Don't Hate the Player...Hate the Game(45)

“Oh, that’s just precious!” Gerard gushed.

I glanced over my shoulder at Greg who was doing his best to stifle his laughter behind a dish towel. He removed the towel and held his hands up in self-defense.

“Okay. I’d love too,” I said.

“And I’m sure there’s probably a hundred girls vying to be your date at the wedding, you yummy little dream,” Gerard said.

Then he did the unthinkable. He. Pinched. My. Cheek. He better be damn glad it was the cheek on my face and not my ass, or he would have been picking himself up off the floor. Involuntarily, my fist curled, and I had to fight not to smack him regardless. When I shuddered violently, Greg turned a laugh into a cough. I shot him a death glare to which he winked in response.

Mom tried not to laugh at the expression on my face. Instead, she cocked her head. “So, who are you going to bring?”

I was still contemplating my revenge on Gerard. “Huh?”

“You don’t have to bring a date, but I was just thinking you might.”

A date? Huh, I hadn’t even thought of that. The truth was even though I was more accepting about the wedding, I still wasn’t too thrilled to think or talk about it. But I’d probably look like a big loser showing up dateless to my mom’s wedding.

“Yeah, I’ll find someone.”

Mom smiled. “Oh good.” Then she bit her lip like she always did when there was something she wanted to say but wasn’t sure she ought to.

“What is it, Mom?” I questioned.

“Well, I was just going to tell you that I’ve asked Pastor Dan to marry us.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You have?”

Gregg nodded as Mom replied, “Yes, we did.”

“But you barely know him,” I countered.

“That’s true, sweetie. But after Pastor Phillips died last year, I really haven’t connected with any of the other ministers at our church, and I don’t know, there was just something I really liked about him the other night at the Nelson’s. Plus, he’s so good to visit the sick, and he always comes to the hospital to pray over the new babies.”

I didn’t really know what to say. “Then I think that’s a good idea.”

A pleased expression came over Mom’s face. “Oh good, I’m glad you think so.”

Gerard clapped his hands. “So sorry to interrupt this family moment, Maggie, but we’ve really got to press on with the details. We’re on a tight schedule here you know.”

“Hey, people who are already pregnant get married all the time!” I exclaimed, jumping to Mom’s defense.

Trying to hide a smile, Mom shook her head. “Gerard wasn’t talking about my pregnancy, Noah. He’s talking about how Greg and I have moved the wedding up because of our schedules,” she explained.

“Oh,” I murmured. Gerard raised his eyebrows at me. “Sorry,” I said.

He smiled. “No problem, sugar.”

On that note, I started backing out of the kitchen. “Where are you going?” Mom asked.

“I-uh, I gotta see about my date,” I replied.

She nodded, and I gratefully escaped out the door. As I climbed into the Jeep, I couldn’t help thinking about how Jake would have reacted to Gerard. At the insane things he might’ve said or done, laughter started bubbling out of my mouth. As I wiped the amused tears from my eyes, I couldn’t help thinking that Jake would be proud for Mom. He would have certainly enjoyed partying at the rehearsal dinner and wedding. He also would have probably made some lameass excuse that he should be made my baby sitter’s godfather—like any of us would want that. With my spirits raised, I headed over to Maddie’s.

When she answered the door, I couldn’t help myself, and I broke into a goofy grin. “Hi!”

“Hi Noah,” she said. Her expression was strained, and suddenly, I felt like an idiot for just showing up on her doorstep.

“Um, I’m sorry for not calling. Is this not a good time?”

Maddie hesitated. “It’s just, um, Josh had a treatment today, and he’s not-”

A small voice interrupted her. “Is that Noah?” Josh called.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I answered.

“Tell him to come in and visit me,” he said.

I looked at Maddie, and she nodded. She stepped aside, and I walked into the foyer. In the living room, Josh stretched out on the couch. He was so pale he could’ve passed for an albino. I hesitated at first, and then I sucked it up and headed over to him.

I eased down on the couch and smiled. “Hey Little Man, how’s it going?”

“Not good.”

“I’m sorry.”

Maddie stood behind the couch. “Hey, how about some ice cream?”

“Yeah,” Josh replied, with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

Maddie smiled. “Okay, I’ll go fix you some.” She headed into the kitchen leaving Josh and me alone.

“So treatments suck pretty bad, huh?” I asked, trying to make conversation.

Josh widened his eyes. “You’re not supposed to say words like that.”

“Oops, sorry.”

He grinned. “That’s okay cause they really do suck!”

I laughed. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a dollar. “How about you taking this money instead of the cuss can?”