Forever – Chapter 93

Sam opened the SUV door before we came to a complete stop under the canopy at the hotel entrance. He waggled his eyebrows at me with a sexy grin and yanked me from the vehicle. My man had it bad — as did I, not gonna lie.

Sam wasted no time in taking charge. A tight squeeze through the revolving door, then a lot of nudging and prodding me toward the bank of elevators off the lobby. Every touch, every little push here, every little poke there, made my painfully hard dick leak a little more. I love bossy, possessive Sam.

An elevator arrived with a ding, and Sam playfully shoved me in. He pressed the button for our floor, tightening his grip on my wrist. I leaned against him as the doors slid shut, then he was all over me, kissing my neck, growling and pawing my ass. It wasn’t a fast elevator. By the time we reached our floor, my t-shirt was hanging half-off one shoulder, my lips were raw, and Sam had a hand down the back of my shorts. 

Heady with lust, I struggled to breathe. With a cheeky grin, Sam grabbed my hand and drew me into the hallway, pushing me against the wall with a loud thud, knocking a picture askew. Then he kissed me hard — with a lot of tongue and a take-no-prisoners frontal assault. I lost track of his hands as they stroked and manhandled my whole body, sending shivers and sparks up and down my spine.

He pulled back long enough to hiss, “Room…now.” 

I nodded and stumbled after him. At our door, I reached in my pocket for a room key, but before I could pull it out, he slammed me against the wall again and kissed me like he was dying for oxygen and my lungs had the only remaining supply.

I was dizzy with desire. In the distance I heard an elevator ding — probably Ben coming to chastise us for leaving him in the proverbial dust, unescorted. Sam stepped back, gave me an evil grin, and said, “Oh, fuck, the things I want to do to you.”

I held up the key card and smiled, jerking my head toward the door. He yanked it out of my quivering hand. The second the door closed behind us, he pounced. With no warning, he spun me around and pressed my cheek against the mirrored closet door.

“Arms out,” he commanded, lifting my left so I could grasp the corner where the short hallway opened into the main part of the room. My right hand reached for the bathroom door jamb. Sam nibbled on the back of my neck as he gently kicked my feet further apart.

“Don’t move,” he said.

“Sam,” I whispered.

“Shhh…I’ve got you,” he said, then gently bit the back of my neck again, before licking it softly, erasing the not-at-all unpleasant sting of his bite. 

“Oh, god…more,” I moaned. Then I remembered I had to be in a crap load of pictures at the wedding. “No marks,” I pleaded.

I felt Sam’s grin through his lips now nibbling behind my ear. “None that will show,” he said with a deep growl. Oh, crap.

He reached around, hands sliding under my t-shirt, rough fingertips grazing across my abdomen and then roaming higher. He grasped both my nipples between thumbs and forefingers and gently squeezed. I groaned, knees bending involuntarily in an explosion of pleasure. He tightened the pinch and I gasped, standing now on tip toes in an insincere attempt to escape the sting that went straight to my aching dick.

“Sam,” I whispered, coming undone.

“Yeah,” he whispered into my ear. “I love it when you call my name. Tell me what you want.”

“You,” I hissed, pushing my ass back into his crotch. He laughed.

“Tell me, little man.”

“Do it…please.”

“Do…what?”

I paused for barely a second. “Whatever you want, however you want it. Take me. Make me yours,” I said, saliva dripping from my mouth and down the mirror.

He growled again, pressing his crotch, and a very hard cock, against my ass, flattening me against the closet door. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“More than anything.”

He grabbed a handful of my carefully coiffed hair and yanked my head back, exposing my Adam’s apple, which he devoured. Bones melted under the heat of Sam’s mouth roaming all over my neck, nibbling and licking and kissing. My skin burned, my pulse pounded in my ears. 

A thought flashed through my mind — he’s so strong, he could really hurt me. I pushed it away, knowing I had nothing to fear. If anything, the power exchange fueled my excitement. Submitting to Sam and what he wanted was exactly what I wanted. He would never hurt me. Never. But he could certainly make me feel things — especially how much he loved me.

Sam released his hold on my hair and very gently placed my cheek back on the wet mirror.

“Hands up,” he whispered. I complied, releasing my hold on the edges of the wall. Sam slid my t-shirt up and over my head, then I pulled my arms through.

“Grab the wall,” he commanded. While I resumed my grip, he reached around and undid my shorts, which fell immediately to my ankles. 

“Kick ‘em off.” I did.

Down to underwear, I stood where he instructed, unable to see as he moved further into the room.

“Don’t move,” he said, a threat with a smirk I caught peripherally.

I heard him grunt as he ripped his t-shirt off. The sound of a zipper being lowered to reveal hidden things. The faint whisper of his shorts hitting the floor. I arched my lower back, pushing my ass backwards in a vain attempt to connect to what I desperately needed. He chuckled.

“So fucking hot, little man,” he whispered, coming up behind me. My nostrils flared the second I smelled him — sexy, virile, manly, and all Sam. I had only a brief glimpse in the mirror, but it was clear he was naked. And very hard.

His hands lightly grazed the backs of my thighs and I gasped as goosebumps erupted all over my body. My breathing shallowed out as his fingers teased under the leg bands of my boxer briefs.

He knelt behind me, his hands sneaking beneath my underwear. He squeezed both cheeks — hard. I yelped and rose on tiptoes. Then he bit me.

Not hard. It didn’t hurt, it shocked. It focused me. He pulled his hands out and for five seconds it was like he disappeared. Then he bit the other side of my ass through my underwear. Again, not hard, just decadently enticing.

I heard myself moaning and was vaguely aware I was pushing my ass out from the wall as far as I could.

“More,” I whispered.

He laughed and grabbed my gyrating ass, then bit me again, this time a little harder. I made a strangled noise and he chuckled.

“More?” he asked, clearly amused and enjoying himself, which made me smile through the haze of hormones and runaway desire. I made another unintelligible noise which he interpreted as a yes, since he bit me again. That one made me jump.

“Easy,” he said, stroking my ass, rubbing the spot he’d just attacked. “I’ve got you.” More stroking, more kneading. The sting evaporated, leaving my cock dripping with need.

I closed my eyes and surrendered to him completely. He made it so easy. Somewhere in the far recesses of my mind I thought, how strange it was that something I had dreaded my whole life — becoming a sexual being — could be so easy with Sam. But all rational thought vaporized when his naked, raw cock pressed my underwear into the crack of my ass as his arms wrapped around my chest.

He humped against me ever so slowly, pushing deeper. He kissed the back of my neck, then licked halfway down my spine, causing shivers of ecstasy. 

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I know,” he whispered back. “Turn around.”

I let go of the wall, feeling a slight twinge in my arm muscles from gripping so tightly. Sam never moved, never gave up his space, so my whole body rubbed up against his as I turned between him and the mirror. His deep blue eyes focused on mine and I nearly fainted.

So beautiful. So alive. So on fire. So much desire and need and love. So real. So mine.

I stretched my arms out wide against the wall, because I knew that’s what he wanted me to do. I looked at his lips, and then lifted my eyes, pleading for a kiss without words.

He leaned closer. His lips rested on mine, nothing more. We breathed the same air. He stepped an inch closer still, until I was pressed back against the mirrored door, our bodies touching head to toe.

No words now. Just his hands, his fingers teasing, touching me all over, igniting little fires and moving on. And always his lips on mine. Never pressing, barely touching, lighter than a feather.

He tweaked a nipple and I gasped against his lips. He smiled, lips never breaking contact, then did it again. Then he squeezed both of them hard, and I sucked air, hissing as pain and pleasure exploded, making my knees quiver. He grinned again, clearly pleased with himself and his power over me.

My whole body burned, my senses overloaded. I needed touch, pressure, release. I leaned forward to deepen the kiss, but he grabbed my head in both hands to hold me still. He looked at me with eyes like deep blue pools of fiery desire.

“I love you,” he whispered. “All of you. Everything about you. How you look. How you talk. How you respond to me. So beautiful. So fucking perfect.” His hands slid down to cradle my neck. His eyes glistened, as though he might be tearing up. Then they slanted at the corners and his lips curled into a sexy, hungry grin.

“I want you,” he said, his need a palpable thing between us.

“I’m yours,” I said, swallowing hard.

The sound from his throat sent my cock into rigid spasms. My ass clenched. What did I just unleash? Sam’s whole demeanor shifted from gentle and sweet to wild and dangerous. I didn’t flinch. Whatever he wanted, however he wanted it, I would give it to him.

He put one hand on each of my shoulders and pushed down. I hesitated, uncertain. He pushed harder. Letting my weakened knees do all the work, I slid down the mirrored door slowly, kissing and licking Sam’s chest and abs, dragging my tongue down the soft hair of his treasure trail, until his cock rested underneath my chin. He was hard enough to drill concrete. He growled long and low, sending fresh chills down my spine. I buried my nose in his coarse pubic hair and breathed deeply.

Sam pulled his hips back just enough for his dripping cock to trace a path from under my chin to my lips, painting a line of pre-cum in its wake. I looked up, and he was staring down at me with so much desire, so much passion and need.

“Open,” he said. I complied, eager to taste him.

Inch by slow inch, Sam pushed his thick cock past my lips. Deeper and deeper, until I had it all in my throat. He didn’t thrust and I didn’t move.

“Do it,” he hissed, and I knew exactly what he wanted. I swallowed and he moaned again, deep and guttural. Almost feral. I did it again and his legs nearly buckled. A third time and I suddenly needed to breathe. I squeezed his knee and he backed off enough for me to catch a breath or two, then pressed back in, balls deep.

I stroked his hairy ass, swallowing against his dick. I was in my own special place of pleasure, something I would never be able to explain to another living soul. I stroked his balls and gently tugged them. He backed off and gave me another short reprieve. I reached behind him with both hands and pulled his cock deeper into my throat.

He needed to move now. Needed the friction of my tongue sliding along the underside of his delicious cock, lapping up precum and slobbering as he slowly pistoned in and out of my throat. He didn’t last long. With a gasp he pushed in hard, squishing my nose against his pubes and stilled.

“Oh, fuck…oh…oh, fuck!” he moaned. I swallowed hard and he shouted sexy obscenities as he came totally undone. I held on tight and wouldn’t let him pull completely out of my mouth, savoring the scent and taste of the man I loved with my very life.

His thigh muscles rippled with little tremors as he came back to reality. I relaxed my fierce hold on his ass and he slowly disengaged his still rock hard cock from my mouth. When he could stand firm again, he reached down and pulled me up from under my arms until we were face to face.

He kissed me, tasting himself as his tongue ravaged my mouth. Then he grabbed my dick through my underwear drenched in pre-cum and squeezed.

“My turn,” he whispered. He kissed me with a grin, then sank to his knees. He pulled my underwear down to my ankles, then buried his nose under my sticky balls, rooting into the crease between groin and legs. His tongue did delightful things, and when he took me into his mouth, I nearly fell.

Sam pushed hard on my thighs to hold me up against the wall. The warm, wet sensations of his mouth had me unraveled in less than a minute. Flying along the edge of no return, he teased me. He played with my asshole, stroking the tender flesh. When a finger pressed inside, I gasped. 

He looked up at me with those sparkling blue eyes, my cock in his mouth and his finger probing my hole. I lost it. I came so hard I saw stars, and then my knees did buckle. He caught me and helped me down to a soft landing. 

When I opened my eyes, his were studying me. He stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers. I put a hand over his heart, feeling it pulse under my palm. He put a hand over mine and held it close. It might be beating in his chest, but I knew Sam’s heart was mine.

Forever.

We napped, intertwined on the soft, pillowy king size bed. I groaned and rooted my face into Sam’s side when his phone alarm went off.

“Don’t make me,” I whined into his armpit.

I could hear the smile in his voice. “Wedding duties call, little man.”

With a heavy sigh, I pushed back and rested my head on Sam’s hairy, slightly sweaty chest. His overwhelming sexy scent went straight to my dick. I licked the nipple closest to my tongue and he squeezed my ass.

“Ow,” I said, squirming to escape his paws. Apparently where he bit me earlier was still a little tender.

Concern replaced his smile. “Did I hurt you?” He threw the covers off, giving me the shivers in the cool, air-conditioned room. He rolled me flat on my stomach and inspected my naked ass, clenched tight against the chill. Fingers gently explored the surface, then he kissed my ass gently.

“Will I live?” I said into my pillow.

His answer was to bite me again, though not as hard as he had previously. I unclenched my ass voluntarily and Sam took that as a sign I wanted more. With calloused hands he parted my cheeks and soon his tongue was opening me up, followed by first one, then a second, spit-lubed finger. In two minutes flat he had me begging, pleading, demanding — all of which turned him on even more.

He reached across to the night stand and extracted a bottle of lube — when did he put that in there? He slicked my hole, then himself. I’m not sure which I craved more — his long, hard dick buried in my ass, or the sheer weight of him as his lay his full body over mine, pressing me hard into the mattress. I felt like every square inch of me was connected to Sam.

Connected. The word exploded in my mind as Sam slowly pulled out and pushed back in, scraping across my prostate in wave after wave of carnal bliss. Connected.

We shared a connection. Familiar, yet suddenly new. Different. Deeper. For a brief moment, a new clarity settled in my brain, holding back the familiar pleasure building under my balls and rising up my spine. Then I lost myself in a beautiful, mind-altering orgasm, rutting against the sheet as Sam unloaded deep inside me.

No words, just two guys struggling to breathe again, enjoying the chemical rush of physical release. Together. Connected.

That word again.

Sam rolled off me and sighed heavily, decidedly spent. I felt boneless and light. Maybe lighter than I had ever felt before.

I turned over and stared at the ceiling. Sam’s hand found mine immediately, like he, too, couldn’t bear to be disconnected. As his thumb rubbed circles across my wrist, I gasped.

Connection. That was it! The key to everything. Or at least a significant part. It had to be.

“What?” said Sam, turning on his side to face me.

I fought back tears of relief as understanding flooded in. Connection — the missing puzzle piece I had longed for my whole life. Something others took for granted. Something I never had — until now.

“Talk to me, little man,” Sam whispered, placing a hand on my chest and rubbing in small circles. I smiled and held his hand tight against my heart, craving his touch all the more, now that I fully understood the power of it.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, wiped a tear out of my eye, and rolled to face him. I put my other hand on his cheek, still holding his against my chest.

“Thank you,” I whispered, staring into his deep blue eyes.

“For what?” he asked, curious.

“For giving me something I needed more than I ever knew. Something no one else ever did.”

“What?” His eyes sparkled, full of wonder and the desire to understand.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Connection.”

“Connection,” he said, letting the word roll across his thoughts.

“I don’t have the words…not yet,” I said. “But I see it now. What I’ve been missing my whole life. No one, Sam. I have never been truly connected to anyone before you.”

He grinned. “Well, I am your first.”

I blushed. “Not what I mean, though I’m glad you are my first — and only.” I stroked his cheek. “It’s more than sex. More than something physical. Maybe that’s a part of it, I don’t know. But I do know this — until now, I never knew what being truly connected to another person meant.”

“I don’t understand,” said Sam.

“Ugh, I know. I’m trying to make sense of it myself.” I paused and gathered my thoughts. “It’s like this. My parents, we never had a genuine connection. They never saw the real me. I’m not sure they even tried. We co-existed, but we were never…together. I never once felt like I belonged. I didn’t fit, and I never understood why.”

“And now?”

I sighed. “I get it. A little, anyway. Part of it was being adopted, I’m sure. But it’s other things, too. I don’t think they understood anything about connection themselves. Neither one of my parents are what you might call ‘close’ to their families.”

“But that’s no excuse for how they treated you,” said Sam, tension tracing across his shoulders. 

I put a hand on his chest to calm him. “I know. I’m just saying, I understand now what I missed out on. What Dr. Margolis was trying to get me to see. I do have a family — people I grew up with and who marginally took care of me. But there’s not much there of any substance. No true connection to speak of. Not like you and I have.”

“Well, what we have together should be different, shouldn’t it?”

I grinned. “Yes, of course. But what I’m talking about is…deeper. It’s not about sex, it’s more.”

“How so?”

“Okay, take you and Kat. You’re brother and sister, right?”

“Yeah.”

“But more than your genetic relationship, the two of you are connected. You feel and think and want things for each other. She matters to you. A lot. I’m guessing more than any other woman besides your mom. I watched you fall apart when she told you about the rape. Her pain becomes your pain. Her joy is your joy, too. Heck, even when you’re mad at each other, the connection still holds. Think about it — when you guys don’t see eye-to-eye on something, it hurts, doesn’t it?

He nodded. “Yeah, it does.”

“And at some point, no matter how upset you get, you both find a way to fight FOR your relationship, instead of against it. You’re connected on a very deep level, and that connection is worth fighting for. It matters. It defines you, even.”

Sam’s eyes searched mine again. He reached a hand to my cheek and I leaned against it and closed my eyes. I stroked his thigh, tracing a crease between large muscles. We were quiet for a minute.

“You’re saying you never had that…connection…before me?” whispered Sam, breaking the silence.

I shook my head. “Never…no one. All my life I needed something I couldn’t put into words. I wanted to belong, to matter, to have someone in my life who would fight for me, not against me. It never happened. Not until you.”

He smiled. His eyes bore into my soul and I relaxed, relieved to let him in. This was part of our connection, too. I saw it reflected in those deep blue orbs that pulled me in and took my breath away. He understood. He got it.

He nodded once, then looked away. When his eyes came back to mine, they were welling with tears. “It does make sense,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry it had to be like that for you. I can’t imagine…”

I put a finger to his lips. “Shhh…it’s okay. This is a good thing, really. I’m okay. I feel…I don’t know, alive? Maybe for the first time? Oh, Sam…”

Further words were choked by the lump rising in my throat, and when tears came out of nowhere, Sam pulled me close and held me tightly to his chest. 

They were not tears of sorrow, but of an overwhelming joy I couldn’t express. This revelation — my new understanding of the true connection I had with Sam — it was a sea change. It meant I wasn’t completely broken, destined to always be on the outside, looking in. I wasn’t permanently lost and alone. 

I pushed back as Sam lightened his hold on me. I smiled and wiped my drippy nose across my arm. “Sorry,” I said. “It’s a little overwhelming.”

“You okay?”

“More than okay,” I said with a huge smile. “I feel…liberated. Free. And I owe it all to you.”

Sam sat up and grabbed my hand, wiping his eyes with the other. “I don’t know what you think I did, but I’m pretty sure you did most of the heavy lifting. I’m just glad I get a front row seat to see you become everything you were always meant to be.”

The new lump in my throat made speech impossible, so I kissed him. He rolled back, pulling me on top of him, and we enjoyed our connection again without any words.

We were late. My left leg tapped nervously in the backseat of the SUV as our driver maneuvered through the early evening traffic around the mall. We were meeting Fred and Allison at a restaurant called Seasons 52. 

Sam stilled my leg with a firm hand. “Easy, little man. Nothing to worry about. It’s just dinner with an old friend.”

Ben smiled in the front seat but said nothing. He knew my nervous tendencies too well. He put away his cell phone as we pulled up at the entrance. The three of us were soon standing on the walk, watching the driver pull away.

“What’s his name?” I asked, suddenly drowning in curiosity.

“None of your concern,” replied Ben.

I raised an eyebrow. “Top secret? Really? He’s a driver.”

“He’s also a former Green Beret who can kill you seven different ways in less than a minute. Still want to get to know him?”

I swallowed hard. “Uh…nevermind.”

Ben smiled. “See…that wasn’t so hard. Leave the security to me, and focus on why you’re here.”

Sam grinned and I couldn’t resist. “Why’s that, again?”

Ben rolled his eyes. “Because apparently your friend can’t get married without his pain-in-the-ass sidekick holding his hand. Weren’t you the one hyperventilating because you were late?” He jerked his head towards the entrance.

“Right. Okay, let’s do this,” I said with as much fake confidence as I could muster. Sam’s hand found the small of my back and pushed me forward. We followed Ben to the hostess stand and a minute later we were led to a small round table where Fred and Allison waited.

He looked the same as always, just a bit smarter dressed than usual. Which meant he had a long-sleeved button-down shirt instead of a ratty concert t-shirt. We all wore jeans, including Allison.

She was a natural beauty. Very little makeup, expertly applied, ensured her face glowed without trying too hard. Her long waves of blond hair fell gently across her shoulders. She smiled big and stood as we approached.

“Jack, it’s so good to see you again. It’s been ages,” she said, putting her arms around me. I hugged her quickly and stepped back.

“Allison, you look amazing,” I said. “Just like a bride-to-be should.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “And this must be Sam?”

I stepped aside for Sam and grabbed his hand. Sam gave me a surprised look, then grinned and shook Allison’s hand, then Fred’s. 

“Pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for including me,” said Sam.

“Oh, of course,” said Fred. “Don’t give it another thought. Sit, sit. We ordered some appetizers. They should be here any minute.”

“How was your trip?” asked Allison, reaching for her water glass.

“Fine,” I replied.

“You pick up your suit?” asked Fred.

I spluttered, having totally forgotten. I glanced at Sam, who saved the day. “We both needed haircuts, so we took care of that first. We’ll get the suit first thing in the morning. I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Fred grinned at me. “Keeps you on your toes.”

I sighed. “You have no idea.” He laughed loudly and Allison smiled brighter.

“Tell us how you two met,” she said.

Sam and I took turns re-telling the tale. The appetizers came and I made a decision to come clean about my inheritance, since I still had the task of introducing Ben who was lurking somewhere nearby.

“Wait! You’re telling me you’re like a…a what? A millionaire?” asked Fred, mouth hanging open.

“Freddie, don’t be rude,” said Allison.

He had the good grace to look flustered. I didn’t care. He was my friend. I owed him a lot for putting up with my sad sack attitude all those years.

“Sorry, Jack, I’m just…wow. And you found true love, too. Talk about fast turnarounds,” he said.

I grabbed Sam’s hand under the table. “Yeah, it’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure. I’m still getting my head around it. Some days I get a little freaked out about…stuff.”

“I’ll bet. Lot’s of responsibility, running a company,” said Allison. “What about you, Sam? What do you do?”

“Well, besides talking Jack off a cliff every now and again, I work at the office when he needs me for a project. Mostly I help take care of our home in Denver.”

I punched his arm. “I’m not that bad.”

He grinned. “True, it’s not every day. Anymore.”

My mouth dropped. “Seriously, you’re gonna do me like that?”

“You like me, and you know it,” he said, laughing.

“Not even a little bit, you jerk,” I said with a cheeky grin.

“Oh my god, you two are adorable,” said Allison, bouncing in her seat, grinning ear to ear. “Finally, some real people to talk to.”

“Come on, Allie, it’s not that bad,” said Fred. She looked at him like he was crazy.

“Uh…what’s going on? Is everything okay?” I asked.

Allison sighed heavily and flopped back against her chair, defeated. “I’m up to my bridal veil in conniving, self-centered relatives and an aunt who thinks this is her wedding and she’s in charge.”

“Uh, oh,” said Sam.

“Uh, oh, is right,” she said. “Seriously, if that woman doesn’t stop micromanaging every little thing I’m gonna bitch-slap her into next week.”

Fred’s eyes popped. “Woah,” he said, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. “What’s going on?”

She sighed and leaned into his embrace. “I’m sorry. I’m on edge, I guess. All the last minute details.”

“Do you need to leave?” I asked. “We don’t have to do dinner if you have things you need to do.”

“Yeah, we can help. Tell us what you need,” said Sam.

She gave us a thin smile. “Thanks, guys, but it’ll be fine. And I’ve been looking forward to this dinner all week.” She grabbed her knife and pointed it in mock threat. “It’s my only chance to hide from the family, so nobody leaves until I’ve had dessert.”

“Uh…let’s order and forget about wedding stuff for a while, how ‘bout it?” said Fred, pulling her arm down. We all nodded and he waved to the waiter.

I ordered the lobster bisque and the caramelized sea scallops. Sam settled on a salad and the eight ounce Filet Mignon. Big surprise. He grinned at me when he closed his menu. Good to know you can count on things.

Over dinner, Fred and Allison told us how they had rekindled their romance after a rocky start in college. She just wasn’t ready to settle down at that time, and Fred was pushing her for more. But now they were on the same page, and couldn’t wait to get married and start a family.

“What do you do, Allison?” asked Sam.

“I’m a pre-school teacher in a Lutheran school, and I love it. Can’t wait for the new school year to start.”

“Tough job,” I said. “Better you than me.”

“It has its hard moments, like when a kid starts to cry and can’t tell you why. Or when I know I’m sending them back to a home full of strife and misery.”

“How do you know that?” asked Sam.

“Because they tell us. Little kids have no filter. If it happens, they say it. Sometimes it’s hilarious, other times it’s just so sad. But while they’re with us, we have fun. We laugh, we learn, we play. And I get paid to do it. It’s awesome,” she said, beaming.

“So, Fred, how many kids you gonna have?” I asked, spearing my last scallop on my fork. They were rich and luscious.

“We’re hoping for three, eventually. We’d like to wait until I finish my MBA.”

“MBA? Jack’s starting his program in a few weeks,” said Sam.

“That’s awesome, man. Where?” asked Fred.

“Washington University. Sam’s starting law school, and I thought I might as well make the most of my time there with him.”

“Well, no doubt you’ll be the top of your class,” said Fred.

I blushed. “I don’t know about that. I’ve forgotten more than I remember from college.”

“Come on, Jack,” said Allison. “I remember you tutoring half the floor back in the day. Stephanie and Carla copied your notes all the time.”

“Well…”

Sam put an arm around my shoulders and scooted closer. “So you all are telling me Jack is a brainiac?” I hid my face in his shoulder, embarrassed.

“I don’t know about brainiac,” said Fred. “But he got straight A’s.”

“Ugh, can we change the subject,” I said. “Nobody cares about my GPA. Allison, what are the colors of the wedding?”

She smiled and went with me. “Pale greens and yellows. Lots of flowy chiffon. The girls hate it, but I love it.”

I grinned. “Sounds like a bride who knows what she wants.”

“Yeah, if it were only that easy. The dresses are about the only thing where I got my way.”

“Hey, we said we weren’t gonna talk about wedding stuff,” whined Fred, reaching for his water.

“Sorry, honey,” said Allison.

“Sorry, honey,” I said.

Fred choked on his water and got red in the face. We all laughed. Fred joined in as soon as he could catch his breath.

“Not funny, Schaeffer,” he said.

“It kinda was,” I said, grinning.

“Keep it up and I’ll make you play Mortal Kombat with the other groomsmen.”

I blanched. “You wouldn’t!”

“In a heartbeat, dickwad.”

I smiled. Somehow him calling me his favorite nickname made me feel like we had come full circle. Fred was a good guy, and a good friend. I was glad I came to stand up with him.

Despite his warning to steer clear, conversation naturally returned to wedding planning and the upcoming nuptials.

“The rehearsal is tomorrow at four at the church,” said Fred. “If you could be there a little early, that would be great. In case I get cold feet.”

“What? Frederick Jeremiah Thompson, you better be joking,” said Allison, cheeks reddening.

He leaned away from her and cracked up. “I am, I am. I promise.”

She slapped his arm playfully. “That’s not funny. Now I have one more thing to worry about.” She slumped in her chair in a pretend pout.

“Don’t worry, Allison. I’ll drag his ass to the altar, whether he likes it or not,” I said.

“Oh yeah? You and what army?” said Fred.

“Well, now that you mention it, see that big guy two tables over watching us?” Fred glanced toward Ben, who smiled sinisterly. Fred looked at me confused. “He’s with me. He’s ex-military, and our driver for the weekend is also ex-military and apparently doesn’t speak, just thinks about unique and creative ways to off people. So I don’t think Allison has anything to worry about, do you?”

Both Fred’s and Allison’s eyes bugged out. They looked from Sam and me over to Ben and back again.

“You weren’t kidding about the security,” said Fred, swallowing hard.

“Nope,” said Sam. “But relax, Ben’s a sweetheart. He hasn’t threatened to shoot Jack in over a week.”

Allison squealed with laughter and Fred just shook his head like we were nuts. I looked at Sam. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Getting all the laughs at my expense.”

Sam leaned over and kissed my cheek, stopping me cold. I was suddenly aware we were in a public place. I sat rigid, not breathing.

“Uh…are you okay?” asked Allison, suddenly concerned.

“I’m sorry,” said Sam. “I got carried away. It’s okay, little man. Breathe for me. That’s it, just breathe.” 

I focused on heaving air in and out of my lungs, anticipating some vitriolic hate-filled diatribe to come, but it never did. Fred and Allison were unshaken. I could tell Sam was desperate to steady me with a touch. Taking a deep breath, I reached for his hand under the table and squeezed. Sam breathed a sigh of relief and the tension at the table dissipated.

“Sorry,” I said. “I still get…whatever. What were we talking about?” I asked, reaching for my water glass.

“We were talking about your security brigade,” said Fred. “What’s that all about, anyway?”

I glanced at Sam and he took over. “A few months ago Jack managed to get himself a stalker. As a precaution, we hired some security to keep an eye on things — us and the company. Ben sticks close, uses local guys when he thinks it necessary. Honestly, it’s not a big deal.”

“He’s the one you told Fred needs to be at the reception?” asked Allison.

I nodded. “He can stand at the edge of the room. Like Sam said, it’s no big deal. Unless your fiance tries to skip out on the festivities.”

Fred beamed at Allison. “Never gonna happen. I’m about to become the happiest man alive. No way I’m letting you go this time.”

He bent over and kissed her lightly. Her cheeks colored again. It was sweet and beautiful. I looked at Sam and I knew he wanted to kiss me like that, but he settled for smiling, his blue eyes slanting at the corners. My heart flopped around in my chest as we all enjoyed the moment.

Dessert came and went. Allison and Fred split a mocha macchiato cake and Sam ate a slice of key lime pie, sharing exactly two bites with me.

“That’s all I get?” I whined.

“You have to fit into a suit tomorrow, remember?” he said, laugh lines etched around his eyes.

“Whatever,” I said.

“I love you guys,” said Allison. “Thank you so much for this. I needed a reality check.”

“You’re welcome,” said Sam.

Fred’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and frowned at the screen.

“Crap, we have to go. My aunt and uncle’s flight was delayed, and I have to pick them up.”

“No! We told them we were absolutely not available tonight,” said Allison.

“I know, baby, but what can we do?”

“We can do it,” I said. Sam’s arm landed on my shoulders. I could feel his smile and approval.

“Oh, Jack, we can’t ask you to do that,” said Allison.

“Sure you can. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To handle things. We don’t have any plans, and we have a car and driver. Give us the particulars and have someone tell them to look for two dashing young men with a frowny older guy in the background.”

Sam chuckled next to me.

“Are you sure?” asked Fred.

“Yes. Come on, it’s the least I can do for you.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I’m sending you their flight info. You can’t miss them. He looks a lot like my dad, and she’s a tiny little thing next to him. Call me if you need anything. They’re staying at the Marriott, too, so that works out.”

“We’ve got this,” said Sam, warming to the idea. “You kids go play and enjoy your time out of the spotlight. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Napkins landed on dessert plates and we all stood and said goodbye.

Ben fell in behind us as we exited the restaurant. Fred and Allison had excused themselves to use the restrooms, so I didn’t get a chance to introduce him properly.

“Where to?” he asked, reaching for his cell.

“The airport. We have a pickup to make,” I said.

He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He spoke into the cell and our SUV arrived a minute later.

We found Fred’s aunt and uncle at American baggage claim. Polly and Jim introduced themselves and we explained how we were their ride for the evening. Ben waited outside with the SUV. He could see through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls to keep an eye on us. Sam and I each took one of their bags and they followed us out to the car, thanking us many times for such thoughtful service.

The ride to the hotel was mostly in silence. Polly whispered to her husband about this and that, nothing important. Sam and I sat in the third row, holding hands in the dark. We left them in the hotel lobby to check in and get settled. Ben followed us to the elevators.

“How was dinner? Seemed like you had a good time,” he said.

“Fine. She’s charming and wonderful, and Fred’s…Fred,” I said with a shrug.

“So everything’s good?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good,” he replied. “You guys in for the night?”

Sam grabbed my hand and pulled me into the elevator. “Yep. For the next two days I have to share him, but for tonight, he’s all mine.”

Ben smiled as he followed us onto the elevator. “I see.”

We arrived at the Men’s Wearhouse the next morning at ten, shortly after they opened. Thankfully everything with my rented suit was just as it should be, with the exception of the shoes. I needed a slightly bigger size, which they found in short order. I thought the light green pocket square against the blue suit was nice. Sam thought it a tad fussy.

“It’s a wedding,” I said as we walked outside to the waiting SUV.

“I know. It’s still a bit much. But whatever, not my wedding.”

My breath caught in my throat. His wedding. Oh, man. My thoughts went skittering into the unseen future as we made our way back to the hotel.

In the lobby, Ben looked away from his phone to inquire if we had any other plans before the rehearsal.

I looked at Sam, who just shrugged. He was along for the ride. I had an idea, something that might be silly but maybe he would find it…interesting?

“Um…would you mind driving us around for a while. I want to show Sam some of my old haunts.”

“Cool,” said Sam at my shoulder.

Ben sighed. “Sure. Meet back down here in ten.”

Sam and I went up to the room, dropped off my suit and used the bathroom. We might have kissed a few times in the elevator.

Ben gave directions to the driver, and in a few minutes we were parked in front of the small office building where I had worked with Marcus Thompson, Fred’s father. 

“Kinda puny, compared to your building in Denver,” he said.

I sighed. “It is, isn’t it. Makes me sad.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I feel like I let Marcus down, leaving like I did.”

Sam reached for my hand. “Hey, think about all the good you’ve done since you chose to follow a new path. You said he found a great replacement for you, right?”

I frowned and bit my bottom lip. “Well…yeah, but…”

“But nothing. You did the right thing. And when you see him tonight, you can tell him all about it. I’m sure he’ll be totally cool with it.”

I dropped my head on his shoulder. “You’re always so sure of everything.”

He squeezed my hand. “Not always. But there’s one thing I never doubt.”

“What?”

“How awesome you are, and how much I love you.”

The driver made a noise in his throat. Ben looked up from his cell phone and frowned at him. He turned to me.

“You getting out?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

“You sure?”

I looked at Sam. He studied my face for ten seconds without a word. “Let’s get out of here,” he said.

I breathed a sigh of relief — from what I didn’t know — and gave Ben directions to our next stop.

Sam was fascinated by the apartment complex where I had lived prior to leaving for Hawaii. We got out of the car and walked around the different buildings and past the commons.

“Can we go inside?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have a key anymore.”

“Didn’t you sublet the place to a guy you worked with?”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe he’s home?”

“It’s the middle of the day on a Friday. Won’t he be working?” I said.

“Only one way to find out,” said Sam, walking toward the door of the building I had pointed out as mine.

“Wait for me,” I said, trotting to keep up with his long strides. He slowed down and grinned at me.

“This is fun, getting to see your roots,” he said.

“Roots? I wasn’t here long enough to grow roots.”

“You know what I mean. To see where you lived and worked before. Come on.”

Someone had propped the main entrance door with a heavy box. The complex manager would have a cow if she saw it. I remembered two memos a month about security.

Sam stepped inside, then turned to me when faced with all the stairs. “Which one?”

I sighed. “Top floor, on the right.”

He grinned, grabbed my hand, and practically pulled me up the steps. Funny, I didn’t remember the carpeting being so worn and frayed.

Turned out we didn’t need a key. The door to my former apartment stood wide open. Voices inside were having a discussion about something. Sam looked at me, and I shrugged. I didn’t live there anymore.

Sam peered into the open door and rapped his knuckles on the frame.

“Hello?” he said. I stood at his side, peering in from the threshold.

Alex, the young man I had sublet the space to back in April, suddenly appeared with a smallish girl coming up behind him.

“Jack! You’re back!” he shouted, reaching for my hand. “Come in, come in. Rose, honey, this is Jack, the guy I told you about.”

Ah, the infamous Rose, the love of Alex’s life and the one who had thrown him out of her apartment until he married her. She was pretty, in a simple, doe-eyed way. Her smile, though, was infectious. She lit up the room when she shook my hand.

“Nice to meet you. I guess I owe you a lot, for talking some sense into Alex,” she said.

Sam turned to me, eyes dancing. “Oh? What did you do?” he asked.

“Uh…nothing, I don’t think,” I replied, trying to catch up to what was happening.

“Who’s this guy?” asked Alex, as Sam grabbed my hand — probably sensing I was about to run away — and pulled us further into the dining area. The simple folding table I had left behind had been replaced with a very nice cherry square top with four matching chairs. Interesting.

“Jack, aren’t you going to introduce us?” asked Sam, grinning. I glued myself to his side and his hand found the small of my back. I leaned back and took a deep breath.

“Alex, this is my partner, Sam. Sam, this is Alex, and this is Rose. I’m assuming here, that you guys are still together,” I said.

She smiled and grabbed Alex’s arm, leaning closer. “We got married!” she squealed, then bounced on her toes, still excited by the very idea of it.

“Yeah, I took your advice, man,” said Alex. “After you left, I moped for a couple of days, then called her. We met for coffee. I took one look at her and said, enough’s enough, let’s get married already.”

Rose poked his bicep. “You were way more romantic than that. He had this in his pocket, and poem he wrote. It was the sweetest thing ever,” she said, raising her left hand for me to see the impressive and quite beautiful diamond on her slender finger.

“It’s stunning,” I said. “So, are you moving back to her place?” I asked, glancing at all the packing boxes littering the floor around us.

“Naw, she’s moving in here with me. We just got back from our honeymoon last night, and we didn’t want to wait to set up.”

Rose’s cell phone rang. “Oh, excuse me a minute. I have to take this, it’s my mother. She’s driving me crazy.”

Alex watched her closely as she retreated to the front room and whispered quietly.

“I’m glad it all worked out for you,” I said.

He grinned. “Thanks. Looks like you didn’t do too badly yourself. I had no idea…you know,” he said, jerking his head toward Sam, who just stood there smiling and taking it all in.

I blushed and breathed deeply. “I, uh…I wasn’t out…when I lived here.”

He nodded. “Sure, man, I get it,” he said, like he understood. There was no way he possibly could, but it didn’t matter.

“Would you mind?” said Sam. “Could I just peek around for second, see the place where Jack lived?” I started to protest he was being rude, but something in his eyes deterred me.

“Uh…sure,” said Alex. “It’s not big, but it’s a good starter home, I think.”

Sam stepped around me and walked toward the back, leaving Alex and me alone by the door.

“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why didn’t you ever cash my check for the rent?” When I asked the super about re-upping the lease, he said you had paid the lease in full before you left. What gives?”

I sighed, not really wanting to get into the whole story with Alex.

“Consider it a wedding present,” I said. Alex started to protest, but Rose reappeared.

“Mommy and Daddy are driving over with the rest of my things. Should be here any minute.”

“Great,” said Alex, dripping sarcasm. There were already boxes filling the kitchen space and most of the counters.

Rose smiled. “We can always make room by throwing away that ratty recliner,” she said, pointing at a very sad, very large chair in the living room. Ratty was an understatement. It looked like a death trap. Black faux leather, stuffing sticking out in five places I could see, and criss crossed with black duct tape. Ugliest chair ever. And it was the only furniture in the room.

I looked at Alex and smiled. “Maybe you two can find some new furniture you both like.”

He smiled and nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

“We should go,” said Sam, returning to my side. “Let these nice people set up their home.”

“Thanks for stopping by,” said Rose.

“Thank you for indulging my curiosity,” said Sam.

“You staying around here?” asked Alex.

“Oh…uh, no. We live in Denver. I’m standing up in a wedding this weekend,” I said.

Rose smiled at Sam. “And you wanted to see a little of Jack’s past. How romantic.”

Alex sighed. “Sweetie, you think doing laundry is romantic.”

She laughed and poked his arm again. “It is, if you do it right.”

Sam laughed and put an arm around my waist. Looking at Alex, he said, “She’s awesome.”

Alex blushed. “Yeah, I know.” Rose stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

Sam kissed mine. “Do we have any laundry to do today?”

Their laughter echoed as we descended the stairs. I might have stopped blushing by the time Sam led me to a park bench near the open area at the center of the complex. 

We sat, the sun pouring down on us. It was hot, but thankfully the humidity was half of what it was the day before, which was a real relief.

“How do you feel?” Sam asked.

“About what?”

“Being back here.”

I looked around. “Fine. It’s just a place I lived. Like I said yesterday, I never really had a strong connection to much. I existed, I did my thing, but I think deep down I knew I was just marking time.”

“And now?”

I smiled and reached a hand to stroke his face. “Now I’m truly living. I have you, and everything else in my life is starting to line up in a way that finally makes sense.”

He leaned his forehead against mine and we sat for a moment or two.

“I heard what you said to Alex, about not cashing his check,” said Sam.

“It’s no big deal.”

“It is to him. You made a big impact on the guy, and you barely know him. Why?”

I sighed. “Because…he loved her. And he was confused…and he had no place to live. He wanted to do the right thing, but he didn’t know what that was. He needed help, and I…I just wanted to help him. I did the little that I could, that’s all.”

Sam smiled. “That’s all? More than most people would even think to do. I love you, little man.”

“I love you back, big guy.”

“I’m hot,” he said.

“I know.”

He smiled and tugged his t-shirt away from where it clung to his chest. “I mean, I’m like, sweaty hot. Seriously, it’s like a million degrees. You ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, standing.

Halfway back to the parking lot, he grabbed my hand and I didn’t pull away.

At the car, he reached to open the back door and paused, reaching for my hands.

“I’ll always fight for you, you know,” he said, his voice strong and determined. His eyes bore into mine. “I’ll destroy anyone who tries to hurt you.”

My mouth fell open, stunned. “Sam…I…”

“I mean it. You may have never had a real connection before, but you do now, and like you said, what happens to you, happens to me. They mess with you, they mess with me. And they’ll only try it once, I can promise you that.”

His blue eyes flashed with fire, daring someone to take him on. It was scary and sexy at the same time.

I had no words. I collapsed on his chest and he wrapped his arms around me, oblivious to the humidity and heat. When he finally relaxed his hold, I was half stuck to him. His stomach rumbled, and we smiled at each other.

“Time to feed the beast,” I said.

“What time is it?” he asked.

I glanced at my watch. “Five till one. Why?”

He gave me a sly grin. “Just enough time.”

“Time for what?” I asked, leaning back.

“You’ll see. Come on.”

He practically threw me into the SUV. Ben looked back from the front seat, where he had been lounging in the coolness of the air conditioning.

“Hotel, please,” said Sam.

The still-nameless driver frowned, grunted and yanked the SUV into gear. Ben glanced at his profile. He didn’t look happy with the man. I hoped trouble wasn’t brewing. I started to say something but Ben shook me off. This time I listened.

We rode in a weird silence back to the hotel. Sam opened the back door and reached for my hand.

“I’ll meet you guys in the little cafe off the lobby,” said Ben. His voice tone brooked no argument. Sam looked at me, concerned. I shrugged and slipped out after him.

We walked soberly into the cool atmosphere of the hotel lobby and wandered over to the mostly empty cafe. A few hotel employees in uniform were finishing up their lunch. No other guests were visible.

A harried hostess arrived with apologies for the wait. Sam explained we needed a table for three. She pointed to a u-shaped banquette against the wall to our left and handed us three menus.

I followed Sam to the table, then scooted around to the back of the table, leaving the ends for Sam and Ben. He squeezed my hand under the table once for support and reassurance, then pointed me to the menu.

Ben walked up a minute later, glanced around the space, then slid onto the banquette with a heavy sigh.

“Everything okay?” asked Sam.

Ben sighed again. “It is now.”

“What happened?” I asked. He looked at me, then at Sam. I could tell he was trying to decide if he should answer me.

“If I tell you, you aren’t allowed to freak out about it. It’s not a big deal, and it’s been handled.”

I looked at Sam, suddenly nervous. He looked into my eyes, reached for my hand, and turned to Ben.

“Tell us.”

Ben looked at me.

“I’m okay, I promise. I trust you.”

That pulled him up short. Maybe he thought I didn’t. I don’t know, but I watched those three little words settle in him, and his countenance relaxed.

“Sargeant Pissant, our former driver, turned out to be a prime, grade A asshole. Apparently he had some personal issues with the expectations of the job.”

Sam sat back. “Meaning he didn’t want to be hanging out with two gay guys.”

Ben nodded, then looked at me. “Don’t worry, you won’t see him again. I sent him packing. He might be walking crooked for the rest of the day.”

“What did you do?” I whispered.

“Me? Nothing. Seems the man wasn’t too steady on his feet. He might have fallen hard against my fist and bruised a kidney when he fell out of the SUV. He’ll be fine. Last I saw, he was on his cell, calling for a ride.”

Sam reached over and gently pushed my chin up, shutting my mouth. He grinned.

“Is he gonna be okay?” Ben asked Sam, jerking his head toward me.

“Sitting right here,” I said.

“Well?” Ben asked.

“Thank you,” I replied.

Ben sat back, dragging his arms across the table. “That’s it?”

“You want a kiss on the cheek?” I asked, batting my eyes at him.

He and Sam burst out laughing. I laughed with them.

The waitress chose that moment to arrive and take our lunch orders. Ben sent text messages — I assume looking for another driver — while Sam and I tucked into our roast beef sandwiches and barbeque potato chips. Ben didn’t touch his turkey club.

“What time is it?” asked Sam, wiping his chin. His plate was empty. I pushed the second half of my sandwich over to him. He grinned and reached for it.

“A little before two. We need to be at the church around four,” I said.

Sam waggled his eyebrows at me as he chewed his roast beef.

“Meet you guys here in the lobby at three-thirty?” asked Ben. “You’re staying in, right?”

I looked to Sam, and he nodded.

“Later,” said Ben, slipping out of the booth, his uneaten sandwich wrapped in a paper napkin. I waved to the waitress, signed the bill, and sipped the rest of my water while Sam inhaled the remains of my sandwich.

Up in our room, whatever designs Sam had for an afternoon delight slipped into a food coma and he fell asleep on the bed. Once he started snoring, I got up and spent the first few minutes tidying up the room. Then, with nothing else to do, I sat in the arm chair in the corner and contemplated the rehearsal and dinner to follow.

I was more than a little nervous. This was a very big step for me, coming back to a life that reminded me of who I used to be. But I was determined to move forward.

So much of my life over the past few months had been pushing through fears. Doing it afraid. It was hard work — painful work at times — but so worth it in the end. Having a powerful connection with Sam made everything I had lived through seem like no big deal.

I closed my eyes and thought more about connection. Alex had married his Rose. Fred and Allison were going to officially establish their connection in the eyes of their family and friends tomorrow. But anyone who knew them could have told you they had a real connection back in college, so while I believed weddings were always a special occasion, they only confirmed a commitment that was already there for most people. 

At the same time, there was something special, even necessary maybe, about making that commitment a public and open thing. It gave the connection an identity of its own, assigning a value to the relationship that made it stand out, especially to others. A marriage said these two people belonged to one another — don’t mess with them.

Even though I knew they were already one hundred percent committed to each other, I suspected that making a public commitment to their connection would help Fred and Allison fight for each other when life threw inevitable challenges their way. There was a special invisible strength in it.

I sighed. Now that I more deeply understood the power of my connection to Sam, like Fred and Allison, I wanted the world to see it. Sure, my team at the company understood it. Ben, Peggy, Maggie and Charles — they all accepted us as a couple, same as any other. But it wasn’t the same as a marriage.

I shook my head. As much as I might want to fantasize, it was much too soon to be thinking about marriage with Sam. His family would probably be all for us, but I had zero relationships with my family, and the last thing any of them would support or celebrate was my loving another man. No, a wedding would be a disaster. People would just get hurt, maybe worse.

Still, my ugly reality didn’t stop me from wanting it all with Sam. I wanted to put the world on notice — Sam and I are one. Don’t even think about messing with us. Sam made it clear he was ready to fight for me, and I knew I would do the same for him.

My stomach suddenly flipped over. A wave of anxiety rose in my gut, my heart rate skyrocketed. Beads of sweat broke to the surface across my forehead. I squeezed the armrests and panted, trying to breathe through it and stay present. 

My fragile mind betrayed me. 

The dream appeared in vivid colors. I was in an arena, unarmed and alone. I could smell the heat, the dust, and the despair. Even the slightly metallic smell of spilled blood from previous battles. The crowd jeered and hurled vile insults, calling me worthless and a waste. 

A gate opened on one wall, and a group of men, looking very much like my uncles and male cousins, filed in wearing breastplates of armor and leather arm and leg bands. Each carried at least one deadly weapon. 

They created a half circle, then two more men pushed past and into the center. One was my brother, lips curled back in a snarl of pure hatred. The other looked like the nameless driver that Ben had fired earlier.

The stench of their hatred wafted across the divide between us, a combination of raw sewage and burnt flesh. A wave of nausea rose from gut, but I pushed it down, knowing if I gave in to it, I was finished.

In my mind, I slinked backwards until I cowered against the cold stone wall. Trapped, facing a brutal and almost certain death. Yet my would-be assailants didn’t move. They continued screaming vile insults — overlapping verbal assaults devoid of reason and logic. But they didn’t come closer, as if there was an invisible barrier separating us.

Suddenly Sam appeared at my side, dressed as an ancient gladiator, grasping a massive sword and shield. He looked at me, smiled, then turned back to the screaming hoard.

“Here we go,” he said.

“No, don’t,” I heard myself beg. “They’ll kill you.” I tried to reach out to hold him back, but my arm wouldn’t move.

“We have to. No other choice,” he said. “Once more into the breach.” 

He raised the sword high over his head and gave a blood-curdling battle cry. Across the arena, the crowd ceased chanting as Sam charged, sword high and shield out in front like a battering ram. I screamed his name, knowing he faced certain annihilation.

“Jack!” came a voice from somewhere above the arena. I looked up, struggling to find the source. I tried to push off the stone wall, but some force still pinned my arms back.

“Jack, wake up,” came the voice again. The arena faded and my eyes fluttered open. Sam — minus the gladiator garb — was staring into my eyes, worry etched across his forehead.

“Hey, little man,” he said, releasing my arms. “You okay?”

I rolled my shoulders. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. I woke up to you screaming my name and yelling for me to stop. Stop what?”

I grabbed his arm and struggled to stand. I swayed in front of him until he pulled me into a tight hug. When my breathing settled into something close to normal, I took half a step back, holding his forearms for balance. My head pounded behind my eyes.

“Talk to me,” Sam whispered.

“I’m sorry,” I said, a sudden lump rising in my throat.

“Shhh…it’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” Sam wrapped me up again, then gently led me to the bed.

As I lay next to him, I shielded my eyes with my left arm, a vain attempt to hide from the embarrassment, the shame, and the confusion of it all. Why did this keep happening? I thought I was getting better.

“Does talking help?” whispered Sam.

I groaned. I wanted to, but where did I start? Dr. Margolis had drilled into me the necessity to process the experience, without self-condemnation for the anxiety attack happening in the first place. Easy for her to say. I was the one falling apart at the drop of a hat.

“I was trying to stop you from getting into a fight about me,” I said. “It was awful.”

“Why would you stop me? I told you, I’ll always fight for you.”

“I know, but there were too many of them. You could never win. I can’t lose you, not like that.”

“Like what?”

In fits and starts, I described to him what I had seen. This was the first time after an anxiety attack I remembered details. He listened intently, softly stroking my chest.

“Wow,” was his response when I finished.

“Wow is right, but what does it all mean? Why can’t I keep it together?” I said, pushing up and twisting to rest on one elbow, facing him. He did the same.

He stroked my arm. “I can only guess that somewhere inside your subconscious you’re worried about something, probably what people might say to you. But I’m here, Jack, so you don’t have to worry. I’ve got your back.”

I sighed. “I know, and I believe you. But I don’t want you to have to fight all my battles. I’m tired of feeling like a wimp with no way to defend myself. I’m tired of being scared all the time.”

We were quiet for a minute or two, and then Sam stood up. “Come with me,” he said, not waiting for me. I grumbled but followed him to the bathroom, where he positioned me in front of the mirror.

“What?” I asked his reflection over my shoulder.

“Don’t look at me, look at you.” I did, though I can’t say I was comfortable with it. “What do you see?” he asked.

“Sam, I don’t think…”

“Humor me. Look again, tell me what you see.”

With a deep sigh, I stared at my reflection. The man in the mirror was the same person in my anxiety-fueled dream — sort of.

“I see…me.”

“What about you? Tell me who that is in the mirror.”

“It’s me…Jack.”

“Yes, it is. And what about this Jack? Not the one in your dream, but this one, the one you’re looking at right now? Is he the same?”

“Uh…no, not exactly.”

“What’s different?”

“I…he’s…I don’t know, he’s not cowering in fear. But that’s because I have you standing right beside me.”

Sam stepped to the side so his reflection disappeared.

“Is he cowering now?”

I studied my image in the mirror. “No.”

“Talk to him,” said Sam.

“Talk to who?”

“The guy in the mirror. Tell him.”

“Sam, I don’t understand. Tell him what?”

Sam came back into view and wrapped his arms around my chest, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“Tell him who he is. Tell him how strong he really is, how smart he is, all the things he can do that all those worthless fucks in your dream can’t. Tell him how he faced down a man with a gun and saved another man’s life. Tell him how he conquers his fears every day, and strives to change the world, one person at a time. Tell him about the little baby who has a home and family now because he cared enough to make it happen. Tell him about your dreams to provide a safe haven for the outcasts and throw-away children whose only crime is being gay.”

I sank back in Sam’s embrace as tears welled. “Sam,” I whispered, clutching his arms.

“I’ll tell him. I’ll tell that man in the mirror about all the times he’s stood up for the people he loves, how he’s taken on anyone and anything that attacks or even threatens his family. How he moves heaven and earth to solve their problems and meet their needs. That’s who you really are, Jack Schaeffer. That man in your dreams, he doesn’t exist anymore. It’s time to let him go. He’s never…ever…coming back.”

I spun in Sam’s arms, threw my arms around him, and cried against his bare chest. It was surreal, grieving the loss of a version of myself. But I had to let “him” go. I couldn’t allow the old me to hold the new me in bondage to all the fears and pains of the past anymore. The loss still hurt, though.

When the tears ran their course, an eternally patient Sam lifted my chin and stared deep into my eyes, willing me to move on, to be fully with him now. And I wanted that more than anything.

“Kiss me,” I whispered.

His lips gently brushed against mine, so tender, so sweet.

“Like you mean it,” I said, needing more. Craving connection — our connection.

He grinned. “I like this Jack. He’s sexy.”

I grinned back. “I like him, too.”

After a quick shower, we dressed in slacks and button-down shirts — Sam thought we should be a bit more polished than jeans and t-shirts for a wedding rehearsal — and met Ben down in the lobby. We were only five minutes late, but he was wearing a hole in the carpet. 

“Problems?” asked Sam.

Ben sighed. “No. Couldn’t find a driver I trust on short notice. I’ll have it sorted before tomorrow. You get me tonight.”

“Cool. I like it when you drive,” I said, trying to be supportive.

Ben actually smiled at me. “You take a happy pill or something to get through the evening?”

I grinned and looked at Sam. “Something like that.”

We arrived at the church more or less on time. It was a rather traditional church, from my limited experience. Slightly worn red carpet up the main center aisle. Wooden pews rubbed smooth and stained a deep brown from the backsides of worshippers over nearly a hundred years. At the front, two steps up to a small, rectangular stone altar with something inscribed on it, but it was too far away to read. A piece of fabric with fringe ran across and hung down the sides. Behind the altar, the choir loft rose against a wall filled with organ pipes. Simple, yet still somehow majestic.

The bride, dressed in a yellow summer dress with wide shoulder straps and a frilly hem, congregated with who I assumed were her three bridesmaids. I didn’t see Fred anywhere.

Marcus Thompson and his wife turned from a conversation with Allison’s parents — her mother looked exactly like her — and saw us standing in the center aisle like a deer in headlights.

Dragging her husband in tow, Mrs. Thompson scampered to us, wrapping me in a warm hug.

“Oh, Jack. It’s so good to see you!” she said, stepping back to give me a once over. “You look amazing. And who is this handsome man?”

“Laura Thompson, this is Sam Wainwright. Sam, Fred’s mom, Laura.” I noticed Marcus watching this exchange. His eyes were smiling, so I took that as a good sign.

“Sam, thank you so much for coming. I want to hear all about this whirlwind romance just as soon as we get a free minute. Marcus, this is Sam,” she said, stepping aside to allow Marcus to extend a hand to Sam.

“Sam, nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to get better acquainted, but first, we have to get this young man to his place. Come sit up front with the rest of our crew.”

Marcus put an arm around my shoulder with no reservations, and led me to the open space in front of the first pews. Given the warm greeting, I decided to take Fred at his word, that perhaps his father was not bothered by my being gay. Time would tell. He let me go long enough to notice Fred was missing.

“Where’s Fred?” he said to his wife.

“I don’t know. He said he would be right back. He had to make a call.”

“He’s late to his own rehearsal. Reverend Hooper is gonna start sipping the communion wine if we don’t get this show on the road.”

She slapped his arm. “Shhh. You mustn’t say things like that in church.”

“Oh for the love of…there he is. Uh, oh. Something’s up.”

From the look on Fred’s face, something was indeed up, and it wasn’t good.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” asked Laura.

Fred plopped himself on the pew and rubbed his hands across his face. “Roger’s not coming.”

“What?” said Laura.

“What happened?” asked Marcus.

Fred sighed. “Hey guys,” he said, nodding his head towards us. Looking back to his bewildered parents, he said, “Apparently his boss assigned him to a new case last minute. He has to prep witnesses all weekend, and put together an opening statement. He tried to get out of it, but the DA made it clear if he didn’t take it, and didn’t win it, he was out of a job.”

“Oh, my,” said Laura.

“Of all the dirty, rotten…” said Marcus.

“Now dear, these things happen,” said his wife, patting his arm and calming him down. He did seem unusually on edge. I wondered what that was all about.

“Can I do anything?” I asked. Even as I said it, the offer seemed lame.

“I guess I’ll have to have cousin Eddie fill in,” said Fred. 

Marcus’s face went red as a beet. “No way, not in a million years. He’ll screw everything up, and embarrass us all. Anyone but Eddie. Allison’s family already think we’re a bunch of hayseeds. Let’s not give them any more proof.”

“Marcus, dear, sit down and try to calm yourself,” said his wife. “Fred, honey, could we just cut the one couple from the wedding?”

“I can’t, Mom. Allison’s sister has her heart set on being in the wedding. You want to tell the Reid’s their daughter is out?”

“Oh, dear. We are in a pickle, aren’t we? Think, people. There has to be someone,” she said.

“What about Sam?” asked Marcus. All eyes landed on Sam’s.

“Hey, that would work. We have to get him a suit,” said Fred. “I could call the rental place and see if they can have something ready in the morning. What do you say, Sam? You’re here anyway.”

I smiled, secretly thrilled Sam would be in the wedding with me. He looked at me, questioning. I nodded.

“Uh…sure, if it’ll help. I don’t have to do a speech or anything, do I?” he said.

Fred laughed. “Nope. That’s the job of the best man.”

Sam made the motion of wiping his forehead. “Whew. That was close.”

“Speak for yourself,” I said with a deep sigh.

Fred grinned. “Benefits of being the best man, Jack. You get to make a speech in front of all the guests.”

“Why is that, anyway?” I asked, without thinking.

“What? That you’re my best man?”

“Yeah. Isn’t the best man supposed to be like your best friend, or a brother or something?” I asked.

“Don’t have one of those,” said Fred with a shrug.

“But surely you have like, a dozen guys you hang out with all the time. What about Doug? Or Jimmie?”

Fred smiled. “Face it, Jack. You’re the only guy friend I have that I trust to do this right. And besides, I want the man who believed in me the most, and stood by my side when Allison and I…when we separated. You were there for me, man, and I wouldn’t have anybody else standing by my side when I marry her tomorrow.”

“Fred…I…crap, now I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you’ll make a short, simple speech with no embarrassing stories.”

Sam moved closer and put a hand at the small of my back. I wanted a hug, but his hand would have to do.

“Fine, okay. But you owe me.”

“And I’ll gladly pay up, especially if Sam pinch hits for Roger.”

Allison walked up to Fred’s side. “What’s going on?”

Fred turned and grabbed Allison’s hands. She tensed immediately. “Sweetie…change of plans. Sam’s going to sub for Roger. He can’t make it.”

She exhaled and laughed nervously. “Okay…we can make that work. She grabbed Sam’s arm and smiled warmly. “Thank you for stepping up. Emily will be thrilled. She’s over there right now talking about the gorgeous man that came in with the little guy.”

Sam laughed. I scowled at him. “Down, Jack. You know I’m all yours,” said Sam.

Allison slid next to me and grabbed my arm. “I think you’re the cutest guy here, Jack.”

“Thank you,” I said, pretending to pout a little.

“Uh…standing right here, the guy you’re gonna marry tomorrow. Remember me?” asked Fred.

Allison sighed and kissed my cheek. “Sorry, Jack. I did promise, so I guess I’ll have to go through with it.”

We were all laughing when Reverend Hooper approached.

“Are we ready to begin?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Allison. Then, in a loud, booming voice that defied her diminutive frame, she shouted, “Listen up, people. We’re gonna do this quick. Pay attention, know when and where you’re supposed to be, and for God’s sake, don’t screw this up for me.” She gave everyone a huge beaming smile and the instructions commenced.

Thirty minutes later, we had marched up and down the aisle twice, confirmed we knew exactly where to stand at the altar and what to do, when. Allison was giddy and floating on air, and Fred was so mesmerized, he didn’t see or hear anything else.

Sam and I offered to drive Fred and Allison to the hotel for the rehearsal dinner, but she said her parents wanted to speak to them before the festivities. We met Ben at the back of the church and followed him to the SUV.

“You excited about being in the wedding?” I asked.

“What’s this?” asked Ben, glancing in the rearview mirror.

“I’m filling in for Fred’s friend who can’t make it,” said Sam.

“Nice of you,” said Ben, then he returned to watching the road.

“Well?”

“Wish I was walking down the aisle with you, and not Allison’s little sister.”

“You’ll be fine. Besides, she thinks you’re hot. Probably can’t wait to dance with you.”

He smiled. “Hmmm…that gives me an idea.”

The mischievous look on his face was too hard to resist. “What idea?”

He tapped his temple. “Still noodling. I’ll get back to you.”

“Sam!”

“Oh look, we’re here,” he said, sliding over to the door.

In the hotel lobby, we lingered while Ben parked the SUV and by the time he returned, the rest of the wedding party and extended family had arrived. I still hadn’t managed to get Sam to tell me his bright idea. I was nervous about having to dance in front of people. His little mystery did little to calm my nerves.

We followed everyone down a quiet hallway lined with crystal sconces to a large banquet room. A long buffet full of steaming food under bright lights ran down the center, round tables of eight surrounding it. Parties divided up quickly. Sam and I sat with Ben at a table by ourselves, giving the families time to collect themselves and decompress. Warren, the other groomsman, and a long-time friend of Fred’s that I had met a couple of times in the past, joined us. I remembered him as a nice enough guy, but a big drinker. Thankfully they were only serving soft beverages.

Fred’s aunt and uncle, Polly and Jim, joined us with plates overflowing. It smelled delicious. Sam took one look at the filet mignon on Jim’s plate and nearly snatched it from him.

“Get your own, big guy.”

“What if there’s none left?”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll have Ben get you some beef jerky later.”

Ben rolled his eyes at me, and Sam grinned. “Aw…you’re always thinking of me.”

The line had died down, so we followed Warren to the buffet. Ben and Sam elbowed each other vying for position. I went down the opposite side of the buffet and ignored them. I caught Allison’s eye at the first table and she winked at me. She looked so happy.

I took a small grilled chicken breast and made a side salad, loading it with ranch dressing and croutons. The dessicated green beans and dried out mashed potatoes did not appeal. Didn’t seem to bother Sam. He loaded half his plate with potatoes, the other half with two pieces of beef. I noticed Ben had pretty much the same on his plate.

Back at our table, Polly, who had finished her meal and wanted to talk, regaled us with tales of Fred’s childhood adventures spent on their farm in Nebraska. Jim and Marcus had grown up together there, until Marcus went to Penn State and into business. Jim never left the agricultural life. With no children, Jim and Polly talked about the animals as if they were family.

The dinner didn’t last long. Everyone was tired. Some had arrived only that afternoon, so they still had to unpack and get settled. Jim and Polly excused themselves to chat with Marcus and Laura, since they likely wouldn’t get much time tomorrow. Warren left, saying he needed something stronger to drink.

Sam and I decided to wait while Fred and Allison said goodbyes to family members, just in case there was anything else they needed.

“What’s going on over there?” asked Sam, bumping my arm and nearly causing me to drop my cell phone. Ben and I both looked over to where Sam jerked his head. Allison and Fred were in a heated discussion with someone I hadn’t yet met. A middle-aged, rail-thin woman with professionally coiffed hair and expert makeup made her point with hand gyrations and lots of body english. She had an air of someone who always got her way. She looked over at our table twice with a fierce, thin-lipped scowl. Uh oh. 

Another woman I didn’t recognize approached the threesome. She appeared to be trying to calm the lady, but she was having none of it. Mrs. Reid noticed the commotion, and excused herself to join the group, as well.

“This doesn’t look good,” whispered Sam.

“What do we do?” I asked.

“You wait,” said Ben.

“But I want to help,” I said.

“Butting in won’t help,” said Ben.

“Ben’s right. Let’s wait and see,” said Sam.

Mrs. Reid entered the fray, and things went south from there. The thin-lipped lady had her hands on her hips, the universal signal of defiance. Whatever it was, she was standing her ground. Fred’s face went purple. He made a move that looked physically threatening from where we sat, but the woman didn’t flinch. If anything, she practically dared him to hit her.

Mrs. Reid’s back was to us, so I couldn’t tell what she was saying, but it wasn’t moving the needle. Finally, Allison burst into tears, ran past the buffet and us, and crashed through the banquet room doors. 

Fred was hot on her heels. He glanced at me, embarrassed and furious. I’d seen him that angry only once before, and it wasn’t pretty. His father had challenged him about his job choices, and it took him three days to get over it.

“Let’s go,” said Sam. He was on his feet and moving before Ben and I even blinked. We trotted after him out into the hallway, where he looked both ways, deciding to head for the lobby.

Ben spotted them in a corner booth at the back of the little cafe where we had eaten lunch.

“You guys go. I’ll run interference, try to keep everyone back if they come searching,” said Ben.

“You sure?” I asked.

“Do your thing, Jack. This has you written all over it,” said Ben.

Sam grinned. “Come on, let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the mostly empty cafe and up to their table.

Allison’s face was buried in Fred’s shoulder, her own shoulders shaking up and down as she sobbed quietly.

Fred saw us and groaned. “Uh, not a good time, guys.”

I ignored him and scooted into the booth across. Sam sat next to me.

“Hey guys,” he said in his soothing, everything’s-going-to-be-okay-voice.

Allison looked up, and seeing it was us, she relaxed a fraction and wiped at her eyes. “Oh my god, I’m a mess. Fred, make them look away.”

“Look away guys,” said Fred, not even half-seriously.

“What the hell,” she said, reaching for her water glass. “Everything’s ruined anyway.”

“What happened?” I asked gently.

“Her bitch of an aunt just cancelled the wedding reception. Can you believe that shit?” said Fred.

“How can she do that?” asked Sam, reaching for my hand under the table.

Fred started to snap again, but Allison rubbed his shoulder and said, “Let me tell it.” He nodded and looked away.

“My aunt owns a banquet hall. It’s nice. When we got engaged, she offered to host the reception free of charge. My parents argued, saying it wasn’t proper and that it was their responsibility, but Barb insisted. It wasn’t my first choice, but hey, a free reception, including all the food and open bar, how could I say no?”

“But why cancel the night before? Seems awfully harsh,” I said.

She glanced at Fred and started crying again. “I can’t,” she whispered.

Fred pulled her close and kissed her head. We waited. With a deep sigh, he looked over.

“Barb is a homophobic biggot. She asked about my replacing Roger when she didn’t  see him at the church, and without thinking, I said Sam was filling in, since he was your plus one. She freaked. ‘I’m not hosting a gay wedding in my venue. I’ll never hear the end of it from yada, yada, yada…’ It went on and on.”

“Oh, god,” I said.

“But it’s not a gay wedding? It’s your wedding,” said Sam.

“She’s delusional, Sam,” said Fred. “Allison’s mom begged her to be reasonable, but then Barb attacked her for being okay with it, and that was the ball game.”

Sam might have expected me to fall apart, I’m not sure. The old me, the one Fred knew best, would have collapsed into a puddle under the table, horrified that simply my presence would cause this much devastation. But I didn’t. Instead, my brain kicked into overdrive.

I stretched across the table to grab Allison’s hand. She didn’t pull away. “Where did you want your reception, originally?” I asked.

“What? I don’t understand. Fred?”

“What’s going on, Jack?” he asked.

“Just humor me for a minute,” I said with my best puppy dog eyes.

Fred sighed and shook his head. “Cantigny Park. It’s about forty-five minutes from here. It’s gorgeous, but way, way out of our league. Besides, even if there’s an opening, which I highly doubt, no way they can cater a reception for a hundred and eighty people with one day’s notice. They’re booked out a year or more in advance.”

I knew the place. It was huge and amazing. Sam was already searching on his phone for a number.

“What time is the ceremony tomorrow?” I asked.

“Three,” said Allison, perking up. “What are you doing?”

“He’s being Jack,” said Sam, then jerked to his feet and began speaking to someone on his phone.

“Do you have a second choice, if Cantigny is not available?”

Allison looked at Fred, then back to me. “Uh…yeah. The clubhouse at the golf course in Schaumburg.”

“Give me a minute,” I said, searching for the phone number for the second location. I wasn’t having any luck, when Sam came running back, a wide smile on his face.

“They can do it. There was a cancellation for something called the Le Jardin? Is that like a banquet room or something?”

“Oh my god, that’s the one I really wanted,” said Allison. “It was already reserved for our date when we looked at it. But guys, we can’t afford it. They want like ten thousand just to rent the room. Catering is three times that.”

Sam sighed and dropped his smile. “Yeah, about that. No go on the catering, at any price. They said they can’t put something together in one day. They need a minimum of a week.”

Allison slumped against Fred and resumed looking lost. But I wasn’t done trying. I had another idea and reached for my phone again.

“Who are you texting?” asked Sam.

“Ben. I need him to call Peggy.”

Sam’s smile returned. “Go, Jack! I’ll call Margie, see if the plane’s ready. And I have an idea about servers.” Sam popped up to make his calls, while I waited for Ben to answer my text. Instead he appeared at the booth before I had set my phone down.

“What?” he asked, looking around for existential threats.

“I need you to call Peggy,” I said. “Or I can. We need her help.”

He grinned and didn’t even ask why, just pressed her number on his speed dial. “Babe,” he said when she answered. “We need you in Chicago.”

Thirty minutes later, we had a plan in place. Fred did a lot of mouth breathing. Allison looked like she was in shock. And a whole lot had to fall exactly in line to pull it off, but the wedding reception was back on. 

All we had to do was convince the families to go along with us.

Fred called his family, Allison hers, and they all agreed to join us back in the banquet room. The hotel staff had torn down the buffet, but let us set up a few tables and chairs while we waited for everyone to arrive.

“Are you sure you really want to do this?” Fred asked me, taking me aside. “This is…I mean, come on, man, we’re talking a ton of money here.”

“Yes, I’m sure. You said I was the one man you trusted to stand up for you, right?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So trust me. We’ve got this. Stay close to Allison. We’ve got your back.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Once the families were settled, Fred grabbed Allison’s hand and stood up in front to address them. “As you all know, by now, our reception was cancelled. Never mind why, it doesn’t matter. The thing is, with the help of Jack, Sam, and Ben, we have an idea. I’m gonna ask Jack to explain it all, since it’s mostly his idea. Jack?”

Sam squeezed my hand and I rose. Allison hugged me and kissed my cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered in my ear, giving me all the courage I needed to make this particular speech.

I took a deep breath. “Hi. For those of you I haven’t met yet, I’m Jack, Fred’s friend from college. Uh…I…well, we…have an idea how to pull off this wedding reception tomorrow, just not exactly as planned. And we’re gonna need a lot of help.”

“What can we do?” asked Polly.

“Yeah, son, we’re in. Put us to work,” said Jim.

“But there’s not enough time,” said Mrs. Reid, wringing her hands.

“How will people know where to go?” asked Mr. Reid.

Marcus interrupted before it all got out of hand. “Listen, folks. I’ve worked with Jack. He can organize the hell out of anything. If he has a plan, let’s hear him out.”

He nodded to me and I smiled. “Thank you. Now…here’s what we’re thinking…”

I laid it all out. Peggy and a catering crew of three she cobbled together with an hour’s notice, plus a few of our friends, would fly out on the plane early in the morning. She was already making calls to food suppliers, calling in favors through other catering contacts. She was confident she could pull together something simple, yet still elegant enough for a sit down wedding. Allison said she’d settle for a buffet of chicken nuggets, but Peggy decided to shoot for the moon, with my blessing.

Polly and Jim would work on designing and printing a small flyer we could add to the wedding program, letting guests know about the change in venue. Apparently Polly had a friend who ran a graphic design firm right there in Chicago. She texted the details and said her friend would have it all ready to be picked up by noon the next day. I suggested they just courier it all to the hotel, rather than have someone fight city traffic.

Count on Marcus to raise his hand in the middle of the avalanche of ideas to ask the big questions. “Who’s paying for all this?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” said Mr. Reid.

I swallowed hard, but Sam beat me to it. He bounced up and stood at my side. “We are,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulders.

Voices erupted all over the room. I smiled at Sam, and his azure blue eyes danced in mine. I grinned at Fred and Allison, who had finally recovered some of that bubbly infectious joy from earlier.

“Alright, alright,” shouted Marcus, taking control of the room again. “Let’s let them explain, or we’ll be here all night. Jack, we’re all ears.”

I took a deep breath. “It’s simple. I own a very successful business, and Sam and I spearhead a charitable division that helps people in need, especially when those needs are created or made worse by…well, let’s just say certain attitudes and behaviors of others. We look for ways to change the world, one person at a time. We have an amazing team helping us, and you’ll meet some of them tomorrow. I’m grateful we can try to right a wrong, and make Fred and Allison’s wedding day the best it can possibly be.”

More murmuring broke out. Allison’s mother was visibly upset, and her father was trying to placate her. Laura was doing the same with Marcus, who kept glancing at me like he didn’t know who I was anymore.

“This isn’t going well,” I whispered to Sam.

“Give it a minute, and whatever you do, keep smiling,” he whispered back. His hand moved to the small of my back. It’s the little things.

Fred and Allison looked at each, then split up. She went to her parents, Fred to his. I kept smiling.

Fred and Laura pleaded with Marcus. Double-teamed, he finally caved. He stood, kissed his wife’s cheek, then moved to stand before me.

“Fred tells me your offer is real. We have a lot to talk about, you and me, but for now, I’m choosing to trust you.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said.

He stepped to my side. Putting a hand on my shoulder, he turned to face the small crowd. Sensing something was up, the other voices slowly died down. 

Marcus took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I can only guess that you all are in as much shock as I am. I know I’m not truly comfortable with how this is all playing out, but…I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with this young man for a number of years. I’ve never known him to be anything but upstanding and trustworthy, always trying to do the right thing, and always eager to help. There’s a reason my son insisted that Jack be his best man, and we can all see why. I’m sure we don’t deserve it, but thank you, both, for your generosity and willingness to help our families in a crisis. We’ll never forget it.”

“Here, here,” said Mr. Reid, raising his hand in the air. “Damn, I need a drink to do this right. Anyway, thank you, Jack…and Sam…for pulling a rabbit out of a hat on a boat in a hurricane with a broken rudder and no life vests. We’ll have a wedding for our baby girl after all.”

After that, we were swarmed with kisses and hugs and thank yous. Fred and Allison watched from a distance. I felt bad, like we were stealing all their glory. It was embarrassing, but Sam kept a hand on my back to keep me steady as people did what they needed to do.

Finally we were alone with just Fred and Allison. Ben was hovering outside in the hall.

“Let’s sit,” said Sam, pulling out a chair and straddling it. We all sat. “How are you guys doing?”

Fred shook his head. “What just happened? Why are you doing this?” he asked.

“Because I can, and I want to. We want to,” I said. Sam stretched an arm around my shoulders. I could feel his pride in me, and I felt two feet taller for it.

Allison’s eyes welled up again. 

“No, no, no,” I said. “No more tears. Please, you start then I’ll start, and we both have to look perfect tomorrow.”

She pulled her bottom eyelids out to stem the flow. “I know, but…Jack…how in the world do we ever thank you? Both of you? I mean, who does this?”

“He does. Look at him,” said Sam, pointing at me. “It’s like breathing fresh air for this guy. He’s amazing, isn’t he? You give him a problem to solve, especially a people problem, and he’s all over it. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wait till he gives his toast tomorrow night.”

“Oh god, don’t remind me,” I said, covering my face with my hands.

Allison stood. “I feel guilty, like I should do something for you guys, but I’m exhausted, and I have sort of a big day tomorrow, so I’m going home.”

We all stood. “We’re good,” said Sam. “Focus on your wedding. Think happy, joyful thoughts. We’ll see you guys at the church at two, right?”

“Yeah,” said Fred. “What else do we have to do?”

“You guys? Not a thing. Stick to your original plans. We’ve got this,” I said.

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. Now go. Get some sleep.”

Allison kissed both our cheeks and she and Fred slipped out of the room. Ben came back in behind them.

“Well, boys, looks like you pulled off another miracle. Getting to be a habit with you two,” said Ben.

“Is Peggy really okay with dropping everything to come out here and rescue us?” I asked.

“You kidding? She can’t wait to be a part of this.”

“Why?” asked Sam, yawning and stretching his back.

“I might have mentioned some of the cool things you guys have done for people.”

“Speaking of cool, you were pretty smooth on the phone. ‘Babe, we need you in Chicago,’” I said.

Ben shrugged. “Worked, didn’t it? You want me to call her back, tell her not to come?”

“No!”

“Then stop annoying me. Now go to bed. I’ve had enough of you guys for one day.”

“Ah, the love never ends,” I said, wandering toward the door. “It makes me feel so warm inside.”

“You’ll be feeling warm, alright, when I shoot your ass full of hot lead.”

“Come on, Jack,” said Sam, taking my hand. “You did good today. Let’s not mess it up.”

“But…”

He kissed me and I didn’t have anything else to say after that.

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