Page 164 of Bridesmaid for Hire
Hardy laughs again as he grips my shoulder. “Oh fuck, I really hope he does. I love my parents and their marriage, but I’d love if it he had a man crush.”
“Love what?” Hudson says leaning in.
I wave my hand at Hardy and say, “Shhhhhhh, don’t tell him. He’ll tellDaddy Reggie.” The moment the words slip out, I clamp my hand over my mouth. Eyes wide, I stare at Hardy as Hardy stares at me.
“Shut the fuck up,” he says, coming in even closer. “So that nickname is real?”
“What? Uh, what nickname? I didn’t hear a nickname.” I point at Hudson. “Did you hear a nickname? No one heard a nickname so we should just eat more of this pretzel.” I hold up a floppy piece to him. “Care for a bite?”
Hardy leans across the table toward Hudson. “The ‘Daddy Reggie’ rumors are true.”
Hudson slams his fist on the table, startling everyone. “I knew it. You owe me one thousand dollars.”
“What’s going on down there?” Reginald asks as he puffs his cigar away from the group, near one of the open windows.
“Nothing,” I squeak and then wave. “Everything is great here. Thank you for asking. How’s your cigar? Puffy?”
“Dude,” Hardy mutters under his breath.
“My balls feel like they’re shriveling up,” I say as Reginald stares me down.
“Why are you jittery?” Reginald asks.
Because you made me get drunk.
Because Jaleesa told me not to get drunk.
And because I feel drunk to the point that I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my lips locked.
“Uh…tired,” I say, nodding. “Yeah, I should probably get to bed. So, thanks for the great night.”
I go to stand, but Reginald says, “Sit down, McFadden.”
“Yup, sure. Of course. I really didn’t want to go—I was just trying to avoid an awkward situation, but you know, I do what you tell me so I’m just going to sit here like you said.”
“Brody, you’re rambling,” Hudson says.
“I know. This is where you punch me in the dick to get me to throw up so no one wants to be around me. Feel free to do it at any point to get me out of here.”
“Dad,” Hardy says. “Just let him get back to his bungalow. He’s clearly drunk.”
“Exactly,” Reginald says. “Now it’s time we have a conversation.”
Yup, my testicles just shot right up my throat.
If I make it out of here alive, I’ll be very impressed with myself.
MAGGIE
“Do you think the boys are talking about things like pre-wedding jitters?” Sloane asks.
With the dark night sky casting a blanket of glittering stars above us, we’re still seated at our table near the beach, the waves lapping in the distance, tiki torches being the only light around us. It’s been a fun night, but I have to admit I’m surprised Sloane’s talking. She’s talked more tonight than I’ve heard her speak all week. Must be the special drink Haisley made. She’s on her second. I stuck with one, because there is no way I was going to get drunk tonight.
For many reasons.
One, professionalism.
Two, don’t want to be puffy tomorrow.
