Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
He and Elliott had drunk-married in Vegas but were having a second ceremony at Marcus’s house in June.
“Really good,” Parker said. “I actually wanted to talk to you all about something… I’ve been thinking about how I want to do the wedding party. Of course, I want you all to be included. You’re my brothers and I love you. I thought at first I’d have three groomsmen, and I like that, and I’d love for you all to do that, but also…I don’t know. Neither Elliott nor I are very religious, and the idea of someone who is important to me performing the ceremony just feels really special to me. I want someone I love to make us husbands…again…and the first person I thought of was you.” Parker looked at me.
I sat up straighter, then turned around to see if somehow Declan had magically appeared behind me. Declan was Parker’s person, the one he went to in a similar way I did with Marcus. “Me?” I asked.
Marcus squeezed my leg in support.
“Yes, you. You are The Charmer, after all. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for it, and it would mean the world to me to have someone I love participate in such an important way on my big day. Elliott loves the idea too.”
Something was stuck in my throat, making it nearly impossible to speak or, hell, even breathe. Parker and Elliott had chosen me to perform their ceremony. They didn’t think I would fuck it up, do something stupid, or ruin their day. They had chosen me not because of how I looked or the attention I got on Instagram, but because they loved me. I hated that these things were often so hard for me to believe. I didn’t know what was wrong with me to make me feel that way. I hadn’t been abused as a child. I had parents and siblings who loved me. While they had beliefs I didn’t when it came to religion and what would happen to me when I died because I was gay, there had never been a day I doubted they loved me. So why was I so fucked up?
“Yes. He will,” Marcus answered for me as I swiped at my eyes. Sometimes I needed a little push, and Marcus was good at sensing that.
“Yeah…I’d love to do it. Can we have a Beach Bums hug now?”
Parker chuckled while Marcus and Declan pretended to grumble, but then all of us were on our feet. Three men had their arms around me as I stood in the center of them. And while things were changing, and they were settling down and all in love, I knew I would always have this. Them.
Why didn’t that stop me from feeling lonely?
When the hug ended, we headed into the living room where Elliott and Sebastian were waiting for us. Kai was in the kitchen, making a meal for everyone. He planned to go to culinary school soon and was often practicing on us. But while his cooking was incredible, he tended to make heavy foods I couldn’t afford to eat. It was so much easier for me to gain weight than for most people, so I was really cautious about what I ate and how often. I didn’t even have to gain weight for people to comment on social media about how I looked like I had. It was a daily struggle.
But I also knew that if I tried to bail, the guys would call me on it. Marcus was always harassing me about eating regular meals. Declan and Parker were cautious about it as well, and now Kai had joined in.
“Mmm. It smells good in here, baby boy,” Marcus said to Kai, wrapping his arms around him.
“I made the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have and a pork roast.” Kai turned to me. “I made something special for you.”
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not having a threesome with you and Marcus? I don’t care how often you try and bribe me,” I teased, when really, I was thankful he had thought about me. My gaze snagged on Marcus, and I saw how his softened when he looked at Kai…because of how Kai considered me, no doubt. Which sucked, to be honest. I didn’t want people to walk on eggshells for me, but on the other hand, how did I get so lucky to have these people?
“It’s a pesto tilapia with just a little bit of brown rice cooked my special way.”
“Thank you,” I told Kai, giving him a hug.
The group of us sat at the table, eating and visiting. Everyone was laughing and giving each other shit like we always did, but I couldn’t force myself to get into it as much.
I felt off, and feeling that way with the Beach Bums wasn’t something I’d ever experienced. The problem was me. I understood that. They fully immersed me in everything, but…I was the odd man out now. I was still wrapping my head around that. “Oh shit. I didn’t realize it was so late. I have to meet up with someone,” I lied.