The three left outside the joke, stifle grins. Jake finally exhales. “Okay, come on. Enough is enough.”
Jett
I tell them we met on the road a few months ago, and have been taking it slow. I glance to Jaxson to wordlessly let him know that he’s the only one who’ll get to know the real story.
Dad’s voice interrupts me as he yells to the crowd, “Alright everyone, let’s take our seats.”
“I’m really happy for you, Jett,” Jake tells me, shaking my hand with a look that says he never thought he’d see the day. Doesn’t surprise me. When I saw him in Colorado I was banging some bartender I can’t even remember the name of.
Now look at me.
Introducing her to my whole family, and can’t wait to do it.
“Thanks, Jake. I’m really happy for you, too, man.” We hug and he smacks my arm as he heads to take his place in front of the guests.
Grandma’s already where she’s supposed to be. Jaxson sits beside her. We walk around them to take the seats beside him. Justin and Jason come around, and sit on my side. Jason tells me, “Drew’s idea not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen. Her friend Bernie still isn’t doing well.”
“You mean the one—”
“—Yes, that one.”
Justin leans forward and says, “Notice Jason doesn’t have a date?”
“Fuck off, Justin,” he mutters, low enough that Grandma couldn’t hear him.
I ask, “Didn’t work out?”
“Nah. Not the one.”
“Thank God,” Justin says. “I’d hate to have pretended to like her for the rest of my fuckin’ life.”
That wasn’t said quietly.
“Language!” Grandma hisses.
Luna starts laughing under her breath, just before the music starts. I squeeze her hand and give her a kiss. “I love you.”
“I’m sorry, but that was funny,” she whispers.
Everyone stands up to watch Drew walk down the aisle. There’s a lot of appreciative murmuring as an older woman walks with her. Jason whispers, “It’s her mom, since her dad is the…you know.”
“Ah.” My eyes travel to Jake. He’s gazing at his bride-to-be with pride and love.
Now that I think about it, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a girl of his. It’s a big deal for a woman to be brought home to the family, and Jake’s the second youngest. He and I didn’t hang out socially, so I didn’t get to know who he dated.
“She’s very pretty,” Luna whispers. I nod, looking at the two of them coming together.
I remember the stories he told me about her when we were in Colorado. He did good with this one. She’s a class act. What I really like is how she looks at my brother.
Drew kisses her mom’s cheek and takes Jake’s hand. They exchange a private look and a tear slips down her cheek.
I can’t help it that my mind drifts after that as all the blah blah blah’s are said.
It isn’t until after the vows that my attention is grabbed, because when the pastor asks, “Who has the rings?” my dad stands up.
“I do.”
Luna squeezes my hand as I go stiff. A knife turns in my chest because I know he wouldn’t do this at my wedding. Not for me.
He hands Jake the rings and pats his arm, heading back for his chair. Jason glances to me and holds my look. I shrug like I’m not bothered. He stares a moment, seeing the truth.
The rings are slipped on and Drew’s father says with a big smile, “By the power vested in me by the state of Georgia, I now you pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Drew walks into Jake’s arms and he kisses her like all of us Cocker brothers kiss our women, deeply and like no one is watching.
The crowd starts hollering their approval. Me and my brothers clap loudly, shouting things like, “Get ‘er, Jake! Get ‘er!”
Even Grandma whistles through two fingers. Luna is laughing and Jaxson leans over to tell her, “Welcome.”
I glance over just as her head swings away from him. The look in her eyes is a puzzle to me, so I lean down. “What’re you thinkin,’ baby?”
Shaking her head like it’s hard to say, she whispers, “How lucky you are.”
“You’re with me, baby. We’re both lucky now.”
Luna
The dining tables are already set up, as pretty as if they were in a movie, with linens, bottles of both red and white wine on each, plus elaborate lavender and white floral centerpieces.
When the caterers begin removing folding chairs from the ceremony to make room for dancing after dinner, Jett and his brothers all pitch in to help. The five of them together makes me wish I could meet the sixth. They’re all laughing and messing around, teasing about personal things.