Page 106 of LOT 62

He hung it back on the rack. “What does one wear to marry a dipshit Kane under a dead tree?”

I had no idea. We decided to just dress clean—literally clean, like laundered and shit—but otherwise, we hadn’t nailed anything down more than that. I just knew I wasn’t a suit guy. The one and only time I’d worn one was for Maddox’s trial, and I didn’t want to relive that again. I walked down the aisle of the thrift shop, looking for anything that stood out. Something that felt right.

“Xavi said that Madd talked you into going through with this even if Dad was still out there?” Nate asked.

“Yeah, he said we shouldn’t wait because life is short. He’s starting to sound like a philosopher, and I don’t appreciate it, but he has a point. I wanna marry him, so there’s no point in putting it off. I’m marrying that asshole in nine days.”

“Good,” Nate said. “What do you want as a wedding gift?”

“Privacy.”

Nate smirked, but didn’t push the subject. “What about this?” Nate held up one of those t-shirts that looked like a tux.

“No.”

“What’s Madd wearing?”

“No idea. He won’t tell me anything. Won’t let me see his vows.” Which pissed me off because I was still struggling with mine.

“They’re supposed to be a surprise,” Nate said. “Oh, fuck! This one.” He held up a t-shirt.

“That’s the one.” I nodded at it, knowing it felt right. “It’s perfect.” I’d have to hide it from Maddox. Knowing him, he’d find it, wait until I washed it, and then steal it for himself like he did with all my other clean laundry.

I paid for the shirt, bought a pair of previously owned jeans, and called it a day on wedding clothes shopping. Done. Sorted. Over with. We walked down to the docks to grab a cheap lunch.

“You think Mom will be able to come to the wedding?” I asked. “Half the time I don’t think she knows who I am.”

“She knows. She just doesn’t know what to do about it.” He shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to see how she is that day.”

“It’s been a long time since she had a lucid day, eh? She used to get them every now and then, but it’s been, what, months?”

Drugs and mental abuse put her where she is, and early-onset dementia didn’t help. She’d been like this for a few years, but it kept getting worse. I’d always be grateful to my mom because she sacrificed her own health in order to take the brunt of Dad’s wrath, protecting us from having to deal with it. She did what she could to help us, and now it was our turn to do what we could to help her. We were trying.

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of ya, Dev.” He smiled at me, getting all sentimental. “You’re a lucky bastard to have what you guys have.”

I debated mentioning the soulmate thing, but I kept it to myself, not wanting to be made fun of again. I put my arms on top of the rickety picnic table and smiled. “I know. Maddox is an asshole with a god complex and too much attitude, but he’s mine.” I picked at my fries. “What about this girl you and Xavi are both with?”

Nate shrugged. “I dunno. That shit’s still up in the air, and I don’t think either of us is the serious type to actually think it through.”

“Shit still good between you and Xav?”

“Oh, fuck yeah. We haven’t crossed any lines.” He left out theyet. “But I’ll tell you if we do.” He smirked.

“If? You’re actually thinking about it?”

“I’m not really the type to think things through, man. Shit just happens when it happens, and I’m telling you it hasn’t happened. That’s all.”

I shook my head at him. “Be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Give our friendship some credit. We lived through the worst of you and Madd, and we’re stronger than ever. Stop worrying about my Kane and worry about your own. Madd is going to kick your ass when he sees what you’re wearing to your wedding.”

Probably, but the thrill of it excited me. A fight on our wedding day? Didn’t seem unlikely.

“Oh, also,” Nate said, reaching into his pocket. “I got the keys for you.”

I grinned, taking the keyring from him. “Thanks.”

I had plans. Plans to hold Maddox to his promise. One night of submission at the gravel pit. Most people got engagement photos and had engagement parties. Maddox and I were going to have engagement kinks.

---