Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Spencer

Corbin had come down to the center today, for the last hour before I got off work. He was meeting with Gael to get a new book to read. They tried to meet up when they could, both of them also talking about their progress with therapy.

Corbin had become such a positive role model for Gael, and he didn’t even see it. To him, they were just friends, and that made me love him more.

I was about to close the Excel file on my computer when Morgan’s, “Hey, man,” came from the doorway. He’d been even more absent lately, and every time I messaged him to see if we could hang out, or to invite him over so he and Corbin could meet, he was busy.

Morgan looked exhausted, his dark hair messy and his eyes weary.

“Hey, what’s going on? I’ve been worried about you.”

Morgan came inside and closed the door behind him. He sat down in the chair across from me. “I’m sorry I’ve been absent lately. Shit’s been…” Morgan ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I have to go back to Michigan, and it’s the last thing I want. Fuck. I hate it there.”

My heart thudded against my chest. That was the most Morgan talked about his past or where he came from, and he still hadn’t given me much of anything.

“For good?” I asked.

“I hope not. Family shit, ya know?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I know. Is there anything I can do to help? You know you can always come to me.” Morgan and I might not be the kind of close friends who hung out the way the Beach Bums did, but we were there for each other. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.

“Nah, thanks. I appreciate the offer, though. I just wanted to come say goodbye and let you know what’s going on.”

“What about Rob?” I asked, wondering what this meant for Morgan and his boyfriend.

“Time will tell, I guess. We’re still together for now, and it’s nice to know someone’s there.” Morgan looked away like he wasn’t proud of what he’d said, but there was no shame in it. We all needed people. It was hard to be alone. I wished he had someone who treated him better than Rob did. But then, maybe that was all Morgan thought he deserved. We chatted for a few minutes before my friend stood and said, “I should head out.”

I nodded, went over to him, and gave him a hug. “Call me, day or night, anytime, okay? Whether it’s just to talk or if you need someone. I got your back.”

“I know, man. Thank you.”

We pulled away. “Corbin’s here. Got a second to meet him before you go? I know he’d like that.”

Morgan gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, for sure. I’d like that too.”

He followed me to the library, where I introduced him to Gael and Corbin. Morgan stayed for about twenty minutes, and I could tell he liked Corbin and Corbin liked him.

“I’ll be right back.” I kissed Corbin before walking out with Morgan.

Outside, I hugged him again. “Love you, man. Keep in touch, or at least answer my calls. I don’t want to have to go to Michigan and hunt down your ass.”

He chuckled. “I will. Love you too.”

I watched him walk away, hoping everything was going to be okay.

*     *     *

Marcus’s house lookedincredible.

It had been a madhouse for days in preparation for Parker and Elliott’s wedding. Corbin had been a ball of excitement and nerves. He’d fake-married me to myself about a million times the past couple of months, wanting everything to be perfect.

And everything had been—not just with wedding plans, but life as a whole. Corbin had moved into my apartment, which was now our apartment. Both our names were on the lease, and all our mail came to our unit, and I’d had to buy a cabinet for all his beauty products, which I liked to give him shit about when really, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I loved living together. We made a commitment to cook dinner together at least four times a week, which we always stuck to. Those were some of my favorite times with him—trying new recipes, finding things we loved, and unfortunately, there was also some gross stuff out there. No matter what you did with Brussels sprouts, they were never good.

But Corbin was doing well, still working through his struggles and seeing Imani. Every day he made me proud with his progress.

“You ready?” I asked Corbin, straightening his collar. The grooms, the best men, and Corbin were all wearing white button-up shirts and beige slacks with suspenders. The Poddies and I were wearing similar shirts and slacks, but with bow ties and no suspenders.

“Fuck yes. This will be the best wedding any of these people have ever been to.” Corbin grinned, leaned in, and kissed me.

“Break a leg, baby.” I winked at him.

“Or, you know, you could just wish me good luck.”

“You don’t need luck. You’re Corbin Erickson…my CB. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

“Fucking swoon,” he said, which seemed to be two of his favorite words.

“See you out there.”

The ceremony was about to start, so I made my way to Kai and Sebastian. We stayed clear of the white-cloth walkway laid down on the sand. There were bamboo chairs on each side. Arches were evenly placed down the aisle, lights and lanterns strung between them for the perfect evening ceremony. Calla lilies were everywhere, on the chairs, the arches, the tables, making the decor both elegant and beachy. It all went perfectly with the small string orchestra playing soft music in the background.

People were already filling the chairs, the front rows left open for Elliott’s and Parker’s families, and the three of us.

From everything I’d heard, this was Parker’s dream come true, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

“I can’t believe the day is finally here,” Kai said as we took our seats.

“It’s beautiful,” Sebastian added. “Declan has been beside himself, afraid something would go wrong on Parker and Elliott’s day.”

“It won’t,” I promised.

“It’s beautiful, but I’m so never doing this,” Kai teased.

“No? I’d marry Corbin in a second.” But then, everyone’s idea of a happily ever after was different. I didn’t subscribe to the notion that marriage made people’s love more real or forever.

“Marcus and I have talked about it, but we’re not sure it’s what we want. If we do, it would just be us somewhere… We’d throw a big party afterward, but the ceremony and all this, it wouldn’t be what we wanted. I guess time will tell. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with him regardless.” Kai turned to Sebastian. “What about you guys?”

“We’ve talked about it. We wouldn’t do something this big,” Sebastian replied. The ceremony wasn’t huge. It was definitely intimate, but even so, I could see it being too much for Declan. “We’re actually talking about doing it next year at my parents’ farm in Idaho. We have time to figure it out.”

It didn’t surprise me that they had already had the conversation, but like they said, there was no rush. We were all in it for the long haul.

Once everyone was settled, the music changed, and not to traditional wedding music. I was pretty sure it was a Taylor Swift song. Corbin walked over and stood at the front, a smile on his face that still stole my breath. How was this beautiful man all mine?

He signaled for everyone to stand, which we did, turning to watch as Elliott, flanked by his parents, walked down the aisle. His mom was already crying. She kissed Elliott, then took a seat with her husband.

Declan and Vaughn, Elliott’s best friend, followed. Vaughn went to stand beside Elliott, Declan on Parker’s side. Behind them were Marcus and another friend of Elliott’s, each getting into their place.

I watched Elliott when the smile took over his face. I swear I heard his breath hitch and saw his eyes well up. When I turned, it was to see Parker coming to join him, his dad walking beside him. Love crackled in the air, the two of them watching each other, a world of happiness in Parker’s gaze.

Parker’s dad took a seat, and Elliott immediately reached out to cup Parker’s face, before leaning in and kissing him. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself,” Elliott said.

“Fucking swoon,” Corbin replied, before his eyes bugged out, like he hadn’t meant to speak. Everyone laughed, including the grooms.

“See? I knew we made the right call having Corb perform the ceremony.” Parker grinned.

Corbin cleared his throat, then charmed us all as he married his best friend to the man of his dreams.

The whole time, I couldn’t take my eyes off the man of mine.

*     *     *

It was aftermidnight. Everyone except the Beach Bums and the Poddies had left a little over an hour before. We’d danced and partied for hours, celebrating Elliott and Parker’s day, but as planned, all of us were staying at Marcus and Kai’s house tonight. Parker wanted all his people together before he and Elliott left for their honeymoon the next day.

We were sitting around the firepit, all of us still in our wedding attire.

Kai was on Marcus’s lap. Sebastian held Declan’s hand. Corbin was tucked beneath my arm, similarly to how Parker was tucked beneath Elliott’s.

“This was the best day of my life,” Parker said softly during a lull in the conversation. “I’m so happy. I know I’ve been married for over a year, but tonight…I can’t believe Elliott is mine. And I can’t believe all of you are mine too.” He swiped at his eyes.

“Aww, beautiful. Did you drink too much and now you’re emotional?” Elliott teased him.

“Yes. I can’t help it. You’re not allowed to make fun of me on our wedding night.”

Elliott kissed him. “I can tease you a little, just because I love you and you’re so fucking adorable and perfect, even when you’re drunk.”

“Are you guys going to start in with the praising stuff now? Because it’s hot and it will probably get me horny.” Corbin smirked.

“You’re always horny,” Marcus and I said at the same time, earning a round of laughter.

“I mean, I’d be down to do the orgy thing if you guys were,” Kai joked.

“Baby boy, you belong to me and me alone,” Marcus told him.

“Yes, I do. I just wanted to hear you get growly and possessive,” Kai countered.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m the only adult around here,” Declan said.

“Mmm…we can’t let them show us up. Let’s make out.” Sebastian nuzzled his throat.

“Are you going to let them all one-up us like that?” Corbin asked me.

“Never.” I started unbuttoning my shirt, which prompted Corbin to cheer and everyone else to laugh.

I was…so happy. I’d never considered myself unhappy before, but having Corbin changed everything, made everything better, and as I sat there with them, I realized I really did want to do exactly as Parker and Elliott had done today. I wanted to marry Corbin.

Declan cleared his throat. “I know I gave my speech at the wedding, but before everyone starts getting naked and disappearing to have sex all over Marcus and Kai’s house, I just wanted to say a couple of things. First, thank you, Elliott, for loving Parker the way he deserves.”

“Always, brother,” Elliott replied.

Declan continued. “I didn’t know what it was like to have family before Parker, and because of him, I eventually got Corb and Marcus too. I thought that was more than I deserved. How could I ask for more than that? But then I fell in love with Bastian, and my world grew even more. Now there’s Elliott, Kai, Spencer…and I just… We’re really fucking lucky. That’s all I have to say. Jesus, why did you guys let me word-vomit all that? I must be drunk too.”

Parker was openly crying now, unable to swipe the tears away. “I love you, Declan. So much.”

“Love you too,” Dec replied.

I felt honored to be there with all of them, to be able to call Corbin mine and to have inherited his chosen family.

“I know I’m the newbie, but thank you for including me.”

“There’s nothing to thank us for, Spencer. You love Corbin, and that automatically makes you family. Good thing I like you too.” Marcus winked. “You’re good people. We really are fucking lucky.” Marcus raised his drink. “To family.”

Corbin raised his next. “To Beach Bums and Poddies.” Everyone repeated the toast, leaning in and clinking our drinks together. Corbin stood, signaling for everyone to do the same. “Come on, guys, we gotta do it.”

“Do we have to?” Marcus asked, but I knew it was playfully.

“Yes.” Corbin grabbed his hand and tugged. “Get up, Daddy M.”

Kai laughed, nearly falling off Marcus’s lap.

I stood, followed by Kai and Marcus, Elliott and Parker, Declan and Sebastian. And even though today wasn’t Corbin’s day, somehow, it was him who was in the middle of the hug, reminding everyone it was okay to feel this, to need this, silently giving everyone permission to soak up the love.

We stayed up most of the night, laughing and talking outside.

Sometime after three, Corbin and I stumbled into one of the beds in a room upstairs and got naked, him immediately nuzzling into me, breathing me in, letting me hold him, and damn near trying to melt into me.

“I want to marry you,” I whispered close to his ear, running my fingers through his hair.

Corbin tensed on top of me.

“You heard me right, baby,” I said, knowing it wasn’t that he didn’t feel the same; he just couldn’t believe me. “I want to marry you. I want to give you a day like today, where everyone is there to celebrate you.”

“Us,” he replied, looking down at me. “Celebrate us. Fuck yes. I want to marry you too.” His mouth slammed down on mine before I could respond. We kissed and laughed, rolling around together on the mattress before Corbin pulled back and shouted, “I’m going to get married!” at the top of his lungs.

“Shut up, Corbin!” drifted through the wall on one side.

“Some of us are trying to have sex over here!” came from the other direction.

“Sorry you apparently suck at it!” Corb shouted back.

“Shut up, Corbin!” numerous voices answered, and somehow, it was fucking perfect.

“God, I love you,” Corbin said before kissing me. “Let’s show them how we do it.”

I grinned. We weren’t quiet as we did exactly that.