Page 35 of Highball and Chain

Enzo

The househardly resembled my childhood home. Hired staff moved furniture from the living and dining rooms. Others cleaned and hung lights throughout the room and patio. The caterers turned the kitchen into ground zero to prepare breakfast and the wedding dinner. I did my part by staying out of the way.

The groom had either caught Maggie’s morning sickness or suffered from a hellacious case of nerves—either way, he needed sustenance to get through the next few hours. I loaded two plates with eggs, potatoes, and sausage—one for myself and one for Gabe.

“Allow me to help you.” A pretty female caterer carried carafes of coffee and juice upstairs to the bedroom.

“Grazie mille. Could you?” I nodded to the door.

She turned the knob, stepped inside, and stopped. Eyes wide and mouth hanging open, she stared at my half-dressed brothers. “Oh! Scusi. Sorry. Scusi.”

“Thanks for bringing my breakfast.” Marco reached for a plate.

I swiveled and side-stepped him. “Get your own. This one’s for the groom.”

“Thanks, man.” Gabe took the plate, glanced at it, and handed it to Marco. “Maybe just toast.”

“I’ll get it for you.” The caterer all but ran for the door.

I clamped a hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “If you’re having second thoughts…”

“I’m fine.” He growled and walked to the window.

Leo moved beside him. “Joe was just as nervous, remember?”

Gabe nodded.

Memories of my older brother tightened my chest. With an eight and a half-year age difference between us, we hadn’t been close, but I’d looked up to him like he was a fucking superhero. Joe Jr. had everything I wanted—my brothers’ respect, my mother’s adoration, and my father’s approval. Hell, they’d given him my dad’s name. How much more could my parents have done to tell the world he was their favorite son?

I hated myself for holding on to grudges against a dead man. How could I let them go when my family used me as a stepping stool to polish his pedestal?

“We were all kids on his wedding day,” I muttered half to myself.

Leo laughed. “Joe wasn’t old enough to drink when he got married. I thought we would have to tie him up and drag him to the altar.”

“He did okay.” Gabe cleared his throat. “Rebecca was an amazing woman.”

“So is Maggie. You guys are great together.” Leo embraced the groom. “You got this.”

Marco said, “Just think. Two more hours and Ma will let you two sleep in the same bed.”

The caterer returned with a plate of toast, a sparkling water, and a handful of tablets. “These are ginger and papaya. They help upset stomachs.”

“Thanks.” I took the plate to Gabe. “Eat so we can get you dressed.”

He smirked and shoved a piece of toast into his mouth.

Evelyn burst through the door, sending Dante and Marco into a panic to get their pants on. “Why aren’t you ready?”

“Gabe’s nauseous.” Leo tried for a smile but ended up looking guilty.

“Of course he is. Now get dressed. The limo is downstairs. We can’t keep the priest waiting.” She put her hands on her hips and waited until we shot into action.

“Have you seen Maggie?” Gabe buttoned his shirt.

“Yes, and she’s dressed. Best not keep her waiting.” Evelyn took his face in her hands, mushed his cheeks until his lips pushed out, and then slapped him gently. “So handsome. Just like your father.”

Five minutes later, we piled into the limo and headed for the church. Leo and Dante stared out the window. Marco fumbled with his phone. Gabe bowed his head and appeared to pray, but I sat back and enjoyed the show.

---