Subtle Reminders

by D. J. Pierson

  Returning home, I cleaned Maddie’s paws, got us both a snack, and showered. Jack held his tongue until I was ready to leave.

  “How was last night?” he probed.

  “Rehearsal? Not bad. Fast and mostly painless.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Afterwards, Joe.”

  “Dinner? The food was okay, I guess.” I had barely tasted it.

  “You said you were staying at Vince’s, but there weren’t any cars there when I passed by. I had grabbed a six pack and drove over after shift. Before you try to give me another bullshit answer, I then swung by the Watson’s.”

  “Why didn’t you come in?”

  He smirked. “I did. I was there for over an hour, but you were…preoccupied.”

  I made a mental note to thank Vince for the heads-up. “Something like that.” Grabbing my packed bag from the couch, I called to Maddie.

  “Joe, there’s only one thing you’ve ever avoided talking about.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?” He wouldn’t dare.

  “Sex with Brie.”

  “Shut the fuck up, man!”

  Shaking his head, he laughed. “What happens if the doctor finds out? Or, even better, Shannon?”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Little brother, you’ve lost your mind.”

  Backing towards the door, I smiled. “That may be, but damn if I’m not the happiest I’ve been in a while.”

  Jack sighed. “Honestly, I hope this goes your way, man.”

  “Me, too.” Ignoring the possibility it may not go how I planned wasn’t the smartest move, but I did it anyway.

  Vince was standing at the door when I parked in the lot outside his parents’ place. Vince, Sr., and Cheryl had only lived there two weeks less than Vince and Lex had been in their house. The square footage was fairly small, but it was the perfect size for just them. I insisted the only reason they moved into it was so neither of their kids could return home. There were only two bedrooms and they made the second one an office.

  Vince met me in the lot before I got out of the truck. “Ready to run our cars over to the restaurant? Dad will drive us back.” It was the only errand Lex gave us for the entire day.

  “Lead the way.”

  In less than a half-hour, we were relaxing on the couch, watching a college baseball game with Vince’s dad. His mom had prepared lunch. I offered to help, but she kicked me out of the kitchen. Why was everyone making it seem like wedding days were so stressful?

  While the commentators fought over whether or not the runner’s hand beat out the tag on a steal, I zoned out, recalling the first game I ever saw BC play. It was her fault for mentioning it.

  Jack and I were on our way home from the shore when I remembered overhearing BC and Mindy chatting about their game. Typically, they played on Monday or Wednesday, but that week was a washout. The league rescheduled it for Sunday because the fall season was almost over and they needed to get it in.

  It had only been a few weeks since the night of Roni’s sleepover. Since then, BC and I talked or texted practically every day. She’d finally warmed up to our friendship, and I saw what I’d guessed from the very beginning. Brielle Catherine Watson was the perfect match for me.

  When I randomly mentioned how the girls were playing at the field down the street, Jack said he had nothing else to do. As we made our way to the bleachers on the home side, she noticed me. BC had a batting helmet on and was taking a few practice swings. She took a break and held her hands out, like she was asking what I was doing there, so I strolled over.

  “We were out and decided to stop by. What inning is it?”

  “Bottom of the first.” She appeared a little nervous, but she needed to knock that off. Friends went to see their friends’ games all the time.

  “Any score?”

  “No. The first three batters went down in order.”

  “Nice. So you’re leading off?” I commented. That meant she had to be fairly decent.

  “That’s what I’m told.”

  “Cool.”

  “Are you staying?”

  “Yeah.” I smiled as she shifted uneasily.

  “The whole game?”

  “Probably. Why?”

  “No reason.”

  “Is that okay?”

  She swallowed. “Uh, yeah. Of course. Is that your brother?”

  I peeked over to catch Jack watching us. He didn’t know there was a specific girl I wanted to see. “How’d you guess?”

  “Well, he looks like you and he hasn’t stopped staring.”

  “He has no people skills. Just ignore him.”

  “Watson? You ready?” her coach called. “Oh. Hey, Sullivan. What are you doing here?”

  “Coach Scott?” I knew Rick Scott from little league. He also happened to be pretty close friends with my coach, Bob Jordan. “Who did you piss off to get demoted to coaching softball?” I joked. BC swung the bat, pretending to aim for my head. At least, I hoped she was pretending.

  “I picked this team, buddy. These girls play harder than any other team I’ve ever coached.” We shook hands. “I just ran into Bobby the other night. He said you guys were going to Florida for a tourney.”

  “When are you going to Florida?” BC questioned, seeming upset at hearing the news.

  “Thanksgiving weekend.”

  “That’s a great time to go,” the coach added. “Let’s get this game going so we can finish before dinner. Are you hanging around, Sully?”

  “Yeah. I came to see if BC can actually play.”

  “Why do you call her that?” he laughed.

  “Because he likes to annoy me,” she grumbled.

  I smiled. “You love it. Good luck.”

  I walked back to my brother and we found an open spot on the bleachers. The first few innings, he was mad at me for not telling him about BC, but he got over it, bombarding me with questions. I answered most of them.

  BC was impressive. She went 3-3, stole second base twice and third once. She scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth. The girl was fast. Maybe even faster than I was.

  “Not bad,” I said, meeting up with her after the game.

  As I went to put my arm over her shoulders, she backed away. “I’m all dirty and sweaty.”

  “I don’t give a shit.” She rolled her eyes when I held her despite the warning. I sniffed. “Man, you do stink.”

  “Shut up, Joey!”

  My heart fluttered every time she called me that.

  “How is my handsome baby boy old enough to get married?” Cheryl cried as we waited for our cue. “It feels like just yesterday that I was changing your diapers and cleaning your cute little bum.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Vince groaned. He’d been fairly tolerant of her clinginess since we started getting ready. At one point, she bawled hard enough that she had to walk out of the room. Thankfully, the actual tears were gone now and she seemed calmer.

  “I don’t believe for one second his bum was ever cute…or little,” Brian mumbled under his breath. I had to agree. “It’s show time,” he announced, sliding his finger over his phone.

  “They’re here?” Vince asked.

  “Getting out of the limo as we speak.”

  “Finally,” he sighed.

  Vince, Sr., popped into the office again, telling his wife she had to take her seat. She hugged Vince and repeated how happy she was for him and Lex, how perfect they were for each other, and how amazing their life was going to be. When she walked out of the room, Vince relaxed significantly. Brian and I couldn’t stop laughing.

  When the ceremony started, Vanessa and Tori executed their roles flawlessly. Even Liam fully cooperated, which was more than any of us expected. He was hypnotized by the amount of people. As planned, Brian’s mom lifted him out of the wagon and the little guy sat pleasantly, taking in the scene. Just like her daughters, Roni looked beautiful. Even with tears in her eyes as she glanced at her brother, the woman was amazing.

  On
ce Roni took her place on the opposite side of the altar, I searched for BC. As she rounded the last row at the back of the church, I was instantly relieved I didn’t have to move. Earlier, I had joked with her about not stumbling down the aisle once she saw me, but there was no way I would have been capable of putting one foot in front of the other if our positions were reversed.

  As always, she was absolutely stunning. Her hair fell in large, loose curls along her face. She kept the makeup simple, yet elegant. The closer she got, the more difficult it was to breathe. Our gaze never wavered during her entire stroll to the front, then she rolled her eyes slightly at my reaction to her exquisite appearance. I shook my head, returning the smile she shot me. There were more than a hundred women in the room, but she was the only one I saw. She was the only one I wanted. She was the only one who made life worth living.

  The morning flew by. Not long after the guys left, we went to Lex’s favorite salon. Roni’s girls had a blast, thoroughly enjoying all the special attention the staff gave them. My parents kept their emotions in check, slipping only twice. Once when Lex made her way downstairs after getting dressed, and again when the photographer started snapping pictures. Dad seemed more nervous about having to walk Lex down the aisle and remembering his one line. It couldn’t have been any simpler. Diana would ask something like “Who gives this woman to this man?”, and he had to say, “Her mother and I”. As the father of two girls, he had dealt with much tougher situations through the years.

  When the limo arrived outside the church, my stomach twisted in knots. Part of it was excitement for Lex, but most of it had to do with seeing Joey. Of course, Aidan was there, too, but I had time before he became an issue. As Roni hit her mark, I blew a kiss at my sister, then started my trek forward. Joey’s gaze immediately captured me in a trance. Briefly, I worried every person in the room sensed what was going on. Then Joey smiled, and all the obstacles separating us simply vanished. At least for the moment.

  Dad ushered Lex to her groom without incident and flawlessly said his line. Vince took over, happily making my little sister his wife. To say the ceremony was perfect would be an understatement. All their hopes and dreams transpired right before our eyes, and not one detail could’ve been more amazing. It was an absolute honor to be part of it.

  My handsome escort led me out behind the newly married couple, my arm through his. I blushed when he whispered how beautiful I looked. Returning the compliment was pointless, but I did it anyway. Responding pretty much how I expected, he flashed the ridiculously gorgeous Sullivan grin. “Yeah, I know.”

  Waiting for Lex and Vince to greet their guests coming from the church worked out better than anticipated. Joey and I split up, tending to our dates. Purposely keeping my back to where Joey and Shannon stood made concentrating on Aidan easier. Some of my family came over for an introduction, which helped speed things along. The only time I stole a glance at Joey was when we were getting back in the limo to go to the park for pictures. Shannon held onto the sleeve of his jacket in a pitiful attempt to get him to stay with her. I meant to ask him what her problem was, but completely forgot. As he dropped on the seat to my left, pulled me against him, and kissed my neck, everything else melted into the background. Whether or not anyone sitting with us saw, I couldn’t be sure. Nobody said a word about it, though.

  Besides the champagne to use as props for some of the photos, Vince stowed a cooler full of ice cold beer in the trunk of the limo. First, the photographer took the pictures she needed with the bridal party, then we hung out while she finished with Lex and Vince. The four of us, especially Joey and Brian, gladly put a dent in the stash, while the kids played in the grass under the trees.

  We reached the venue at the end of cocktail hour. A suite was set up specifically for us, which we barely settled into before more pictures on an elegant staircase and a few making the most of the beautiful outdoor landscape were taken. Lex was going to have an awfully hard time choosing which photographs were her favorites.

  Having my name announced and walking into a room full of people wasn’t a thrilling concept but, for Lex, I pulled up my big girl panties and put on a smile. While our parents, the kids, and Roni and Brian were introduced, I begged Joey not to make the situation worse by doing anything embarrassing. He kept snickering, saying the music was so loud, he couldn’t hear a word I said. I knew I was screwed.

  When the time came, the MC announced, “Please welcome two very important people to our bride and groom. The maid of honor, Brielle Watson, escorted by the best man, Joseph Sullivan!” If he wasn’t already holding my hand, I would’ve run in the opposite direction. Instead, he guided me through the doors and into the middle of the dance floor. Just as I relaxed, thinking he was going to behave himself, Joey twirled me around and dipped me back. I was somewhat concerned I’d end up on the floor.

  Pausing, he smiled down at me. “Admit it. The sound of our names together is fucking fabulous.” I couldn’t help but laugh as he lifted me back up. “I’m right, aren’t I?” he whispered, leaving a small peck on my forehead as we moved to the side.

  “I’m not sure about being right, but you’re definitely in trouble for pulling that stunt,” I warned.

  He bit his lower lip. “I love being in trouble with you.”

  “You’re impossible!”

  “I’m a lot of things, Buttercup.”

  “Arrogant certainly comes to mind,” I replied, raising my eyebrows. He laughed. Joey Sullivan always had a response for anything.

  Our bickering halted when the brightness of the room dimmed. A spotlight focused on the doors and everybody stood. “And the moment for which we’ve all been waiting,” the MC started, the music changing. “It’s an absolute privilege to announce for the very first time… Mr. and Mrs. Vince Lyons!” As they made their grand entrance, everyone cheered. The lights flashed, exciting the crowd further. The room was electric.

  The newlyweds found a spot in the middle of the room, opening with their first dance as husband and wife. Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” began playing. When Lex had originally asked how I felt about the song, I told her the truth. It was one of my all-time favorites. We listened to it together over the phone and declared it perfect for them. She already had her heart set on it, so my opinion didn’t matter much anyway. What surprised me was she decided to have the lights lowered around the room, including over the dance floor, the ceiling lit up in what resembled a starlit night. She explained that while they liked for everyone to be a part of their moment, they also wanted it to seem more private. I figured she’d probably have no problem forgetting all about us being there.

  Roni and Brian took the kids over to the table they were sharing with her parents and Joey. I was the only one who remained at the edge of the floor watching the new couple because Joey had walked off without saying a word. For the first time all day, I got choked up. My sister made the most gorgeous bride I had ever seen, and nothing made me happier to witness. She deserved everything she had going for her and so much more.

  As a tear traced the same path down my cheek the previous three had taken, Joey reappeared at my side, holding two beers. “No need to cry, B. I only went to get us a drink.” I smiled, gently wiping my face. Another drop trickled out when I took a glass bottle from him. “Seriously, though…” He put an arm along the small of my back and tilted his head into mine. We drank our beer and watched Lex and Vince together. “We did a damn good job raising them. They’re going to be okay.”

  “They’re perfect,” I whispered.

  “Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” he joked. “We’re talking about Lyons here but, yeah, they got this. Besides, he knows what I’ll do to him if he hurts my little sister.” He cleared his throat, trying to erase the emotion from his voice.

  We pulled apart, turning to each other. “Joey? Are you getting all sentimental on me?” I wondered.

  “What? Hell no.” He took a long swig of his drink and I giggled. It didn’t happen often, but when it di
d, he couldn’t hide it. Not from me anyway. “Shut the hell up!” I laughed harder. “For real, BC. This incident stays between us. Okay?”

  “Right.”

  “You think you can get even for spinning you out there by telling everyone a fake story about me?” I hid my huge smile behind the bottle. He shook his head. “Well, it was worth it. You stopped crying.” Joey ran the back of his finger down my face.

  “Thank you,” I softly said.

  “Anything for you, Buttercup.” My heart felt a little less empty whenever he called me that. When the song came to an end and the lights brightened again, Vince took Lex to a table set just for them. Joey winked at me. “See you soon.” He walked to his seat across the room.

  I joined my parents, both grandmothers, aunt and uncle, and Aidan at our table. He welcomed me with open arms. A chill ran through my body when he hugged me. It was a distinct contrast to the way I felt being with Joey, and I knew exactly what that meant.

  “I thought you were going to kill that guy,” Aidan said, clearly amused.

  “Who?”

  “The best man. When he spun you in front of everyone, I thought the poor guy had signed his own death certificate.” Aidan knew I was more quiet and reserved than that.

  I took another mouthful of my beer. “Joey? Yeah, well, he’s totally expecting vengeance.”

  “I almost feel bad for him,” Aidan remarked, pulling out my chair. Guilt strangled me on the spot.

  Joey skillfully delivered an exceptional speech, filled with humor and sweetness toward both Lex and Vince, as well as my parents and Vince’s. He thanked everyone for taking the time to come and celebrate such a special day. As always, Joey Sullivan made me proud.

  Dinner was just as wonderful as the rest of the day had been. The food was delicious. The service was exquisite. And, most importantly, the drinks were cold. If anything was going to help me survive the rest of the evening, it was alcohol. Unlike with Aidan, Lex had assigned Shannon to a table with people she knew from the station. My stress eased at not having to worry about her being near Joey because her clinginess would be an issue.