Room for Just a Little Bit More(5)

Andy rolled his eyes. “Shut up and get in here.”

I walked past him into his office, with him following along behind me. “Ellie, hold my calls for a bit, okay?” he called out before closing the door.

“So, who is that mystery woman? Wait. Is she even a woman? Mystery teenager?” I teased as I plopped down on his couch.

“Fuck you. She’s a client.” He sounded annoyed as he sat in the chair across from me.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” I laughed. “What’s her name?”

“Callie Marsh. She’s a tennis player.”

“Hmmm. Limber,” I cracked, ducking just in time from the football flying toward my head.

“I haven’t dated her, nor am I going to date her. You know my rule about clients.”

“I do, but I also saw the way you watched her leave.” I picked up the football and tossed it back to him. “Rules are made to be broken, my friend.”

“Ha!” He laughed out loud. “Says the all-American boy who just got engaged to the all-American girl who comes built-in with the most perfect all-American family ever. Congratulations, ass wipe.”

“Thank you. I think.”

“Have you set a date yet?”

“Not even close.” I got up and walked over to the bar area of his office and grabbed a water bottle out of his fridge. “Other than telling the girls yesterday, we’ve barely even talked about it. Want one?” I held up the bottle.

“Sure.” I tossed the bottle to him. “Thanks. What do you mean you’ve barely talked about it?”

Walking back to the couch, I groaned. “You know, Alexa said the same thing to Kacie yesterday. Why is everyone thinking we should’ve had this planned already?”

“I don’t know, but you weren’t kidding when you said everyone. Once that newspaper hit the street this morning and the article went online, I got three e-mails from banquet hall owners offering their services.” He cracked his water bottle open and took a swing.

“You did?”

“Yep. Apparently they think I’m your wedding planner, not your agent.”

“Actually, funny you should mention that, I do need your help with something.” I shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Andy had been my best friend as far back as I could remember, but I was nervous about asking him to be my best man. Viper was easy. I knew he’d be all over it. While I didn’t necessarily think Andy would say no, I knew he had a lot of shit going on. Part of me felt like no matter what, he would always be the figurative older brother I would constantly seek validation from.

“So, I know life is crazy for you right now, and I don’t want to add to that,”—I rubbed my sweaty palms on the thighs of my jeans—“but I would be honored if you would stand up next to me and be my best man.”

Andy sat in his chair like the boss that he was, completely confident and relaxed as he rubbed his top lip with his thumb and stared back at me, making me wait longer than I was comfortable with for his response.

“Brody, you’re right. My life is crazy. The phones are ringing off the hook since you signed that huge-ass contract the other day. Blaire is as obnoxious as ever, dragging me in and out of court for money every ten minutes, and being a single dad is way harder than anything I do inside this office.”

Oh shit. I’m going to have to beg Viper, aren’t I?

“But… that all being said, do you honestly think for one minute I’d pass up standing shoulder to shoulder with my best friend when he gets married?” He stood up and offered his hand to me. “And I’m the one that’s honored, friend.”



3 - Kacie

It was late when Brody got back to my house. He’d gone to the city for the day to talk to Viper and Andy, and though I told him he didn’t have to come back for the night since it was going to be so late, he insisted, and I didn’t argue.

Mom, Fred, and I were sitting on the couch when we heard the front door open. I hopped up and tried not to jog up front.

“Hey,” I welcomed, throwing my arms around his neck. His big arms wrapped around me, squeezing so hard it made my chest ache, but I didn’t dare tell him for fear that he’d quit hugging me like that every time.

“Hey, babe. How was your day?” He loosened the hug but didn’t let go.

“Good. How was yours? How did everything go?”

I squirmed out of his arms and we walked hand in hand to the living room.

“Hi, Brody!” Mom called out when we got to the kitchen, Fred offering a silent wave.

“Hey,” Brody responded, sounding exhausted.

“You okay?” I gently rubbed the side of his face as he sat down at the island. “Can I get you something?”

“No, thanks. I’m good, just tired. It was a long day.” He smiled. “But everything went well. Viper said he’d be in the wedding, then proceeded to book every illegal activity in Minnesota for a bachelor party.”

“Oh boy.” I laughed nervously, setting a glass of ice water in front of him.

“Thanks, and don’t worry. I told him to chill out. I will definitely have a say in what we do.” He paused and took a long drink of the water he said he didn’t need. “Then I went to Andy’s. We ended up talking longer than I’d planned on, and he asked me to go have a burger and a beer with him, so I did.”