I knock a few times gently on the suite door before I check my tie, and when I hear Drew give the signal to come in, I open the door, already knowing I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve today.
The first thing I see is my son struggling with his tie as he looks in the mirror.
“I made it through the trenches and wanted to check in,” I announce as I close the door behind me.
Drew is similar to me in so many ways. Those sharp blue eyes, I know they will drive his soon-to-be wife crazy, and I’ve been told by women that my eyes stand out. His shade of brown hair is much my own, minus the few sprinkles of gray that you can only see if you look closely. And that smile? A fucking Arrows hereditary trait that we can thank a distant ancestor for.
“How bad is it?” he wonders aloud as he grows frustrated with the fabric around his neck.
“I don’t know about your fiancée because her sister-in-laws are keeping a tight ship on the area of the farm where they’re getting her dressed. And Lucy’s brothers? They look serious, double-checking everything is okay, and probably dying for a drink to calm the nerves.”
My son is marrying the love of his life who happens to be his friends’—yes, plural—younger sister; she has three older brothers who all welcomed Drew into their family long before Lucy and Drew became a thing. They own a winery and farm called Olive Owl, so there was no escaping a wedding on site. It is convenient, as it is also an inn with a few rooms, such as the one we’re in now.
“Let me help with that.” I walk to Drew and take hold of his tie, and I can tell he is visibly nervous. Willingly he lets me take over, which is a surprise since he’s more stubborn and independent normally. “Thanks for inviting the Arrows clan. My sister picked up my parents, and April will be here soon, she texted me from the car.”
“You don’t need to thank me. They’re…”
We both raise a brow at one another and move past words. It’s hard to say family when Drew has only met them a few times. Drew only came into my life a year ago when by chance I discovered an old high school fling had a baby. She’s no longer in either of our lives, but it doesn’t matter, as I ended up with the winning ticket. My son is the best, and we’ve grown close.
“And also, my neighbor and a few of the football guys,” I add.
Drew shrugs a shoulder like it’s nothing.
This tie is a pain in the ass; even I am struggling, but I won’t relent, I have to get this right for his big day. “This will probably be one of the biggest days in your life, until one day you have a kid.”
“Geez, no pressure or anything.”
I snort a laugh. “That was a bad intro for my father-of-the-groom talk, wasn’t it?”
“I mean… it was average.” He smirks.
I take a deep breath. “Okay, let me try again. The moment I met you, I was lucky, not only that you are my son but that you have people in your life who care, and one of those people is Lucy. I’ve never known you without her in your life, and I feel like she is a part of you, and you do too. So today, you become her husband, and you’ll probably make me a grandfather when I’m far too young and handsome to be one, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
“Not even for a first-draft pick?”
I laugh. “No football talk here.”
Holding the tie up, I assure him, “Come on, let’s be honest. A tie isn’t you, and Lucy won’t mind if we ditch this thing. Your shirt under the blazer is fancy enough.”
Drew contemplates and tips his head to the side. “Damn it, you’re right.”
I throw the tie to the side. “Points for effort, as I know you want to give her the perfect wedding.”
We both walk to the room’s small sitting area. Drew sits down, but I grab two bottles of water from the side and hand him one.
“You’re going to be someone’s husband,” I point out the obvious.
He twists the cap off and looks at me. “I thought our sentimental talk was done.”
I kick my feet up and land them on the coffee table. “Let the father of the groom go all in on this conversation, okay?” I smile to myself.
“Go on then.”
“As much as I hate it, since I only just found you, but your wife is now number one. You love her like crazy and can’t explain why you can’t get enough of her. Every day you want to discover something little that is new and enjoy the things that remind you of why you love her. You are never ever to forget when she asks you to pick up something from the grocery store, and you gotta keep it exciting, I’ll let your imagination run wild there.”
Drew shakes his head. “And that’s the cue to wrap up this conversation.”
Probably for the best because my speech is running on instinct and what I assume it would be like.
I feel my phone vibrating in my inner breast pocket. Pulling it out, I check to see if it’s Catherine, as she was driving my parents here. An unknown number.
“You can take that. We still have time to kill before I head downstairs.”
I bring the phone to my ear. “I’ll be quick. It could be my sister since sometimes her number comes up as unknown when she calls from the car.” Drew nods, and I hit accept. “Hello.”
“Hudson. Hi.”
Her voice immediately causes me to straighten up to full attention, with my feet sliding off the table because I need the ground to stabilize me during this surprise. “Piper.” My tone is steady, thank God.
Drew gives me a peculiar look with a hint of curiosity.
“Yeah… sorry, is this a bad time?” She continues.
I motion to Drew that I’ll be right back in a minute or two and quickly head in the direction of the hall.
“No, it’s okay. My son is getting married today, and we’re just waiting for the big event.”
“Oh, not a good time then—”
I cut in. “It’s perfect timing, actually.” I lean against the wall and focus on the sound of her voice and breath. A long exhale escapes me. “In truth, I could use a calming voice or more specifically the sound of your voice right about now.”
“Why is that?” I can hear her smile.
“Being the father of the groom is a bit more daunting than I thought.”
“I can only imagine.”
“The bride’s family I think have already used all the tissues in a five-mile radius, and I think I may be looking for one too,” I admit.
She laughs. “Aw, you’re a big softy.”
“Whoa, I’m not saying that. It just seems like the bachelor party I arranged was a piece of cake compared to today.” I adjust the phone against my ear.
She chortles a laugh. “I’ve never heard of the dad arranging a bachelor party.”
I shrug a shoulder. “We have a different dynamic, Drew and me. I wanted to. His friends are the bride’s brothers, so whoever arranged the party, it was going to be awkward. Besides, get your dirty mind out of the gutter, Piper. I kept it completely innocent with only one stripper instead of two.” I’m joking about the last part, and I know by the sound of her laugh that she gets my sense of humor.
“You are something, Hudson Arrows.” My name dances off her tongue, and it will keep me smiling for the next few minutes.
“Something good or something bad?”
It sounds like she is walking slowly. I can envision her playing with a plant or the pencils that she uses to design that lingerie of hers that I loved touching and peeling off with my teeth.
“As we now know, I know nothing about sports other than your coaching outfit from this one article I read looks kind of cozy, and the photos I’ve seen of you with models were not exactly encouraging, but you seem to have been flying solo for the last year, and I kind of have a problem…”
“Oh?” Something about her tone doesn’t have me worried.
A sound escapes her lips. “The thing is, there is this guy who made this crazy offer, and it hasn’t really left my mind. I can’t even focus on work. But other than the lines of his body or the arrow tattooed on his skin, I think I should know more about him. He wants me to go up to his lake house, and he could be a crazy murderer for all I know.”
Now I have to grin. “Something tells me that you had that theory once, then had an amazing night and still came out alive.”
“I did, and as much as it was fun, I’m not sure sliding directly back into bed with you is smart. Besides the obvious complication, which is also a saving grace, because if April trusts you then I do, but I need to know more about you.”
I think for a moment. “I still need to unravel all your secrets, Piper Dapper. I took a page from your book and looked online. You hide behind a cartoon vector as your profile pic and only post about fabrics and coffee on social media. I’m way too curious about you. You’re different, and you have me laying my cards on the table. And as much as I would say my bed is your bed, I have guest rooms. It would be your choice if you use one or not.”
She giggles. She actually giggles at what I thought was a gentlemanly offer.
“You’re not giving me many reasons to run away, and I need to focus again. Your offer of visiting your lake house…” She’s keeping me in suspense. “Will you send me the address?” It’s her confirmation.
I’m thankful she can’t see my confident smirk of satisfaction because I’ve been hoping for this.
“Yeah. I’ll be there from tomorrow morning.”
“Then I will see you sometime in the afternoon and maybe stay for a few days if, well… if it feels right.”
I scoff a sound. If it feels right. She knows that answer. “Good… this was already going to be a great day, but it just got better.”
We both hold on for a moment, just listening to our silence.
“I’m going to run so you can get back to your special day.”
“Thanks. And Piper… why did you wait a week to call?” I propel myself off the wall to head back into Drew’s groom suite.
She laughs. “Truthfully, I’ve dialed your number about ten times this week, but something inside me told me I should hit call today.”
“Guess it’s a sign then.”
A sign for what, I’m not sure.
* * *
My son gives me a stern eye as I walk back into the room, admittedly more elated than before.
“Piper?” he enquires as he tosses his bottle of water to the side.
I scratch the back of my neck, debating what to say. Then again, the fun thing about our narrow age difference is that Drew and I hang out like we’re buddies. Proven by our countless lunches, texts, and conversations.
“I’ve maybe met someone. I’m seeing where it goes,” I say as casually as possible.
He looks at me, impressed. “Oh yeah?” A grin stretches on his mouth. “You didn’t want to bring her as your plus-one?” He’s entertained, I can tell by his tone and look.
“I want to focus on you today, and there may also be one minor detail…” My face must have an awkward expression.
His eyes encourage me to continue.
“She’s slightly younger.”
Drew laughs. “And? I wouldn’t expect anything less. I mean, like what, five or ten years?”
“She’s your age.”
Now his grin is wide. “Why am I not surprised.”
My hands go out as I shrug my shoulders. “Should I be offended?”
“No. Okay, well, that isn’t a gamechanger.”
I swipe a hand across my chin. “One more thing.”
“Go on.” Drew crosses his arms as he waits.
“I need you not to mention this… it’s April’s best friend.”
Drew laughs deeply as he scratches his cheek in pure amusement. “Oh man, I needed this today. So, you’re secretly seeing your niece’s best friend? This is classic.”
“Thanks. I’m happy my romantic endeavors can lighten your nerves,” I say, sarcastic.
Drew fixes his collar and begins to walk in the direction of the door, indicating that it’s time for the big event. “I hope it works out for you. You deserve someone.”
“Oh yeah?”
Drew stops with his hand on the handle. “Yeah. I may have beaten you to the altar, but I think you were meant to be someone’s other half for a long time now, you just haven’t found that person. You’re kind of one of those annoying people who loves with all their whole hearts.”
“Again… is this a compliment?”
Or is it an unintentional flaunt, because yes, my son is getting everything I know I’ve always wanted but never had. The whole wife-and-family thing.
“It is. Lucy came back into my life when I found you. Maybe Piper is coming into your life when your dear son is starting his own family. Timing is just a coincidence, huh, Dad.”
Hit me in the heart.
There aren’t many times that Drew has said dad to me, but now I think I may just need the rest of the tissues in a ten-mile radius.
But I will remain strong and fight back the tears stinging to break free. Nope. Will not cry, I’m going to fight those little droplets like the final play in the Superbowl.
I slap a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get you married, kid.”
Blinking back a tear, I remind myself that today is about my son. Tomorrow is about Piper who finally agreed to join me on a much-needed escape.