Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(11)

“Thank you, Jay.” Ally leaned up and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Jared slid out of the way so he could tackle the steps since they remained a bit of a challenge. He leaned heavily on the railing to descend. It creaked and he worried that it may give way more than once.

“You shouldn’t be doing stairs like that yet.” A.J. appeared at the bottom of the steps, dressed in a simple blue dress that highlighted all of her best assets.

“I’m doing just fine, thank you very much,” Jared retorted.

“Mmhmm.” A.J. grunted. “Let me help you.” She climbed the five or six steps to reach him and slipped one arm around his waist to offset the weight from his bad leg. “I should have known you’d be here.”

“I was invited,” Jared said sharply.

“Happy accident, huh?” A.J. asked.

Jared didn’t respond. His leg ached a bit but he would not let her know that. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to dance the night away.”

A.J. almost laughed but instead rolled her eyes and headed back up the steps to see Ally. Jared leaned against the wall for a rest. He hung toward the back of the pack as they gave the newlyweds a proper send off – something Jared never really understood since they would all see the bride and groom again in a few hours at the reception. Shouldn’t the sendoff be after the reception? He puzzled the irrationality until Rick popped up beside him.

“I could really use a drink.” Rick leaned against the wall next to Jared and pulled a flask from the breast pocket of his tuxedo. He took a swig and passed it to Jared. “Want some?”

Jared grinned and accepted the flask, downed a bit and relished the burn. “It was a lovely ceremony.”

“Yeah, I guess. Seen one, seen ‘em all.” Rick took another drink from the flask and Jared realized his friend had already crossed over to the realm of tipsy. “My last kid is married off.”

“Congratulations, Rick.” Jared patted him on the shoulder. “You have an awesome family and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Aw, it’s what anybody would do for somebody in need.” Rick brushed off the compliment as was his style.

“No, Rick. Not everybody would do what you’ve done for me. Trust me. People aren’t like this, people don’t welcome a stranger into their homes and include them in weddings after knowing them for a month.” Jared’s voice filled with more emotion than he expected. “People don’t do this and I want you to know that I won’t forget it.”

“Hey! Will you two stop sipping on that flask and get moving?” Marie called over to them, her face a mixture of elation and amusement. “We need to get to the reception hall!”

Rick winked at Jared and headed off toward his wife and family. He turned back to Jared and gestured for him to follow. “C’mon, kid, you’re a part of this family whether you like it or not.”

**

The reception hall buzzed by the time Jared walked in with Rick and the family. Dozens of people milled around the tables with drinks in hand and the gift table was already piled high with white and silver packages. The DJ played boring elevator music as they entered – a travesty that Micah vowed to correct before disappearing into the crowd. Paul guided Jared and Max toward the bar and ordered up three beers.

“It is time to drink up and let loose.” Max grinned and guzzled half the bottle down, finishing it with a long, low belch.

“Max!” Marie hollered in her most motherly voice. “Manners!”

“Sorry, Mom!” Max apologized hastily.

“Ah, your lady hath arrived,” Paul gestured toward the door.

Jared turned slowly, moving to lounge casually against the bar so he could get a better look. Paul was right, A.J. entered the hall with a silver-wrapped package. She looked even lovelier in the sparkling lights of the hall than she did outside the church. Jared took another drink from his bottle and turned back to Paul and Max as if nothing changed.

“Dude, really?” Max didn’t even try to cover his disapproval.

“What?” Jared asked. “I’m not going to run right over like some pathetic loser.” In truth, he needed to rest his leg. This was the longest he’d been on it and the first day he’d gone without his brace. The bandage just didn’t have the same effect. He slid onto the nearest stool and waited for the guys to call him on the stupidity of his actions.

They didn’t. Instead, Max slid onto the stool next to him and started pointing out various guests of interest. Apparently, there were several available cousins who would be more than happy to tend to Jared’s needs. Jared only half listened, far more intent on watching A.J.

“Just go talk to her.” Max noticed Jared’s focus and nudged him lightly with an elbow.

“I think I need more beer before that happens,” Jared insisted.

“Nope, you are cut off my friend,” Paul intervened. “You aren’t going to make a very good impression if you’re drunk.”

“You’re right.” Jared set the empty beer bottle down and headed for A.J. He grabbed two flutes of champagne from a waitress walking by. “You look like you could use a drink.” He extended one of the glasses to A.J.

Surprisingly, A.J. accepted the champagne. “Thanks.”