Page 1 of Duty Became Desire

Chapter one

Alec

“I’m getting married!” I stared at my best friend while we sat at the bar, nursing our beers. I shouldn’t be shocked by that news.

I was aware that James loved his girlfriend and he always claimed that was the one he wanted, the one he would marry. But still, it shocked me. Guess I didn’t think that day would come, at least not quite so soon.

I had gotten used to our trio a while back. And since James and I had been friends since we were fucking in diapers, I knew that I had better like Demi, James’ girl, and I did. However, her best friend, Skylar, I didn’t care for. And hearing the news of their marriage, meant Skylar was going to be in the picture.

“Congratulations,” I finally told him, clapping him on the back.

“As my best friend, you’re my best man. You know that right?” I just nodded my head at his question.

“Sure, man. I’ll make sure to give Demi pictures of us as babies with saggy diapers so I can embarrass the shit out of you.” James spit out his beer and then glared at me. I tossed him a wink before taking a swig of my beer. “When’s the date?”

“We wanted to do it right, make it big. We’re thinking of September, our anniversary. And in Vegas no less.”

“Dude, that’s three months away! How the hell will you plan on having a wedding ready to go by then? That’s insane!”

“It’s perfect for us. And it’s what she’s always dreamed about. You know damn good and well there is nothing I wouldn’t do for that woman.” Damn fucking straight I knew. “Besides,” James said, clapping my shoulder, “that’s what friends are for, especially the best man. Who’s going to help us better than you?”

“I don’t even want to know,” I mumbled, taking the final swig and tossing the bottle away. “You’re going to drag me to do all this shit with you, aren’t you?”

“It won’t be a big party, you know Demi. A few friends, our little family, and we’re happy. It’s really simple, so it shouldn’t take much time.” James ducked his head, but I knew what that comment meant.

“Few friends?” I questioned as I narrowed my eyes at him, and he gave a little helpless shrug.

“Come on, Alec. Skylar is Demi’s best friend, you know that. Demi will not have her day ruined by not having her best friend there just because you don’t like her.”

“Fuck man, it’s not that I don’t like her. Putting her and I together is like putting a lighted match to a barrel of gasoline. Are you sure you want that firework display for your wedding?”

“Hate to break it to you, Alec, but you better curb your shit with her. Demi will have your balls for breakfast if you ruin this for her.” James stood up and dropped a twenty on the bar. “Oh,did I mention that Skylar is Demi’s Maid-Of-Honor?” James ran away before I could haul him up and deck him.

FUCK!

Not what I wanted to hear. Skylar and I did not get along. It was a damn good thing that she lived in a different city too. Not that Laughlin was too far away from Las Vegas, but it was still a great enough distance that I didn’t run into her. She didn’t attend every party the couple had. Guess I should be grateful for small mercies.

Maybe that’s what this was. She probably wouldn’t attend everything either. Why make the hour's drive just for some cake-tasting or venue-looking? I could stomach her for one day. That wouldn’t be hard, right?

With that, I stood as well, dropping my own money to cover the bill, and left.

James deserved this. He was the best fucking friend I could ever ask for and I could be there for him throughout this. Be there for them both, because I did like Demi. She grounded James in a way I hadn’t seen before. In fact, when they started dating, I was almost certain Demi would have dumped his ass.

I paused as I walked down the street, chuckling to myself. I so had to include that in the toast, even if he hated me for it.

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“Congratulations,” I told Demi as she opened the front door for me, and I gave her a hug as I walked in the following morning.

“Thank you. I know James was itching to put a ring on it.”

I laughed as I shook my head at her. Sadly, she was probably right. Demi was too good for James, that was something he always stated. But I knew my friend and though he wanted to marry her, the timing wasn’t right. Wasn’t quite sure what changed this time around, but I was happy.

“You gave him enough pause, Demi.” She chuckled and shrugged. We both knew it was true. “Where is he?”

“In the back. I’m getting ready to head out, have a lunch date shortly.”

“Since this was all a shock to me, let me see the ring he got you.” She held out her hand and I took it, admiring the solitaire heart-shaped diamond. “He did good. Goes for your wedding theme there.”

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