Chapter 21 He only has to care a little #2
My breath catches when Max passes our pew with the other groomsmen.
His eyes bounce over me with hardly a second of recognition.
I'm both glad and disappointed. Glad he can't see the confusion in my eyes.
Disappointed he didn't reassure me with his.
The groomsmen head straight down the red-carpeted aisle, moving towards the front of the church.
Along the way, they stop to kiss numerous people on the cheek and share a few words with them in what I can only presume is Italian.
Oh my God. I didn’t even know Max spoke Italian.
The boys don't look Italian... Maybe Butch, but only slightly.
They stand at the front and a conveyor belt of guests come up after them, all requesting kisses and sharing words. Max grins through all of it, his single dimple on show for everyone to fall in love with. I roll my eyes at all the girls touching his arm and leaning in far closer than they need to.
But he seems relaxed. He's wearing a suit jacket now and I can't help but wonder if the harness is underneath or if he's taken it off for the ceremony.
Would they bring guns into a church?
Seats are filling up fast. Beside me, Stacey is approached by older Italian men who kiss her and request a dance at the reception. She's popular with the Family.
As the organ begins to play, we all swivel around to watch the first bridesmaid walk down the aisle.
The rest enter in a timely procession, like models on the runway, all looking beautiful and classy.
When Aurora finally makes her entrance in a full-length 1950's style wedding dress, everyone gasps.
We turn to watch her walk down the aisle.
Clay's face lights up like it's Christmas and New Year’s and his birthday all rolled into one.
Warmth builds in my belly, and I turn my gaze to Max. ..
The ceremony switches back and forth between Italian and English. There is a lot of God speak and a lot of traditional readings, so I suppose Toni was right in saying they're Catholic.
As the ceremony comes to an end and the bridal party leaves, I turn to Flick. "They're the hottest bridal party I've ever seen."
Flick sighs. "They're breeding a supreme race."
I glance down at a chip in my nail polish. "I don't fit in."
"Cassidy, get real. You're more beautiful than any of those girls."
I look up and briefly catch Max's gaze as he passes by.
Then he's gone, having followed Clay and Aurora.
Stacey, Flick, and I are some of the last guests to leave the church. The reception is within walking distance. As we approach the three massive marquees, we are herded towards an opening in the fence line. My mouth drops open when I see the metal detectors at the entrance.
I glance at Flick and mouth, "Oh my God."
Flick's face is tight with concern.
Once we are inside, I feel like Alice in Wonderland. There are fire twirlers, a live band, several grazing stations, a cigar bar, and people playing croquet.
Stacey crosses to the bar. "I need a drink ASAP."
While she strides away, I scan the crowd for the boys, but my eyes shift from one group to another to no avail. I approach Stacey and Flick as they order. Pressing my back to the bar, I look around for Max and his brothers.
Giving up, I sigh and turn to face a young Balinese girl. "Can I please have a mimosa?"
The server smiles. "We are serving Louis Roederer, miss."
"Coolios. Can you please put some OJ in there, terima kasih," I say with little shame.
"That is basically a crime," a masculine voice says from behind me.
"Salvatore!" Stacey hugs a handsome man who looks a lot like the male version of Aurora. "I'm so happy to see you. I need to get drunk."
"Music to my ears," he says, feeding his hands through his slick black hair. "My cousin is on a rampage because they don't have the salmon puffs."
Stacey gasps in mock horror. "Not the salmon puffs!"
He eyes me, his grin lopsided. "Ballerina girl."
"Don't talk to her," Stacey says. "Max will have a heart attack."
"Excuse me?" I falter.
His eyes widen and he beams. "Are you Max's?"
Flick nearly coughs up her drink. "No one owns her."
I hesitate. "Um..."
"I've known Max Butcher my whole life and have never known him to claim territory," he states smugly.
Stacey looks at Salvatore. "Trust me. He has."
I blink at them. "I'm standing right here."
Stacey puts her hand on Salvatore's shoulder. "Salvatore and Max don't really get along."
Salvatore scans my body and grins as if I were a new toy. "Well, I love ruffling Max's feathers. So, ballerina girl—"
I shudder under his gaze. "Um, it's Cassidy."
"Where did my uncle find you? You're amazing." He ogles me. "Nubile. Flexible. I went from six-to-midnight instantly watching you perform. Was it The Doll House? It was at The Doll House, right?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Flick snaps.
My mouth drops open. I wish I didn't know that The Doll House is a strip club in the District, but between Toni and Konnor, the place has been mentioned more than once.
"Salvatore!" Stacey yells. "How much have you had to drink already?"
He shrugs. "It's a compliment. No, seriously, I'm sorry. You were wonderful. And to get Max Butcher to claim turf"—he gazes at my thighs and I'm sure that if his eyes could crawl up my dress they would be—"you must have something very special up your dres—"
"Are you finished?" My eyes narrow on him.
"I'm not a stripper. I'm a professional ballerina.
And what's up my dress would bite you!" Snatching my expensive and criminal mimosa, I head off towards the croquet lawn.
Before I'm out of earshot, I hear Flick and Stacey crack up.
Despite my annoyance with Salvatore, that makes me smile.
Maybe that exchange will loosen them up enough that they can enjoy the wedding.
For a few moments, I just watch the game being played. It looks like fun. Like hockey and golf combined.
"Do you want to play?" a young red-headed girl asks me as I watch from the sideline.
I beam. "So many yeses!" She hands me a mallet and explains the instructions. It takes me a while, but eventually I'm annihilating the other contenders. By the time I finish playing, the sun has dropped below the horizon.
After wandering around the marquees for a while, I finally see my name on a table.
Soon after I sit down, Flick comes up beside me. "Have you seen Max?"
"Nope, but I'm having fun. I've just won at croquet."
She sits down next to me. "You're just like Dad. You're good at everything you try. It's really unfair."
The tables slowly fill. Despite the hour, beads of sweat form on my chest and neck, and I mentally thank Aurora for organising overhead fans in the marquees.
As the waiters begin to serve the evening meal, I glance up at the bridal table and finally get my first glimpse of Max since the ceremony. The sight of him steals my breath away.
He's taken off his jacket and opened the first few buttons of his shirt.
His hair has been messed with as if he's run a hand through it a couple of times.
Smiling, he turns to talk to a man standing beside him.
Though Max is trying to appear casual and carefree, it doesn't hide what he is inside.
It doesn't hide his burdens. They are in his eyes, in his gestures. I can see them.
I stare at him like a lovesick puppy throughout the entire four-course meal, watching as he's attacked by women eager for conversation and kisses. A knot in my belly twists every time anyone gets his attention while I sit here.
As I'm finishing off Stacey's chocolate fondant, Butch stands up to make a speech.
"Having googled a bit about wedding speeches, I've learnt that Jimmy is copping out.
" Everyone laughs as Butch turns to look at Jimmy, an exaggerated mien of expectancy on his face.
"Father of the bride speech?" he goads as Jimmy laughs deep from his belly.
"Alright, I'll do it then. Well, firstly, Aurora, sweetheart, welcome to the family. You're a Butcher now."
Butch relays a few stories about Clay and Aurora sneaking around, but they're all so innocent that if I didn't know any better, I would have presumed they were both from regular upper-class Catholic families.
After Butch finishes his second story, Bronson jumps up and pats his dad on the back. "Okay. Sit down, old man." Smiling, Butch takes a seat as his son turns to face the groom. "So... handsome, enigmatic, infectiously fun." He pauses, his eyes flicking to the crowd. "Yeah, that's enough about me."
After more laughter dies down, Bronson continues, "These things usually start with, 'When I first met Clay... But oh wait, that doesn’t work too well because I was shitting myself when I first met Clay.
So, just like my old man, I googled this and Google says the best man—" He pauses and grins.
His silence is enough to make everyone laugh again.
"Yep. So as the best man, I need a killer opening line.
.. Well, I think I nailed that. Then I need to thank the other speakers.
.. Cheers, Dad. Jimmy, where ya been, mate?
Huh?" Bronson says something in Italian.
Everyone laughs, and Jimmy chuckles and waves his hand.
"I also need to congratulate the couple.
Clay. Aurora. Congratulations! I need to compliment the bride.
Well, Aurora, you look hot. I need to make a joke about the groom, but do I really need to though?
Just look at that head. And finally, I need to propose a toast..
. To lots of sex." He raises his glass and people cheer.
Victoria barely looks up from her wine. "On a more serious note though, Clay, you will leave today with someone to share your life with, a strong, elegant, and insanely beautiful woman.
Aurora, you will be leaving with a great dress and some very overpriced flowers. "