Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
WYATT
I’m trying to shake off the bad mood I’m in from not only getting pulled over, but from Nash’s comment: Liam is charming.
If Liam is charming at all, then I’m Prince Charming himself. The man has a mustache straight out of the seventies. He obviously doesn’t have a girlfriend, or he’d shave that thing off. He’s not going to get one with it either.
Nash and I walk hand in hand into Graze—the nicest steakhouse in a fifty-mile radius (read: not that nice) and are immediately greeted by my various relatives.
I try to keep hold of Nash’s hand while my Aunt Shirley hugs me, but it gets too awkward, and I have to let go.
She holds me by my shoulders, “You’re a bit late, aren’t you? ”
I am not going to admit to getting pulled over, so I say, “Just running a bit behind is all.” She winks at me and is going to say something I know will make me blush, but my cousin Matt steps in first. “He’s late cause he got pulled over on the way here.”
My eyes flash to him. “Where did you hear that?”
“My mom told me as soon as she got here. Said she drove right by you on her way over.” Matt’s mom is my aunt who lives literally one right turn from my parents. “I swear this town…”
Nash takes my hand again, pulling me out of my embarrassment. The look of amusement in her eyes is worth every barb. I’ll take getting caught breaking the law one-hundred more times if I can see her smile in such obvious appreciation of small-town gossip. Wait until she hears about the phone tree.
“Sorry for my rudeness,” I say to her as I turn back to my many family members gathered around us. “This is my girlfriend Nash.” She takes each family member’s hand, or hug, in turn.
“Have you guys been to the new Kwik Trip yet? I’ve been killing those mini tacos.” Matt talks about the gas station like a new five-star restaurant just opened up.
Nash’s smile is full of grace. “First place we stopped on the way in.” Matt beams back at her.
I decide to save us from more questions. “We’re going to go find our seats.”
I lead Nash through the room, heading for the front where the bride and groom are already standing by their table greeting their guests.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen are all at one long table for the rehearsal dinner.
Apparently, when the restaurant asked Hazel if they wanted a sweetheart table for just the two of them, she said ‘why? I eat dinner with him every night’.
Henry spots us first and rounds the table to greet us. “You clean up nice.”
I hug him back. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I turn to greet his wife-to-be. “Hazel, beautiful as always.”
Nash takes her turn, then we take our seats. I look at the dinner menu, the options are beef… or beef. That’s Wisconsin for you.
Nash leans over to me. “Are they really serving torte for dessert?”
“It’s a staple,” I say, looking at the item she’s referring to.
Torte is like a dessert lasagna. A layer of cookies for the crust, a layer of ice cream, a layer of sweet sauce like chocolate or caramel, usually some kind of nut, then whipped cream.
My personal favorite is Oreo cookie crust, vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, caramel, crushed peanuts, and Cool Whip.
“Hey, guys,” someone says behind us, and I turn to see who it is.
“Hey, man! It’s good to see you.” I get up to greet Henry’s friend Grant.
I introduce him to Nash. She stands and hugs him hello.
I love that she’s a hugger when meeting new people.
She’s hugged everyone I’ve hugged, but shook the hands of people I did as well, letting my familiarity with them steer her.
I look at Nash. “We palled around in high school. Henry and Grant played baseball together.”
“Been to the new Kwik Trip yet,” he asks. It’s not his fault. He doesn’t know we’ve already had this conversation ten times. When not a lot happens in a town, something like this is a big deal.
“Wyatt,” a feminine voice calls and my stomach hits my feet. With fake dating Nash and going to all the Moons games, then being gone for the championship, I totally forgot that Grant is with…
“Layla,” I respond. “Been a long time.” She approaches me for a hug, and I hope she can’t tell how stiff I am.
“Years,” she answers as I look down at her.
Way down. My high school sweetheart is only five-foot-two.
Her dark hair is down around her shoulders, longer than she used to wear it when we were together.
I can see Nash looking between us, catching onto the surprise in my voice, but not really understanding the connection.
I’m stunned a second too long because Layla reaches by me to offer Nash her hand. “Nash, right?” I watch as she nods. “Nice to meet you. Wyatt and I dated in high school.” She laughs a short, tinkling laugh. “Well, basically all of high school.”
“That was a long time ago,” I say, hand on my chain, twirling it between my fingers, the shape of the N poking me.
“Not that long. We just had our ten-year reunion. This guy didn’t even bother to come.” She thumbs at me but speaks to Nash.
“I was busy with football.” I hope they’re sitting on the other side of the table from us tonight.
Layla whacks me playfully on the shoulder.
“That’s always your excuse.” It’s meant to be teasing, but I hear some of the hurt behind it.
I was not a very good boyfriend. I never cheated or anything, but she never came first in my life.
It was always football, then the farm, and then her.
I’m glad she’s with Grant. He’s not a farmer or a football player, so he likely has the ability to put her first in his life.
Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Henry before I can bury myself in this conversation any further. “Can everyone please take their seats? The wait staff is about to come around and take drink orders. Thank you.”
The room fills with the mumbling noise of thirty people all moving at once. I take my seat next to Nash again, putting my napkin in my lap. When the waitress comes to our table, I order us both a Spotted Cow, my favorite beer that’s only available in Wisconsin.
Henry sits down directly across from me, done making his guests feel welcomed. “When are we rehearsing?” I ask.
“Tomorrow before the ceremony.”
My brows raise up. This is my first wedding, so I had no idea. “Then what are we doing here?”
He chuckles—yep, this is my older brother who seems to always know how things work and has all the answers to the mysteries of life.
“People used to do them the day before and then eat dinner, but now most wedding venues only let you have the day of because other people are using it the day before. So we just smash it all into one.”
“That’s cool. Either way, we get to eat and I’m good with that.” I thank the waitress as she sets down our drinks.
Nash points to the first beef selection on the menu. “You get one, I’ll get the other?”
“Sure. We can trade if you don’t like yours.”
“You guys are so cute,” Hazel coos.
Nash looks suddenly extremely interested in the beer glass in her hand. “Thank you.”
They go on about the dresses they’re wearing and how Hazel is going to have her hair styled for the big day. Before the entrees come out, Henry interrupts them. “Excuse me, but Hazel, it’s time for us to thank everyone.”
“Oh, right,” she says as she pushes her chair back to stand.
Henry picks up the glass in front of him and clinks it with a knife, getting everyone’s attention.
“Hello, everyone. Before dinner comes out, Hazel and I just wanted to thank everyone for coming. We know it’s a long way for some of you coming from different states.
” He looks at Nash. “Some of you are fresh off a championship game, and we are so glad to have you.” My heart practically bursts with pride.
“Wyatt, I’m glad you’re with a woman who has lived in Wisconsin and understands the eccentricities that make this place special.
I’m so honored you agreed to be my best man. ”
“I’m honored you asked. Though,” I fake look around me. “I don’t see any other brother here who could do it.” The crowd laughs.
“That’s true. I always said you’re my favorite brother, and my only brother.” He offers his glass to me, and I clink it with mine. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” I say back.
Henry turns back to his bride. “And cheers to my bride, who has been with me for every celebration and every hardship for the last five years. I hope to have more celebrations than hardships in the future, but I’m happy to have you by my side because I know I can survive anything.
” They clink glasses and kiss, phone cameras flash and the crowd awwws.
Despite all the happiness surrounding us, I feel a little sick to my stomach. My crush on Nash hasn’t been as strong as my call to come back home, but now that I’m here with Nash…I’m not sure this place is what I need anymore.