Chapter 37 ADAM
thirty
ADAM
Best man speech
Istand from my seat at the table and take the microphone that the DJ has handed me and move to the side of Jackson who is seated with Francesca and the rest of our bridal party in the front of the room.
“Gage took a gamble asking me to be his best man today, knowing I would get a chance to stand up here and tell you all about him! For those who don’t know me, I’m Adam, Francesca’s older and smarter brother and also, the better-looking best friend of Jackson.
” That gets a few laughs from the guests and some groans from Jackson.
“I’ve known this guy for twenty-five years, since we were eight years old and forced to sit next to each other in class. He was new and looked like Shrek, but he liked football, so I guessed he wasn’t that bad after all.” He flips me off as I smack his hand away.
“Our friendship was instantaneous. We became best friends and were not easily separated.” I find my mom in the crowd. “Right, mom? What was another kid in the house! She didn’t mind though, sometimes I thought she loved him more than me!”
“Sometimes I did!” mom calls out and everyone breaks into laughter again.
I nod. “I knew it!”
“From High school to college, the NFL and then back home, we never left each other’s side.
Distance didn’t matter, we were only a FaceTime away.
” I knock his side again, “Some of those FaceTimes I wish I could erase from memory. There are only so many times you can see your best friend’s junk or let him flaunt those tight football pants.
” I give an exaggerated shudder to drive my point home.
“Those tight pants are my favorite!” my sister calls out.
“Yea, yea, Chessy we know all about it.” I wink at her.
“Speaking of Chess, I have to thank my sister for keeping him locked down here in Christmas, though. I maybe” I raise my voice at that word, “fought their relationship at first, sorry about that black eye, Jackson.” I put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze.
“But having my two favorite people, sorry Billy and Tom, close to me every day is like nothing else.”
They both grumble out a ‘whatever, you love us.’
“I do love you, every one of you.” I smile and meet the eyes of everyone at our table, each one of them making a huge impact on my life, being there for me at every turn, and if they weren’t there at a certain moment in time, they made their way back to me. I can’t let these people go.
I can’t let her go.
I find her watery eyes watching me, and I give her a wink.
“Now for the sappy stuff. Pay attention, you’re only going to hear it once.
” I clear my throat. “Jackson, you’ve been like a brother to me since day one.
You’ve put up with my controlling habits and workaholic ways and you still come running when I call.
You’re the most loyal man I know, and I couldn’t ask for a better person to love her, so I’ve no doubt you’re the best man for my sister.
I love you, man.” Jackson rises and we hug, a full-on man to man, hard back pats, hug.
Pulling from him, I grab my champagne and raise my hand.
“Raise your glasses, to Jackson and Francesca!”