Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(2)

 

Duper grinned. "One day it'll happen. You'll find someone and, bam, that'll be it."

 

"Not gonna happen." He knew from experience what a bad idea it was to get emotionally attached to someone.

 

"Sure. Whatever." Duper and Army exchanged another glance, then Duper left to hit the men's room.

 

Army leaned over. "Fuck," he said. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do as best man."

 

Tanner shrugged. "Yeah, there's a bunch of shit you'll need to take care of."

 

"Like what? Christ. The only time I was in a wedding party was Hallsy's wedding in Barbados. That was just a weeklong party on the beach. This is my best buddy and my sister getting married." He scrubbed a hand over his face. "Still hard to believe."

 

"It'll be fine. Lovey'll make sure you know what needs to be done."

 

"She's hired some hotshot wedding planner to organize things. She'll probably be following us around with a whip and a bunch of lists. She's going to make me feel like an idiot."

 

Tanner grinned. Army wasn't the most sophisticated guy in the world, despite living in Chicago for … a bunch of years. But he was a true, loyal friend and teammate.

 

"Hey, I've been to a few weddings. I got your back, man. Don't worry." He clapped a hand on Army's shoulder.

 

"Like how many weddings?"

 

"Well, I wasn't there the first time my parents got married-" He paused as Army barked out a laugh. "But they each got married three more times after they divorced each other."

 

"Jesus."

 

"I know, right? My dad made me best man every time. Then I was best man at Rich Koslowsky's wedding." One of his New York teammates. "And stood up with Hallsy. And then there was my own." He rolled his eyes.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"That was before I knew you."

 

"Yeah, I was still in New York then."

 

Duper slid back onto a stool. "Still in New York when?"

 

"When I got married. Let's not talk about that. You're the happy groom-to-be now."

 

Duper grinned. "Whatever. It's still months away. Man, you have to plan these things far ahead."

 

"The wedding is happening here, isn't it? Not in Quebec?"

 

"Nah, it's here. Although my mom would love to have the wedding at Église du Très-Saint-Sacrement."

 

"Huh?"

 

Duper grinned. "Our church." He lifted a chin at Army. "Your mom wanted it to be back in Wisconsin. So the compromise is, we have it here. It's not that far for your family. And I'll fly my family in."

 

"My little sister's getting married." Army shook his head. "I hope you know what you're in for."

 

Duper rolled his eyes. "I think I do, yeah."

 

"I'm kidding. It's weird … for once I think she's got her head on straight."

 

"You don't give her enough credit," Duper said with a frown. "She's always had her head on straight."

 

"You didn't grow up with her."

 

"No, I didn't. I don't have the same history with her as you do. But she's all grown up now. She's running a successful business, she's the one who organizes the Aces Ladies, and she's doing a bunch of volunteer stuff with that women's shelter and the Aces Foundation. You need to get over the fact that she may have made impulsive decisions in the past and recognize who she is now."

 

"Whoa." Army frowned at his friend. "I just said I think she's got her head on straight. No need to go all offensive defenseman."

 

Tanner grinned, watching Duper defend his fiancée to her brother. The Armstrong siblings were hilarious. They loved to chirp at each other, but you could tell they were actually pretty close. Tanner didn't have any siblings, which had kind of sucked growing up, especially since his homes had had revolving doors for the step-parents and step-siblings who'd come and gone. He didn't even know what a real, normal family life was like. And his first attempt to make his own family had been an epic fail.

 

Yeah, he was pretty experienced at weddings. Marriage and family was a whole other issue, though. And he was never going there again.

 

His attention shifted to the guy who'd just walked into the bar. "Fuck," he muttered. "What's he doing here?"

 

Rupper, Army, and Duper all turned to look. Ryan Kirby had just walked in.  

 

"He's probably here to have a beer with his teammates," Rupper said evenly.