Without You (16 page)

He was worth it. All of it.

I could see that maybe I wasn’t as ready for what being married to someone of Evan’s stature would entail, three years before. Though, I would probably never admit it, maybe the time spent apart was actually a good thing for us. We had both changed. We both appreciated each other more after experiencing the loss and grief of separation. I was ready. Completely ready for our new future to begin.

At the hotel suite, Genna stepped out of her bedroom wearing her gown. Her sisters gasped and I was speechless. She was absolutely beautiful, like the cover of a bridal magazine. Flawless and glowing, she was the portrait of a blushing bride.

“You look amazing,” I said, finally breaking the silence.

Her mother looked on, her hands clasped under her chin.

“Thanks, Mads,” she said. “Are you ladies ready to do this shit or what?” She pumped her bouquet in the air like a rock star holding a microphone. “Let’s go. I wouldn’t want Luke to think I got cold feet. Can’t keep the man waiting.”

She was right. It had taken longer than anticipated for the stylists to complete our makeup and hair. I would have preferred to do it myself, but Genna thought it would be fun to get pampered. Unfortunately, it put us thirty minutes behind schedule.

When we arrived at the church, Genna and I stayed in the bridal room waiting for her dad to let us know when they were ready for us. Her sisters were already lined up in the hallway with their husbands, with their four kids just behind them as the flower girls and ring bearers.

“I’m so excited, Maddy.” She squeezed my arms in her clammy hands. “Thank you for being my maid-of-honor. You’ve been my best friend forever and I can’t imagine it being anyone else.” She hugged me tight before pulling away just as quickly. “I can’t wait for you and Evan to get hitched. He better hurry up and pop the question.”

My heart stopped and my face must have told all.

“He asked, didn’t he?” She squealed with delight. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We didn’t want to mention anything until after the wedding. This is your big day. Not ours.”

Genna hugged me again, this time a sniffle filled the room. “Oh my God. This news made my day even better. I won’t tell a soul. I’m so happy for you both.”

“Well, thank you, Gen. For everything. Without your little plan, we might not have had the opportunity to get as close as we have.”

She rolled her eyes, waving me off with a smirk spreading across her face. Just as her dad walked in, she told me, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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E
VAN

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I
had to remind myself to breathe as my sunshine walked up the aisle of the church. All eyes were turned toward her and whispers could be heard. Surely, people were saying she looked absolutely gorgeous in her deep purple dress. It almost looked black, it was so elegant. By the time she reached the steps leading up to the alter, I swear I was five steps away from needing CPR.

Thoughts of the night before had me thinking about our own wedding. Luke leaned closer to me and elbowed my arm. “Soon enough,” he said with a smile. I didn’t plan on telling him. Maddy and I had decided to keep it to ourselves, but somehow he knew. I wasn’t going to lie to the guy.

Seconds later, the music changed and the guests stood. It had always been my favorite part of a wedding, seeing the bride walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. It must have been thrilling and heartbreaking at the same time to give your baby away. But Genna’s dad had nothing to worry about. Even though she dated Luke for years, she would always be a daddy’s girl. Had been since we met in high school.

Glancing at my friend, I could see the tears well in his eyes and I wondered if I would cry on my wedding day, too. Probably so. Hell, just watching Maddy earlier had me choked up.

The ceremony continued like any traditional wedding. The couple said their vows, they exchanged rings, and then they were pronounced husband and wife. As guests cheered, whistled, and clapped, Luke kissed his bride for the first time.

With prompting from the minister, the guests stood again as the newlyweds made their way down the aisle. It was perfect.

Offering my hand to Maddy, I said, “Shall we?”

* * * * *

A
fter an endless amount of photos, we finally made our way out of the church.

“Wow, that sucked. My cheeks hurt,” Maddy said, sliding her hand into mine. “I can’t imagine dealing with getting my picture taken all the time. I don’t know how you do it.”

It’s not something I’d ever get used to, but it came with the territory. I just hoped it would become less of a problem with my new venture. “I don’t always smile.”

She chuckled at my response. “Oh yeah, the sexy dreamy eyes. Those come so naturally to you I bet you don’t even know you’re doing it.”

It was my turn to laugh now. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I know. And it makes it even sexier.” She pulled on my tie, yanking me down for a kiss.

Sexy, dreamy eyes? Yeah, she had those too.

On the way to the reception, Maddy sat with her hand tucked in mine. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. When I finally looked away, I noticed Luke was having the same problem with his new wife. Seeing the two of them so happy made me grateful to be part of it, even if they did trick me into being the best man.

“Hey, Evan,” Matthew called out to me from the other side of the limo. “How in the hell did you manage to get the media to stay away? I thought the wedding would be crawling with photographers.”

While they seemed to be less interested in me recently, I knew it was a possibility so I had Sam working on a decoy. “My manager leaked a few pictures of me getting off a plane in London.” Matthew and everyone else looked confused. “The power of Photoshop. It’s a picture from a few years ago. All they did was change the time stamp and the color of my clothes. Right now, I’d guess someone spotted me visiting Hyde Park.”

“That’s genius,” Matthew replied. The others nodded in agreement.

“Well, I didn’t want to take any chances.”

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M
ADISON

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T
he ride to the hotel was full of laughter, impromptu toasts, and smiles. We were all on cloud nine and the day was just getting started. The reception would continue with dinner, the traditional wedding routines, and lots of dancing. It was essentially an adult prom, nothing different than we what did in high school. The only difference was that we didn’t have to sneak off at the end of the night and try to find a place to make out. Evan and I had a home of our own to enjoy, no sneaking needed.

As we slid out of the limousine, Evan bent down and whispered in my ear, “I’ll see you in a minute.”

“Where did he rush off to?” Genna asked.

I shrugged.

We waited in the foyer, just outside the ballroom. The wedding planner stood in the doorway, waiting to give us our cue to walk in and take our seats. Evan wasn’t back yet and I was getting worried. I didn’t care if I had to walk in alone. I just wanted to know he was okay.

When it was our turn, I looked back over my shoulder to Genna and Luke and they looked just as bewildered as me. “Oh well,” I told them, smiling. “He’ll get back eventually.”

“He’s probably in the bathroom. It’s not like guys know how the timeline works.” Luke gave a meager explanation. “Or maybe he’s at the bar. I hope he’s getting me a beer.”

With that, I turned back around, rolling my eyes. Both mine and Evan’s names were announced by the DJ when I walked into the ballroom alone. I waved as the guests cheered. Genna and Luke followed a minute later.

“And now, let’s hear it for Mr. and Mrs. Luke Harte.” Everyone stood, applauding wildly while the newlyweds made it to the center of the ballroom and onto the dance floor. They held up their joined hands and the crowd clapped even more. “And now...the bride and groom would like to share their very first dance as husband and wife.”

Damn it. Evan was missing it. I walked to my seat along with the rest of the wedding party as Luke and Genna waited for their song to begin.

Without warning, a curtain raised on the stage revealing a band. I couldn’t believe my eyes as Evan took center stage with a microphone in his hands and a guitar strapped to his back. Why was I surprised? This was just like him to do something special for his friends.

“Good evening,” he said. Damn, he looked so good. When I walked up the aisle, I had to force myself to take the steps to the left of the alter, instead of right to jump into his arms. His dark gray suit was tailored to perfection. Without a hat on, his hair caught me off guard. Warmth had spread all over my body when he raked his hands through his wavy locks, pulling his hair from his eyes. He looked good enough to eat. Like he did on that stage.

Only now, at the reception, he was in his element. His black fedora sat on his head causing pulses of fireworks to zip through me. “My name is Evan James. I’m the best man. I’ve known Genna since she stuffed her bra in high school. I’ve known Luke since Genna didn’t need to stuff it anymore.”

Laughter could be heard throughout the ballroom. I was guilty of laughing as well. Evan was funny and spot on.

“You’re in so much trouble, Evan James. You better watch your back, buddy.” Genna didn’t need a microphone. Everyone heard her loud and clear.

“Sorry, Gen. Hopefully you’ll forgive me.” He glanced at me, and gave me one of those winks. I blew him a kiss. “I’d like to thank my best friends for letting me be part of their big day. And I’d really like to sing the song they chose for their first dance if they’d allow me to.” Genna nodded, tears filling her eyes. I couldn’t help it. He had me, too. “And I’ll try not to be offended that they didn’t choose one of mine.” More chuckles filled the room. Evan turned around and walked a few steps to pull a stool and mic stand from the shadows. “For Genna and Luke, I wish you all the love in the world and many years of happiness.” The lights dimmed as he eyed each of the band members. Then, he began playing the intro to ‘You and Me’ by Lifehouse. When he started singing, the butterflies launched into a frenzy in my stomach and I swear I could’ve flown. Listening to the tender sound of his voice, seeing the sentiment in his eyes as he sang made me feel like anything was possible.
“What day is it? And what month? This clock never seemed so alive...”

Genna and Luke stood hypnotized in the center of the dance floor, not moving an inch. Their eyes fixed on Evan. I couldn’t blame them, but I had to do something. “Hey,” I called out to them in a loud whisper. Genna’s eyes met mine. “Dance.”

She mouthed the word, “Oh.” And then she and Luke began to dance. Not using any of the moves our dance instructor taught us.

* * * * *

I
could hear the shower running when I woke up the next morning. My head hurt and I felt like I had a hangover even though I only had one glass of wine. Headache or not, I couldn’t help but think back to the previous day. The wedding was all Genna hoped for. She was the best bride I’d ever known, just going with the flow as she spent a year making plans and then enjoying the day when it finally came. I’d seen brides running around like lunatics the day of their wedding, seen some throwing fits because something wasn’t just right. Genna...that wasn’t her. Even when we were late to the ceremony, she was calm and true happiness oozed from her.

The only time Genna lost it was at the end of her first dance. She and Luke slowed to almost a complete stop, facing Evan. They hardly moved, swaying back and forth as he finished their song. When everyone else clapped, Genna took her husband’s hand and they rushed to the stage. Evan jumped down meeting them with his arms wide open. The three of them hugged while they sobbed with happiness and love. “Evan, thank you so much. I so wanted you to sing our song, but I didn’t want to ask. You’ve made my wedding day complete,” she said to him through her sniffling.

“I’m glad it made you happy, Gen,” he said, hugging her again. “My music means nothing to me if I can’t make my friends smile. Congratulations, you two. I love you guys.” From the wedding party table, I sat watching and listening to the exchange with tears in my own eyes. Evan caught my stare and we shared a moment as if we were the only two people in the room. With one intense glance, he was somehow able to declare his love for me, loud and proud, and I soaked up every bit of it with a smile.

I wanted to get out of bed, but I also wanted to stay there all day rehashing the wedding from start to finish. It was beautiful. After Evan sang, the regular traditions continued. I didn’t catch the bouquet even though Genna tried tossing it right to me. Some women take themselves a little too seriously and I wasn’t about to risk bodily injury to snatch the flowers. I had my man. I didn’t need them. Besides Evan singing, the best part was when Luke shoved cake up Genna’s nose. I pointed at her and told her it was payback for the disgusting amount of cake tasting we did. After dancing to old hip hop and pop tunes from the eighties and nineties, the newlyweds left the ballroom blowing kisses and bidding goodbyes the whole way out. Evan and I took that as our cue to leave, too.

His phone rang, startling me from my wedding replay. I sat up, thinking I might take the phone to him in the shower but changed my mind. I fell back into the bed, nestling myself into the pillows. The phone rang again. This time, I rolled over and picked it up. It was Sam. The ringing stopped as I threw my legs over the side of the mattress and wiped the sleep from my eyes. Then, the ring came again. Sam. He wouldn’t have called three times back to back if it wasn’t important. At most, Evan had talked to him once a day when I was around. So I got up and went into the bathroom. I listened as Evan hummed my song. It made me want to shed my clothes and jump into the shower with him, but we had things to do. Our plan was to go visit my parents and let them in on our news. I wasn’t nervous about telling them of my plans to get married, as I was excited and anxious. I knew they’d be happy for us. If I knew my dad like I thought I did, he was going to say something like, “It’s about goddamned time.”