Page 21 of Mic Drop (Passionate Beats #3)
Bennett
“ T hanks, guys, for coming out to Aroostook.” I raise my Manhattan to the ceiling, and we all drink. “I really appreciate it.”
“Hell, it’s not every day one of the members of Untamed Coaster gets hitched,” Luke says, sipping his drink.
I leave the bar area and wander over to our new keyboardist, unsure of what to say or how to say it. So I go for a softball. “Hey. Thanks for coming out here.”
He glances around the basement of my new home—I signed the papers for it last week. “This place is amazing. It has a name, right?”
“Secluded Rest.”
“I get it.”
His gaze travels to the arcade games, where the rest of the band is cheering on Coop. My eyelids lower. The guitarist better not be playing Asteroids Deluxe. Eh, no matter. He’ll never beat my score.
Returning my attention to Tris, I rub two fingers over my nose. “ If I didn’t say this before—or ever—thanks for taking care of Jenna in Memphis. It means a lot to me that you helped her.” Just don’t do it again . After today, her happiness will be my singular responsibility.
“I didn’t do anything except offer her my shirt as a tissue.
” He pats his torso. “I’m happy things worked out between you two.
” He pauses, and I let him collect his thoughts, a bit surprised at where he goes.
“Of course, I never knew Darren personally. From all accounts he was a great guy. A real joker.”
A small smile graces my lips. “Can’t argue with you there.”
“I understand he was in love with Jenna, and she with him. But I’ve seen you two together and can’t imagine whatever they had would’ve come close to what you and she share. You’re my relationship goal.”
Thud. My heart skips five beats at Tris’s confession. While I wanted to kill the guy for my ill-perceived thought that he and Jenna were hooking up, this is what he was thinking? How do I respond? I choose my truth.
“You’ll find your path, Tris. Hell, you found your way to UC. How much harder could it be to find the one woman on earth who understands you? Who encourages you. Who supports you.”
He snaps his fingers. “Yeah. Piece of cake.” The corners of his eyes crinkle. “Don’t think I’m stepping onto your crazy train anytime soon.”
“Never say never, my man.”
The doorbell rings and Luke’s discombobulated voice comes over the intercom demanding I get up to the foyer stat. “Better go see what’s up. All good?”
“Definitely.”
Surprising myself, I give the guy a hug, then climb the stairs.
Luke’s in the front hall, surrounded by people bringing in flowers.
Having a florist on speed dial to send Jenna flowers every day sure did come in handy today.
I direct them to place the arrangements on the tables outside and the boutonnieres on the coffee table in the family room.
Thank God for King and Angie, who got us needed rentals of tables and chairs from their staging stash.
While not matching, everything looks great.
At least in my humble opinion. Guess since I’m the groom, only my opinion counts today. Well, and Jenna’s.
Now in the family room, I take in my surroundings.
Organized chaos is the best way to describe it, as workers prepare items for our few dozen guests who’ll be arriving in about one hour.
Luke strides over to me. “Better go make yourself look pretty or your bride will turn around and run down the aisle.” His hand clamps on my back.
Ever since my conversation with Curtiss, I’ve been feeling all sorts of things. With Luke’s good-natured comment, another chink inside me cracks. He’s always had my back. UC is lucky he’s our manager, and I’m grateful to have him in my corner. “You don’t think my workout gear will do it?”
“Probably not a good idea. I’ve already sent the rest of the band upstairs to their rooms. It’s your turn.”
He leads me toward the stairs. I haven’t taken the elevator in ages, and don’t plan on starting on the day of my wedding. My groin pull still complains sometimes, but it’s less frequent and quieter. Better stay that way throughout the day and night. Especially the night.
With each step, my conviction over this final decision grows. Jenna asked me about it last night, and I know if I don’t do it, she won’t care. Or will pretend it doesn’t bother her. Hell, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually want to do this.
About halfway up the staircase, I grab the handrail and Luke turns. “Everything all right? Does your muscle pull hurt?”
I shake my head. “No. I feel great. I’d like to ask you a question.”
He smirks. “Seems like you asked Jenna the right question already.”
“That I did. But I don’t want to ask you to marry me, thank you very much.
I wanted to ask if you’d be willing—I mean you don’t have to—no pressure at all.
” I rub sweaty palms together. In my ear, I can hear Jenna encouraging me.
Here goes nothing. “Would you mind standing up next to me during the ceremony?” I suck in my breath .
Luke’s face nearly splits in two, his grin is so wide. His coffee-colored gaze stares right into me. “I’d be honored, B.”
My body sags. The next thing I know, I’m opening my arms and pulling him in for a hug.
“I couldn’t think of anyone else I want to stand up for me.
” Except Dad. The florist suggested we place a white rose on his empty chair for the ceremony to honor him.
Yet, Luke makes a great substitute. Dare I consider him a friend ?
After my recent conversation with Curtiss, the last man to hold the title, I might be willing to try again.
Our bodies move from side to side. The fact we’re standing on the main stairs comes rushing back to me when we nearly lose our balance.
“Shit!” I reach for the handrail, which saves both of our sorry asses. Or they would be sorry if we had fallen.
Once we regain our equilibrium, a pink-cheeked Luke says, “Let’s not tell anyone about this, all right?”
“Your secret’s safe with me.” We chuckle and go up the rest of the steps, where we part ways to get dressed.
In the master suite, I take a quick shower and put on my Armani suit.
All of the guys have them from a recent awards ceremony, so we decided they would be our best option.
Sans footwear and tie, of course. I pull out the flip-flops Kara dropped off last night, explaining to me that all of the wedding party has to wear them.
My next stop is my dresser, where I pull our wedding rings from a drawer.
Luke helped me pick these out at the same store where I got Jenna’s engagement ring in New Orleans.
Leaving all of my other rings and bracelets on the top of the dresser, I pat the only other piece of jewelry I’ll wear today—my necklace with the UC pendant Jenna gave to us years ago.
In silence, I slip on my new gray Tungsten ring, which matches Jenna’s eyes. It’s big and chunky and will be seen from the nosebleed seats at every stadium. Perfect. I want everyone to know I’m taken by the most precious woman on earth.
“Almost ready, B? ”
I return my wedding band into its box nestled next to hers, and snap it shut. “I think so. Hold these for safekeeping, all right?” I pass him the jewelry box.
He examines the box for a second before putting it into his pocket. “Damn. I can’t believe you’re the first one to fall. Well, after Coop.”
We both shake our heads remembering what happened. I refuse to let his youthful experience sour mine. Luke continues, “Never thought I’d see the day when any of us would take the plunge again.”
“When you know, you know.” My smile dims. But for Jenna’s mother’s illness, would we be here today? Maybe. Maybe not. I have no doubt that we would’ve ended up here sooner rather than later, though.
“I brought your boutonniere, but you better ask someone else to put it on for you.” He points to his lapel. “The florist did it for me.”
I take the flower. “Is TLR here?”
“Already playing demure music downstairs for the ceremony.”
I snort. The Light Rail is many things, but demure is not one of them.
While I’ve crossed paths with the guys throughout the years—even playing with them once—King was instrumental in getting his brother’s band to play for us.
While UC wants to play a song or two at the reception, I didn’t want to make us responsible for the whole thing.
And no fucking way was a DJ going to dictate our party!
I’m about to leave when a thought hits me so hard, I almost stumble. I haven’t heard from Jenna all day. “Is Jenna here?”
Deadpan, Luke looks at me. “Is she supposed to be?”
Panic surges through my bloodstream.
My manager laughs. “You should see your face, B.” He smacks me on the back. “Of course she’s here.”
I give him a dirty look. “Dude. Maybe I should rethink the whole best man concept.”
“Too late.” He smacks my back again. “Let’s go.”
We enter the hallway and the guys surround me. “If I even harbored an idea of getting married, you’ve set the bar so fucking high, there’s no way I could reach it,” Río announces. “Seriously. TLR?”
I shrug as if getting this band was no big deal. “My real estate agent is King Hunte. You know, the lead singer’s brother.” I bump Río’s fist.
Glancing from him to Coop to Tris, my gaze finally lands on 007 who, despite his conflicted feelings toward Jenna, appears happy for me. I suck in all the air.
“You guys each have supported my relationship with Jenna in your own ways. It means the world to me to know you will be at our side for today and going forward. Thank you.” Not exactly a declaration of lasting friendship, but this is more than I’ve ever shared with my bandmates.
They seem to recognize this as each one of their fists fling high into the air. Instead of my starting our check in though, Luke steps up. I raise my fist.
Luke clears his throat. “Strapped, locked, and loaded, are you ready to celebrate this wedding?” We all let out large whoops and barrel toward the stairs.