Page 10 of Before We Say I Do

"Left behind? You act as if I dropped them off at the store and took off."

The men howled.

"Might as well," Xavier countered.

Kyle's eyes widened, then he pointed to all of them.

"You all are full of shit."

They guffawed.

"And none of you have room to talk about me."

"But we are talking about you," Hunter added.

"Gentlemen, welcome to Men's Empire Tuxedo Shop." An older man in a suit approached. "We are thrilled to have your business for what is the most important time of your lives. I have your tailored suits this way if you'll follow me."

They were given black Armani suits at the back of the store, completed with crisp white button-down shirts, vests, bow ties, silver and white pocket squares, sterling silver cufflinks, and buffed black oxford shoes.

Each entering a dressing room, the men took their time undressing and redressing in the wedding attire. Simultaneously, the doors opened, and they all strolled out, approaching their own individual floor-to-ceiling mirror.

A whistle speared into the air, and everyone glanced over at Hunter, then appreciatively checked each other out.

Nods of satisfaction bounced from one man to the next as they agreed with Hunter's compliment.

"This will be by far the best wedding any of you have ever been to in your life," Kyle surmised.

The men cleared their throats with rising brows as they stared at Kyle.

He chuckled. "Well, as opposed to your own."

They laughed.

Hunter slapped a hand on Kyle's shoulder. "I've got to say, little brother…"

"Here we go."

"What?"

"Can you chill with the little brother?"

"No."

The men guffawed, and Kyle shook his head. "Give it a rest, Valentine."

"Oh, you know he means business when he calls you that," Xavier chimed, eyeing his image in the mirror and taking a hand down his extensive beard.

Hunter nodded. "All right. I'll let you off the hook until after your wedding. But then, you're going back to being my little brother."

Chuckles filled the room.

"I want to thank you all for being here for me." At their curious stares, he went on, "Not as if you wouldn't have, but I know very well that you lead busy lives and with all of the weddings and galas, and business parties you've had to attend lately, I just appreciate not only your comradery, but your time."

He eyed them all.

"I love you. I wish…"

His thought dispersed on his tongue, and they all glanced at each other, all having an inkling of how that comment would continue. It was only a few months before they found out the reason behind their seventh brother's death.

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