Chapter Six
“Nick. Nick.”
Someone was calling his name, and a phone was ringing. Then a hand squeezed his shoulder.
Nick struggled to open his eyes. Zach stood beside the bed, holding out his phone. “It’s your dad.”
Okay, that woke him up in a hurry.
Nick grabbed the phone and stabbed the Answer button, trying not to look at Zach in his briefs. “Dad, what’s up?” Zach climbed back into his bed and pulled the sheets over him.
Dad’s wry chuckle filled his ears. “I woke you up, didn’t I?”
Nick peered at the screen. “It’s seven o’clock.”
“And your point is? This is my wedding day, and it’s gonna go perfectly, or else. I take it you haven’t looked out the window yet.”
Uh-oh. Nick threw back the sheets, crossed the floor to the window, and opened the curtains.
It wasn’t light yet, but Nick could see enough. Everywhere was white, and snow was falling heavily. The winds had picked up since the previous day. Trees were swaying—what Nick could see of them, as visibility was poor—and no cars moved in the street below.
“What do the reports say?”
“It’s official. The storm is heading up the entire coastline.
They’re predicting ten to twenty inches of snow, and winds of over fifty miles per hour.
As soon as the courthouse opens, I’m calling them.
Then I’ll call the restaurant. So far, no one’s declared a snow emergency yet, but I’ve got a feeling that’s only a matter of time.
You two wanna meet Becky and me for breakfast? We can come up with an action plan.”
Nick laughed. “You are not kidnapping the judge, okay?” He glanced across at Zach. “Hey, sleepyhead. Breakfast with the parents.”
Zach nodded, yawning. He sat up in bed, stretching his arms high above his head, and Nick took a moment to admire the lines of his body.
Definitely a swimmer. All Nick longed to do was lick a path from Zach’s collarbones, down his abs, to his furry belly. The rest of him lay hidden beneath the sheets. Does he have morning wood? Nick hadn’t been awake enough to notice.
Dad coughed. “You still there?”
Back to reality.
“Give us time to shower, and we’ll join you downstairs.” Nick sighed. “I’m sure a December wedding sounded romantic back in August, but…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. But who knew? See you in the restaurant.” Dad disconnected.
“What was that about kidnapping the judge?” Zach ran his fingers through his hair, and Nick couldn’t tear his gaze away.
“The weather’s closed in. Only a matter of time before the town shuts everything down. Dad’s checking on the venues.” Nick inclined his head toward the bathroom. “You can take the first shower.”
Zach smiled. “Thanks. I won’t be long.” He swung his long legs over the side of the bed, and Nick got a glimpse of a definite bulge in Zach’s white briefs before Zach headed for the bathroom. Damn. That was one firm-looking ass too.
Nick sat on the bed, leaning against the pillows, watching as steam puffed through the open door. I could take a peek. I could say I needed to pee. He hadn’t gotten a good peek the previous night, Zach dove beneath the sheets so fast.
Stop that. Because what if he catches you? Perving on your soon-to-be-stepbrother? How the fuck would I explain that?
The water stopped, and Nick blinked. He wasn’t kidding.
“Are you going downstairs in your suit?” Zach called out.
“Nah, I’ll wear my jeans. The wedding’s not till this afternoon. I’ll change after lunch.”
Zach walked out of the bathroom, his hair damp and tousled, a towel wrapped around his slim hips, providing a tantalizing view of lean muscle and toned arms. “All yours.”
God, I wish.
Nick hurried into the bathroom. He set the shower running, then realized he’d left his bodywash in his bag. He went back into the bedroom, just as Zach removed his towel to dry his hair some more.
Holy fuck. That was one pretty cock. One very pretty, long, slim cock.
Nick averted his gaze and made a beeline for his bag. “Sorry,” he murmured as he grabbed the bottle and dashed back into the steamy room. He closed the door, his heart rate climbing. As he got into the tub and pulled across the shower curtain, one thought occupied him.
Nick wanted to sit on that dick.
As soon as Zach caught sight of his mom’s expression, he knew something was up. Lee’s furrowed brow told a similar story.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded as he and Nick joined them at their table.
“Change of plan, boys.” Lee sighed heavily. “The courthouse has moved the wedding forward, from two till eleven. They’re worried about the storm front.”
“But the wedding’s still happening, right?” Nick gave them an inquiring glance. When Lee nodded, Nick straightened. “Okay. Do you have a list of the guests and their phone numbers?”
“Sure.” Lee frowned. “But—”
“Zach and I will call everyone, and let them know about the change. Won’t we?” Nick met Zach’s gaze with a confident air.
Zach smiled. “Of course. Don’t worry about that. We’ll make sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be, and on time. You just concentrate on turning up at the courthouse, looking awesome.”
Lee opened his mouth to speak, but Nick got in first. “This is what the best man does, right? Now, what about the restaurant? What’s it called?”
“Platform One. We’ve got a room upstairs booked.”
Another confident nod. “Okay. I’ll call them. All you two have to do is get yourselves ready. Zach and I will deal with the venues.”
Lee’s eyes were soft. “Thanks, son.” He shook his head. “I thought I had everything in hand, until I saw how bad it is out there.”
“How far is the courthouse from here?” Nick asked. “Is it within walking distance? Because going there by car might be out of the equation.”
“It’s a block away,” Mom told him. “The hotel manager said the city is already sending people out to clear the sidewalks and roads as best they can.”
“I’m sure your guests would be okay with walking one measly block,” Nick remarked. “So what if they get snowed on? They’d get that walking to their cars.”
“Is the restaurant nearby too?” When Mom nodded, Zach gave her a hopefully reassuring smile.
“It’s all going to work out, Mom. Don’t worry.
” He liked the way Nick had taken charge.
Maybe that’s why he’s so good at his job.
Despite his dislike for the way Nick had treated him at work, Zach had to admit Nick had accomplished his task.
Even Zach could see the difference. Schedules were tighter, deadlines adhered to, and wasteful practices had been all but eliminated.
Maybe Nick isn’t such a hardass. He hasn’t asked us to achieve the impossible, only to make things run more efficiently.
Nick nudged him. “I asked if you wanted coffee.” He held the pot in one hand.
Zach chuckled. “Yeah, I think we’re going to need it today.”
“Yup. We’re the Dream Team—the best man and the—I know you’re giving the bride away, but I don’t think there’s a name for that.”
Mom smiled. “If Lee can have a best man, so can I.”
Nick grinned. “Then we’re the Best Men.” He poured coffee into Zach’s cup. “Drink up, fellow Best Man. We’ve got work to do.”
Zach laughed. “Yes, sir.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Wow. Well, better late than never.”
In the end, it had taken three things to alter Zach’s impression of Nick—books, swimming, and that look in his eyes the previous night when he’d said Mom reminded him of his mom. Zach’s appreciation of Nick’s physical attributes had always been there, but now he saw Nick in a different light.
He’s an okay guy.
Scrap that. He was a gorgeous guy, and dammit, why did he have to be straight?
Zach peered through the glass door of the courthouse, watching for Nick’s car.
So much for walking. In the time between breakfast and leaving for the courthouse, the weather had closed in. Ten or so of the guests had opted to walk, but the rest had taken their cars. Nick had dropped Zach off first, to get everyone settled, then he’d gone back for Mom and Lee.
The guests were all inside, seated on wooden chairs, and the judge stood at the far end of the room, in front of a long table with a large arrangement of flowers at its center. Outside, the snow was coming down even heavier, and the winds gusted stronger than ever.
If they got through the day without another hitch, it would be a miracle.
Nick’s black 4X4 pulled up outside, and Zach heaved a sigh of relief. He dashed outside, holding the umbrella loaned to him by the clerk, and went over to shelter his mom from the snow and wind.
She laughed as she got out of the car. “Nick had the right idea. I dread to think what I’d have looked like if I’d trudged through the snow to get here.”
Zach held the umbrella over her head. “You look beautiful.” She wore a dress suit in a pale lilac, with a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers.
White gloves covered her hands, and she wore a simple gold cross around her neck.
Zach’s throat tightened when he saw it. Dad had given it to her on their wedding day, and Lee had insisted she wore it.
Lee came around from the other side of the car, looking very smart in a dark blue suit. “Is everyone here?”
Zach nodded. “We’re all waiting on you two.” He flashed Nick a grin. “How was the trip?” Damn. Nick in a suit was one mighty delicious sight.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Fine, all one block of it. Mind you, we had to go slow.” He glanced into the street.
“Getting back might be more problematic. Then we have to wait around at the hotel until six o’clock for the meal.
” He shivered. “Let’s get them inside. I’ll leave the car here. It’s not a long ceremony, right?”
Lee chuckled. “It’ll be over in a heartbeat, but I’ll be doing my best to burn every second of it into my memory.”
Zach led them into the building, just as Nick’s phone burst into life. They waited while Nick took the call.
One glance at Nick’s face made Zach’s stomach clench. Uh-oh.
“I see… Well, of course… Yes, I understand… Yes, I’ll tell them…
You’re sure it’s still going to be… Okay.
We’ll see you then.” He disconnected with a sigh.
“That was the restaurant. Before you start panicking, yes, they’re still doing the meal, but they’ve got a problem.
They’re short-staffed, due to the weather.
So they’ve asked us to change the meal from dinner to lunch, and they’ll have everything ready for twelve o’clock.
They think they’ll have enough servers to cope. ”
“And if they don’t?” Lee’s brow wrinkled.
Nick patted his arm. “Let’s get the wedding over with first? We’ll deal with everything else later.” He indicated the chamber where the guests waited. “Come on, bridegroom. We need to be in there first.” He gave Mom a warm smile, before leading Lee through the doors.
Mom took a deep breath. “This definitely isn’t how I pictured this day going, but I guess we have to make the best of it.”
Zach held out his arm, and she snaked her hand through it. “The important thing is, you’re about to marry the man you love. Nothing else matters. Okay?”
She nodded. “Okay. Let’s get in there.”
Zach pushed the doors open and led her into the chamber, where Lee and Nick stood before the judge, watching them as they approached. Lee’s eyes shone, and he smiled as Mom drew closer. They faced the judge, and Zach loved how they held hands.
Nick caught his gaze and smiled.
Mission accomplished.
Lee was right about one thing—by the time the judge declared them to be husband and wife, and introduced them to the assembled guests as Mr. and Mrs. Brent, it seemed like no time at all had passed.
Whoops and cheers accompanied his words, along with shouts of “Congratulations!” Lee took a moment to inform the guests about the change in plans, and to give instructions how to get to the restaurant.
Mom hadn’t stopped smiling, and Zach was so freaking happy for her.
Nick came over to stand beside Zach. “One down, one to go. We can relax when the reception is over and everyone is back at the hotel.” He grinned. “Then I might just buy a bottle of champagne and share it with my fellow best man.”
Zach was certain his grin matched Nick’s. “I’m up for that.”
Unwinding with Nick over a glass or two of champagne sounded like the perfect way to hide away from the storm.