Six Naughty Nights

by Serenity Woods

  “Last chance,” Rusty said as they followed Dan into the house. “If you want to escape to Antarctica or something, now’s the perfect opportunity.”

  Dan laughed as he walked into the kitchen. “Nah, I’m good. I’m looking forward to it. It’s not every day you get to promise the woman of your dreams you’ll love her forever in front of all her friends and family.” He stopped then. “Crap, now I’m nervous.”

  “You’ll cope.” Rusty gestured at the frying pan on the hob. “Feeding the five thousand, are we?”

  “I figured you’d both be hungover, and I don’t want you throwing up over the altar or something. Get the toast.” He started sharing the bacon and eggs between three plates.

  “Why do you never have a hangover?” Toby complained. He seated himself at the breakfast bar and buttered the toast.

  “Skill and an excellent constitution. Oh, and about three pints of orange juice before I went to bed.”

  Rusty grabbed the ketchup from the fridge. “I’ll never forget that first night you both got me drunk. I couldn’t believe how awful I felt. I swear I threw up three times the quantity I actually consumed.”

  “Yeah, but you proposed to Faith, so at least something good came out of it.” Dan grinned and pushed their plates over.

  “Just you left now,” Rusty said, pointing a fork at Toby before tucking in.

  “Yeah.” Toby concentrated on cutting up his bacon. He didn’t want to discuss what was going to happen after the wedding when he wasn’t even sure himself.

  They ate their breakfast and then got dressed. All three of them had hired traditional wedding suits with morning coats, pinstripe trousers and wing-collar shirts. Toby’s and Rusty’s waistcoats and ties were silver paisley, while Dan had chosen a burgundy one with a silver swirl.

  They’d just finished dressing when Toby’s parents turned up to check on them. Martha fiddled with their ties to get them right, and then Graham took a photo of the three of them in the garden. Finally they left the guys alone to go to Faith’s house, as they were taking Esther and Charlie to the wedding.

  Rusty switched on the TV and they sat and watched the highlights of a recent All Blacks rugby game. Dan started to get twitchy, though, and got up and paced the floor, straightening photographs on the table and checking his tie repeatedly in the mirror.

  They sat him down and played X-Box instead, letting him beat them at Halo. It worked for a while, although eventually he declared he couldn’t concentrate anymore and turned the machine off.

  Both Toby and Rusty made a few phone calls to the wedding organiser and her helpers to check on the progress of events, but everything was going smoothly. The organiser told them Eve had finished getting dressed, the photographer was there taking photos of her in her parents’ garden and the bridesmaids had turned up at the house. The flowers had arrived and the afternoon wedding meal was progressing according to plan. There was nothing left to do except make sure Dan made it to the church on time.

  Luckily it wasn’t long before the car turned up. There was a last-minute flurry of activity as they made sure he had his bag packed for the honeymoon, and that he knew where the flight tickets were and had his passport.

  “Got the rings?” Toby asked Rusty for the hundredth time.

  Rusty patted his breast pocket. “Stop panicking. Do you want to look after them?”

  “God no. I know I’d lose them. I can’t believe I agreed to do this again—I’m terrified.” He checked his suit in the mirror again and ran his hands through his hair.

  “I’d never have guessed,” Rusty said wryly.

  “Why aren’t you nervous?”

  “I’ve been the groom. Nothing beats that for nerves. This is a cinch.”

  Dan came out of the bathroom looking as white as his shirt.

  “You all right?” Rusty asked, half-amused, half-concerned.

  “I threw up. God, what am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this? We should have eloped.”

  The three of them stood in the living room, looking at each other.

  Rusty smiled. “You’ll be all right when you get there and see her.”

  “Nothing’s going to go wrong,” Toby reassured him. “Look at us. We’re too gorgeous.”

  Dan laughed and brushed down his jacket. “Do I look okay?”

  “You look great,” Toby said. “Your mum would have cried if she could see you.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” Dan mumbled. He breathed deeply and let it out slowly, giving a shaky smile. Toby’s heart filled with sudden affection for him. They’d all been through a lot together. They’d known each other for eleven years now, and he was as close to them as he was to his brothers.

  “Come here,” he said, and he gave Dan a manly hug. “You’re going to knock Eve’s socks off. Imagine her face when she sees you.”

  He released him, and Rusty took his place, hugging him tightly. “Being married is the best thing in the world,” Rusty said. “It’s worth all this, believe me.”

  Dan stepped back and straightened his coat. “Thanks, guys. I’m glad you’re here. You know how I feel about you. Insert some incredibly girlie declaration of affection here.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to the car.”

  He walked out.

  Toby met Rusty’s gaze, and they both laughed.

  “Want a hug?” Toby said.

  “Nah, I’m good.” Rusty gave him a wry look. “But thanks. I’m glad we’re both here for him. It makes all the difference on the day, knowing your mates are looking out for you.” He headed out.

  Smiling, Toby locked up the house and followed.

  They slid in the car, trying to make sure they didn’t catch their coattails in the doors. Toby’s heart increased its pace even more. And he wasn’t even the one getting married.

  He’d felt the same at Rusty’s wedding, which had been slightly more eventful leading up to the ceremony. Rusty’s brother had gotten into a fight on the stag night and sported a beautiful black eye the following morning, causing them both to have a blazing row when Cole turned up at the house. Rusty had lost his tie and spent a frantic half hour looking for it before remembering he’d put it in a drawer for safekeeping. Then he’d gone into a complete panic when Dan had phoned Faith’s house only to discover she’d gone out for a walk, without her phone. In spite of their attempts to console Rusty, he’d convinced himself she’d got cold feet, and when Eve eventually rang back to say she’d turned up happy as Larry wondering what all the fuss was about, he’d had to have a glass of brandy and then lie down with a cold flannel on his face for half an hour.

  Rusty had thrown up three times before he got to the church. But Toby and Dan had been at his side the whole time supporting him, and it had been worth it to see the look on Rusty’s face when Faith had appeared in the aisle, resplendent in her simple white gown, her dark hair curled and tumbling around her bare, pale shoulders. Toby could still remember that look now—the sheer wonder that not only had she turned up, but she was marrying him, Rusty—she’d chosen him above all others. From that moment on, Rusty had relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed himself, and the rest of the day had gone without a hitch.

  What would it be like to know you were about to commit yourself to one woman for the rest of your life? Toby had never given much thought to the prospect before. Monogamy had always been a laughable proposition. Why tie yourself to one girl when there were so many out there to have fun with? Moving in together, marriage, children and forever were concepts he’d never explored.

  But now… His mind wandered, and he pictured Esther getting dressed in a wedding gown, Faith and Eve titivating with her veil. Charlie in a pageboy’s suit, running around getting under everyone’s feet. Would he be nervous? Would he be panicking at the thought of being tied to one person for the rest of his life? Or would he be excited, filled with wonder that she loved him enough to make such a commitment?

  “We’re here.” He was distracted from his musings by an agitated Dan,
who practically leaped out of the car before it had stopped moving.

  The next forty minutes passed in a blur of meeting guests, helping the ushers to organise seating in the church and trying to keep Dan calm.

  Toby kept one eye on the door, waiting for Esther to appear. At twenty to two, his parents entered the church, and right behind them, Esther, holding Charlie’s hand.

  Toby stared at her. He knew she’d bought a dress when she’d gone shopping with Faith and Eve, but she’d refused to tell him anything about it. He’d imagined some smart suit or fancy outfit, but his heart nearly stopped at the sight of her in the dark green, slinky dress. It was another warm day, and sweat trickled down his back beneath the shirt and coat, but Esther looked cool and fresh, her brown curls pulled back on one side with a matching green flowery, feathery thing. She also wore the highest heels he’d ever seen her in, and she looked slim and elegant.

  She took his breath away.

  Charlie ran up to him and Toby bent to admire his white shirt and tiny bow tie. “Well, don’t you look the bee’s knees,” he said, ruffling his curls and swelling with pride.

  Charlie’s eyes widened. “Daddy, you look beauty-ful.”

  Esther laughed as she walked up behind them. “We don’t say men look beautiful,” she corrected him. “Daddy looks very handsome.” Her eyes met Toby’s, warm with approval.

  He stood, then bent and kissed her on the cheek. “You look stunning.”

  “You like?” She smiled and reached up on her toes to whisper in his ear. “I’m not wearing any underwear.”

  He sighed, his hands itching to run down her back and confirm her words. “Great. There’s me thinking the worst I’d have to worry about was tripping over the pews. Now I have to stand in front of a hundred people trying to hide a hard-on.”

  She giggled and stroked his arm. “Your suit suits you.” She fingered his tie, then ran a hand down his shiny waistcoat. “Very nice.”

  “Thank you.” Warmth threaded through him at the obvious desire in her eyes. He took her hand and led her along the aisle to a pew near the front. “Here you go.” He picked up Charlie and lifted him onto the seat beside her. “Now you be good during the wedding, won’t you? No running around or shouting or anything.”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “I’ll try to keep him quiet,” she said nervously.

  Toby smiled. “Don’t worry too much. Dan and Eve are fairly relaxed about this sort of thing. Just take him outside if he gets too twitchy.”

  “Okay.” She looked over her shoulder. “Is Eve here yet?”

  “Not yet. I’d best go check on Dan.”

  “Good luck.”

  He squeezed her hand and then walked over to the side door.

  Rusty was waiting for him in the doorway. “Any sign of Eve?” he murmured.

  “No.”

  “I think I’ll give Faith a ring.” Smiling and nodding to everyone, Rusty walked down the aisle and outside the church to check what was happening.

  Toby slipped through the door into the antechamber.

  Dan stood in the centre of the room, looking surprisingly young and nervous.

  Toby smiled, went over and pinned his carnation to his coat for him. “Are you going to throw up again?” he asked, seeing how white Dan was. “Only it would probably be better to do it in here rather than in the font or something.”

  “Nope.” Dan swallowed and met his gaze. “I don’t think so. What do I do if she doesn’t turn up?”

  Toby grinned. “She will.”

  “But what if she doesn’t?” Panic filled Dan’s eyes. “I don’t know what I’ll do without her. What if she’s having second thoughts?”

  Toby smoothed down the carnation, then rested his hands on Dan’s upper arms. “She’ll be here,” he said firmly. He’d never been more sure of anything. “Mate, she’s crazy about you. You’re everything to her. She’s just a few minutes late, that’s all. Bride’s prerogative. It’s to keep you on your toes.” He grinned and released him. “You can punish her for it tonight.”

  Dan’s lips twisted wryly and he went to reply, but the door opened and Rusty slipped through.

  He closed the door behind him and surveyed them both seriously. Fuck, Toby thought. Surely not. She loves Dan. Please, please don’t let her have got cold feet.

  Dan swallowed again. “What’s going on?”

  For a moment Rusty said nothing, drawing out the moment. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a smile. “Your blushing bride’s just turned up, and she looks absolutely breathtaking.”

  “Bastard,” Toby said with relief. Dan looked like he might cry, so Toby clapped him on the arm. “She’s here. Told you! Are you ready to get hitched, mate?”

  Dan nodded, took a deep breath and gave the first genuine smile of the day. “Let’s do it.”

  They went out and stood at the front of the church. Toby’s gaze drifted to Esther, waiting in the pews with Charlie. To his surprise, she was looking at her phone.

  He frowned as something twinged in his memory. Phone. Text message. Hold on.

  He thought furiously, forcing his brain to try and remember the night before. He’d done something. In the midst of his drunken state, he’d sent Esther a message.

  Toby caught a flash of a bridesmaid’s dress in the doorway and knew they must be arranging Eve’s gown and veil before she walked down the aisle. He only had a few seconds.

  He pulled his phone out. Quickly he brought up his messages and checked his outbox. Yep, there was one to Esther, sent the night before. He pulled it up and read it.

  “Holy fucking hell.”

  He only realised he’d spoken out loud when Rusty elbowed him and Dan sent him an exasperated look. One of the maiden aunts in the front pews was glaring at him. He’d forgotten he was in church. He sent an apologetic glance to her, and then one up to the heavens. Sorry.

  “What?” Rusty said.

  Toby’s heart hammered. “I sent Esther a text last night.”

  “So?” Dan’s gaze was fixed on the doorway. Rusty frowned.

  Toby swallowed. “Apparently I asked her to marry me.”

  Chapter Forty

  The ceremony passed in a blur. Toby was vaguely aware of Eve arriving at the altar, glowing with happiness in her frothy white gown. He watched them exchange vows, and he sang along lustily with the hymns. But all the while, his mind was working furiously.

  He’d proposed to Esther. Fucking hell, why had he done that? What on earth had possessed him to do it—and to do it over the phone, for God’s sake? He could vaguely remember having a conversation with Rusty and Dan as the three of them had walked Dan back to his house. Something about them teasing him that he was the last bachelor and that nobody would ever love him because he was a Neanderthal. Esther didn’t think he was a Neanderthal, he’d thought, and a surge of affection for her had prompted him to take out the phone and send her a message.

  But had he said, Hey Esther, how are you doing, did you have a nice evening?

  No, he’d simply texted, Hey E. Miss u! Will u marry me? :-)

  Christ, he’d even finished with a fucking smiley face. What a dork.

  He hadn’t even bothered to type out her whole name. No wonder she’d looked so weird when he’d walked in that morning.

  Throughout the ceremony, he’d managed to avoid looking at her. He knew if he did, he’d shrivel inside with mortification. At that moment, however, there was a scuffle in the pew, and he glanced over. Esther was speaking furiously to Charlie, who wriggled in her arms. As he watched, Charlie wrested free of her grip, slipped off the seat and darted along the aisle toward him.

  Esther turned crimson and sent Toby a horrified, apologetic look as she jumped to her feet, but Toby just smiled and held up his hand, and she sank back into the pew. He walked forward as Charlie climbed the steps, and lifted his son into his arms.

  “Sorry,” he said, aware the vicar had paused halfway through the vows.

  Dan smiled and said, “No
worries,” and Eve grinned at him.

  He walked away with Charlie into the south transept where it was cooler and quieter as the vicar continued to speak.

  “Quiet now,” he whispered to his son.

  “What are they doing?” Charlie said in an amusingly fierce whisper.

  “They’re saying they love each other, and they’re promising everyone in the church, and God, that they’ll look after each other forever and ever.” A tingle descended his spine.

  “Oh,” Charlie said. He rested his head on Toby’s shoulder.

  Toby kissed his curls, and against his will his gaze strayed across the aisle to where Esther sat. She’d been watching him, but dropped her gaze as he looked at her, cheeks flushing. He wondered if the butterflies dancing in his stomach were something to do with the hangover or whether they were connected to the text he’d sent.

  How could he have been so stupid? Even if he’d meant it, he couldn’t think of a less romantic way to ask a woman to marry him than to text it to her.

  Had he meant it?

  He listened to Dan’s low voice as he proclaimed his intentions to Eve. “To love and to cherish as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow and promise.”

  Could he see himself doing the same with Esther? Telling her, telling everyone, including God, that he’d look after her, stay with her, love her forever?

  Charlie nestled against him, and Toby tightened his arms around him. He had to think carefully about this. He mustn’t mistake an overwhelming love for his son and a desire to protect him for love for Esther. Gone were the days when a couple had to get married because they had a child. Esther wouldn’t want that, and neither did he. If he ever got married, he wanted to do it out of love and affection for his wife, not guilt or responsibility.

  She looked up then, her gaze meeting his. She didn’t smile. Eve was saying her vows now. Was Esther thinking the same as him? Wondering if it was something she would ever want to do?

  She must have told Faith, judging by Faith’s comment earlier that morning. Faith had realised he didn’t remember sending the text, and she’d gone into the bedroom to tell Esther. And Esther hadn’t mentioned it. Why would she? She would have known he was drunk when he sent it. Now she’d be waiting to see if he’d say it when he was sober. Was she hoping he’d ask her? Or dreading having to turn him down?