10. The Pack Mule, Beau

Wedding Night

Scott's Childhood Bedroom

I'd been eyeing Dash in the whys and the ways he used the hairdryer. I didn't have a lot of time. Scott had hogged most of the minutes in front of the mirror, making sure he looked his very best. We shared the same bathroom and bedroom to shower and dress for the big night.

Feeling too big for the small space of the bathroom, I flipped on the hairdryer and attempted to tame my unruly hair. My lack of skill and serious need for a haircut had me trying my best, pushing the hair off my face, and drying it thoroughly. It didn't take long.

I discarded the hairdryer in the sink. Thought better of it and moved it to the small edge of the vanity before staring at myself in the mirror. I ran the brush over my head, pulling my hair completely off my face. Shockingly, it stayed that way.

Scott had used hairspray liberally over his shorter new haircut. I decided I would too. I didn't want to look like a heathen in his wedding pictures.

"Clean up pretty well, don't I?" Scott asked, standing close to the window of his old bedroom. Much like I had done over the last thirty-six hours, my focus went to Scott, who was attempting to hide his nervous energy with a cocky attitude and a faux confident swagger.

Vulnerability had his brows permanently furrowed. Anxiety flushed his cheeks and neck. But he looked good in the modern cowboy garb. Decked out pretty sharp in his all-black attire consisting of a crisp black cowboy suit coat, matching vest, and a pair of brand-new dark pressed jeans. The dress shirt he wore was cinched with a timeless family heirloom: an iconic scorpion bolo tie passed down through the generations of stylish men in his ancestry.

The effort he used to perfect his hair in the mirror was about to be ruined by the dark Stetson waiting on the edge of the bed.

"Sure do," I quipped and resisted the urge to continue the competition between us by stating I look better.

His shiny new Tecovas boots were the same as mine. A dark, almost black color. He did look great. I'd worried about the cash I spent trying to find clothes to match his. I wore dark ironed jeans, about the same color as our boots, and a pressed, charcoal pearl-button, long-sleeve dress shirt. Luckily, I didn't have to wear a hat or bolo tie. I didn't like the way cowboy hats made me look, and I'd sworn off anything that needed a knot around my neck.

"Fuck, I'm nervous. What if I can't handle all this? Lauren wants to be taken care of, and I want to support my family, but what if I fail?"

Since it was a conversation we'd had over and over today, I was set to dish out some motivational pep talk, but he cut me off with a hand on his stomach. He began to pace.

"Talk about somethin' else before I hurl…"

I started to speak but he caught me instantly off guard with his next words.

"You're doin' better every day. You already seem like your old self. That's a fast improvement." He shot me a pointed look.

I just shrugged, not in the mood to chat about what was happening to me. I recognized the change inside me. I liked it. That was enough for now.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're still processin' it all in that noggin of yours. I'm glad to have you back, though. It'd suck to be doin' this without you." He abruptly jerked his head to the closed curtain window. I didn't know why. "It bugged me when you moved, then even more when you came back. Remember how you'd sprint across the roof to get outside?" His penetrating gaze came back to mine. "I have a secret I've never told you." He pointed at me. "And you're never going to throw it up in my face again."

I nodded, but there might be, to be honest, the jury was out on that promise. It might slip out again depending on what he had to say.

"I seriously have a fear of heights. I'd follow you because I couldn't let you win, but it bothered me every time."

"I win." The words were said automatically, but I didn't mean them. He acted like this was a shocking revelation. We'd known each other too well. Scott didn't have secrets from me, and I didn't have them from him—the very reason for Dash's current presence in Alabama.

As I prepared to tell him how closely I'd studied him and fought my own fears in order to keep competing, I switched tactics and fanned the flames of that spirit inside him instead. We'd both be better for it in the end. "Just so you know, when I leave here and head to Dallas, I'm gonna kick your ass financially. I was readin' that UPS drivers make serious bank…"

"Wanna bet?" Scott muttered.

My distraction worked and I held back my grin. He came at me as if we were wagering on different boxers to win the championship belt.

"The commission I earn is endless. I'll make more money than you as long as you don't use your boyfriend's coattails."

Oh man, he'd hit below the belt. "Bet."

His hand shot out to shake mine.

Something deeper ignited within me, bubbling up beyond the emotional damage I'd endured. "I'll get healthcare, holidays off, and most weekends, and still make more money than you."

A knock at the door drew both our attention. Mrs. Lee, Scott's mom, gave a time update through the closed door without waiting for us to open the door. "Five minutes. She's here." Even though I couldn't see her, I could hear the excitement in her voice.

He locked an unwavering stare on me. "Dollar for dollar. W-2's compared. We'll settle the rest once this wedding's done. Every year is a separate win." Since our hand grip continued, he shook mine aggressively and with certainty.

"Starts the beginnin' of next month," I shot out cockily. "You just made my wins so much sweeter."

The ultimate challenge. I saw the same fire building within him that flared inside me.

"Better learn to tuck your tail between your ass cheeks." Unafraid of anything now, Scott went closer to the shut bedroom door, waiting to go out.

I laughed at his unwavering confidence. And patted myself on the back for manipulating him in his quest to always be able to provide for his family. The door pushed open, bouncing off Scott's face in the swing open. I laughed at that too.

"It's showtime, babe. We're beginnin'." Mrs. Lee was oblivious to the tension Scott, and I had created inside the bedroom. And the pain he might be under from being hit in the face. She smiled sweetly at her son. "I'm proud of you, Scott. Get your hat then wait behind Beau to take your place close to the preacher." She kissed his cheek and hurried from the doorway.

The nerves were back in my friend, but they ended soon. Since the hallway had been set up to be the aisle, I went first, liking the energy building inside me.

Thoughts of Dash pulled at me like a magnet in every moment we were apart. While quiet in the hall, visions of him in his stylish suit danced around my head as the piano began to play. He'd be the best-looking guy here.

I took my place then searched for Dash. I wasn't wrong. When he grinned, I did too. What a beautiful guy, both inside and out.

As I lugged the rental chairs from the house back into the van, a couple of yawns escaped. When Mr. Lee found out I was leaving first thing in the morning, he instructed me on the different post-wedding jobs, all heavy, that needed to be done before I left. He'd effectively transformed me into one tired pack mule. I felt sure he'd find some way to justify me digging out the muck in rain gutters pretty soon.

"Hey, Beau!" Mrs. Lee called from the front porch. "They need you."

"Mama, let him finish up out here," Mr. Lee said from the cover of the garage where he watched me work.

"Quit slackin' off," she hollered at her husband. "He's done enough of your work around here. We need you, Beau. Wipe your shoes on the rug in the mudroom. Don't listen to him anymore."

Since I was on Mrs. Lee's side of the argument, I put the last rack of chairs in the truck and trudged through the garage and into the house. These expensive boots weren't living up to their price tag. If I hurried, I risked a comical slip and slide episode where I'd likely land on my ass.

"They're namin' the godparents," his mom said, standing inside the laundry room, or as she called it, a mudroom.

"Who did they pick?" I asked, scooting my boots on the inside rug to clean them.

"Well, you," his father said from directly behind me. My face instantly contorted into horror.

"What?" I burst out as if that were the dumbest idea I'd ever heard. I didn't know anything about children. "Why me?"

"Where's Beau? Everybody's waitin'," Scott hollered. Mr. Lee came in behind me, close enough to squeeze my shoulder.

"Consider it a ceremonial gesture. You won't actually be takin' my grandchildren from me," Mr. Lee said with a chuckle.

"Wait, there's more than one kid?" I asked in panic, finding myself propelling into the dining room where Scott and Lauren stood before their guests. Katie was on Lauren's side. I was shoved close to Scott.

"Finally," Scott grumbled, his frustration with me palpable. He raised his voice for his next words. "Hey. He's finally here. Focus on us again."

The house was comfortably spacious. Yet the twenty or so guests were well into their drink and catching up with each other. It took a second much louder bark by Scott to gain their attention.

"Hey! Listen up, everybody! We've got an announcement to make then you're all welcome to keep the party goin'. We have dinner waitin' on the back porch. We'll cut the cake afterward. Right?" Scott glanced down at Lauren who was tucked securely underneath his arm. She nodded with pride.

"This is our wedding day, but also a day to celebrate family," Lauren said, and put a protective hand on top of her belly. "We wanted to introduce this soon-to-be baby's godparents to our families," Lauren said, a giant grin spreading over her lips. "They're Katie and Beau, our best friends."

The guests whooped loudly and pushed forward to offer their congratulations. There I was with my hands tucked into my pockets, feeling completely overwhelmed with the way the guests bore down on me. Like a high-functioning bobble head, I nodded over and again, accepting the well-wishes. Slowly, I stepped several feet backward until my ass bumped into the dining room table where the three-tiered wedding cake and punch bowl sat waiting.

My gaze shifted above the guests' heads, an action I had repeated countless times over the course of the evening. All to catch brief glimpses of Dash. My life's joy and light had regulated himself into the shadows, close to the front door, doing his best to blend into the wood paneling. I doubted he accomplished such a lofty goal, but with as busy as Mr. Lee had me, I didn't think anyone understood that the most handsome man in the world was there to be with me.

Standing beside Dash was my mom, chatting away while they both held white plastic cups in their hands. His gaze latched onto mine. He gave the slightest lift of the cup in recognition. His dazzle was constant.

His plump lips curved into a perfect grin, growing wider with each moment I stared.

What was I doing? If I continued to allow emotional distance between Dash and myself, I was still only a puppet in the circus my father had created. True, I had a mountain of baggage to sift through. I wouldn't pretend otherwise, but look how far I'd come from dear old dad's shadow? Every fiber of my being now hinged on Dash's unwavering conviction that we belonged together. I believed that too.

My old man wasn't going to win in his efforts to keep us apart.

The strangest sensation shivered down my spine. Both my chest and cock swelled, growing hard and heavy within seconds. The sudden unrelenting desire had a laser-focused direction and purpose. I released a long, steadying breath. That attention narrowed with each step I took toward Dash.

He shot me a puzzled stare as I moved through the crowd toward him.

My shoulders rolled, doing my best to keep under control.

"What're you doing?" Dash asked. With my gaze fixed on his lips, I took the cup from his hand and passed it off to my mom. She never faltered in her assignment, making her the best wingman ever. I circled Dash's neck with my palm, drawing him toward me. I leaned in until no more than an inch of space separated our lips. My depth of love overwhelmed me. Especially since I saw it reflected back in Dash's beautiful blue eyes.

"I don't need ninety days. I want you now and forever," I whispered. My voice hoarse from the emotion spilling from my heart.

"Me too," he said more confidently.

"Don't hurt me."

"Never," Dash promised, his eyelids fluttering closed.

I pressed my lips down on his then sought entrance. He yielded, and I plunged into the kiss with a vengeance. I was home. Finally where I was meant to be. Dash's tongue matched mine, stroking, and encouraging me to let loose, like he always had. His hands caressing a burning trail around my back, pulling me flush against him. A low growl emanated, protective and fierce as I eagerly explored his sinfully sweet mouth.

Dash was always meant to be mine and I was his in return. The tangible connection we shared never wanted this kiss to end. Nothing in the world mattered more, yet I reluctantly pulled inches away. Dash's hooded brow focused only on me, his labored breaths puffing against my skin. The love of my life, my reason for everything.

"Let's get out of here," I said, gliding my hand across Dash's shoulders to steer him out of the house. Without a backward glance or even a farewell to Scott and Lauren, we made our way through the front door, I shut it soundly behind me. When completely alone, Dash spun toward me, clasping my hand to drag us into a shadowy abyss just beyond the porch lights.

"What happened in there?" he asked. I didn't stop moving until I was chest to chest with my guy.

"No more hidin'," I declared. We stepped into each other, bringing our bodies flush. My lips searched his out again. The intensity of our smoldering kiss seared away all semblance of logic and reason, silencing the negativity of my life.

Dash suddenly broke away from the lock I had on his mouth, rearing his head back in astonishment.

"You're hard." He brazenly traced the outline of his discovery before pressing his palm firmly against my shaft. The intimate touch of my dreams drew a whimper from me. I couldn't help the roll my hips gave, pushing into Dash's sculpting fingers.

Damn, my need was back with a vengeance. I cradled his face, holding him tenderly as I sought his lips again, yearning for the connection of our kiss.

"We need to leave," Dash murmured, his words spoken between the nips and swipes I gave against his mouth. "Beau, I need you, I do but in the hotel. Not here."

"Let's go," I whispered in agreement, deciding that adding a free porn show to Scott's big night might not be the best idea.

Taking his hand, he led me down the walkway, taking long, purposeful strides. With laser beam focus, I watched the way his perfect ass moved with each step.

I was the luckiest man on the planet to be spending time in that ass tonight. A tug of his hand brought him up short. "It's taking too long to get to the car. Kiss me like you mean it."

In an instant, Dash turned, bumping chests. His arms wrapped around me, gripping each ass cheek with his sinful hands, roughly bringing our cocks together. What a roller coaster of intensity. I strained against him. The craving to have him was so strong, my orgasm was already building inside my balls. Dash, the silly guy, tried to take control, thrusting his tongue into my mouth. He dove deep until the only taste I ever wanted again was his.