Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
FERN
G atsby got married!
One down, six to go.
I wasn’t sure when my brothers would finally grow up and settle down, but it finally happened. I knew this day would come since Gatz got engaged and Maia’s expecting their baby. However, after the ceremony where Alex, our cousin, was the minister, it’s official.
They’re married.
“Congratulations!” I hug Gatsby and then Maia. “I’m really happy for you two. Welcome to the Spearman family.”
“Thank you,” Maia says, looking around the vineyard, which is decorated with the same flowers and colors as her bouquet—garden roses, ranunculus, lilac, blue thistle, spray roses, cascading jasmine vines, plumosa, and eucalyptus varieties. “For everything.”
And she hasn’t seen the rest.
As the sun sets, the house’s backyard will be illuminated with twinkle lights. The former wedding planner suggested we set them throughout the vineyard. The vines with lights would look gorgeous , she said.
Lysander almost lost his shit when she proposed that—that’s a fire hazard.
Obviously, she had no idea about the history of Paradise Bay Winery or us. Nonetheless, we terminated her contract immediately, and well, I ended up being in charge of this magical day. Lysander, Caspian, and Gatsby helped a lot, but I was the one dealing with the suppliers and last-minute details.
If I ever want to change careers, I can start a business and specialize in last-minute events. They’re more my speed.
Maia hugs me one more time. “You did such an amazing job. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Just name me godmother,” I say, squeezing her hand lightly. I don’t remind her that Caspian and Lysander were involved with some of the details too.
Gatsby laughs. “We’ll just pencil you in on the waiting list.”
I narrow my gaze. “After everything I’ve done for you?”
I did a lot, which included sending Mom on a trip with her friends so she wouldn’t learn about the shotgun wedding until today and avoiding his mother-in-law because if Mom wasn’t going to be part of the planning, neither was Maia’s mother.
Today, when Mom arrived, she almost disowned me. Maia’s mom only glares at me. It’s okay. I’ll take the heat as long as these two are happy and stress-free.
Gatsby puts his arm around my shoulder, giving me a side hug.
“I love you, Sis. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the title, but you don’t need it.
You’ll be the favorite aunt. I know that if needed, you’ll take care of our baby.
Thank you for putting this together, though. It means a lot to us.”
“Anything for you. We’re a team, aren’t we?”
He nods, kissing the top of my head.
Ever since our father died, the triplets and I have been a team. If Aslan asked me to organize his wedding, I’d do it right away. Same with Lysander, not that he plans on getting married—ever.
I… Well…
I don’t know if I’ll ever get to meet the man of my dreams or fall madly in love. Maybe I’m asking for too much—or the impossible.
I want a man that looks at me the way Dad looked at Mom. Lovingly. I want a timeless love, like the one Gatsby has for Maia. I want a passionate relationship like the one Keaton and Aslan have.
Some days, I just want companionship. Sure, I have my brothers to hang out with, but one day they’re all going to find their soulmates, and I’ll just be collecting cats. Not that I have any now.
Maia hands me her beautiful bouquet. “Here.”
Shouldn’t she give it to the maid of honor to take care of it?
What’s next? Helping her go to the bathroom because her dress is…
no, actually her rose-pink dress isn’t puffy or too long.
It’s just as beautiful as her. Well, since it’s her day, I guess she can do whatever she wants. So I say, “I’ll keep it safe.”
She gives me a questioning look. “What?”
“Your bouquet. That’s why you’re giving it to me, right? So I can guard it until you toss it to the rabid crowd of single ladies who want to be next.”
She chuckles. “Nope. I’m giving it to you. As in here, you’re the next one to get married.”
“That’s not how this goes,” I argue, glaring at her. If looks could kill, my brother would be a widower.
“Let me explain to you how this works.” I point at a chair. “You stand on one of those, give your back to the frantic crowd—a bunch of desperate, single women who’ll kill for it—and toss it.
“The fun part is watching them fight for it as if their lives and futures depended on catching it. It’s part of the red wedding experience. I want to see them shred each other to pieces to get the prize.”
Gatz laughs. I’m not sure if he’s laughing at me or with me, but I let it go.
Maia waves at someone and before she walks away, she says, “It’s my day. I decide how it goes. You get it—and you’re next.”
“The bitch,” I mumble. “Who does she think she is? The marriage fairy?”
Gatsby laughs. “Something like that. I would ignore it. It’s just some crazy tradition from last century or before.
” He then gives me that boyish look that tells me he’s getting ready to ask me for a favor.
“Would it be okay with you if we sneak out of the party after cutting the cake? Do you think you can keep the guests entertained?”
I scan the area, searching for Mom, who I’ve avoided since she complained about the food and her lawn. Thankfully, she’s with Aunt Ari and Uncle James snuggling their grandchildren. When Gatz’s baby is born, she’s going to be the happiest person in the world.
“Don’t worry about your guests. If you want to leave, do it when you guys feel like it’s time. For now, go and enjoy your wedding.”
They already went through the toasts. I don’t see the point of staying much longer, except for the cake. It’s rude to cut the cake without the bride and groom.
I watch as Gatsby walks toward Maia. The way he takes her into his arms is swoony. My brothers might bitch about making them watch romantic comedies since I was like twelve, but they can’t deny that I taught them how to be swoony.
A few seconds later, Lysander and Caspian are by my side.
“Did you seriously take credit for the whole wedding?” Lysander asks thunderstruck. “What am I, chopped liver?”
I roll my eyes. “Please, hanging lights isn’t organizing a wedding.”
“Millions,” Caspian says. “I get paid millions to play hockey, and you can’t even give me some credit for helping you with this little party.”
I groan. “This isn’t a party. It’s a wedding. You two are exasperating.”
They grin. “Yet, we’re your favorite brothers.”
I scoff. “That’s like choosing a favorite child and I refuse to do it. Why aren’t you two dancing or searching for tonight’s conquests?”
Lysander grins. “As a matter of fact, I already picked the night’s prey. I just came to check on you. You seem lonely?—”
I start scanning the area, searching for Cory. I need her to save me from these two. They either want something or… I don’t know why they’re here.
“As usual. Lonely Fern, ignoring the peasants who might be interested in just a dance,” Caspian interrupts. “You can always have a plus one at your events, and yet, you choose not to bring anyone.”
“Where is your plus one?” I look at him.
He shrugs. “I barely had time to come to the wedding.” He checks his watch. “Actually, I’m heading to the airport in five minutes.”
“For a professional hockey player, you have a boring life,” Lysander states. “Unless you just pretend to be a saint and you party every night in Portland.”
Caspian grins. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“My brothers are pathetic,” Cory groans.
I glance at her. Where did she come from?
“This is an adult conversation,” Lysander picks on her.“Shouldn’t you be heading home. It’s almost bedtime.”
Cory sticks out her tongue. She looks at me. “You know what I need?”
“Warm milk and a nap?” Lysander asks.
“No. A man who’s swoony, hot, and great in bed”—she grins—“If he has a big dick, that’d be a plus.”
“When you find him, ask if he has a brother,” I say. “I don’t think there’s a man who is great in bed though. I actually don’t need great , just good enough. I’m in my early thirties and I swear no man has given me an orgasm.”
“Lalalalala. I’m heading to Portland. See you,” Caspian says at the top of his lungs, covering his ears and almost running toward the iron gate.
Mom’s going to be upset when she learns he left without saying goodbye. That’ll teach him to tease me.
“This isn’t a conversation I want to have with either one of you, ever,” Lysander says, walking away.
Cory grins, giving me a high five. “They’re so easy to taunt.”
“Thank you for helping.”
She shrugs. “You seemed stressed. I know how they can get when they’re bored.”
“Maybe I should’ve brought a plus one.”
“So those six assholes can annoy the fuck out of him?” Cory shakes her head. “I’ll never bring the guy I’m dating to a family event again. Our brothers like to scare them away with their I want to be your best friend tactic . I hate it.”
“And they think we don’t know about it.”
She chuckles. “They’re so stupid but I love them. You should dance with Elliot McBuilder.”
“That’s such a ridiculous nickname.”
“But you can’t deny that you like him.”
Why does every woman in my family insist that I hook up with him? I wonder if they want to live vicariously through me.
Or maybe I’m too obvious about my desire. I should stop looking at him when I think nobody is watching me.
“He’s too old for me.”
“It’s a dance, not fucking. Though, wouldn’t you want to be under, on top, or in front of him naked—he’s pretty hot. Who cares if he’s Dorian Gray? I would totally do him but avoid looking at his portrait.”
I roll my eyes. “He works for me.”
She groans, exasperated.
We’re like a broken record. Cory insists I let my rules go and sleep with him while he’s still in town. Well, she’s not the only one. Keaton and Maia agree with her.
“He’s a volunteer,” I say like I always do. I should make cue cards, carry them with me, and just show them to my siblings and sisters-in-law when they nag me about him.
“Well, get over that and just do it.” She gives me a look that says, sometimes you overthink everything . “It’s just sex. Maybe he’ll give you your first non-self-induced orgasm.”
Will they be different from the ones I give myself every night while thinking of him? I might tell everyone that I’ll never do it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t fantasize about it every night.
But fantasies should never come true.
Ever.