“Cool Kids”
Zoe
What started out as a nice, pleasant, rather uneventful day definitely ended with a bang. Well not a bang—that would’ve been a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
As it stands, Mac and Daniel’s wedding was amazing. Mac was beautiful, Daniel was as handsome as ever, and those twins of theirs made my ovaries ache. Seriously, if it weren’t for the stretch marks, huge boobs and lack of sleep that comes with having twins, I’d totally sign up if it meant having kids like Riley and Jared.
The ceremony was funny, sweet and absolutely perfect. The reception has so far had delicious food, entertaining speeches, and a touching first dance between Mac and Daniel, with Riley and Jared standing between them. With an open bar and copious amounts of eye candy, it’s been a great day.
Then the man I’d been admiring all day—Noah Taylor, the hottest fucking best man I have ever seen—crashed into me. One minute we were just standing there, staring at each other, and the next he pulled my body hard against his, tangled his fingers in my hair and plunged his tongue into my mouth, proceeding to give me the Best. Kiss. Of. My. Life. Bar none.
I melted into him, the champagne I’d been drinking all night making me more brazen than normal, even though I’m far from prudish sober let alone tipsy. He tasted divine, the hint of whiskey mixing with his cologne making me lose my head. I matched him stroke for stroke, our tongues dueling in a war that we both wanted to win, even though we knew losing would be just as sweet.
That was until we were jerked apart, and I was spun around until I was facing my sister-in-law, Kate, who was looking at me with wide eyes and a very shocked expression.
My brother decided to get all macho and punch Noah, which just riled me up. Zander and I have never been good when we’re pissed at each other, so I let rip at him, yelling at him in no uncertain terms that I was an adult who could make her own decisions and could definitely defend herself.
Cue Noah spewing up in a trashcan and Daniel having to step in and drag him away, while Kate and Mac steered me in the opposite direction.
“Zoe, are you okay? I’m so sorry,” Mac says, appearing at my side.
“It’s not your fault, Mac,” I start to explain before Kate rushes up to us.
“Noah is going to get such an earful when I get hold of him.” She’s pointing in the direction Noah and Daniel went. “His best friend’s wedding is not the place to try and score. Especially with all the shit he caused just getting that bitch invited.”
Mac smiles at Kate, looking as if she wants to burst out laughing. “Seriously, it’s fine. She’s stayed away from me, thankfully. Though I was getting sick of the daggers she was shooting at me whenever Daniel and I were touching.
“You’re always together. It’s your freaking wedding day for crying out loud.” I snort and nod in agreement, my anger seeping out of me as Kate and Mac’s banter distracts me from thoughts of siblingicide.
“Exactly my point. She may have been steering clear of me but if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under by now.”
“Well this girl needs alcohol,” I announce to no one in particular.
They both watch me move toward the bar and signal the barman, Mac’s eyes full of pride, while Kate’s are more wary. Then, like I’m the pied piper of alcohol consumption, they’re joining me.
“If it helps, I’m sure Daniel is laying into him as we speak.” Mac’s eyes are full of understanding. “And I’m sorry he did that. Bet it was the last thing you expected when you got up this morning. ”
“I’m not pissed at Noah.” I sigh despondently as three drinks are placed in front of us. “I’m actually pissed off at my dumbass brother for stopping us.” I look up just in time to see Kate spit out the drink and Mac’s jaw drop to the floor, both of them looking at me as if I have two heads.
Kate lifts her hand up to interrupt me. “Hold on a minute. You wanted to kiss Noah?”
I shrug and give them a sly grin. “He’s hot, he was there, he kissed me, and he’s good with his mouth. Why not?”
“It’s not the only thing he’s good at,” Mac mumbles under her breath, which earns a snort from Kate.
“What do you mean?”
I see Kate’s mouth open to say something before it closes again. After a minute of silence Mac speaks up.
“Well,” she states with a laugh, “one thing’s for sure—you two definitely livened things up.” She waggles her brows at me, now wearing a huge smirk on her face. “At least now people will have something to talk about, considering they all thought there’d be a smack-down between me and a certain blond Satan. You always need drama at a wedding reception. Personally I thought it would be my dad getting drunk and dancing on tables.” She looks toward the dance floor where her dad and mom are dancing with Daniel’s parents, performing the YMCA dance to perfection. We all start laughing as we stand there watching them.
“Let’s get another drink. I think I’m going to need as much help as I can to get Zander to calm down,” Kate announces as she waves to the barman.
“Well, you know one surefire way to do that. And I promise, no clam jamming this time.” Mac laughs again, and Kate’s cheeks turn red at the obvious private joke. I stick my fingers in my ears.
“Clam jamming?” I ask, perplexed.
“Female cock blocking. Or maybe it should be cock stop.”
“La la la. You’re talking about my brother here. It’s bad enough knowing you’ve both been there.”
Kate starts coughing just as Mac interjects. “Oh, don’t worry, we don’t talk about that. That’s an unspoken rule. Besides, I’m a married woman now. There’s only one penis for me for the rest of my days. It’s a chronic condition called one-cock-itis. It’s terminal. I’m just lucky he’s a superhero. He can scale tall buildings in a single bound and give me multiple orgasms morning and night. Both keep me happy.”
I look toward the double doors at the back of the room, trying to catch a glimpse of Noah, but all I see is frosted glass and nothing else. Sighing in disappointment, I turn back toward the bar and see tequila shots lined up in front of us.
At least I can get drunk and forget about my brother’s dad complex. If there were a definition of a brother twat-blocking his sister, tonight would be it. His heart’s in the right place but treating me like I’m a child in need of saving pisses me off.
Ten minutes later, Daniel swoops in and snuggles up to Mac, murmuring in her ear something undoubtedly dirty if her blush and wry smile are anything to go by.
“I can’t apologize for interrupting, ladies. But if my wife has any more shots, she’ll be hazardous in the bedroom tonight, and I’ve already got a fake tooth to show for Mac’s drunken efforts. I don’t need any more.”
“Daniel!” she exclaims, whacking him playfully on his arm which is now wrapped around her waist.
“Just stating facts, gorgeous. Now, our chariot awaits.” He steps away, grabbing her hand and entwining his fingers with hers. Her whole body softens and nothing could wipe the smile off her face as he pulls her into his side. “Time to go see to my wife.”
“I love that word. Say it again,” she breathes.
“Wife,” he whispers against her lips before kissing her gently, reverently, and sweetly.
The love in their eyes is unmistakable, and I’m more than a little envious, but looking at those two, anyone would be. Apart from Kate and my brother, I’ve never met two people so perfect for one another.
Soon we’re standing in two lines, making a corridor for Mac and Daniel, throwing confetti as they run toward a black town car. As the door closes and we’re waving goodbye, Kate leans into me. “They’re going to Hawaii tomorrow. A week on the beach with nothing but sand, sun and sex. Total bliss if you ask me.”
And there you have it—I’m beyond jealous now. I’d give my right boob up for a week on a beach with a hot guy and nothing to do but sleep, eat, and screw all day.
I’m just about to reply when a yellow cab pulls up to the side of the country club and I see Nikki pushing a stumbling Noah toward the car. He pauses briefly, looking toward the crowd and for a moment my heart stops, hope blooming inside me that maybe he might come back for me.
Hope that is crushed like a bug moments later when he turns back to the bimbo and tries to pull her close for a kiss in a scene reminiscent of my own just thirty minutes earlier. She pushes him away before his lips can make contact, then opens the car door and shoves him inside before getting in. He was going to kiss her right there in front of everyone. In front of me.
It’s then I realize that I’ll be that drunken mistake he won’t remember in the morning. He’ll be the best man at the wedding who drank too much and made a fool of himself, and I’ll simply be the random woman he inappropriately made out with.
A speck on his radar that won’t even resemble a blip in the morning.
He was probably just looking for a quick thrill. Instead, he gave me a much needed but way too brief one.
Noah Taylor. Another name added to my list of Men Who Don’t Deserve Another Minute Of My Time.
Lord knows I had enough trouble with the last man I let in my heart. I think it’s time to cut my losses and enjoy the single, carefree life.
Best idea I’ve ever had.