19. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Max
“ W elcome to our humble abode.” I ham up a fake bow as Nick and Ashima schlep inside.
Ashima carries a vase of yellow flowers. “The place looks great.” She cruises past the open kitchen to the living room, running her free hand over the vegan leather couch. She stops to stare at the three abstract paintings of bacteria on the wall behind the couch. One of the paintings definitely looks more like a vagina. Or actually a vulva, as Peyton has corrected me.
“You unpack fast. I’m impressed. And a bit surprised,” Nick says as he claps me on the back.
“We were excited to get everything set up,” Peyton says as she nudges me. “Plus, I provided a steady supply of bacon.”
“And other incentives. Let’s just say the apartment is well broken in,” I add with a wink.
“Isn’t that interesting?” Ashima grimaces as her eyes dart around the room.
The temptation to mess with her is too great. “Don’t worry, we cleaned up the couch, the table, the counter—”
Peyton puts her hand over my mouth. “They don’t need to know, Max. Why don’t you get them a drink?”
Ashima ignores me and puts the flowers on the coffee table.
“Not there!” I blurt out. “We forgot to clean there.”
This makes Ashima almost knock the flowers over. She steadies them and flips me off. Peyton gives me a scolding look, but I see the smirk underneath.
While I’m digging in the fridge for beers, Holly and Kennedy arrive. Unlike Peyton, Nick, and me, they’re maintaining their shaved heads. It’s been a few weeks, so the rest of us have hair at a length where it’s mostly lying down.
Not much later, Shayna arrives. Alone. She and Grace are still on the outs. I told Shayna that even Peyton and I abandoned the term STIMP, so she should let it go too. She said it wasn’t the term, but that it rehashed that Shayna and Grace want different things in life. Kind of a bummer because they were a cool couple.
After everyone is set up with a drink, we all stand around the kitchen island. Nick and I talk about getting the grill started, but instead everyone digs into Peyton’s bacon-topped cookies.
“Aren’t these supposed to be dessert?” Peyton drags the half-empty plate away from us. “Plus, isn’t it time?”
I take the hint and grab the charcoal. “Let’s get things fired up.”
Nick slings up the croquet set, which gets Peyton in a tizzy.
“Careful with…that set. Um, they’re my babies!”
“Don’t worry. We got this,” I say and I lead Nick out to the best picnic area in the apartment complex. It’s a bit of a slog, but this is an important moment, so it’s worth it. Beyond the usual grill and picnic table, the spot has a gazebo with a green space. It’s rather quaint.
While I get the charcoal going, Nick wipes off the table and spreads out one of Ashima’s fancy tablecloths.
“Should I do it before or after?” he asks me.
“Either way, I guess. This is your show.” But Nick proposing at our housewarming was my idea. This way Ashima wouldn’t see it coming. “I say after.”
“Okay. Right. That sounds good.” He wipes his hands on his pants.
I put him on grill duty, because he looks like he’ll explode if he doesn’t have something to distract him. The rest of the crew comes out with the food in hand. Kennedy has the most important item—the beer cooler.
“No blue paint today?” I ask him as I dig out a cold one from the cooler.
“I ran out. I don’t think I’ll be buying anymore. It sucks removing it, and I kept getting blue paint all over my place.”
While Nick’s grilling, I keep everyone stocked with a cold beverage, so by the time we’re eating, everyone’s buzzed. We tear through dinner. Nick tosses all our plates and then looks at me with wild eyes. I give him a nod.
He clears his throat. “I would like to make a toast,” he announces. “First, congratulations to Max and Peyton on their new place. We’re so excited that Peyton is staying in Atlanta and equally excited that Max is no longer living with us. May they find as much joy and happiness in living with each other as I have in living with Ashima.”
I ignore Nick’s jab and go to clink my bottle to Peyton’s. Then I remember the champagne. But maybe it’s better to bring it out after because Ashima looks like she’s already on to us. Her eyes are busting wide and she’s sitting on the edge of the bench seat like she’s going to tackle Nick at any moment.
Nick launches on. “There’s no better magic than finding a person who complements you, who brings out your strengths, and forgives your weaknesses. I knew I had found that person the first time I went out with Ashima. She brings joy and energy everywhere she goes, and I can’t spend enough time with her. She’s been here for me every step of the way, and you know she’s special if Max didn’t scare her off.”
I flip Nick off, which makes everyone chuckle.
“There’s been something that I’ve been wanting to say to you, Ashima, but life has gotten in the way.” Nick pauses and glances at me. Yes, yes, they’re glad to have me out of their place and that makes three times too many that I’m the butt of his joke.
Nick reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, leather-wrapped box sporting gold embossing. “I wanted to share this moment with our friends, because I want the entire world to know how much I love you.” Nick goes to his knee and opens the box. “For the rest of my life, I want you by my side. I love you. Ashima, will you marry me?”
Ashima slips from the bench and falls into his arms. She kisses him, and I’m pretty sure her passionate smooch is a yes. Her hand shakes as Nick slips the ring onto her finger.
We all clap, and I whistle to top it off. Then everyone huddles around them, but I push to the inner circle because this is my brother. “Congrats!” I hug Nick and clap him on the back.
Now it’s time for the champagne. I rush to get the croquet crate and put it on the table.
“You just can’t wait to play, can you?” Ashima asks.
“This is even better.” I pull the bottle of champagne from the crate.
“I disagree with the better comment. But it’s definitely good.” Peyton helps me unwrap the champagne flutes.
“Oh my gosh, I had no idea!” Ashima holds up one of the flutes. “I love it. But, Peyton, you must be so upset we aren’t really playing.”
“Don’t worry,” Peyton says, “I’ve got the set in a bag by the door.”
As I pour the champagne, Ashima shows everyone her ring. The diamond is a good size and sparkly. She seems to like it, which is the most important thing. Way to go, Nick.
Peyton takes Ashima’s hand and admires the ring. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m so excited. And I can’t wait to plan my wedding. And I know you’ve told me before that weddings aren’t your thing, but please be my maid of honor.”
Peyton jumps up and hugs Ashima. “I’d love to. I think it would be a good life experience to be involved in such an important ritualistic celebration. Just promise me you won’t get so extravagant that you can’t even enjoy the day.”
Holly points at them. “You should do a destination wedding! On a beach at sunset. Easy and beautiful.”
“At an all-inclusive resort! Let’s do it! I’m ready to party,” Kennedy says, elbowing Shayna, who has zero poker face. But I get why she’s all squirmy. It sucks to be around people all lovey-dovey when you’re fresh off a breakup and not feeling that way yourself. She pastes on a smile and raises her glass to Kennedy’s suggestion.
“In fact, why wait for the wedding?” he asks. “Let’s do one of those destination engagement parties people are doing.”
“Is that a thing?” Ashima asks.
“Oh, everything is a thing now,” Shayna says.
Peyton pops a bit in her seat and raises her hand. “Oh, I have a theory on that. I think it’s because of our increasingly isolated lives and distance from friends and neighbors. We no longer have daily community activities, so more emphasis is being placed on milestone events. We’re longing for connection and life events provide an outlet.”
Kennedy runs his hand along his jawline. “That’s deep. Ashima, you need to listen up. Do you hear that? We need a destination party, preferably at some place all-inclusive. You gotta do this for us.”
As I pass out the last flute, Kennedy bellows out, “Speech.”
“I think Nick already covered that. We got things a little out of order,” I say.
“Come on, your brother is getting married. You gotta say something,” he says.
This guy! “What? No.”
“Speech. Speech. Speech.” Shayna claps her hand in time as she chants. Her face is lit up in devious glee.
Everyone joins in on the chant and they are staring me down, so I cave. “Fine. Okay. Rub-a-dud-dub. Here’s to the soon-to-be hub.” Then I snatch up a cookie. “Let’s eat some grub.”
Holly gives me a thumbs-down while Kennedy boos me.
“Tough crowd. Let’s see one of you do better,” I say.
“I’ve got nothing.” Kennedy leans back. Yes! Finally, this shuts him up.
But still everyone is looking at me, waiting for me to say something more. And better. I suck at this kind of thing. I have no idea what I should be saying, especially since I thought I didn’t have to figure this out until the wedding. Guess I’m getting a dry run.
I stand and put on my best pretentious voice. “’Tis speech time. Raise your glasses to the happy couple, for Ashima has bewitched Nick into an agreement of marriage. And Ashima is a very tricky woman, as I have so learned.” I run my hand over the top of my head.
“But seriously, we’ve been at odds at times and I’ve been a bit unfair to you, Ashima. I appreciate you setting me straight. You reminded me that one’s happiest when with good company, which I was not. So I thank you for meddling in my life and caring enough to drag me out because ultimately you ended up bringing Peyton and me together.” I bend over and give Peyton’s hand a kiss. “I thought I was done with relationships, but now I realize love is worth the risk and the suffering. Which, my brother, you better watch out because you are in for it. But I jest. And yeah, love is good. Um, hanging out with you awesome people is good. I’m sure Peyton would have some theory about cave people and the need to stay together to hunt woolly mammoths as a group, but I just know that with having found a special someone, nothing in the world feels better than spending time with her. Nick, I’m glad you found your one. And Ashima, I’m glad you didn’t give up on me. Welcome to the family.”
To wrap it all up, I raise my glass. “To Nick and Ashima. May they have a long life filled with love.”
“Hear! Hear!” Kennedy yells out and everyone choruses after him.
When I sit, Peyton kisses my hand. “That was some speech.”
“Thank you. Can you believe I just made that up?”
“Couldn’t tell.” She nestles into my side. “I never knew you had such a romantic side to you. I love you, Max.”
“I love you too.” I kiss her cheek and whisper, “I have never wanted to spawn with you more.”
She winks at me. “I have that effect.”
And yeah, that’s it. That’s how Ashima got me out of her place and Peyton became my girl. I mean my woman.