The Touch Series Box Set

by t. h. snyder

  “What’s the first order of business this morning?” Rose asks.

  “In an hour or so, our hair and makeup entourage will be here to prep us, and I still need to shower.”

  “Well, then take your drink upstairs and get your little ass in the shower,” Ruthie says.

  I give her a smirk and laugh.

  “Come on, Char, I’ll go up with you and start getting your room ready for us to get dressed,” Emma says.

  “I’ll come, too,” Chloe says, snatching up the orange juice and champagne.

  I give her a look and shake my head.

  “What? I don’t want good mimosas to go to waste.”

  “Somehow, with you in charge as Matron of Honor, I doubt you’ll let anything go to waste today,” Angie says.

  “Well hell, what can I say? It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”

  I make my way up to my bedroom, mimosa in hand and a herd of my favorite ladies behind me.

  As I get my things from my dresser, Mom starts to make my bed, and the girls get their dresses and accessories ready.

  Today I’m getting married…I’m getting married. I can’t wait to see Riley, dressed in his tuxedo, waiting for me at the altar.

  It’s a dream come true. He is my everything and I can’t wait to be announced as husband and wife.

  Sitting on the bed in my old room, I open the box with our wedding rings. I didn’t want anything too flashy—well, ‘cause that’s just not me—but Char’s ring is beautiful.

  The diamonds glisten in the sunlight and a smile comes to my face.

  I honestly cannot believe that I’ll be getting married in less than twelve hours. So much has happened in the past year that at times I take for granted everything that Char and I have been through.

  Manny hops into the bed next to me as I lie back on the pillows and close my eyes. I can remember so many details of how we became a couple like they happened just yesterday.

  As I’m walking into the mini-mart, I notice there’s one paper left lying on the rack.

  “Shit!” I curse to myself.

  As I step to grab the last Sunday paper, a little brunette jumps in my path and scrounges it.

  “What the fuck, chick? Did you not see that I was reaching for that when your tiny little meat claws went to snatch it from me?”

  “Excuse me,” she says in a raspy voice. “Yeah, you heard me right. Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t own the mini-mart or the paper rack. What gives you the right to claim the last one?” She asks with a cute smirk and scrunches up her little nose.

  “Hey, sorry, babe, but I just want the paper for the job classifieds. How’s about I make a deal with you?”

  “No way! Take the damn paper; I’ll just get one at the next store”

  “Wow, Char, dinner was amazing. Thanks for cooking for us. Had I known I was about to meet the mini-mart bitch, I would’ve bought a dessert, too.”

  “I wouldn’t push your luck pal; we just kissed and made up,” Char says, with a wink.

  “Whoa, slow down there, tiger, it’s our first date. Who says I’m ready for a kiss yet?”

  She lets out a sweet giggle and gets up from the table to start clearing our dishes.

  “First date, huh? Who’s being presumptuous now? I was under the impression I was making dinner for my best friend and his roommate.”

  She comes up behind me and leans over my shoulder. In a low whisper she breathes into my ear and says, “See something you like, Riley?”

  “My oh my, Riley, I should warn you. I love surprises,” she says, looking into my eyes.

  “Good to know,” I reply while starting to unload the bags.

  I pull out a bouquet of wild flowers, a bottle of white merlot wine, and lastly, two containers of take-out from the Chinese restaurant down the block.

  “Riley, you got all of this for me?”

  “Well, no, it’s all for me,” I say, handing her two fortune cookies. “Here, these are for you.”

  “These are for me?”

  “Yep. Open them and see what our fortunes hold. If they’re good, then we’ll eat.”

  “And what if our fortunes are bad?”

  “Then we’ll just throw them away and eat anyway. It’s a win-win situation.

  “I guess—no, I know—I’m just scared to fall in love again and get hurt.”

  “Okay, so how about we don’t fall in love just yet. How about we take what we have one day at a time. No expectations, no fears, no one getting hurt. We just be who we are and let love happen.”

  “I like that, Riley, but I want to tell you how I feel. I want you to know how much you mean to me. But how do I say that without sounding like a love sick girl on her way to love?”

  “Alright, so let’s take it in baby steps, just like one day at a time. When you first are attracted to someone, you feel things, and they gradually build up to love, right? To start, we hit a single, then we round off to second base, then we steal third base, and finally we have a home run. What do you think of that for a falling in love analogy?”

  “Riley…Riley! Dude, wake up!” Derrick yells.

  I turn over in my bed to see him standing in my doorway.

  Rubbing my eyes, I sit up in bed.

  “Shit, I must have fallen asleep.”

  “Yeah, I can see that. You must have been dreaming something pretty damn good; I’ve been yelling your name for five minutes.”

  “It sure was some dream alright.”

  That was the best fucking dream I’ve ever had. Reliving those moments with Char, they’re unforgettable. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and didn’t know I was missing until that day she walked into my life. I’d be lost without her.

  “It’s a little after ten and I thought we could go grab some breakfast. It’ll keep your mind off of today and kill some time.”

  “Yeah, sounds good. Let me just put these away before I lose them.”

  I open my hand, holding both of our wedding rings. In only a few hours, they’ll be on each of our fingers and we’ll be husband and wife.

  “Put those back in the boxes and hand them over,” Derrick says, walking over to me with his hand extended.

  I look up to him and he’s giving me a serious glare.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t lose them,” I say, clutching them in my hand.

  “Dude, if those rings go missing both of our wives will have our heads. Give me the damn rings.”

  I shake my head at him and put the rings back in their boxes. I sure as hell don’t want my wife pissed off at me on our first day being married.

  “Keep them safe,” I say to Derrick, handing them over.

  “With my life, pal. Now, let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”

  Manny and I follow Derrick out of my room and down the stairs. I need to get out for a bit and clear my head, and this clown always knows what’s best for me. Good thing I made him my Best Man and the girls put him in charge of me today.

  I step out of the shower and listen to the conversation coming from my bedroom. The excitement of the girls has me full of hope. The sun is shining, my girls are giddy, and I’m feeling a hundred times better than I was earlier today.

  I towel myself off and pull on a pair of sweats and a long sleeved tee shirt.

  I stare at myself in the mirror. I don’t look any different, but I feel different.

  A knock sounds at the door and I turn the knob to open it.

  “Hey, Mama.” I open the door wider to let her in.

  “How are you feeling? Is your belly still queasy?” she asks, leaning up against the counter top.

  “Actually, I’m feeling a lot better. I don’t know if it was breakfast or the hot shower, but I’m good now.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it, sweetie. I’d hate for you to be sick on your wedding day. Just know that it’s completely normal to feel nervous. It’s a big day for you and Riley. You two have had a crazy ride, but daddy and I couldn’t be happier that yo
u’ve found one another. He loves you so much and it’s evident when you two are together. I’m very proud of you, Char. You’re going to make a good wife and a wonderful mother one day.”

  A tear falls from my cheek and I laugh at my mom.

  “Mama, please let me get married before you push the baby topic with me. Besides, don’t you already have one grandbaby on the way? I’d rather wait a little before Riley and I start a family—at least another few months.”

  She wipes the tears from my eyes and kisses me on the forehead. “Well, when the time is right, you will both know.”

  “Oh, I know that if it were up to Riley, he’d get me pregnant tonight. I just want to take some time to enjoy us as husband and wife for a bit. Even though we’ve bought a home and have been living together, I still don’t want to rush into it yet. We’ll let it happen when it happens. I don’t want to plan it; I’d rather just wake up one morning and be surprised.”

  “You’re a silly girl, Char, but I understand. Your sister wasn’t planned, either, but you were. I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I’m happy to have both of my beautiful girls.”

  My mom pulls me into a hug just as the door flies open and Chloe comes barreling into us.

  “They’re here,” she giggles. “Oh my god, I’m so excited to turn you into a beautiful bride, Char. Come on, get your ass out of the bathroom so we can start. The photographer just called and said she’ll be here in twenty minutes….eeeep, I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married!”

  “Chloe, you are a complete nut case! Your hormones have you in overdrive today.”

  “Oh, shut up, you, I’m just so happy! We are two of the luckiest girls in the whole world. With all the shit we’ve been through this past year, I couldn’t be happier to marry you off to the man of your dreams. Even if it is Riley that you chose for your partner in crime.”

  I shake my head and smile at her as I pull her into a hug. She’s so right, we are the luckiest girls in the world. Not only do I get to marry by best friend, but I have my family here to celebrate with me.

  “Okay, I will agree with you, but still you need to calm yourself down. We don’t want the baby popping out today. It’s my day not hers,” I say with a wink.

  “Holy hot hell, she better not think about coming today,” she says and looks down to her protruding belly. “Heather Nicole, do you hear me? You cannot come today; it’s Auntie Char and Uncle Riley’s big day. You stay nice and comfy cozy in there ‘til the twenty-eighth.”

  I watch as my sister and mom caress her belly.

  “I’m just happy we waited to get the dresses ‘til the last minute. The way that baby is stretching you out we may have needed…”

  “Don’t you dare say another word,” Chloe says, giving me the evil eye. “I’ve only gained sixteen pounds and I can’t help that it’s all in my belly.”

  “You know I’m just playing around with you, Chloe. You look amazing for being as far along as you are. I can only hope we share the same genes in that department. With my luck I’ll turn into a huge house.”

  “Even if you do turn into a huge house, you know Riley will still adore you and the baby.”

  I roll my eyes at her, “Yeah, we’ll see. I’m not getting pregnant anytime soon.”

  “Okay, girls, enough bonding in the bathroom. Why don’t we head out and see what the ladies want us to do first,” Mom says, pushing her way between me and Chloe.

  “I’d rather go last if that’s okay with everyone. There’s no way I’ll be able to sit still while I watch all of you getting ready.”

  “I don’t see why that would be a problem,” Chloe says.

  The three of us walk out of my bathroom and into the bedroom where Emma, Angie, and Ruthie are sitting on the bed.

  “They’re all set up in the guest bedroom when you’re ready to start,” Emma says.

  “Perfect,” Chloe chimes in. “I’ll go first.”

  Chloe and Emma make their way out of my room and to the guest room.

  It’s all starting to feel real. I know as soon as I sit in that chair in the other room I’ll be antsy until we get to the church. The next few hours are going to drive me nuts and I can only hope that they’ll fly by quickly. I just want to get this part done and over with so that I can see Riley.

  I stare out the car window as Derrick drives us to a quiet little diner in town.

  When we pull into the parking lot, Pete, Chris, and Tony are waiting outside by the front door.

  “What are these clowns doing here?” I ask, looking toward Derrick.

  “I thought we could start the day of male bonding a little early. Plus, having these dickheads around will hopefully keep your mind off of what’s going down later today. At least for a little while.”

  “Sometimes you really know what you’re doing, Derrick, thanks for being here for me today,” I say before opening the door and getting out of the car.

  I step away from the car and the smells of the diner hit my nose. My stomach starts to growl, and I realize I really do need to eat something.

  We walk up to the guys and the five of us make our way inside.

  “How’s it going?” Pete asks, patting me on the shoulder.

  I look over to him and give a smirk.

  “It’s going.”

  “He’s a bit emotional today, guys, so let’s take it easy on him,” Derrick says, slapping me on the back.

  “Dude, there’s no reason to be all out of sorts. You and Char have been together for a while now. It’s just another day with some drinking and dancing,” Tony says.

  “Easy for you to say; you’re already married.”

  “Let’s get you some food and maybe you’ll feel better. It’s really not that big of a deal. We’ll catch you if you fall,” Pete says while following the hostess to a booth in the back.

  “Pete, just wait. When you and Emma get married, it will be a whole different story.”

  “Yeah, we’re not getting married. We like the idea of living in sin so much better,” he says with a wicked grin.

  “Don’t even go there. I don’t want to hear anything about the sins you two commit in your house. I don’t need the visual of you with my sister. Just keep her happy and I won’t have to kill you.”

  “From what I’ve heard, he does keep her pretty happy,” Derrick says with a laugh.

  “Shut the fuck up, asshole, that’s my sister.”

  “I know, dude, I’m just playing with you,” he says as he slides into the booth.

  The waitress comes over to the table with a pot of coffee.

  Before she can even ask, I lift my mug into the air. “Yes, please.”

  She smiles and begins to pour the steaming coffee into the mug.

  “Rough night? Or should I ask, rough morning?”

  “Don’t mind him. It’s his wedding day and he’s a bit out of sorts,” Chris says, handing her his mug.

  “Ahh, I see,” she replies. “Do you boys know what you want to eat or do you need a few more minutes?”

  I look around the booth and the guys all nod their heads for me to go ahead and order.

  The waitress takes all of our orders down by memory and walks away.

  I stare out the window behind Tony’s head and run my fingers through my hair. I don’t really think it’s my nerves that are getting to me today. It’s more so the anticipation of seeing Char.

  I’ve yet to see her in her wedding dress, because that is a big no-no according to everyone, but I have this image in my mind of what she’ll wear and how beautiful she’ll look.

  Her beautiful face is forever etched into my memory. Her long dark hair falling past her shoulders, and those dark brown eyes that stare at me and tell me exactly how she’s feeling. I imagine her body fitted in a stunning white dress that’s covered in something that makes it shimmer when the light hits it just right. My girl will make the most gorgeous bride of them all, and I’m lucky enough to become her husband today.

  “Riley, sna
p out of it, dude,” I hear Pete holler.

  I regain my focus and see that the waitress is standing at the end of the booth with plates of food lined up her arm.

  “Sorry about that,” I say, taking a plate out of her hand and passing it to Chris.

  The waitress laughs and shakes her head while she passes us our food.

  “Don’t worry about it. Maybe you need a shot of something stronger than coffee to pull you out of your funk.”

  “I’m not in a funk. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all,” I reply with a smirk.

  “Okay then, enjoy your breakfasts. I’ll be back in a bit to refill your coffees,” she says before walking away from the table.

  Shit, I am in a funk. I don’t understand how everyone expects me to be calm. This isn’t just an average day for me. I’m fucking getting married. Char and the girls have put a lot of quick planning into making this day exactly what she’s always wanted. Today is a day that she’s dreamed about since she was a little girl. It has to be perfect. I just don’t want to do or say anything to ruin that for her.

  Maybe if these fucktards had a clue, they’d understand why I’m such a mess right now. Derrick, of all people, should know how I feel. He was in my shoes only a few months ago, and if I remember correctly, he wasn’t a ray of sunshine, either.

  I need to calm myself down before I get really moody. I sure as hell don’t need that.

  God, if I’m shitting myself now I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when I see Bryce walking Char down the aisle. I hope there’s something close by that I can grab onto in case I feel like fainting. Oh no, that would totally blow and ruin everything. I really will need to make sure there will be something, or someone, to grab or hold on to for support.

  I know Pete said they’d catch me if I fell, but I don’t think he realizes how likely I am to lose it when I look into her eyes for the first time today.

  The photographer has arrived, and it seems as though she has gone through a few hundred pictures of just us girls standing around getting ready. She told us to pretend like she’s not even here and wants to get a few candid shots. Once I start to get dressed, she will have us do group photos and still shots of me getting dressed with the help of the girls and Mom.