Tyler #2
I look over and notice River is waiting for Noah to finish the first dance with Indy. I scrunch my face in confusion.
“That friend of yours is up to something,” Scarlet says and I bring her into my arms.
“He’s always up to something,” I say, twirling her.
Each dance goes seamlessly. I get a piece of advice from each person. I’ll say Abby has kind words when she dances with me, while Kennedy is just as ridiculous as her fiancé. Most of her advice is dirty.
“I hope you ravage that woman tonight,” she finishes saying, her smile pure evil.
“Um,” I say.
“Oh, I know you’ve got another side to you, Hunter. I mean, you’re probably not as freaky as Malloy, but don’t tell me you haven’t gotten a little carried away on that bike of yours.”
I must blush because right then she pushes away and points at me. Of course, Marissa is next in line and she looks over at her. “Look, I told you. He’s a freak in the sheets. I knew it. How is he not in book club with us?”
“It’s always the quiet ones,” Marissa chides.
“Isn’t there a time limit on these dances?” I question.
Kennedy tosses her hair off her shoulder and gives me a sneaky smile and a wink. She might be worse than River. Either that or she’s learning from him.
I look over at Indy and I notice River is monitoring her dancing. What is going on over there?
“Marissa, I know you’re in on why River is so invested on Indy’s money dance over there. What is he doing?”
Marissa looks away.
“Marissa, tell me.” The minute I hear her explanation, I stop what I’m doing and find myself walking toward my wife and River, unsurprised he’s as immature as he is.
Fifteen minutes later I’m in the kitchen with River, Malloy, Baylee and Indiana. I should add, there’s a penis purse filled with cash on the table.
“What the hell, River?” I protest, arms crossed at my chest.
“I don’t know why you’re so pissed.” The fucker is smiling.
“Indy, how are you not upset?” I look at my wife, who’s counting said money.
She shrugs, a smile pulled at her lips.
“If I may speak, Noah was unaware there was a penis purse on the premises.” Malloy has his hand up as if we’re in a classroom.
“Seriously, Malloy, I expected better from you,” I say, which pulls a snort from his wife, Baylee.
I look over at her and she covers her mouth.
“Sorry,” she says, muffled behind her palm.
“Ty, sweetie, Noah is completely unaffected. He danced with me, then ran off with Kalli. He didn’t see the purse, which did not come out until after I had my dance with him.
River pulled this phallic thing out for me to use once there were no children present.
I promise, sweetie.” She puts her hand on my forearm and soothes my irritated nerves.
“I really cannot believe you pulled this out at a wedding,” I tell him. “What is wrong with you?”
“When else would I do it?” He looks at me like I’m the crazy one.
“Seriously?” I question him. “Never, River. The answer is never. It’s fucking hideous.” I hold up the crocheted purse. Who makes something so ugly?
“Listen, someone very close to me made this for my wedding. And I was kind enough to extend this for your use tonight.” He says with the most sincere expression.
Fuck. Seriously?
Right when I’m about to apologize, Malloy starts laughing and then Baylee follows suit. River’s serious expression fades and his smile pokes through.
“You mother fucker. I almost fell for that sob story!” I throw the purse at his chest.
“Hey, it’s true that someone made this though. But it was for Samara’s wedding. And Kennedy now has to use it at our wedding. It’s a long story!”
“So how is it at my reception?”
“Our reception,” Indy corrects me.
“Sorry, baby,” I say, squeezing her hand.
“It was in my car, so I thought I’d spice things up.”
“Yes, River, because our lives were so boring. The adoptive parents flying in to hang with the birth parents at their home wasn’t juicy enough. Add in the twist that I served with Indy’s long-lost brother—that wasn’t enough?”
“Well, maybe I didn’t think it through.” River throws his arms in the air.
Baylee stands next to River. “My dear River was just trying to be a good friend.” She starts patting him on the shoulder, even though she’s ridiculously short so she has to reach up to do so.
“You guys are absurd, you know that?” I tell them.
All of them, including Indy, respond, “Yes!”
“Indy, I didn’t mean you.” I drag my hand down my face.
As we say our goodbyes, our friends wave as I walk my wife to the motorcycle waiting in the driveway. We don’t have plans for a honeymoon, saving for a big trip during one of Noah’s breaks from school.
For now, we’ll spend the night at a hotel. I grab the helmet and slide it over her head, still feeling my body hum at the sight of her. She’s changed so she can climb behind me on the bike.
Everyone is cheering for us. Noah runs up to say goodbye. He hugs his mom, and she tells him she loves him. Then he comes up to me, and I bend down, wrapping my arms around his little body. He tells me he can’t wait to see me tomorrow to toss the baseball with me at the park.
I pick him up and tell him I love him, something I started doing a few weeks back. The way my love for him has grown is something I didn’t see coming, yet it feels completely natural. I truly love him like he is my own.
I asked if it was okay that I told him I loved him and he told me it was okay. I know it might take time for him to tell me he loves me back. I don’t expect it to be overnight that he feels the same.
He pulls his face away from me, bringing his little palms to bracket my cheeks. It’s then he whispers, “I love you, Hunter.”
The tears are instant and I hear Indy gasp behind me.
I pull him close to me again, my tears releasing down my cheeks. “You are my everything, buddy. Thank you for loving me.”
I feel him tighten around me. I never knew love could feel like this.
Once I let him go, I ruffle his hair and he runs off to meet up with Kalli and Julian, Vivienne clapping her hands in Julian’s arms. Everyone in the crowd is cheering and waving.
Indy and I get ourselves settled on the bike and I rev the engine. I feel her wrap her arms around my middle and we start to ride off into the night.
Feeling that evening air move along us, something I once did to calm my nerves, I now do with the woman I love behind me. She soothes me now, with and without my motorcycle.
When I ride now, it’s toward her, or it’s only to sunsets that include her. I no longer need to find solace; she’s my comfort. She’s my soulmate and my missing piece. I never thought I was going to find what I was looking for after I walked away from Indiana Ranton.
Little did I know marrying Indiana all those years ago was the start of my beginning, and she will forever be my end.
THE END