Chapter 3
3
Bishop
I stand in line behind Phoenix and Vivian with CeCe on my arm and waiting for the DJ to start announcing the wedding party before the new bride and groom, Cami and Vaughan.
The day went by in a flurry of emotion. From pre-gaming it in the barn apartment, to tears during the vows –yes, I cried. I’m strong in my masculinity and not afraid to shed a few tears. I couldn’t hold them back as I watched my two best friends promise each other forever. A moment we all thought we’d never witness.
“Let’s hear it for the groomsman and bridesmaid, Phoenix West and Vivian Kelley,” the DJ calls out over the loud speaker inside the tent.
The crowd cheers, shouts and whistles ringing out, and Nix looks down at Viv and says, “C’mon, Peaches. Let's show ‘em.”
Without skipping a beat, he grabs her by the waist and hefts her up, setting her on his shoulder and walks through the tent door. Viv’s hands fly up in the air, waving to the crowd like a pageant queen, and Nix flexes his other arm because, well…he’s Phoenix fucking West.
A moment passes and the jeers quiet down enough for the DJ to announce CeCe and me. We pass through the tent but without the fanfare of Nix and Viv. Instead we smile and dance out onto the floor. I hold up CeCe’s hand and spin her around and look out to the sea of faces watching.
Dozens upon dozens of people are here, most I know but some I don’t, and acknowledge each one. Then my eyes land on her and my heart skips a beat.
Her eyes are bright as she stares right at me. Our gazes lock and I feel my smile fade. Not because I don’t like her, but because I do . I’m transfixed by this woman who’s barely a woman and it’s a struggle just not to tell Phoenix that his niece sends my body buzzing with need.
Anais stands in the crowd next to her mother and claps along with everyone else. She doesn’t blink or look away, and that plump lower lip finds its way between her teeth.
Goddamn . This girl knows what she’s doing to me and my will is holding on by a finger.
We stop circling the dance floor and stop next to Nix and Viv and wait as Hayes and Cat are announced followed by Dagen. Then the lights go down and a spot light begins flashing around.
Music booms through the speakers and Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy begins serenading the happy couple.
“And now for the main event. Put those hands together and give a big yeehaw to Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan McCallan!”
I bring my fingers to my mouth and blow a loud whistle. The moment the two of them enter, Vaughan scoops Cami into his arms and struts in, happy as a teenage boy in a whore house. Cami’s equally as happy, her big smile stretching from ear to ear. And once again, fucking tears cloud my eyes.
Thankfully I look over to find all my friends in the same boat, along with Vaughan’s and Cami’s parents. It’s difficult to find a dry eye in the house.
The music drops to a more acceptable volume and we follow the bride and groom to the large banquet style table where the parents, and Cami’s brother and sister-in-law sit, waiting for us so that everyone can begin eating.
Our plates are set in front of us and servers come by to fill our glasses. I sit across from Cami and Vaughan who are squished between both sets of parents, and beside me is CeCe with Luca to her left.
I watch as wine glasses are filled. All except Cami’s…and CeCe’s. I knit my brows together and wait for Cami to catch my eye. When she does, I give her a little look that lets her know I see what’s happening, and she shakes her head tersely with a wide-eyed panicked look to her.
Next I turn to CeCe and ask, “Are they bringing you a red wine instead of the white?”
She clears her throat, her eyes doing that shifty thing that guilty people’s do, and replies, “I don’t really feel like having a glass, right now. I’m so thirsty and I really just want to chug a whole bunch of water. I’ll have a glass later.”
I nod slowly and tell her, “Okay. I’ll be sure to toast with you at the bar.”
She gives me a nervous chuckle and my gaze wanders over to Luca who sits with a smug smirk on his face. For now, I let it go and decided it’s best to just eat and enjoy a few moments with my friends before the party really gets started.
Throughout the dinner, speeches are made and many laughs are had. The girls give tear filled speeches that have everyone sniffing, and the guys –including myself– make jokes at Vaughan’s expense and while we try very hard to keep it PG for Dagen, more than a few inappropriate words sneak through.
Once meals are mostly done and plates are cleared, music plays while Cami and Vaughan begin making their rounds to tables to greet and thank guests. They stop at the table where Phoenix’s family sits and I keep my eyes glued to Anais who stands to hug them both.
Her body is wrapped in what looks like lavender satin, and the color is beautiful next to her smooth tan skin. The dress isn’t the type I’ve seen girls around campus wearing. Instead of one that sticks to her body so tightly that I can see her stomach processing the food she eats, the bottom part drapes over her hips and cascades around her thighs. There is a high slit in the skirt and the top cups her breasts so they look like they’re being served on a fucking platter, but it is much tamer than I would’ve thought a nineteen year old would wear.
Nineteen . Fuck. I need to look away, but my eyes have other plans. They roam down her body, cataloging the curve of her beautiful legs, down to her lavender painted toes and silver strappy heels. They take their time going back up her body and stop when they meet her eyes. The eyes that are staring directly at me.
She smiles and gives me a small wave, and I quickly look away, clenching my jaw and berating myself for even allowing a peek at her.
I pickup my glass of water and chug the rest of it down, then search for the server because I could use an entire gallon at the moment. But it’s not the server's eye I catch this time. Viv comes stomping over from the bar with a drink in her hand.
“Get the guys. We have an SOS meeting in the barn apartment,” she orders me, and hurries off without giving any further details.
I see her grab CeCe’s arm, then makes her way to Cat. She says something to her, then Cat goes off and takes Cami by the hand and leads them out of the tent.
Vaughan stands there speechless and I decide I better do as Viv says or face her wrath later. I’d rather face a firing squad than a pissed off Vivian.
I walk up behind Vaughan and tell him, “we’ve been summoned. Viv said to get the guys and meet in the barn apartment.”
I jerk my head in that direction and we walk to where it is. On the way we grab Hayes, Luca and Phoenix, and continue our walk in silence. Once we reach the apartment door it swings open, Viv all fiery, and we step in. The door slams shut, and we all jump.
“Cecilia,” Viv starts and holds out the glass to her. “Drink this.”
CeCe looks at Luca then the rest of us then says, “I’m not really up for drinking right now. Once the dancing starts I’ll have one.”
“It’s your favorite, though. A manhattan with two cherries. Just the way you like.” She shakes the drink from side to side and a small bit sloshes over the side.
“Really, Viv. I don’t want it. Why are you being so pushy?” All eyes volley between the two of them, and I just know a fire is about to erupt.
“Why, you ask? Because you never turn down a drink and tonight, I have watched you turn down three. And earlier today when we were getting ready, you passed on the champagne, claiming you had a bit of a stomach ache. So my question is, which is it? Do you not want one, or is your stomach hurting?”
“I…I…,” CeCe looks frantically from one person to the other as if asking for help, but I kind of want to see where this line of questioning is going.
“Gattina,” Luca says, his voice low and tender. “Maybe it is time to tell them.”
CeCe gulps down a ball of what must be nerves, and finally gives Luca a small nod and defeated sigh.
“Cecilia and I are expecting,” Luca tells us as calmly as telling us the time, but us…we go ballistic.
We shout, we whoop, we pump fists in the air and a couple of us cry –not me this time. Vivian sets the glass down on the counter and leaps for CeCe. The little thing pops up on her toes and wraps her arms around her neck.
“You’re gonna be a mama,” she sobs into her shoulder.
CeCe gives us all a watery smile, and I look at Luca who stands with his hand smoothing circles over her back. While Cami takes her turn squeezing the life out of CeCe, I walk over to Luca and shake his hand.
“Congratulations, Luca. I know you both will be amazing parents.”
“Grazie, Bishop. It is quite unexpected but I couldn’t be happier,” he replies with a smile bigger than I have ever seen before.
“So I guess there'll be another wedding soon,” Vaughan chimes in and Luca’s smile immediately deflates.
“Th-there’s something else.” CeCe pushes out of Cat’s embrace and twists her fingers together nervously. “So, um, remember how Luca and I went to San Diego early to spend a few days alone last month?”
“Yes. You told Viv you guys wanted some alone time, and she pouted because she couldn’t understand why you wouldn’t want us to be alone with you two.” Cami snuggles up to Vaughan and wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his shoulder.
“Yeah. That trip. Well, you see, we weren’t entirely alone. My parents came along,” she goes on and it has us all scratching our heads.
CeCe takes a few steps back, reaching for Luca’s hand and gripping it tight.
“My parents came with us because…because we kind of got married.”
“What the fuck!” Vivian screeches, blasting me in the ear, and I wince.
“CeCe…how could you?” Cami asks, her voice full of sadness.
“Sunshine. That’s not fair.” Vaughan taps Cami under the chin, giving her a little kiss on the nose.
“Alright. Listen here, you big cannoli.” Vivian steps toe to toe with Luca and props a hand on her hip while the other points a long nail in his face.
In his face is a stretch for Viv. She more like points a finger up in the direction of his face. It’s quite cute, the way she looks, and it’s hard to take her seriously. But I swear I see smoke spilling from her nostrils and I eat my words.
“The only requirement we have all agreed on since we were little girls was that we would stand up in each other's weddings. We even figured out who would be whose maid of honor so that we all had a turn. Now you’ve gone off and stolen that away from us.” The tough girl exterior cracks and her lower lip begins to quiver.
“No babes. We didn’t take it away. We’re still going to have the giant Indian wedding with excess and–”
“And an elephant?” the little spitfire asks.
“No elephant Vivian,” CeCe tells her to which Viv replies with a pout.
“How about a horse?” Luca pipes up from beside his wife.
Viv blows out a breath and concedes, “Fine. I guess a horse will do. But I want the traditional three day shindig.”
Luca gives her a crooked smile and agrees. “Deal. Three days, a horse, and a special outfit for the occasion, on me.”
“Deal!” she replies with excitement and shakes his hand. “Sorry I called you a cannoli.”
“You’ve called me worse, so no worries.”
“But still,” Cat chimes in. “We would’ve loved to have been there for you. We’re all just a little disappointed that we couldn’t see how beautiful you were.”
“I know. But I need to explain.”
CeCe goes on to tell us that she and Luca just wanted a quiet, private moment for themselves after all of the craziness that has consumed them. Between CeCe’s “accident” in Switzerland, and Luca’s psycho wife of convenience shooting C in Paris right after they got engaged, I can understand why they needed something quiet and controlled.
“I never meant to hurt anyone, but we just really needed a moment without all the chaos. It was very short and sweet,” she turns to look over her right shoulder at Luca. “And exactly what we wanted.”
The girls grow teary eyed all over again, and it isn’t long before Cami’s tears turn to a sob.
“Don’t cry, Cam. I’m sure Luca will buy you an outfit, too,” Viv soothes.
“It’s-it’s not that,” Cami cries and lifts her head to reveal a wide smile and her eyes alight. Vaughan squeezes her hand and a wink and this time, I think I know where this is going. “I’m pregnant, too.”
“No. Fucking…way!” Hayes hollers then lunges to grab Cami. “I’m gonna be an uncle again?” He hugs Cami tight to him and spins her around.
“Woah woah. Watch it, man. You’re getting a little handsy with my pregnant wife.” Vaughan pulls Hayes to a stop and pries Cami from his arms.
Cami simply laughs and pats Hayes’ cheek. “Yes Hayes, you’re gonna be an uncle again,” she says, then looks at me and Phoenix and Luca. “And so are you. Uncle Bishop, Uncle Nix and Uncle Luca. Not to mention Aunt Cat, Aunt Viv and Aunt CeCe.”
“Zio,” Luca says. “I want to be Zio Luca. My niece or nephew will have to learn Italian early.” He winks at Cami and I swear I see a blush crawl across her body from her fingertips to her ears.
I guess when you’re an Italian billionaire you tend to have that effect on women.
Once again, hugs and kisses and congratulations are handed out and it seems like today really couldn’t get any better. Except I look over to see Vivian standing with her arms crossed over her chest and she stares out the small window over the small kitchen sink.
“What’s the matter, little bit?” I ask her.
She replies with a shrug and looks away from everyone. “Nothing. It’s no big deal.”
“Bullshit. That tells me it’s a big fucking deal. Spill it, Peaches. What’s wrong.” Phoenix slides up next to her and pulls her close to him, tucking her under his arm.
“It’s whatever. It doesn’t matter. Can we go ba–”
“We’re not going anywhere until you tell us what has you so upset. Are you not happy for us?” Cami approaches her tenderly like Viv is a rabid animal that may attack.
And I would say that assessment isn’t too far off for Vivian.
“What? No. Oh my gosh, I am so happy for you guys. It’s just…” her lips start the quivering thing again and a big fat tear falls from one eye. “I just thought we’d all be pregnant together and have babies that grew up best friends like us. And now my baby will have to miss out on all of that, and she’ll probably end up sad and lonely with no friends, while y’all’s kids will have all these inside jokes and stuff,” she spits out.
I snort out a laugh because that is just hilarious to me. Only women would think of those things. But I should expect no less with these four. They’ve had their entire futures planned out since they were thirteen. And while Cami has gone on to marry Vaughan, Viv did not end up with Derek Jeter and CeCe is no longer waiting for Brad Pitt to come sweep her off her feet.
“If you’re worried about babies, Peaches, we can go work on that right now.” Phoenix smiles and gives her a wink.
The girls console Viv –which seems backwards– and I decide it’s time to get the men out of this cry-fest.
“Come on, gentlemen. Drinks on me at the bar to celebrate the soon-to-be dads,” I tell them and we all file out of the apartment and back to the party that is about to get rowdy.
Damn. A secret wedding and babies. Helluva day to be part of the Mag Creek crew.