Page 24 of Wrecked
Lamar did a slow turn, showing off his tailored wedding suit.
“So handsome.” Lamar’s mom dabbed the corner of her eye with a tissue.
“Let’s go, fam! I gotta get me married.” Lamar led the way toward the front door.
“Mom and I will wait here for the bride,” Hawk’s dad said.
“I’ll go up and check on things.” Hawk’s mom hurried out of the room.
As everyone sauntered toward the front door, Hawk’s cousin made his way over. After a hand-clasp hug, Tommy said, “You look good, Nicky. How you been?”
“Good to see ya, cuz,” Hawk replied. “It’s been a while.”
As kids, they played together whenever their families got together. Tommy was thirty-three to Hawk’s thirty-two. He was five ten to Hawk’s six one. His straight brown hair had gotten longer, now brushing against his shoulders. He had friendly brown eyes and a muscular physique. He was a Maryland cop who’d gone undercover, his most recent job taking him to Philly for six months.
“You back for good or heading out on another gig?” Hawk asked as they made their way through the house and down the front porch steps.
“I’m back and living in an apartment in Falls Church.”
“We’ll catch up,” Hawk said as they headed toward the giant tent on the side lawn.
“Absolutely.” Tommy leaned forward, caught Addison’s eye. “How are you?”
“Sorry,” Hawk said. “Addison, my cousin Tommy.”
“Hi,” she replied.
“We’ll talk at the reception.” Tommy hurried to catch up with a relative.
As Hawk and Addison made their way toward the oversized tent, Hawk’s brother pulled up alongside Addison.
“Hey,” Prescott Armstrong said.
Hawk and Prescott weren’t just brothers, they were best friends. Their mom had been married to Prescott’s dad, but he had died when Prescott was a baby. When Hawk’s mom remarried, Hawk’s dad loved two-year-old Prescott like he was his own, legally adopting him a few years later. Even so, their mom had never changed Prescott’s last name… for a reason.
Towering at six three, Prescott had wavy brown, sun-streaked hair. Like their Granddad, he spent a lot of time outside. His current passion was water skiing. If he wasn’t working, he was on the water.
Addison looped one arm through Hawk’s, the other through Prescott’s. “My two favorite Ops,” she whispered. “How was it, Prescott?”
Prescott’s recent ALPHA assignment that had taken him out of town, so he’d missed the annual training camp.
“Intense.” Prescott had lowered his voice. “Brutal.” Then he cracked a smile. “It’s damn good to see you two. I heard some shit went down last night.”
“It was crazy,” Addison murmured. “We cut it pretty close.”
“We got it done.” Hawk cracked a smile. “I missed you, bro.”
“I missed Addison,” Prescott deadpanned.
On a chuckle, Hawk made like he was gonna sucker-punch his brother.
They walked inside the large party tent and pulled to a stop. Rows and rows of white folding chairs lined both sides of the aisle, a beautiful flowered wreath draped the back of every chair. Guests were moseying toward the seats while a quartet played in the back corner.
“I’ll walk you to your seat,” Hawk said to Addison.
“I got this,” she replied. “You guys should find the wedding party.”
“They’re right outside the tent.” Prescott tossed a nod in that direction.
