Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Maximillian
I stand at the edge of the dining area, my eyes wandering over the familiar faces gathered to celebrate Liam and Audrey’s big day. The glow of string lights casts a warm ambiance over the seaside venue, softening the hum of conversation and clinking glasses. As I take in the scene, I can’t help but feel a mix of happiness for my sister and best friend, and a twinge of something else I can’t quite name.
“Are you hiding?” Liam claps me on the shoulder, his grin wide and infectious. “I was wondering where groomsman number two had run off to.”
I narrow my eyes at him, pretending to be annoyed. “You could’ve chosen one best man, you know. Giving Cal, Eth, and me numbers is plain stupid.”
“Hey, Lily and Ethan instituted that during their wedding. It worked then, and it’ll work for everybody else’s weddings.” Liam chuckles.
A laugh escapes me despite myself. He’s crazy if he thinks Cal or I will be following in his footsteps. “The string of weddings is over.”
He pats my shoulder. “Sure, let’s go with that. Now come back inside, it’s time for the toasts. I hope you prepared something.”
“Oh, I have a lot to say. So many stories to embarrass you . . . but not enough that my sister will drop your ass, don’t you worry.”
We walk back into the private room where the rehearsal dinner is set up. My eyes inadvertently seek out Zoe in the crowd, drawn like a magnet. She’s radiant under the twinkling lights, her melodic laughter carrying over the din as she chats with Audrey and her bridesmaids. My heart does a little flip in my chest.
Liam follows my gaze, his brows lifting. “Your sister already warned you—she’s off-limits.”
“Who?” I feign ignorance, hating that my sister tells him everything. I liked it better when she thought he was just one of my annoying best friends.
“Zoe, obviously. Ethan is married to her sister, which makes her part of our group. She’s family now, so just keep your paws to yourself, okay?” he warns me.
“Not interested whatsoever,” I lie, tearing my gaze away from Zoe and surveying the dining area once more.
Just focus on the wedding, McCallister, I tell myself. And it’s easier said than done. The venue is breathtaking, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the ocean. The gentle crash of waves against the shore provides a soothing backdrop to the clinking of glasses and the hum of cheerful conversation.
The tables are adorned with elegant centerpieces—delicate seashells and sand dollars nestled among sprigs of beach grass, with tea lights flickering in glass hurricanes. The attention to detail is impressive. Who knew my sister had such impeccable taste? She obviously put a lot of thought into this moment, even if it won’t last long—unlike her marriage, which will hopefully be forever. Is that even worth it though? Being with just one person for the rest of your life?
My eyes glance toward Zoe, but just as fast as our gazes cross, I move away and shake off the thoughts. I grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Tonight isn’t about me. It’s about Liam and Audrey and the love they share. And as one of the groomsmen, it’s my job to make sure everything goes off without a hitch—including not sleeping with the only single bridesmaid.
Does that include Zoe?
I take a deep breath, reminding myself to focus on celebrating Liam and Audrey’s love rather than my own frustrations. Still, the knowledge that Zoe is here, single and seemingly unattainable, lingers in the back of my mind.
I take a sip of champagne, the bubbles dancing on my tongue as I watch Zoe laugh at something one of the bridesmaids said. She looks stunning tonight, hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes sparkling in the warm glow of the string lights. I catch myself staring and quickly look away, my gaze landing on Liam instead.
He’s beaming, his arm wrapped around Audrey’s waist as they make their rounds, accepting congratulations and well-wishes from everyone in attendance. They look so happy and so in love. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted for my little sister, and who better than my best friend to love and protect her.
The sound of silverware clinking against glass fills the air, and a hush falls over the room. Audrey catches my eye, giving me a little nod. “You’re up first, Maxie,” she says with a smile.
Fine, I guess it’s time for the toasts, and even though I’m groomsman number two, I’m up first. I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. All eyes are on me, expectant, waiting.
I clear my throat, raising my glass. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Max, one of Liam’s best friends and Audrey’s?—”
“Everyone here knows who you are, asshole,” Caleb interrupts me. “Are you recycling the speech from Ethan’s wedding? Dude, if you can’t remember how to string a few sentences together, you should’ve hired someone else to write you a new one, cheapskate.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I flip him the finger with my free hand.
“Language, Maximillian McCallister,” Mom chides me.
I flinch, mouthing, “Sorry , Mom. ”
“Children, don’t start, or you won’t get dessert,” Audrey jokes, grinning.
“Can you just bore us so I can go next?” Cal says. “I’ve got a really good one.”
I roll my eyes and clear my throat. “As I was saying, standing here tonight, I’m feeling a lot of things. Pride, joy, a little bit of disbelief that my baby sister is actually getting married.”
“And thank fuck for that. It’s the little sis going to the slaughterhouse and not us,” Jacob jokes.
A ripple of laughter runs through the crowd, and I feel myself starting to relax, falling into the familiar rhythm of the toast I’ve practiced a dozen times.
“But most of all, I’m feeling grateful. Grateful to be here, sharing this moment with two of the most important people in my life. Liam, you’ve been my partner in crime since we were kids, always there to get me into trouble and then back out of it again. And Audrey, you’ve been my little shadow, my confidante, and the one who saved me from being grounded when we were kids, even when I didn’t deserve it.”
I pause, swallowing past the sudden lump in my throat. “Seeing the two of you together, it’s clear that you bring out the best in each other. Liam, you give Audrey a sense of adventure and spontaneity, and Audrey, you make him happy in a way I’ve never seen before. The way you love each other is unique and so perfect.”
I raise my glass higher, my voice ringing out clear and strong. “So let’s raise a glass to Liam and Audrey. May your love be as endless as the ocean, as bright as the stars, and as unshakeable as the bond between siblings. Cheers.” As the room erupts into applause, I catch Audrey’s eye, seeing the tears shining there. She mouths a silent Thank you , and I feel a surge of love and pride so strong it nearly takes my breath away.
But even as I bask in the glow of the moment, I can’t help but feel a flicker of something else, something darker and more complicated, stirring beneath the surface. As happy as I am for Liam and Audrey, a very tiny part of me that I barely acknowledge wonders if I’ll ever find someone to love the way Liam loves my sister. If I’ll ever be the one standing at the altar, looking into the eyes of someone who loves me completely and unreservedly.
As the applause dies down, Liam’s father takes the mic. He clears his throat, emotion already thick in his voice.
I tune him out as I look around the room and spot Zoe, who somehow looks sad. Caleb elbows me. “Dude, stop gawking at her.”
“I’m not,” I lie and force myself to pay attention to Liam’s dad.
“. . . And now, seeing them here, surrounded by so much love and support, I know that they’ve found something truly rare and beautiful. ”
The room hums with agreement.
Next, Audrey’s best friend from work, Mia, takes the stage. Her voice trembles, but her smile is radiant. “Here’s to you, to the love that you’ve found, and to the beautiful life that you’re going to build together.”
As the toasts continue, each one more heartfelt or corny than the last, I find myself growing increasingly bored and annoyed. It feels like an endless parade of Oscar speeches.
As the evening wears on, as the laughter grows louder and the drinks flow more freely, I feel a darkness inside me grow, expanding and contracting like a living thing—Until finally, I can’t take it anymore.
I push back from the table, mumbling some excuse about needing air, and stumble out into the night. The cool breeze feels like a slap against my flushed skin, and I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to steady myself.
On the balcony, I find Zoe quietly looking out at the ocean, her figure silhouetted against by moonlit waves. I approach her slowly, the sound of the crashing waves providing a soothing backdrop to the turmoil inside me.