Page 128 of Dear Mr. Brody

Thunder clouds hovered over the trees, the wind picking up enough I worried the small tent where the grooms stood would blow over, or worse, Anders’s mom would have a heart attack. She’d fretted over the pale purple ribbons she’d strewn in the tree branches and glared at the three rows of chairs all unprotected from the elements. Her lips contorted into a frown as another ribbon blew away into the river. If I’d read her lips correctly, she’d just dropped the f-bomb.

“Why is that woman even trying to salvage this shit show?” Marcos asked and Parker nudged him with his shoulder.

“Hey, be nice,” he said, and I laced my fingers through his. “You promised Ethan you wouldn’t whine about the weather.”

“That was your first mistake.” Wilder bounced his daughter Sam on his leg. “Never, and I mean ever promise Ethan anything when it comes to the great outdoors, especially fishing. You’ll end up in humidity hell with gnats biting your ankles.”

Jax lifted Sam from his husband’s lap and tucked her under his arm. Her big eyes turned up to the sky as a couple of rain drops fell. “I told Ethan they should have gotten married in January. Less rain.”

Marcos gasped as he held out his hand. “Oh, hell no. Nope. I’m waiting in the car,mijo.”

“Christ, Basulto, it’s just rain. How the hell did you ever make it through basic?” Parker gave him a pointed look, and Marcos flipped him off.

“I didn’t have on two-hundred-dollar pants when I was in basic.”

“Thank God,” Parker said. “Spending that much money on pants is out of control.”

“Amen.” Jax grinned at Parker. “I’ve been telling Wild that for years.”

Wilder snuggled into his husband’s side. “We can’t all look as sexy as you do in jeans and a t-shirt. Some of us need accessories.”

“You’re sexy without any of that stuff.” Jax kissed his cheek and I smiled at the way Wilder preened.

“You two are adorable,” I said.

“You and Parker look pretty cozy.” Wilder tapped me on the knee. “I want credit for your little duo… I called it that night we went to dinner.”

“You did?”

“Yup, I said he had a crush on you. Oh…” His eyes lit up. “And I told you about Pegasus.”

“Babe, leave the man alone, you can’t take credit for his relationship.”

“I sure can.”

I laughed. “No, it’s okay. I guess I sort of owe you a thank you.”

“Sort of—”

“Thank you, Wilder.”

“You’re welcome.”

More rain trickled down from the sky, and a few umbrellas popped up among the small gathering. Anders and Ethan had only invited close friends and family. Nora, the agent I’d replaced two years ago, flew in from Seattle with her brother Luka. Overall, there was less than twenty-five people here. It was intimate, like Ethan and Anders had wanted, and as they both smiled at each other, it was safe to say they didn’t give a shit about the rain, or the wayward ribbons. Ethan’s hair blew wild in the wind, his cream-colored linen button-up whipping at his sides as he reached out for his soon-to-be husband’s hand. Anders held his gaze, dressed in a similar-style shirt except his was gray. They both had on loose-fitting slacks and sandals, and I had to smile at how laidback my boss looked. I didn’t think I’d ever witness such a feat.

“When is this thing going to start?” Marcos asked and Parker shrugged.

“We’re waiting on my brother and his girlfriend,” Jax said. “My mom had to pick them up and she’s—”

“The slowest driver on Earth,” Wilder interrupted. “What? Don’t look at me like that. You know I love your mother.”

June and Gwen, a couple I’d met at Wilder’s last release party, turned around in their seats.

“Don’t start with me, June, it’s hot and wet,” he said, and she rolled her eyes.

She reached back and handed him her umbrella. “Will this shut you up?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

---