Best Men - 12. Chapter Twelve

I awakened at around seven in the morning, and I jumped out of bed since I was actually looking forward to what the day would bring for me. So much of my life has changed since I returned to the town of Beckett to be one of the best men of my sister’s wedding, and the main reason was Patrick Dillard, otherwise known as Rick the puppet master who knew how to pull my strings and was the other best man.

After working out in the spare room that was filled with my father’s recently purchased exercise equipment, I took a quick shower and walked downstairs to the kitchen where I found a surprising sight. I smelled the gentle aroma of butter and cinnamon, and I approached Rick who was busy cooking what appeared to be French toast on the stove. I embraced him from behind, causing him to jolt in surprise.

“Oh, god, it’s just you,” Rick said. “Don’t scare me like that.”

I chuckled. “Sorry for scaring you.” Kissing Rick on the nape of his neck, I then said, “That French toast you’re cooking there?”

“Yup. I also made some coffee… Freddy, I don’t think I can finish cooking with your hard-on pressing against my ass.”

“What? Do you not want it?” I asked, pushing my thickening erection against Rick’s firm ass to tease him.

“Not here in the kitchen where either of your parents could walk in at any moment. Now sit at the table, and I’ll bring you your breakfast,” Rick ordered.

“Yes, sir.” I stepped back from Rick but not before lightly slapping his ass, and then right on cue my mother entered the kitchen.

Wearing a pink robe with her hair in curlers, she wrinkled her nose and said, “Oh, is that Rick who’s cooking?”

“Good morning, Mrs. Meyers! I hope you don’t mind me gathering a few ingredients from the kitchen to make some French toast,” Rick said as he placed a slice of French toast onto a stack.

“Oh, I don’t mind at all. Thank you, honey,” my mother cooed before sitting at the table.

My mother then commenced with idle conversation with Rick, while I just leaned against the counter with a large mug of plain black coffee in my hands. As they chatted, I couldn’t stop myself from being slightly annoyed at how easygoing their conversation was. My mother always gushed whenever Rick would visit the house, back when he used to be Liza’s boyfriend.

Someone could say that I was jealous; Rick was treated like a part of the family, while I felt like the black sheep ever since moving into this goddamn town of Beckett. She and I used to be so close, but then she befriended women from the local church, and her attitude towards me and my sexuality dwindled over time. I knew she still loved me, but every time she remarked about me just needing to find the right girl and that my gayness was just a phase slowly and gradually chipped at my soul.

“All right, let’s eat,” Rick announced, turning off the stove and carrying the plate stacked with breakfast to the dining table.

There was already butter and maple syrup on the table, which I grabbed after placing two slices of French toast on my plate. The French toast was a simple recipe, but the flavor was still very delightful, and I was already on my second serving as my mother simply sipped her hot tea.

“Feeling better, Mrs. Meyers?” Rick asked as he sliced his French toast. “I heard you were a little sick a couple of days ago.”

“Oh, I’m fine, thank you for asking. I just needed some hot tea and bedrest… Oh, and that reminds me! While I was in bed, I was on the phone chatting with one of my friends from the book club, and she said that her daughter, Samantha, is currently single. Do you remember her, Rick?”

Rick chuckled. “Yup, I do. Part of the cheerleading team back when we were in high school.”

“Yes, well, I think it would be nice if you two went out together for some brunch. Perhaps today?” My mother hinted.

I prevented myself from rolling my eyes and said, “Mom…”

“Thank you for telling me this, Mrs. Meyers, but I’ll be heading back to the city after Beth’s wedding. I don’t want to get Samantha’s hopes up.”

“That’s a shame. Samantha has been asking about you, and I think you two would really go together.”

I felt a twist in my gut, most likely jealousy since Rick wasn’t only not interested in women, but he also was already taken. By me… Well, that was what I thought at least. Rick and I still hadn’t discussed what we were and what we planned to do after the events of Liza’s wedding took place. I knew he lived in Cincinnati, while I had a home in Cleveland. So, meeting each was going to be difficult.

Then again, I doubted Rick thought of me as nothing more than a fling, which I didn’t mind at all. Or that was what I told myself. The truth that I liked to ignore was that I wanted to get to know Rick more, and not just about his marionette career, but as a person and maybe even as a potential lover as well. I still wanted to explore his body against mine even further, and time was my main enemy with Beth’s wedding getting closer and closer.

“I don’t think so, Mrs. Meyers. Samantha and I wouldn’t have worked since I’m gay,” Rick revealed.

I stopped chewing my food and just stared at Rick who just admitted the truth about his sexuality. To my mother. I then turned to her, and her face was priceless. Wide eyes, open mouth, and paled skin. I should’ve taken a picture of her; it was that comical. But thankfully for her I left my phone upstairs.

“I’m sorry, Rick. I must’ve heard you wrong. What did you say again?” my mother asked.

“I’m gay,” Rick said calmly.

Looking down at her mug of coffee. “I see.”

My mother then looked at me with furrowed eyebrows, like I was the one responsible for Rick being gay. Then again, she didn’t know that Rick and I had hooked up, and she didn’t stay to hear that additional piece of information. She apologized, saying her stomach was acting up again before scurrying out of the kitchen.

I continued to stare at Rick who looked unaffected by what he just admitted.

Facing me, Rick then said, “Sorry about that. I just felt she needed to know.” Rick fiddled with his fork before saying, “I wasn’t going to admit that we hooked up since that was your information as well.”

“I actually wished you did. I would’ve loved to see her grab the nearest bible and start praying to the Lord from above.” I laughed.

Rick smiled with amusement.

“That actually brings up a question I’ve been thinking about.”

“What’s the question?” Rick asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“What…What are we?” Glancing at Rick’s raised eyebrow, I then clarified by saying, “Are we like…a couple or something? Or is this just a fling? If it’s the latter, I don’t mind at all.”

Rick cleared his throat. “Yeah, I thought about that as well.” He looked at the window above the sink that poured in light into the kitchen and continued, “If you just want sex, then I don’t mind either. After the wedding, we can easily say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.”

“Hey, I’m down for that.”

Facing me again, Rick said, “Really?”

“Sure. No strings-attached sex with you, that’s a definite win for me,” I admitted.

Rick’s eyes looked down at my bare chest, and he nodded. “Same here...and I’d really like to know what you’re into…but I don’t think here is the right place to explore our feelings, because you know.”

“No, I totally get it… How about if I book a room at O’Leary’s bed and breakfast? I can totally get the best room, which I heard has an indoor hot tub and bar.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Don’t worry, I want to. If we’re going to be doing the Devil’s tango, I’d like it to be the best experience not just for me, but for you as well,” I said and smirked.

Rick blushed. “Yeah. That sounds great. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Biting my lower lip, I said, “Me too.”

We continued to gaze at each other for a few moments. I admired the handsome face of his, and I already imagined his full lips wrapped around my cock, his eyes rolled back as I fucked him hard, and his moans of pleasure as he came from the best orgasm he ever had. I was already getting a stiffy from under the table, and I haven’t even booked a room yet at O’Leary’s.

The spell between us broke when Rick pulled out his phone that was buzzing and answered it. The person calling was my sister, and after a few short exchanges, he ended the call and placed the phone back on the table

“Beth wants us both to go to the dress parlor on main street where she’s getting her final fitting for her wedding dress.”

“I guess we should finish the rest of the French toast since my dad won’t be having any,” I said, thinking about his smoothies that still made me cringe.

Rick and I managed to eat the remainder of the breakfast, and then we proceeded to wash the dishes together and went upstairs to change our clothes. We were soon in my police cruiser, and I even blared the siren for a few seconds as I drove at the request of Rick.

We then arrived at the dress parlor, and when we entered through the glass door, a small group of women were already sitting on a large couch. I recognized some of them as Liza’s coworkers, teachers who taught at the town’s elementary school. One of them greeted us, saying that she was putting on her wedding dress right then. I sat on one end of the couch, and Rick unfortunately had to sit at the other end since none of the women scooted to make room for us to sit together.

The wait was sort of agonizing since the area was perfumed heavily with a mixed concoction of scents that would’ve been fine on their own, but together made my nose ache. Also sitting next to a bunch of people who were all chatting and giggling like teenagers wasn’t pleasant to my ears neither. I then realized there was actually another dude other than Rick and I. He wore a very dapper outfit with a buttoned shirt and bowtie. And the guy was chatting with Rick so casually, almost to the point that I thought he was flirting with Rick. I held back my emotions and continued to wait.

Suddenly, a woman approached us, and I quickly recognized her as Moira, the wedding planner. She quickly faced me, and said, “Your sister would like to talk to you for a moment if you don’t mind.”

I was confused on what Liza wanted, but as her big brother and best man, I obliged and followed Moira to the fitting room. She opened the door and stepped aside, allowing me to step inside before she closed the door behind me.

I saw Liza, and she looked amazing. Her dress was both simple but stunning at the same time. What she wore composed of a main bodice that had a sweetheart neckline with a lace design for her shoulders and sleeves. The skirt had a medium-length train and was decorated with flower-shaped lace. She was simply beautiful. However, the distressed expression on her face as she looked at the tall mirrors with her hands pressed on her stomach made me concerned.

“Oh, God. Look at me,” Liza spoke.

“Yeah, you look amazing,” I said as I stood behind her.

“No, I don’t!” Liza exclaimed before stepping off the platform and dropping her body onto a small chair.

“What are you talking about, Liza?” I saw her holding her stomach, and then I said, “I don’t even notice it.”

“Notice what?”

“Your stomach. I don’t think you have to worry about it.”

“Well, that’s because this dress is so tight on me. And what happens in a couple of weeks during the wedding?”

“I’m sure the tailor or whoever can loosen it up for you, and I doubt you’ll gain ten pounds before your wedding happens,” I assured.

“You don’t understand. This isn’t about me looking fat in my dress. It’s…” Liza closed her mouth.

“Sis…what’s wrong?” I grabbed another chair and sat right in front of my little sister. “I’m your brother. You can tell me anything, right?”

Liza’s face then scrunched before she bowed her head and shielded her eyes with her hands. I was really concerned right then. A moment earlier I thought her problem was fitting into her dress, but it seemed the issue was far larger and more complicated than that.

Suddenly, Aaron appeared in my thoughts, and I said, “Liza…does this have to do with Aaron, your fiancé?”

Liza released a shaky breath and nodded.

“Liza, be honest with me now, okay? Is Aaron hurting you?”

Lifting her head, Liza gazed at me with wet eyes and said, “Of course not. What makes you think that?”

“So, he’s not hitting you, like in the stomach or anywhere else?”

“No, he’d never do that to me,” Liza professed.

“Then what’s wrong? You called for me, didn’t you? Tell your brother what happened to make you so upset… I’m all ears.” I placed a hand on Liza’s.

For a moment, Liza was quiet, and for a while I thought I wouldn’t get to know the answer to what was troubling her. Then she sighed and rasped, “I’m…I’m pregnant.”

I swore my eyes almost popped out of my head, and after some stunned silence, I said, “You just found out today?”

“No. It was more than a month ago. That’s why I’m worried about fitting into my dress… That’s why I’m even having this damn wedding.” Liza grabbed one of her white heels and tossed it against the wall.

“Wait. What?” I was so confused.

Liza cocked her head back and groaned. “More than a month ago, I found out I was pregnant because of Aaron. After some panicking and a lot of crying, we decided the best way to hide the fact that we had premarital sex was to get married. Then everyone would think we conceived right after… At least that was the plan.”

Scratching my head, I said, “Why would you do something as insane as that?”

“I just told you, Freddy. I’m pregnant, and we have to get married.”

“What kind of old-fashioned, close-minded—?”

“You wouldn’t know,” Liza inserted. “Aaron’s parents are so strict. They always have him on a short leash despite the fact that he’s already a full-grown adult… They never liked me, thinking I’m not good enough for their son. So, they’ll freak out if they discover that Aaron got me pregnant without being married first.”

“Well, have you considered…?”

“Yes, and I won’t do that. Despite his parents being a complete menace, he’s the sweetest person I ever fell in love with. We have so much in common like collecting toys and figurines, and I definitely see a future of us being married and having children... The only problem is that future is happening now, and I can’t keep up with how fast everything is going.”

“Then…Then maybe you should postpone the wedding,” I advised.

“Are you crazy? No way I’m doing that. I can’t let Aaron’s parents know the truth. They’ll cut him off completely. They already tried to do so when they found out he wasn’t taking courses for his business major but instead classes on game design at his university.”

“Shit.”

“His grandparents left him a huge inheritance in their will, but one of the stipulations is that he can only get it when he turns twenty-five. If his parents discover the truth, they’ll most likely find a way to take the inheritance from him. He needs that money if he ever wishes to be independent from his parents.”

“All this stress you’re having can’t be good for the baby,” I pointed out.

“I know that. But just in a couple of weeks, I’ll get married, and we can completely hide all the trouble my pregnancy has caused.”

I sighed.

“Just help me get through those couple of weeks. I just need someone other than Aaron to shoulder the stress. Can you do that for me, Freddy?” Liza looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“Of course, I will. We’re family, right?” I leaned forward and hugged my sister who wrapped her arms tightly around me.

“Thank you for listening, bro,” Liza said, her voice muffled against my chest.

I smiled, and for a moment we just continued to hug. Then Moira appeared again and said her friends were ready to see the bride in her wedding dress. I told her that she’d be out there in a second, and Moira nodded before retreating.

After smoothing her hair and drying her face, Liza grabbed a fake bouquet of flowers and said, “Let’s get this over with.”

“You really do look amazing,” I said.

Liza’s face brightened, and she commenced with walking out of the fitting room and into the main area where her friends gawked at her with awe.

“Sorry for the wait. Liza just needed the best man’s perspective before coming out,” I said.

Liza rolled her eyes and allowed her friends to surround her as they showered her with compliments. I sat back down on the empty couch, even the guy with the bowtie was next to Liza and appraising her appearance. Rick was right next to me, and he smiled at me before returning his eyes to the bride-to-be.

Thankfully, Rick didn’t ask what was happening behind the scenes, and I just appreciated sitting next to him and hoping to do so much more after this day ended. Then the revelation finally struck me.

I was going to be an uncle... Cool.