“Where’s your tie?”
“In the car, let’s go.”
“Is Penny with Ryley?”
“Yep,” he says, rushing to his car. I get in and he pulls away before the door is even shut.
“Are we late?”
“Nah, just eager that’s all.”
That I can understand. His wedding to Ryley has been a long time coming. He should’ve married her a long time ago, but then we died and plans got off track for about six years. Now that we’ve been back, they’ve been waiting for Carole to say she can walk on the sand. She must be ready.
We pull into the beach and I immediately see white chairs and lots of white lacy crap flying in the breeze. River and Rask are already there, dressed similarly. We trudge through the sand, shaking hands with the guys when we reach them.
“You stand here,” Evan says, putting me in place. I look at him questioningly because I assumed Nate would be his best man, but he shakes his head and stands to my left.
“Wait—”
“Watch,” he says as he points down the sandy aisle. Music starts and Cara walks down first followed by Ryley. My mouth is open and catching sand from the wind, but I’m in too much shock to close it.
EJ appears next, dressed just like us, except he’s wearing a tie and Evan still isn’t.
“Hi, Uncle Tucker.”
“Hey, buddy. Do you know what’s going on?”
He shakes his head and starts laughing.
I glance back at Evan who has a smug look on his face. “This should be you and Ryley,” I say, nodding toward the white chairs with a few of our family and friends.
“Nah, Ryley wants this for you guys. It’s important to her. Besides, Carole isn’t quite ready yet, but don’t worry, McCoy, I will be marrying my girl on this beach very soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
Evan taps me on shoulder and points toward the aisle where my daughter appears in the same lavender dress as Cara and Ryley and I can’t help the tears that are falling.
When the music changes, the few guests who are here stand, and my wife appears with Nate on her arm. Her dress flows in the wind as she lets Nate guide her down the makeshift aisle.
He hands her to me, patting me on the back.
“What’s all this?”
“It’s our anniversary,” she says, stunning me into silence. “I want this life with you and I know you want it, too. I love you, Tucker, and I think it’s time we renew our vows in front of our friends and family.”
Hearing her say that she loves me makes me feel like I’m ten feet tall. I lean to the side slightly, to see Claire, who is beaming at me. I think she wants this, too. But I have to know for sure.
“Are you okay with this, Claire?”
“Yeah, Dad, I am.”
Forget ten feet, I’m now twenty feet tall because not only does my wife love me, but my daughter just called me dad.
Nate, who has stepped around me, is now front and center with his hands clasped in front of him. He leans into me and whispers loudly, “I got ordained this morning so don’t worry, this is legit.”
I can’t help but laugh at this situation and shrug. “Let’s do this.”
“I can’t believe we’re having a reception at Magoos.” It makes sense that we’d come here—it’s our home away from home. The party is loud behind us with Evan signing karaoke and Ryley feeding into his ego. I’m sitting at the bar, entertaining myself by watching Penelope dance with Cara.
“There are worse places,” Slick Rick says from behind me. He’s also dressed in a matching suit even though he couldn’t make the ceremony.
“Did you know about this?” I ask as I turn around and face him.
“I know everything that goes on with my guys,” he says as he hands me another beer. The bar is closed tonight for this private party and I hate to think about him losing business because of us. There are a lot more people at the bar than at the wedding and I’m fine with that. It could’ve just been Penny and me and I would’ve been happy.
“Is this seat taken?”
I give Penny a sideways glance and remember the first time we met. A fucking dare from her friends sent her over to me.
“I don’t know, I guess that depends on what you’re looking for.”
“Well, I’m looking for a strong man who has tattoos and a motorcycle. Do you know anyone like that?”
I shake my head. “Sorry, you’re out of luck.”
Penny slaps me on the shoulder and sits down, nestling into my neck. The moment I feel her lips I freeze. Aside from kissing, we haven’t done anything and the only time I’ve been intimate is in the shower with my hand.
“Not to be forward or anything, but does this mean I’m getting lucky tonight?”
“I’m pretty much a sure thing,” she replies, batting her eyelashes.
“You know the only action I’ve seen in seven years is my hand. The second I have you naked, I’m going to come all over you and I won’t be able to stop it. I’ll be your worst middle school memory.”
Penny breaks out into fits of laughter, causing my ego to deflate quickly. “How many of those have you had?” She points to my beer.
“This is my second.”