Dear Mr. Brody by A.M. Johnson

Donovan

Four Months Later

Thunder clouds hovered over the trees, the wind picking up enough I worried the small tent where the grooms stood would blow over, or worse, Anders’s mom would have a heart attack. She’d fretted over the pale purple ribbons she’d strewn in the tree branches and glared at the three rows of chairs all unprotected from the elements. Her lips contorted into a frown as another ribbon blew away into the river. If I’d read her lips correctly, she’d just dropped the f-bomb.

“Why is that woman even trying to salvage this shit show?” Marcos asked and Parker nudged him with his shoulder.

“Hey, be nice,” he said, and I laced my fingers through his. “You promised Ethan you wouldn’t whine about the weather.”

“That was your first mistake.” Wilder bounced his daughter Sam on his leg. “Never, and I mean ever promise Ethan anything when it comes to the great outdoors, especially fishing. You’ll end up in humidity hell with gnats biting your ankles.”

Jax lifted Sam from his husband’s lap and tucked her under his arm. Her big eyes turned up to the sky as a couple of rain drops fell. “I told Ethan they should have gotten married in January. Less rain.”

Marcos gasped as he held out his hand. “Oh, hell no. Nope. I’m waiting in the car, mijo.”

“Christ, Basulto, it’s just rain. How the hell did you ever make it through basic?” Parker gave him a pointed look, and Marcos flipped him off.

“I didn’t have on two-hundred-dollar pants when I was in basic.”

“Thank God,” Parker said. “Spending that much money on pants is out of control.”

“Amen.” Jax grinned at Parker. “I’ve been telling Wild that for years.”

Wilder snuggled into his husband’s side. “We can’t all look as sexy as you do in jeans and a t-shirt. Some of us need accessories.”

“You’re sexy without any of that stuff.” Jax kissed his cheek and I smiled at the way Wilder preened.

“You two are adorable,” I said.

“You and Parker look pretty cozy.” Wilder tapped me on the knee. “I want credit for your little duo… I called it that night we went to dinner.”

“You did?”

“Yup, I said he had a crush on you. Oh…” His eyes lit up. “And I told you about Pegasus.”

“Babe, leave the man alone, you can’t take credit for his relationship.”

“I sure can.”

I laughed. “No, it’s okay. I guess I sort of owe you a thank you.”

“Sort of—”

“Thank you, Wilder.”

“You’re welcome.”

More rain trickled down from the sky, and a few umbrellas popped up among the small gathering. Anders and Ethan had only invited close friends and family. Nora, the agent I’d replaced two years ago, flew in from Seattle with her brother Luka. Overall, there was less than twenty-five people here. It was intimate, like Ethan and Anders had wanted, and as they both smiled at each other, it was safe to say they didn’t give a shit about the rain, or the wayward ribbons. Ethan’s hair blew wild in the wind, his cream-colored linen button-up whipping at his sides as he reached out for his soon-to-be husband’s hand. Anders held his gaze, dressed in a similar-style shirt except his was gray. They both had on loose-fitting slacks and sandals, and I had to smile at how laidback my boss looked. I didn’t think I’d ever witness such a feat.

“When is this thing going to start?” Marcos asked and Parker shrugged.

“We’re waiting on my brother and his girlfriend,” Jax said. “My mom had to pick them up and she’s—”

“The slowest driver on Earth,” Wilder interrupted. “What? Don’t look at me like that. You know I love your mother.”

June and Gwen, a couple I’d met at Wilder’s last release party, turned around in their seats.

“Don’t start with me, June, it’s hot and wet,” he said, and she rolled her eyes.

She reached back and handed him her umbrella. “Will this shut you up?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Parker chuckled at my side, and I laid my arm across the back of his chair. I leaned in and whispered, “Are you having fun yet?”

Eventually the rest of the guest list showed up, and by some sort of miracle the rain stopped long enough for the ceremony to start. Ethan’s cheeks were flushed as Anders leaned down to kiss him, their hands together, he said, “You ready to do this?”

“I think I was ready the day I watched you sleep on the plane.” Anders pushed a strand of hair from Ethan’s forehead and nodded at the officiator. “We’re ready.”

The woman held up her hand and the small crowd went silent. Even the wind stopped. The only sound came from the river, the white noise muted as she spoke. “Anders and Ethan asked me to be here today, but only to bear witness to their union. They have written their own vows and asked you all here to share in this special day. And if I may,” she said, and Parker rested his hand on my thigh. “I’d like to say thank you for allowing us all to be here with you as you embark on this new journey together.”

“I’m getting married on a cruise,” Marcos whispered, and Parker lightly kicked him in the leg.

“Word of the day,” Anders said. “Ours, defined as which belongs to me and you.”

“Love.” Ethan let go of Anders’s hand and reached into his pocket. “Defined as a deep affection for someone.”

He slid a ring on Anders’s finger. Anders did the same for Ethan as he spoke. “Commitment… defined as a pledge… a dedication.”

“Forever,” Ethan said, staring down at their joined hands. “Defined as an infinite number of days, for always.”

Anders lifted his chin with two fingers and bent down, pressing a kiss to Ethan’s lips. My face heated, the moment too private for all of these prying eyes. When he pulled away, Ethan spoke low enough that I didn’t think anyone could hear what he’d said. Anders nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed, and when they turned to face us, Anders’s lashes were wet.

The officiator stood at their side, a huge smile on her face. “Please welcome, for the first time, Anders and Ethan Lowe.”

Everyone clapped and cheered in celebration. Anders lifted their raised hands, his smile sheepish, his cheeks pink. People started to stand, hurrying over to congratulate the happy couple. I didn’t know when, or if, I wanted to get married again. But seeing the smiling faces before me, the joy radiating from the two men under the tent, I couldn’t rule it out.

As if he could read my mind, Parker asked, “You think you’ll ever be ready for picket fences again, professor?”

“I don’t know,” I said, my eyes landing on his mouth.

Our lips met and the rain fell harder. Marcos squealed, or maybe it was Wilder. I couldn’t be sure. I slid my hand into Parker’s hair, and his hand slid to the back of my neck. Movement flickered in my peripheral vision, and I should have been worried that we were being rude, but after last semester ended, any time I had a chance to kiss my boyfriend in public, I took it. I didn’t know how Parker would have ever been okay with hiding. Getting to have him like this meant everything. Having him meet my family, meeting his, watching him flourish in his new classes this spring, getting to read all of his work, and watch how much he’d grown as a writer in such a short time, I didn’t think we’d be here if I’d stayed at Winchester.

Parker breathed and I breathed, and I bathed in the heat of his touch.

“Mhm.” He broke away from my lips. “I think it’s raining.”

Little rivulets of water dripped from his hair. “We should probably get under the tent.”

“Probably,” he said, but neither of us moved. “I don’t need any of this, you know.”

“Marriage?”

“Yeah…”

“It’s not so bad,” I said. “But I might have to settle for a kiss, and a dog named Chuck.”

“And a fish named Tony.”

“I could get on board with that,” I said and gripped the wet fabric of his shirt, kissing him without worrying who was watching.

THE END