Kindle Alexander - Up In Arms (8 page)

“Can I come in, handsome?” he asked, loudly.
“Sure, come in. I’ll be out in a minute,” Trevor said, looking over his shoulder. A little crimson flush showed on his cheeks as he shut the bathroom door.
‘“Did you sleep well?” Reed called, seeing the uniform placed neatly on the bed. A grin spread across his lips, wondering how Trevor would get the uniform into the bathroom to finish dressing.
“We didn’t sleep too much. Rylie was too wired. We ended up playing poker until about five thirty this morning. How did you sleep?” Trevor answered back through the closed door.
After a moment, Reed decided to give Trevor a break. He picked up the hanger, walking to the bathroom door, giving a quick knock. Trevor opened the door a crack and stuck his head out. Relief showed clearly on his face when he saw the uniform.
“I thought you might need this.” Reed pulled the uniform away when Trevor reached for it, and pushed the bathroom door a little further open with his foot. “How about a kiss first, sexy?”
Watching Trevor’s cheeks brighten, Reed decided then he loved to watch the slow creep of color. He found it very sexy, and somewhat fulfilling, to know his words or gaze could provoke such a reaction. He leaned in and received a quick kiss, with just a little swipe of the tongue. Grudgingly, he handed over the uniform. “You’re welcome...and I did sleep well, once I finally fell asleep. I had very, very, sweet dreams too.”
Goose bumps sprang up along Trevor’s arms. “I need to dress, hang on.” Trevor finished dressing, but didn’t quite shut the bathroom door all the way this time. When he stepped out into the bedroom, Reed couldn’t take his eyes off of him.
“You’re devastatingly handsome, Trevor. I’m going to have to keep my eyes on you tonight,” Reed said, his gaze moving slowly down the length of Trevor’s body and back up again. “I wouldn’t want anyone trying to steal you away from me.”
“I’m sure you have nothing to worry about,” Trevor said dryly.
“I’m not so sure. You’re a striking man, Trevor West.”
Reed gave Trevor a teasing wink and moved to the door, trying to keep his hands to himself. Trevor looked deliciously handsome, and incredibly shy about it all. A very tempting combination.
“We’re going to be late if we don’t hurry. Let me check on Rylie’s progress.”

Though Brody tried hard to get into Reed’s sports car, Rylie kept a firm hold on their friend, shoving him into the passenger side seat of his truck, which gave Trevor enough time to slide in beside Reed.

Once Reed pulled from his parking space at the apartment, he linked their hands together, drawing them forward to sweetly kiss his knuckles. Reed chatted steadily throughout the ride to the church, never really requiring Trevor to say too much. He liked how Reed did that for him, just filled the silence, keeping everything comfortable. Trevor sat through too many awkward silences in his life to not truly appreciate Reed’s efforts in keeping the conversation going.

The chapel Rylie and Elise were to marry in was close by. They weren’t in the car for more than ten minutes before pulling into the parking lot. The way Olivia spoke of the place, it sounded tiny and quaint, but this was a large, sprawling mega church. It made sense considering the number of guest attending today. Reed shifted the car into first gear and turned the ignition off before turning to Trevor.

“Handsome, you do know I want to kiss you before I get out of this car, but I don’t want to embarrass you in front of Rylie or Brody. Know I’ll be thinking about my unfortunate luck in having missed out on your kiss, because they arrived so quickly. I did try to lose them, but Rylie ran that last light, ruining my chances. I’ll have to be sure to thank him for that later. I’m looking forward to after the wedding, when I can once again claim your sweet lips.” Looking into his rearview mirror, Reed kept his eyes locked on something. “My brother’s always so serious, I worry about him. I’m going to go now. I’ll see you as I can.” Reed jumped out of the car, and hurried past Brody, only giving a quick nod before wrapping his arm around his brother, hugging him tight and patting him hard on the back.

Trevor watched the exchange from the distance. After a moment, Brody came to stand beside him.
“Shit, I don’t think I remember the vows. Did I forget my copy?” Rylie said, worry crossing his brow while he patted his pockets.
“You’ll be fine...it’s only pre-wedding jitters. Everyone gets anxious, little brother. Come on, let’s get this show on the road.” Reed turned his brother toward the church, heading in the direction of the front doors where an elderly pastor waited.
Pastor Hamilton, as Rylie introduced him, seemed like a sweet old man. He stood, holding the heavy oak door open, welcoming them to the church. .
As they lingered behind, trying to give Rylie and Reed a moment of privacy, Brody said, “Yeah, I’m lookin’ sharp. You don’t have to say it.” He elbowed Trevor in the side, giving him the grin which always drew people to him.
“You don’t look too bad. Of course, technically we all look exactly the same in this uniform. How’s Rylie?”
“Nervous as hell. By the way, how was your night last night? Finally get a little ass?” Brody asked while walking backward, lifting his fist for a quick knuckle bump. Trevor looked up at the pastor. Clearly, he, as well as Rylie and Reed, had heard the crude comment. Brody seemed immune to the stares, but Trevor couldn’t ignore them and left Brody hanging with his fist in the air.
“Dude, really? We’re at church. That’s wrong even for you.” Trevor walked past Brody, picking up the pace to get inside.
“Well, I’ll take that as a big ass NO. It might help if you would pull out the fucking corn cob that’s stuck up your tight ass, man,” Brody called out after him even louder than before. Trevor ignored him completely. When Brody got on a roll, nothing stopped him.
Reed stood in the door, holding it open. The Pastor stood just inside with Rylie. Trevor couldn’t quite make eye contact with Reed when he walked inside. Reed looked angry and all that anger was centered on his loud mouthed friend following behind him.
In unison, Trevor, Brody, and Rylie’s phones rang with a message coming through. It was an official alert. It didn’t matter how their phones were silenced, when this sender sent a message a loud beep rang through the room. Rylie turned quickly, his eyes going wide, before Trevor could get his phone from his pocket.
“Don’t worry, they aren’t calling us in. We’re on standby.” Trevor read from his phone, and then looked up to check the bridegroom. Momentary relief showed on Rylie’s face. Reed stood beside his brother, staring at Trevor for a long moment as the weight of the situation settled in on all of them.
“They do this all the time, Rylie, and never call us in,” Trevor said, trying to keep the concern from his voice.
“Right... You’re right,” Rylie said, giving a solid nod after as if to confirm his words.
“Then let’s go get you married, brother,” Reed said, concern still etched on his face, but he clamped Rylie on the shoulder. No more words were necessary as the brothers turned and followed the Pastor into his office.

The wedding ceremony went perfectly. Reed stood by Rylie’s side, Trevor directly beside him. Reed found reasons all throughout the ceremony to turn Trevor’s way, always giving a brief smile or wink. When the wedding ended and it became Trevor’s time to walk his bridesmaid down the center aisle, Reed casually placed a hand in the small of his lower back. Reed turned the touch into a caress, dipping low until his fingertips ran across Trevor’s ass. His body hardened under the touch and his face heated, letting him know his cheeks were bright red as he met his bridesmaid and walked her down the aisle.

A formal dinner reception followed at the hotel where Trevor first met Reed. The guests seemed happy, relaxed, and perhaps a little relieved to be done with the whole thing. Reed stayed close to Rylie the entire afternoon and most of the evening, sitting at the family table along with all of their countless family members. The security around Reed’s mom and dad were incredibly tight. If the United Nations set up guard on the Kensingtons, something must be going on in the world, but Trevor hadn’t been privileged to the information. One thing for sure, nothing going on in the outside world dampened the atmosphere of this evening.

A little woman Elise tried several times over the years to fix him up with turned out to be his bridesmaid during the wedding and his dinner companion in their designated seating arrangements. Trevor remembered her name to be something like Karen...or Karri...or maybe Karol. Whatever her name, she turned out to be good company. Perfect really for Trevor. She spoke easily, talking, filling in the holes when he stayed quiet.

Despite the pleasant company, Trevor’s thoughts strayed regularly to Reed. His gaze constantly searched out the family table for just small glimpses of Reed. Every time he looked, their eyes collided. This time, Reed tipped his glass in Trevor’s direction, giving him a wink. He couldn’t help but grin, and he knew the blush was back on his cheeks. His little companion next to him continued to chat, along with the other members of the table. No one noticed he didn’t join in on the conversation, or how he only had eyes for a certain stunning man.

Once dinner ended, they were all ushered over to the reception hall for the party. Karen-Karri-Karol stayed close by. She truly was a beautiful woman, and it really wasn’t a hardship to have her nearby. Trevor noticed the mother of the groom’s excitement in watching him and Kar-ol together. Olivia Kensington’s eyes followed them while they walked down the aisle together, a smile spread across her face as she made eye contact with him, and she nodded her head toward Kar-ol. Trevor could see the matchingmaking in her eyes and knew then he’d been step-up, probably since he declined the invitation to sit with the family. Olivia’s meddling aside, he just couldn’t find the words to tell Kar-ol she was wasting her time, so instead he let her stay close by for however long she wanted.

Reed didn’t seem able to shake free of his best man responsibilities. He was always needed for something. Rylie and Elise went through the traditional wedding festivities: cutting the cake, taking pictures, and having the maid-of-honor and the best man speak. Trevor was standing with Kar-ol in the line for cake when Reed came to the microphone for his best man’s speech. Every eye turned toward him. He drew people to him like nothing Trevor ever saw before. Sitting back, watching the night, Trevor saw how sought after Reed was by most everyone in the room. Now, standing in line, he could hear the collective sighs of the women around him.

“If everyone will grab a glass, please, I have something I would like to say. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Reed, and for those of you that do, well, consider yourself extremely blessed. My full name is actually ‘Reed-would-you-like-a-drink’ for those of you who I meet in the bar later tonight. Please don’t forget what I look like and I’d appreciate it if you could use my full name.” Trevor watched Reed look over at his brother, giving a wink, letting the joke settle.

“I’m actually Rylie’s older brother, and isn’t it good to see that I’m finally receiving the recognition I deserve by being named as Best Man for the nuptials of Rylie and Elise? It’s well known that I can talk, and I couldn’t help but notice that there’s a bet about the length of my speech. Well, just to let you know, having backed myself at two hours thirty-seven minutes and with the kitty currently standing at somewhere around nine hundred ninety-three dollars, I must apologize in advance. So please make yourself comfortable and enjoy the ride.”

Reed laughed, this time with the guests while turning to his brother and Elise. “All kidding aside, I’m honored to stand here this evening, and celebrate the love and life you have chosen to share with one another. When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. I get that, so I will be brief.” Reed looked back over the guests until his eyes locked on Trevor’s. In that moment, it felt like Reed spoke directly to him. All others in the room just simply faded away. “A wise person once told me that magic happens at the most unexpected moments. I would have to disagree to an extent.” Breaking the stare, Reed turned back to his brother and new sister-in-law. “Today has been planned for months and months, and it was still filled with unexpected magic. I’ve known Rylie for all his life and I’ve never seen him happier than when he’s with Elise. And I haven’t seen Elise without a smile when she and Rylie are together. This magic that makes them glow today is love. Love, however, isn’t always simple. You will fight and disagree, but as long as you love each other, the magic you feel at this moment will never die. May the rest of your lives be filled with magical moments. I love you both.” Reed raised his glass. “Finally, it gives me great pleasure to invite you all to raise your glasses to Rylie and Elise Kensington. I’m sure everyone here today would like to wish the newest Mr. and Mrs. Kensington love, life, laughter, and happily ever after.”

Trevor stood fixated on Reed, watching everything about him as he spoke. The guy was so polished, so sophisticated, and he held this audience in the palm of his hand. The respect this room held for Reed transcended his bed partner choices, and focused in on respect. Trevor was in awe, wondering what someone so magnificent could possibly see in him. Reed needed someone who matched him, who equaled him on every level.

Out of nowhere, Brody came barreling for Trevor. He grabbed his uniform jacket and pushed Trevor back several feet from Kar-ol, who stood there clapping with everyone else for Rylie and Elise.

“Dude, seriously, why do you keep staring at him? He’s a player. You were played. Get the fucking stars out of your eyes. You look love sick. It’s pathetic, even for you.” Brody got up in Trevor’s face, standing nose to nose with him. Seeing where this conversation was headed, Trevor flipped Brody through a side door to the kitchen, pulling him away from anyone who might hear.

“Man, what’s your problem tonight? You’re being a bigger ass than normal,” Trevor said, glaring.
Brody didn’t stand down, nor did he step back, but his lips curled in a mocking smirk. “Do you think he’s into you? Is that it? Like it’s more than a fuck? You do! You actually think you’re more than a fuck.” Brody gave a snide little laugh, and Trevor could do nothing more than just stare at what he thought was his best friend. Brody was so angry and so insistent, so in his face. It took time to register it all.
“It’s not like that.”
Cutting Trevor off, Brody continued his hateful tirade. “You think he’s into you. Oh, that’s sweet. Okay, watch this. I know his kind.
I’m
his fucking kind. He’s not into you. He’s into himself and the next fuck, and he’ll say whatever it takes to get it. Just watch, better you should see it now.” Brody left as quickly as he came, barreling through the door, letting it swing wide, back and forth until it came to a stop.
Trevor didn’t want to watch. And he did want to believe Reed wanted just him. Unable to stop himself, Trevor opened the door and stepped aside, watching Brody stalk across the room toward Reed. Trevor’s heart began to ache as he tracked each one of Brody’s steps. He desperately wanted to stop Brody, but saw no way possible without causing a scene.
Trevor realized his years of pining for Brody were nothing more than his safety net. He never experienced the depth of emotion or the shear utter romance of a new love with Brody as he did with Reed. The slow creep of pain began making its way to his heart. Brody was going to ruin it all. Why couldn’t he just leave it alone? If Reed played him, then so be it. For now, Trevor was happy. If at the end of the weekend, or hell, even the end of the night, Reed never contacted him again, he would have at least the memory of tonight to look back on.
Brody rounded the corner to the front tables. Trevor’s heart broke a little more. Brody moved forward with a single minded purpose. He only looked over his shoulder once, as if to make sure Trevor was watching. Brody approached Reed from behind, where he sat listening to the next speaker. Every movement slowed for Trevor. Brody reached a hand to the small of Reed’s back. Reed turned to Brody, and Brody leaned in, whispering into Reed’s ear. Trevor’s heart sank to new depths at the smile spreading across Reed’s lips. Trevor’s mind begged his body to turn as his heart gave a lurch, dropping several more feet. Never during all the years Trevor watched Brody had his heart hurt like this. What was wrong with him? Trevor only knew Reed for a matter of days. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. Brody was completely right, and Trevor felt totally pathetic on every level.
“Trevor, I need my drink refilled. Do you mind? I’m being called to the front.” Finally, he turned away when Kar-ol touched his arm. Selfreprimands and ridicule slowly poured through his mind. Trevor smiled down, not really seeing or hearing her, but trying to hide the pain coursing through his heart.
“Sure, I’ll get you a drink,” Trevor said, praying he could save some of his dignity if Brody or Reed happened to look over in his direction while they left together. Trevor blindly walked to the bar, chastising his delusional romantic dumb thoughts.