Page 80 of Laugh

So fill to me the parting glass

And drink a health whate’er befalls

Then gently rise and softly call…

Good night and joy be to you all.

Chapter 31

Cheer to Marcus

Beau

Today was a long as fuck day, and I imagine the moment I yank my tie off is similar to the way women feel when they pull off their bras.

“It’s like freeing the ta-tas. Amiright?” I blink at her, wondering if I said that out loud. “So jealous right now,” she mumbles, turning to watch out the window as I drive my car out of the parking lot.

“I swear to God, I just had that thought and you said it.”

Turning back to me, she looks confused. “You wanted to let your boobs air out?”

Chuckling, I enjoy the feeling of sitting down for a few minutes before we get to the bar. “No, crazy. I mean, I wondered if that feeling of relief when I took my tie off was similar to what women feel when they remove their bras.”

Haddie’s brows raise slowly in understanding. “I imagine it’s probably pretty damn close.” Then she scowls down at her chest. “I want to take mine off so bad. I feel like they’re practically to my chin.”

Winking at her, I tease, “But they look soooo good like that.”

She still doesn’t laugh, but I manage to get her to smile. “Thank you. They do look rather perky.”

A group of us decided to go out to O’Reilly’s Pub to have some drinks in Marcus’s honor. His parents aren’t coming, which is understandable. I’m sure they’re ready for some downtime after the whirlwind of the week-long stay in the hospital, then planning for his funeral immediately after.

Haddie’s speech was incredibly moving, and I’m so fucking proud of her for saying what she did. Remembering the way she mouthed she loves me shook me to my core. I haven’t said anything back yet because people have surrounded us all afternoon. I’d tell her now, but I want to get her home and under me when I tell her those four letters. Love. It’s a real thing, and I feel every bit of it in my bones for her.

I let Haddie close her eyes to rest for the short drive, knowing that we probably won’t stay out for very long. Doing this tonight, though, feels right.

When we make it to the bar, my girl’s face lights up as a cheer erupts when they see us. Ricky, the bartender, rolls his eyes at them, avoiding waving arms as he walks around the tables, dropping shots off in front of everyone.

Once the tray is empty, and we make it to the back of the room, he shoves it under his arm and pulls Haddie into a hug. “Christ, girl. I’m gonna miss that motherfucker. You doing good? Are we double fisting regular shots or just going straight for the doubles? All on the house. I’m saving the good bottle for ya.”

Haddie lets me go to hold on to Ricky. “Ireallywant to say doubles, but I haven’t eaten much today, so I need you to keep me walking upright tonight. My dress is too pretty to puke in.”

Ricky pulls back from her and pats her shoulders, a little too roughly in my opinion, and I itch to drag her back against me. Clearing his throat, he doesn’t hide his emotions well from us, so we both pretend not to notice. “Got it. I’ll grab you both drinks.” He pauses and looks at me with a raised brow, asking what I want.

“I’ll have the same as her,” I tell him, and he leaves with a nod. Before he gets too far, I call out, “Bring yourself a couple too! We’re going to do a few rounds with friends.”

He waves to me over his shoulder and heads back to the bar to pour more shots. Looking around the tables, I’m thrilled to see how many people showed up. I know Haddie thinks they’re all here for Marcus, but they’re not. They’re here forher.

Addie, Jensen, my parents, Haddie’s brothers, and a couple dozen of other mutual friends and family members are all chatting with each other and waving at Haddie and I to come sit down. I ignore that her dad isn’t here because I’m glad for it. She needs this time to celebrate and be loved by her friends.

When Ricky returns with more shots, he sets down an extra one for everyone, so by the time he’s done, we all have two.My happy girl is staring at her glasses with a touch of melancholy that hasn’t quite disappeared yet, frowning, deep in thought.

“Harry, you need to make the toast!” Addie calls out so everyone can hear. “You have to say the one that you mentioned today. Marcus’s favorite.”

Blinking quickly, she drags herself back to the present and smiles at her friend. Then, standing up, she holds out one of the shot glasses filled with tequila, waiting for everyone. Once we’ve all got ours raised, with a broken, but loud voice, she says, “When God made man, he had a little left, so he left a little thing. When God made woman, there wasn’t quite enough, so he left a little space. Here’s a toast to ‘things in space’.”

Everyone shouts, “To Marcus!” between fits of laughter.

Haddie grins and repeats, “To Marcus!” and tosses it back. I swallow mine, ignoring the burn, and reach out to help my girl as she sits back down. She’s the only one that didn’t laugh, and Addie notices too.

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