Forever - Chapter 19 #2
“Tanner already knew too?” Rob asked. “Seriously, what the fuck?”
Tanner held up his hands. “I just guessed.”
“Good.” Rob turned his attention back to me and glared. “Dude, is Nigel your best man?”
Definitely not.
“Yes,” Nigel said.
I ignored him. “That’s actually the other reason I invited you all over here. The game doesn’t start for another half hour. So I figured we could start the night with a different game. A little best man competition.”
“A best man competition?” Nigel asked. “Whatever for? I’m the best man in the room.”
“Maybe,” I said. “We’ll know soon. After a series of challenges.”
“Not a chance in hell, Nigel,” Rob said. “ I’m the best man.”
Tanner laughed. “You young silly boy, Robert. I’m the best man. Right, Matt?”
“I’m not a silly boy!” Rob yelled.
“I told you this was ridiculous,” Brooklyn whispered to me. “Super ridiculous.”
“But fun,” I said.
She laughed and shook her head.
“Okay, to start,” I said and rubbed my hands together. “Tell me why each of you should be my best man.”
“I’ll go first,” Tanner said. “I got the two of you back together. I did that.” He tapped his chest. “And who’s the one that’s been hanging out with you the most these past few years while all these guys have been married?”
James laughed. “He has a point.”
“And Brooklyn and I are very close too. Right, Brooklyn?”
Brooklyn smiled. “Yes. But I’m staying out of this competition.” She held up her hands.
“We’re all close with Brooklyn,” Rob said.
“You call her by a last name that she hasn’t had in years,” Tanner said. “You know the old her. Not the new her.”
“Sanders is a term of endearment. And I’ll keep calling her that even after she’s a Caldwell. Because that’s our thing. Right, hot stuff?” Rob turned back to her.
Brooklyn held up her hands again.
“Okay,” Tanner said. “One final point. I’m Matt’s best friend.”
“Son of a bitch,” Rob said under his breath. “False. My turn. I’m Matt’s best friend. I know literally everything about him. And I’ve known him much longer than that creep over there.”
“I’m also a kind person,” Tanner said.
“False,” Rob said again. “You’re a liar who prances around town in weird suits and elf shoes!”
“It’s not nice to call people weird, Young Robert. Stop being a fascist.”
“Yes, don’t be a Wizzy,” Nigel said.
“I’m nothing like Isabella and I’m definitely not a fascist,” Rob said.
He shook his head like that insult truly offended him.
And then he shuddered. “Back to my point. It’s always been us, Matt.
The four of us really.” Rob smiled. “And it’ll always be us.
” He shrugged. “I love you man. You know that. And nothing will ever change that.”
Brooklyn put her arm around my back.
Yeah, I’d felt that straight to the heart too.
Mason cleared his throat. “What Rob said. Minus being a fascist.”
Rob groaned.
“Also, I’m your brother,” Mason said.
“We’re all brothers,” Rob said. “We always have been.”
Mason ignored him. “And you already asked me to be your best man the first time the two of you were engaged.”
“Because we were feuding,” Rob said. “That hardly counts. You were his last resort.”
Tanner laughed. “Ah, see? Just because you’ve known Matt longer doesn’t mean you were a good friend to him that whole time.”
“Matt kissed my brother’s girlfriend. What was I supposed to do? High five him?”
“See,” Mason said. “Rob’s just admitted that he doesn’t think of you as a brother.”
“I didn’t…” Rob’s voice trailed off. “You tricked me.”
“I think you should pick whoever you want to pick,” James said. “And we’ll all be happy with that decision.”
“Unless it’s not me,” Rob said. “And stop sucking up to him.”
James shook his head. “I’m not sucking up to him. We both know that I’m not Matt’s best man.” He pressed his lips together. “I wasn’t always there when you needed me. And I’m sorry for that.”
I shook my head. “You tried. Actually, you tried more than anyone else. I knew you’d be there if I needed you.”
James lowered his eyebrows. He never took a compliment well.
Brooklyn held on to me a little tighter.
I cleared my throat and turned to Felix. “What about you?” I said, knowing he’d say something funny.
“I don’t think I’m a part of this,” Felix said with a laugh.
I shrugged.
“Um…well…we’re friends. But I’ve kissed Brooklyn so I’m pretty sure that means I’m out of the running.”
“A million years ago,” I said. “Besides, the past is in the past.”
“Exactly,” Rob said. “The past is in the past. Not that you stand a chance here, Felix. No offense. I doubt you’re even in the wedding party. But back to the past thing. Tanner and Nigel don’t even have a past with you.”
Mason set his glass down. “I would also like to add the point that neither James nor Rob asked you to be the best man at their weddings. But you were mine at my wedding.”
That was definitely the best point that had been made.
“I only asked James out of obligation,” Rob said. “Because he asked me to be his.”
James laughed. “Really, man?”
“No,” Rob whispered. “But I’m trying to win here. Be cool.”
Nigel cleared his throat. “My turn. I should be the best man because I love you the most. I’m your manny and your security detail.
I’m always at your beck and call. I’m your bath butler.
I’m your wardrobe stylist. I pack your meaty lunches.
I’m your waterboy. We go on top secret missions together.
I got you out of that mess with Poppy. I saved the day with a hand grenade.
I’m your muse. I’m your office assistant.
Brooklyn loves me like one of her own children.
I’m Jacob’s best friend. And I will do anything for you. Anything .” He smiled up at me.
A lot of that was true. Well, at least some of it. Huh.
Rob sighed. “Dude, I’m your best friend. Just tell Tanner and everyone else and let’s get this thing going. The wedding is in less than a month. We have things to plan.”
“Exactly. That’s the next part of the best man competition. If you were the best man, what would you plan for my bachelor party?”
Brooklyn laughed. “And with that, do you ladies want to go in the family room with me? I don’t think we need to hear about what horrible things they’re planning to do.”
“As fun as whatever this is, yes,” Bee said with a laugh. “It’s a little weird watching all these grown men kissing Matt’s ass.”
Daphne laughed and linked her arm through Brooklyn’s. “Well, if they plan anything like what they did for my bachelorette party, you’re in for a real treat.”