Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Noah
They did it. Harry and Ali tied the knot in a little chapel on the Las Vegas strip.
They wanted a no frills, no fuss wedding, and that is exactly what they got.
The officiant made a speech about love and how it’s about finding someone who balances you, keeps you grounded.
It’s finding someone that not only can you live life with, but who you couldn’t live without, and it hits me that everything he said relates to how I feel about Tori.
In my line of work, you learn quickly that life is short, that things can change in the blink of an eye, and if there is something you want to say, say it, because you might lose your chance to do it.
Seeing Tori when I stepped on that plane and watching her walk down the aisle as one of Ali’s bridesmaids in a short lavender strapless dress confirmed everything I already knew: I want her. I need her.
After the toasts and speeches were done, we moved to a VIP area in a bar that had views of Caesars Palace and the Bellagio fountains.
It’s been a lovely day, but my focus has been on Tori.
For the past twenty minutes, she’s been talking to some guy working behind the bar with Kate and Harley, and the level of jealousy I am feeling is burning a hole inside me.
“Noah, are you okay?” Ria asks, appearing beside me.
“Me, yeah, I’m good. I’m great,” I lie, tightness hardening my jaw.
“You seem tense.” There’s concern in her tone. I know she worries about me, especially when I have been deployed for a long time.
“I’m good, Ria, just tired,” I try to reassure her.
My shoulders relax when I see Tori heading our way, but my stomach drops when I notice her clutching a piece of paper.
“Oooh, did you get his number?” Gabby asks.
Tori sits in the empty seat beside me and stuffs the paper in her purse before nervously playing with her ponytail.
“He gave me his number, yes,” Tori confirms, and my jaw tightens so much, I’m shocked I don’t crack a tooth.
“But I don’t think I’ll call him.” Her eyes dart at lightning speed my way.
“Why? He’s cute, you should call him,” Gabby says.
“Oh, he’s cute, is he?” Brad asks, with a tight jaw, and the little vein in his forehead pulses quickly. It’s so funny to watch because I’ve never seen him like this, never seen him so affected by someone.
Gabby laughs and playfully slaps his chest. “Oh, calm down, caveman, I mean, he’s cute for Tori.”
No, he’s fucking not.
Gabby whispers something into Brad’s ear, and he whispers something back. She throws her head back and laughs, and then proceeds to kiss him, and suddenly I find myself envious of them. Of what they have, how they can love so openly and freely. I wonder if I’ll ever have that.
“So, Haz, how does it feel to be a married man?” Jack asks, Ria cuddled under his arm. I’ve never seen my sister so happy.
“It feels good,” Harry says, grinning, never taking his eyes off his wife, who’s over by the bar, saying her goodbyes to Grace.
“Your turn next, Braddy boy,” Harry says with a wink towards Brad.
“Sure is.” Brad beams, squeezing Gabby’s bare thigh. They look so loved up it’s almost sickening. I have never seen him like this. Usually, he’s the dark, brooding one, but Gabby has done something I never thought possible: she’s made him truly happy.
“Four weeks until I become Mrs Russo,” Gabby says excitedly, waving the giant diamond on her ring finger in the air, and then, acting like none of us are in the room with them, Brad pulls her in for a kiss.
“Easy, save it for the wedding night,” Jack teases.
Looking right at Gabby, Brad says, “No chance.”
“Oh, Noah, you’re back, so does this mean you can make the wedding?” Gabby asks.
“Yes, I can make the wedding. I don’t have to deploy again until after Christmas,” I confirm.
“Oh my god, really,” my sister screams. “When were you going to tell me that you can spend Christmas with us?”
“I was going to tell you on this trip.” I chuckle.
“This is the best news ever.” My sister beams at me. “We haven’t spent a Christmas together since we were kids.
“Tori, any chance you changed your mind? Can you make it?” Gabby asks, and I turn to look at Tori, who wilts a little under everyone’s stare.
“I, erm…”
She doesn’t get to answer because Gabby interrupts her and says, “Oh my, I have the perfect idea, Tori. You can be one of my bridesmaids. Now Noah’s back, we have another groomsmen, and my mother will have a conniption if we don’t have even numbers, and well, you are one of us now.
Please, please say you’ll come and be in our wedding?
” Gabby asks, eyes bulging, looking like a puppy begging for another treat.
“Erm, sure, I’d love to be in your wedding,” Tori says with a smile.
Gabby leaps off Brad’s lap and stumbles into Tori’s, hugging her tightly.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Tori softens under Gabby’s hug, and I can’t help but feel excited knowing we’ll be paired up at the wedding.
Gabby finally releases Tori and takes her place back on Brad’s lap.
“We have a dress fitting next week. Let me know your dress size, and I can get the shop to get one made for you.”
“Oh, I have to go back to London. I have work, but I’ll see what I can do,” Tori replies.
“Stay with us. Dad will let you work remotely. You can stay until after Christmas like Noah,” Harry suggests, and a buzz of excitement works its way through me at the thought of being able to spend some time with her.
“I guess I could, but are your walls soundproof?” Tori teases.
Harry grins, “No, but I’ll get you a pair of military-grade ear defenders.” The group falls into laughter, and Tori rolls her eyes playfully.
“Maybe I’ll get a hotel,” she mumbles.
The group is now making enough noise that no one hears when I lean over and say, “Maybe we could get a place together.”
Her head whips to mine, and her eyes widen. I give her a wink and love watching her cheeks flush. Before she can say anything, Ali appears beside me. “Girls, come on, it’s karaoke time.”
Ria groans as Gabby throws her hands in the air.
“Yes, me first,” Gabby cries excitedly, wobbling on her heels to where a karaoke machine is on a small stage.
“Come on, Tor, you too,” Ali says, holding out her hand. Tori shakes her head, waving her hands.
“No, not for me.”
“Please.” Ali pouts.
“Yeah, come on, Tor,” I encourage. Tori whips her head round and glares at me.
“Please, Tori,” Ali whines.
Tori rolls her eyes and stands up with a huff. “Okay, fine.”
I give her a wink and mouth, “Atta girl.”
“She isn’t hitting a single note, is she?” Brad asks, pinching the bride's nose.
My gaze diverts to the stage where Gabby has an arm hung over Ria and is attempting to sing Material Girl but she’s so out of sync, I’m wondering if she can even hear the track.
“Not a single one,” I confirm, wincing when she attempts to hit a high note.
“Good thing she’s pretty because with a voice like that...’ Harry says and then whistles.
Jack chokes out a laugh when Brad taps him on the back of the head. “Hey, that’s still my girl. Be nice.” Harry holds his hands up in defeat and laughs.
The girls have all sung except Tori. She’s done her best to blend in the background, but when the track changes and Gabby hangs up her mic, the room erupts into applause, and Rai and Ali tug Tori to the front as the beat of another Madonna track begins to play.
Like a Virgin.
I try to hide the grin that spreads across my face, remembering our trip to Texas and the story behind this song.
Tori looks around nervously, and I give her a supportive nod. Ria thrusts a microphone into her hand, and Tori stares out at me like a deer in the headlights.
“Go on, Tor,” I yell and whistle.
“Come on, baby sis. Show off that Walker talent. Don’t let me down,” Harry yells as Tori proceeds to give him the middle finger. To my shock, she begins to sing, and she’s good, better than I was expecting.
Pride blooms in my chest, knowing that she’s checking off another thing on Scotty’s life list, but that she’s enjoying herself too. The other girls all join in, and watching her laugh and sing alongside my sister, does something to me.
The song ends, and we all give the girls a standing ovation, cheering and whistling as they all take a bow.
She slumps in the chair beside me. “Did I really just do that?” she asks, covering her face with her hands.
“Sure did, and you were pretty damn good too.” She removes her hands, and her cheeks pinken as she reaches for her drink.
“Thank you.” She smiles, raising her glass in the air, and I clink my bottle of beer with it.
Ali appears in front of us, swaying on her high heels, and slurring her words as she yells, “Where is my husband?”
“Over there, babe.” Tori points to Harry, who is in conversation with Jack.
“There he is,” she declares, and she stumbles around the chairs, climbs into his lap, kisses him, and they go into a full make out session.
“Yeah, I will definitely be getting my own place while I'm here for the wedding.” Tori declares as she rolls her eyes.
We all laugh, and Ali and Harry finally come up for air.
“Babe, Tori is going to stay with us until after Christmas and be in Brad and Gabby’s wedding,” Harry tells her, and Ali’s face lights up as she squeals.
“Ahhh yessss.”
“I don’t want to impose, you have just got married, you don’t want me hovering around,” Tori says.
“Oh, please, you are my sister now. Our home is your home,” Ali says, reaching out her hand to hold Tori’s, and my chest feels all warm and a little fuzzy, watching her face soften.
Tori has been to hell and back. I’m glad she has so much love and support around her, and to see her doing well.
But as much as I want to see her thrive and be happy, I don’t think I’ll ever be okay seeing her with another man.
“And can I just say, I know you probably don’t wanna hear this Tori, but I’m gonna tell you anyway,” Ali slurs, picking up a glass of wine from the table, taking a sip, and then waving it around and continuing.