“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.”
“We’re going to a bar. Just hanging out, maybe a strip club after, but it’ll be an easy night.” Holden promises.
And Holden’s the one I believe. He wouldn’t lie to me about what we’re doing, especially since he’s not a party animal. We end up getting around and dressed before Massimo busts in, excited, with huge glasses, a bigger smile, and a shirt that says: I’m with the grooms.
I laugh at his shirt and shake my head. Matthew comes in next wearing the same shirt in bright pink. They turn around and the shirt says, “wish the bride luck.”
That breaks Holden, Nick, and Roman. Just like that, I’m up and ready to go. We head to a bar, people buy us drinks, ask us questions, give us looks, but no one comments – in English at least. I overhear a few people saying that we’re full of shit or gay or gross Americans, but I don’t care.
I know that in just a few days, we’re going to have Sophie. And we’ll have her forever. No petty comment from a stranger can compare to that. Matthew nudges me. “Everything good?”
“Yeah. Listening in since people assume none of us speak French.”
With that loud comment, four people see themselves out of the bar. Matthew chuckles and buys me a shot. “I’m serious, man. All good in the penthouse?”
“It’s been hella stressful honestly. I don’t know how you and Bella managed it even with a year. It’s taken a whole team to get this done. If Sophie’s Mom was working full time I don’t think it would have happened.” I admit, downing the shot. “Some fights, bickering, definitely seeing a new side to my sweet little thing.”
“Not quite as sweet?” Matthew chuckles. “As long as she doesn’t run into an ex or something, I think you’ll be fine.”
“And none of my exes got invited.” I chuckle. “I think we’re in the clear. We just need to get to the aisle and we’ll be fine. How are you and Bella?”
“She wants a baby.” Matthew groans. “I mean, a part of me loves it. I really want a kid and I feel ready but damn. It’s a rollercoaster already. Near constant sex when the pee stick says go, but I’m not even allowed to jerk off!”
“What?” I nearly choke on my beer.
He goes into the pros and cons of trying for a kid. I just listen, feeling my desire to be a father steadily dropping. Maybe, once Sophie gets there, she’ll just be done with birth control and leave it to chance. I like the sound of that. Feels better than planning it out, even though I know having a plan is the best way to get a baby.
Even if at least one MTV series makes it look easy. But I know all it will take is Sophie asking to get on that kind of schedule and we’ll fall in line. Not that we won’t tempt her, but … it would be hard to resist if she wants something.
Roman and Massimo yell at the TV and I see a soccer game on. Some French guys cheer and I can already feel the fight brewing. I insist on us getting dinner and it helps to calm things down a little.
Only a little.
Matthew laughs and nudges Holden – practically shoving him into me. What happened to his alcohol tolerance? Jeeze.
“Can you believe that you guys are all marrying one woman?” He chuckles. “I mean, think about where we were when we were in active duty. Roman had his girl Cheyanne back home. Gunner was engaged to what’s her name?”
I flinch. “Sienna.”
“And then Holden – who was that girl you were still pining over? The one that had left you when you went home for Christmas before you could pop the question?” Matthew asks.
Holden takes a long drink. “Nancy.”
“And now you all fell in love with the right one. See, heartache leads you somewhere.” His eyes are glassy and wild. “We need strippers.”
I shake my head at him, easily shaking off the reminder of Sienna. The prenup drove her away, but I know that the only one that still has anything in their head for an ex might be Holden. Nancy left him when he refused to accept the discharge. Then he went and was injured so badly that he was forcibly discharged.
But she was already with someone else. He’d lost his chance. And when she had finally broken up with the sleazeball, Holden had been sure that she’d turn him away because of his leg. I rub his shoulder and he smiles.
“Sophie is worth it all.” He assures me.
As if that’s the only thing that needs to be said, we all down another shot, eat our steaks, potatoes, and sides, drink beer, then stumble to the first strip club the driver recommends. The girls are delicate, demure, and borderline rude at times, but they can smell money on us along with the alcohol and are happy to entertain considering we’re at a VIP section.
The girls are fun, but I don’t really care to have any in my lap. Massimo looks at me like I’m crazy as two girls share his lap. Once they go to get us another round, he kicks my leg. “What the hell. I thought you were the one who likes to party!”
“Strippers don’t compare to my fiancée.” I shrug. “I feel bad that I can’t get it up for them.”
Massimo laughs and we give each other hell while drinking, smoking, and having a generally good time. By the time we head back, it’s us grooms who are holding up our groomsmen. Matthew is close to vomiting and Massimo has reached the level of drunk where he loves everyone.