting to fill out just a little, it looks good on him.
He also looks way too old to be my son.
“Looking sharp, Son.”
Dexter pats Colt’s pockets as he grins. “You have the rings, safe and secure?”
Colt rolls his eyes. “Yes, Uncle Dex. Trust me.”
“Don’t give me lip, kiddo. It never hurts to double-check.” Dexter pats Colt’s cheek affectionately. “Did I tell you about the time your uncle Pat was best man for—”
Patton looks up in alarm. “You do not need to tell that story.”
“Don’t I?”
To Patton’s visible relief, Mom chooses that moment to arrive, sweeping in and wearing a flamingo-pink floral dress and a wide-brimmed hat.
“Archer,” she says warmly, hugging me like she’s drowning. “Oh, you look so dapper today!”
“What about me, Mom?” Patton asks with a grin.
“You’re always lovely, but today isn’t about you, Patton.” She frowns.
“I can still look handsome,” he grumbles.
Mom sighs and kisses them both on the cheek, then turns to gush over Colt.
I’m not surprised my son steals the show until she says, “You boys all look amazing, but Archer is the star of the show.”
“Thanks, Mom. How’s Winnie?”
“Glowing. She’s more radiant than ever,” Mom says cheerfully. “Try to keep it together when you see her. But remember, there’s no shame in crying.”
I shake my head.
“If she doesn’t bail,” Patton whispers.
“No way. If Salem didn’t, it’s not happening,” Dexter mutters right back.
“Boys!” Mom snaps her fingers. “Stop it. You’re grown men and you should know I won’t have your bickering today.”
Patton nudges Dexter, who nudges him back pointedly.
Mom ignores them both.
“Are we ready?” I ask.
“Almost. Don’t you want a photo or two first?”
I really don’t. We’re going to be bombarded with at least a hundred more soon, but for Mom’s sake, fine.
Colt groans, but Dex grabs him by the shoulder and raps him across the head with his knuckles. “Come on, horsey. Less attitude, more smiling. If we have to put up with it, so do you. Consider it a Rory rite of manhood.”
“You’ll love the memories when you’re older,” Mom reminds us and pulls out her phone. “Okay, guys. Line up and show some teeth.”
We assemble into what almost passes for a line.
Colt grins at the camera. Mom hums a little in appreciation and snaps her shots before getting Colt to take some with her and my brothers.
Then just the three brothers.