Chapter 17 Huntley
HUNTLEY
There are stories in the world about people struggling to find dates to weddings, and honestly, the entire concept has baffled me. Is it really so bad going to weddings without a date? Is it worth going with a stranger just to give the impression that you can find a date?
I mean, they’re a damn stranger. That’ll be obvious when the first person talks to the two of you. It just seems stupid.
Then there’s the storyline about meeting the family of your partner for the first time at a wedding. That’s the plot point in my story right now as I sit in the front seat of Oxley’s truck, fingers fumbling in my lap as I stare out the window.
I’m meeting the Van Dorens. All of them. At one time.
On the one hand, this isn’t our wedding, so their attention will hopefully be more on the couple getting married than on me. Our meeting should just be in passing, right?
Glancing down at my leg, I wonder how ‘in passing’ it’ll be. I brought a crutch, just in case I need a break from walking on my leg. I’m hoping I don’t need to use it and that I can hobble around for the afternoon without it. But that’s going to be a question for anyone who sees me walk.
I was the guy shot in Anaheim a couple months ago.
As fun as it is talking about being shot and the recovery, I dread having to repeat it over and over again.
Maybe I should wear a sign around my neck with all the anticipated answers and I can point at the relevant one whenever I get asked a question.
My eyes flicker to Oxley, and my heart races for a second.
He killed the man who shot me. We haven’t talked about it outside of him telling me that the man is dead and he didn’t end up killing him.
His colleague did. It was slow, painful, and the man deserved to die for so many more reasons than just the shooting that day.
Part of me wants to know who the man was, but another, louder part doesn’t want to know. It’s not important. What’s important is that he’s dead and can’t hurt anyone else again.
Oxley’s hand on my leg makes me jump. “Are you nervous?” he asks.
“Very.”
He nods.
“You’re not?”
Oxley glances at me. “Why would I be nervous to see my family?”
“You’re bringing a date that they haven’t met before.”
He smiles, and my heart flutters. His grip on my leg tightens a little before resting there softly. “I’m not concerned. This is my brother’s day.”
At least he agrees that everyone’s attention will be on the couple getting married.
“It’s your younger brother?”
“My youngest,” he says. “The brother younger than Kairo. They’re nonbinary, so they prefer they/them if you can remember that, though Noaz isn’t particularly bothered by any gender pronoun.
They embody all of them and have been known to use different pronouns when referring to themselves on any given day. ”
“They/them,” I repeat. “Cool. And the person they’re marrying?”
Oxley shakes his head. “I know his name is Briar, and he’s my youngest nephew’s husband’s best friend. That’s all I know.”
“Oh, that’s really cool.”
“It is. They moved back to the Estate a couple of weeks ago, and I guess all of Loren’s husband’s best friends accompanied them.
So it’s my brother Jalon and his six sons—Myro, Voss, Imry, Avory, Ellory, and Loren—and Loren’s husband’s friends.
His husband’s name is Oakley. I’ve met a couple of friends, but… I only remember Briar right now.”
“He has all boys.”
“Yes. And he also has only brothers. It’s funny that we don’t have any straight couples right now in the last two generations here. Wait… I remember another friend. Jessica. She’s with Myro. Okay, so one straight couple.”
“That is funny. I like it.”
Oxley slows down, and we turn onto a dark paved road lined with tall, mature trees that make a canopy over the road. I only determine it’s a driveway when we drive under an arch that reads Van Doren.
I stare straight ahead as we approach. It’s a tunnel of trees with sunlight peeking through the cracks.
The first thing I see is a bit of light stone.
Then water. As we get closer, I realize it’s a fountain.
When we break free of the trees, we’re following a more intimate driveway lined with tall, green shrubs that leads to a massive house beyond the fountain.
“Holy fuck,” I mutter. “This is… what, exactly?”
“Van Doren Estate. I’ll give you a tour after the wedding.”
“Are we staying in that house?”
“Nope. We can if you want to, but I planned for us to stay in my house.”
“Your house?”
Oxley smiles. “Yes. I have a house in the trees.”
I don’t get a chance to ask more questions as he turns his truck through a hidden opening in the tall shrubs, following a path that leads around the side of the enormous house.
I’m further surprised when the road we’re following descends under the big house into a damn parking garage. What the hell is this place?!
“I have no words,” I say as he drives along the lines of parked cars until he finds an empty spot.
“There are a lot of employees,” Oxley says. “And during holidays, the whole Van Doren family gathers here. We needed parking, so Jalon made it happen without taking away from the aesthetic.”
I shake my head.
There are people walking as we get out of the truck. I’m thankful to be able to stand again. Sitting for long periods is just as uncomfortable as standing for long periods. Different kinds of pressure on my leg; different kinds of aches.
“You want to bring your crutch?” Oxley asks.
I chew the inside of my lip. “How far do we have to walk to get to the ceremony?”
“Just out of the parking garage. There will be a shuttle to take us.”
Of course, there is. “No. Let’s leave it here for now.”
He nods. His arm wraps around my waist, and we follow the others as they make their way to the stairs. I didn’t think of the stairs. Maybe I should get my crutch after all.
Another vehicle pulls in, and Oxley pulls me to the side. He raises his hand in greeting, and we wait there while the SUV parks. Minutes later, two men climb out. “That’s my brother,” Oxley says.
It’s not difficult to determine which brother. It’s not Jalon. The world knows what Jalon looks like. I’ve met Kairo. I can’t imagine it’s Noaz since he—they’re—likely here somewhere and getting ready for their wedding. That means this is Arath.
He looks remarkably like Oxley. Same build, though Arath might be a little… bulkier? Is that the right word? They’re the same height, with the same hair and eyes. Oxley wears glasses, and Arath doesn’t. Oxley reminds me of a university professor, whereas Arath looks like a CEO.
Arath hugs Oxley and exchanges some brotherly affection. Then, he takes a step backward. His eyes move to mine, and I wonder if Oxley even said he was bringing me.
“This is Elgin,” Arath greets. “My brother, Oxley.”
Elgin smiles and offers his hand. Oxley accepts it first, and then I shake it as Oxley introduces me. “My boyfriend, Huntley. This is my brother, Arath.”
“Or Ara,” Arath says. “Not many people call me by my full name. Oxley likes full names, though.”
“I’ve figured that out. He corrects me almost every single time I use Ox.”
Oxley presses his lips together but doesn’t comment. Arath chuckles. “I know what that’s like.”
Arath and Elgin accompany us to the exit, and I’m happy to see there’s an elevator. No climbing stairs for me. I don’t miss either Arath or Elgin watching me walk.
“I was shot recently,” I volunteer.
Arath nods, unsurprised. Though Elgin’s mouth opens in shock.
“I’m glad you’re walking again,” Arath says.
“You knew?”
“Of course. Oxley is rather private, but he vanished from work, so it didn’t take me long to investigate why.”
Oxley shrugs one shoulder. Meanwhile, I wince. “Sorry.”
“You’re apologizing for being shot?” Elgin asks.
“No…”
Arath rests his hand on my shoulder, smiling. “Don’t apologize.” He leans in closer as if he’s going to tell me a secret. “My brother doesn’t keep close company, so trust me when I tell you how excited we all are to meet the person who has finally captured Ox’s attention.”
“Oxley,” Oxley corrects.
Arath and I share a grin. My heart races, and I lean into Oxley’s side as Arath stands straight again. He takes Elgin’s hand, and our eyes remain locked for a few short seconds until the elevator door opens. Like we’re sharing a secret.
The shuttle is waiting just outside, and we climb in. Kairo is approaching as we climb in. I narrow my eyes, though he pretends he doesn’t see me.
“I hear you met Kairo,” Arath says.
“Yes. He also met my crutches.”
He laughs. “Very good, Huntley. The best way to introduce yourself to our black sheep of a brother is with a very loud statement that clearly sets boundaries. You figured that out quickly.”
I have a lot to say about Kairo, but I keep those thoughts to myself as he climbs into the shuttle.
Arath and Oxley spend the short ride introducing everyone in the shuttle to me and Elgin.
I don’t know who this Elgin guy is, but I’m relieved that I’m not the only one meeting the entire Van Doren family for the first time today.
We find our seats near the front and mingle with those surrounding us. There are so many names that I don’t catch most of them, never mind the relation to either groom.
By the time we’re seated, I feel a little overwhelmed with how many people I’ve talked to in the last half an hour, but I also feel…
good. When meeting a large group of people who largely know each other, it’s easy to feel out of place.
Like you don’t belong. I haven’t been made to feel that way once.
Oxley takes my hand, and we watch as the officiant and the grooms’ parties take their place. One of the guys has me staring. I tilt my head as I try to figure out why I know him.
Leaning into Oxley, I whisper, “Who is that guy? Do you know?”
“Haze,” he answers. “I met him last Thanksgiving. He’s one of Briar and Oakley’s friends.”
“Haze Prosser.”
He looks at me. “Yes. Do you know him?”
“He’s Oren’s brother. Remember my friend… last year with the car bombs and his asshole father?”
“Ah. Yes. I should have put that together when you told me about your connection with Oren.” He nods at the man who just joined them. “That’s Briar. Do you know him?”
I shake my head.
The music changes, and everyone shifts to look. Honestly, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen comes walking down the aisle covered in lace.
“That’s my brother, Noaz,” Oxley murmurs in my ear. “Beautiful, right?”
I swallow, nodding. It’s not often that someone can take my breath away simply by existing. But Noaz is radiant.
“I hope I can take everyone’s breath away like that on my wedding day,” I whisper.
Oxley’s arm wraps around my stomach. “You will. And I’ll be just as riveted as Briar is looking at Noaz.”
His words make me look at Briar, and sure enough, I’m pretty sure no one else exists right now. Briar and Noaz stare at each other and see no one and nothing else. I swear, I can feel their love as the distance between them closes.
Then Oxley’s words register, and I twist to meet his eyes. He smiles.
Yeah. I can see myself marrying this man. The beginning of forever happened the day I was shot, and sitting here at Oxley’s brother’s wedding, I think I’ve just seen a glimpse into that happily ever after.
I can’t wait.