Page 91 of Zero Confusion

A hush fell over the backyard as Misty skipped down the makeshift path, liberally sprinkling flower petals in her wake. Behind her, Max and Raymond slowly walked side by side, donning matching suits, looking at each other as if they were the only two people in the world.

Chapter 35

MILES

“Ray tried to let me off the hook by telling me I didn’t have to give a best man speech, but I insisted. It’s tradition, right?” Zach paused, scanning his audience with a smirk. Everyone had found a seat, though Miles was certain no one had actually followed the seating chart his mom had spent hours creating. “Now that I’m standing here in front of everyone, I’m starting to think I should have taken him up on it.”

Miles joined in the laughter, glad to see Zach having fun. He’d been so tense earlier, but as the day wore on and the sky didn’t come crashing down, he slowly let go of his worries. By the time the sun had set, after too much mingling and making small talk about farm machinery and crop yields, Miles was ready for the evening to end, but Zach was more energized than ever. He’d hopped up to grab the microphone as soon as Mara—their volunteer emcee—announced speeches, and Miles shoved his notecards back in his pocket, ready to listen.

“I don’t know Ray very well. In fact, yesterday was the first time I ever called him Ray to his face. Or even behind his back. Honestly, I was too terrified to call him by a nickname, even when we were in different states.” Zach shrugged with a playful grin, sneaking a quick look at Ray and pretending to flinch. The audience ate it up, laughter ringing in the still air of their backyard.

“I think that’s why he picked me to be his best man—he knew I’d be too scared to tell any embarrassing stories. Not that there are any, of course. Ray has lived a dignified and respectable life and has never done anything wrong.”

Even Ray cracked up at that one, shaking his head when Zach glanced over. He really wasn’t the humorless, stern man everyone assumed him to be. In the past few weeks, Miles had seen Ray smile more than in all the time he’d known him, mostly around Max. Love really changed people. Love, and the relief of no longer having to hide.

Zach walked around the tables as he talked, slowly at first, but gaining confidence with every second. He was graceful in his movements, never stumbling or missing a beat, not even checking his notes as he spoke. Miles had never been comfortable with public speaking, and he was blown away by how easy Zach made it look.

Instead of paying attention to his sweaty hands and the tingly anticipation of having to go next, Miles focused on the gorgeous man. His man. And it almost didn’t happen. Only in June, Miles had been on a completely different track in life, one wrong decision away from missing out on being with the love of his life. All because he’d never bothered to analyze his feelings.

The things he used to think were perfectly normal between best friends had actually been signs—signs he’d missed. The way he always wanted to be close to Zach, wanted to hug him and cuddle with him for comfort. How impressed he was by Zach’s accomplishments, bursting with pride and eager to share with anyone who would listen.

His occasional fleeting thoughts on how handsome Zach was.

The horseshoe he touched every day, wishing he could be closer to his best friend.

The jealousy that ripped through him every time he imagined Zach with a partner.

Frankly, it was ridiculous that he hadn’t figured it out before, and he was lucky—so lucky—that Zach had waited for him to get his act together.

He’d never leave it up to chance again. He would hold on tight, never letting go. The arrangements had been made, and he could finally tell Zach the good news.

Thunderous applause brought him back to the moment, some of the tipsier guests hooting and whistling as Zach weaved his way back to their table. Miles joined in, standing up and clapping, waiting for Zach to get closer before pulling him in for a quick peck on the lips.

The hoots and hollers got even louder. Zach blushed a deep crimson but didn’t push away, and witnessing Zach get more comfortable in his own skin around their families and neighbors filled Miles with deep, heartwarming satisfaction.

Later—long after Miles’s stumbling best man speech that couldn’t hold a candle to Zach’s, after the buffet-style dinner that put half the guests in a food coma, after the first dance during which Ray gingerly whirled Max around without letting his ankle boot touch the ground—Miles and Zach found themselves swaying to a slow ballad alongside several other couples. Strips of colorful LED lights strobed the perimeter of the flat area of land designated as the dance floor, and a mix of country and pop piped through the small speaker perched on a chair nearby.

Zach had called it farm chic, trying to sound flippant, but his eyes had been sparkling with wonder as he took in the decorated yard. He’d loved it.

Would he be open to getting married on the farm as well, or would he prefer a city wedding? It was far too soon to bring up marriage, so Miles cleared his throat and asked about something more immediate. “You’re leaving day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, in the morning. I wasn’t sure how everything would go when I bought the ticket, and I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. Now I wish I could stay a few more days.” Zach’s voice turned wistful, and he pressed closer to Miles. “We won’t see each other for a long time after this. I’m gonna miss you.”

This was the perfect time to tell him.

“Actually—”

“Zachariah!” a booming voice interrupted him, and a large, calloused hand landed on Zach’s shoulder.

They stopped their gentle swaying and turned to face Mr. Schulz, Katie’s dad. Miles kept a protective arm around Zach, not sure what to expect. Katie herself had never actually wanted to date or marry Miles, but she couldn’t say the same for her parents. When Miles ran into Katie’s mom a few days ago, after the news of him and Zach had already spread through the community, she’d spent at least ten minutes glaring at him from across the grocery store.

Mr. Schulz was smiling, though, which was a good sign.

“That was a great speech, son. It’s been a while since I laughed that hard. That Ray sure is a character.”

“He sure is.” Zach glanced up at the tall man, offering a nervous smile. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Dad! They were dancing!” Katie rushed up behind her father and tugged on his arm, clearly exasperated. “Could you be any ruder?”