Mel latches her arm through mine as we all move toward the dining area, where there’s a banquet fit for twenty people. It’s a good thing we have a lot of staff at the house.
“Thank you, Sarah,” Mom says to the head chef as we all take a seat.
“Matt, grace, please,” Mel says to my brother.
We all link our arms together and bow our heads. While we’re not an overly religious family, our parents made an effort to get us to church on Sundays when we were kids. But as we grew older, life got busier and we simply drifted away from that tradition. My parents used to go together with my aunt until my dad passed away. I don’t think either of them have been to church since then.
Matthew clears his throat before starting.
“Thank you, Father, for the gift of life and for bringing us all together here today. Thank you for the food, for my mother and my aunt, and for my brother and Cora. We ask that you always keep us happy and give us a lot more reasons to celebrate. Amen.”
“Amen,” we all chorus.
I didn’t realize how much I missed being with my family until now. Having a meal with conversation flowing all around me brings me a sense of calm. It’s nice to know that I’ll always have this—a safe, comfortable place to come home to. There’s not a lot of permanent things in my life, but my family will always be one.
“Cora, have you made a decision about the name you’ll keep after the wedding?” I ask.
She smiles as she looks at me. Cora’s easy to talk to, simply because she’s great at listening and she’s really perceptive and understanding, as well. We spend a lot of time together since she and Matt live in New York with me.
“Yeah, I have.”
“She’s taking Crane,” my brother informs with a grin. “Cora Crane.”
“It doesn’t matter how many times you say it, Matty, it still sounds weird,” Cora states.
“Well, I think it sounds amazing,” Matt says before leaning closer and giving her a loud open-mouthed kiss on her lips.
I throw a bun at them.
“Gross, Matt.”
My aunt immediately throws one at me. “What are you, five?”
“No throwing food at the table,” my mom sighs.
“But we can throw it at each other?” Matt questions cheekily.
She throws a bun at him in response. We all burst into laughter.
“So, are you guys excited for the bachelor party?” Cora asks.
“Hell yeah,” Matt whoops, which immediately earns him a glare from my mom. He knows better than to swear in front of her. I simply groan at the mention of the bachelor party.
“I think a bachelor party is just what you need, Mikey,” Mel says to me.
“It’s in Vegas, and Matthew planned it. There’s no doubt in my mind that things will get out of control,” I state.
“Well, I wouldn’t have had to plan it if you had done so like you should have, dickhead,” Matthew sneers.
“I was busy,” I say with a shrug.
“You’re always busy,” they all say simultaneously.
* * *
There’s a drink in my hand, but even that isn’t enough to dull my throbbing headache thanks to the loud music being played. We flew to Vegas this morning and the ten-man bachelor party has, as I expected, turned into some sort of raging frat party. There are kegs and endless booze and terrible music. Three of the men have already stripped down to their boxers, and one of them is passed out.
I’m currently on my third drink and trying very hard not to disappoint my brother by leaving in the middle of his party.