Subtle Reminders

by D. J. Pierson

  The staff commenced clearing the ballroom of dinner, preparing it for dessert. The MC summoned the bridal party to the dance floor, and my chest burned with fear. Being close to Joey had the potential to be extremely dangerous. He messed with my head, leaving me utterly defenseless against him. And, even worse, I couldn’t dance. If you needed someone to bat in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and the playoffs on the line, I was your girl. That kind of stress was tolerable. Dancing, though? Not so much.

  “Try not to hurt him,” Aidan teased, politely rising from his chair when I did. Ironically, not hurting Joey had been my single, most important goal for nearly seven years, and would be for the rest of my life.

  A waitress balanced a round silver tray of shots and more beer with one hand, holding the edge of it with the other. Brian and Joey assisted the young girl by passing them out for her. Joey grabbed the last two shots for us, winking when he gave it to me, then reached back for the bottles. “It feels like you’ve been away forever.” Judging by the look in his eyes, the last thirty minutes were hell for him.

  Brian raised his glass, the rest of us copying until they were all held high in the center of the six of us. “To the best fucking bridal party this world has ever seen!” On cue, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” blared through the speakers. The song had been one of our favorites growing up. So much so, all of our friends had no other choice but to accept it as one of theirs.

  Consumed by relief, I could’ve kissed Lex for saving me from the torture I would’ve suffered from being in the very wonderful arms of Joey Sullivan. Merely standing next to him gave my heart a run for its money.

  When the song ended, the MC told everyone else to join us on the dance floor. Many of the guests abandoned their tables, including Shannon, who hurried to Joey’s side. He looked over her head as I used the opportunity to escape. “You’re not done out here, BC!”

  “Oh yes, I am. Right, Lex?!” The bride nodded. “The boss has spoken.”

  “We’ll see,” he hollered back.

  Aidan offered to dance with me, but I quickly declined. “Nope. Not a dancer.”

  Avoiding whatever spectacle was happening behind me, I took Aidan and went around to speak to some extended family I hadn’t seen in a while. We usually only saw them at events such as weddings or funerals, but my parents still kept in contact with them over the years. Lives went in so many different directions as we grew, it was hard to stay close with everyone. We also stopped to talk with Mom’s co-workers. She still worked at the same place she had since I was five. They all knew my story, and I’d heard most of theirs.

  Telling him my feet were killing me, we returned to our table. Aidan held out my chair, but Mom came to tell me Alexa was going to be dancing with my dad. He pushed the chair back in, saying he’d see me in a bit. I went to stand with her as Dad twirled his youngest daughter, then held her tight. The moment was sweet. While squeezing my hand, Mom dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

  When it was Vince’s turn to dance with his mom, I headed back to Aidan, not wanting to stand in those heels for one more second. Before I got the chance to sit, Lex grabbed my arm. “I’m sorry, Aidan. I need her help with this damn dress in the ladies’ room.”

  Probably not needing such a detailed explanation, he gestured for her to steal me. “Please.” Apparently, he and my uncle found they had things in common, so he was fine with just hanging out.

  “Please tell me there’s a bench or something to park my ass on in there,” I complained.

  Dragging me by the arm, she responded, “After you help me pee, I don’t care if you sit on the damn floor.”

  “We should’ve just borrowed one of Liam’s diapers so you wouldn’t have this problem.”

  “Where was that brilliant idea before I put this thing on?”

  “Oh, right.” I laughed. “Because it’s such a burden to be in a beautiful gown.”

  “It’s not the gown that’s beautiful. It’s me.” Sometimes I swore her and Joey were so much alike, it was scary.

  Lex was lucky I loved her as much as I did. There weren’t many people I’d squish into a bathroom stall with just so they could pee. If it weren’t for all the white material I held up, which covered my face, she would’ve been on her own. It was bad enough listening to her repeatedly sigh as her bladder emptied.

  “You’re a nurse. Aren’t you used to holding it?” I grumbled.

  “Drinking on the job is usually frowned upon, Brie,” she sarcastically responded.

  After she felt better and her dress was all re-fluffed, I sent her back to the party. She offered to wait for me, but a few moments of peace would do me good. Besides, there was a soft, cushiony chair over in the corner calling my name. If women weren’t so chatty when they came in to use the restroom, I could’ve been content staying there for the rest of the night. Miserably, I shoved my feet back into the heels of hell, cursing myself for not bringing another pair of shoes.

  Missing Joey, I strolled over to the bar, looking for a pick-me-up. Jack was there, talking with someone I recognized from the housewarming party. Not wanting to interrupt, I looked at the bartender. He had to be approximately the same age as I was with short, buzzed hair. Tattoos were visible on both sides of his neck and peeking out from the rolled up sleeves of his white dress shirt. To make it more interesting, his lips formed a wicked grin, which was way too sexy to handle at the moment. I was already stuck in between two guys. There was no need to add a third to the mix.

  He threw a towel over his shoulder. “What can I do for you, beautiful?” His voice was just as hot as I assumed it would be. Unfortunately, it also alerted Jack to my presence.

  “Um…” His gray eyes made thinking a little tough. Or maybe it was the alcohol I had already consumed. Jack became quiet, waiting for my response. I saw an empty shot glass in front of him. “Give me three of whatever he’s having.”

  “Absolutely not, Babycakes,” Jack scorned. “She’ll have a glass of water.”

  “Three, please,” I repeated, ignoring Jack.

  “I have a very difficult time telling gorgeous women no, so whatever the lady wants, she gets.”

  Jack sent a death stare to the bartender. “If you give her anything other than water, I’ll arrest your scrawny ass.”

  “What the hell is your problem?” I snapped.

  Jack turned the glare on me. “Brielle…,” he warned.

  “I’m not afraid of handcuffs,” the bartender added. “As a matter of fact, they might be a whole lot of fun with you, beautiful.”

  His remark caught me by surprise. Somehow, I pulled my shit together. “Fine. Two.” Why was I bargaining with Jack?

  “None.” He was getting on my nerves.

  Frustrated, I fought back. “I don’t care what he says,” I said to the handsome man behind the bar. “Two shots. Right now.” Jack started to say something, but I put my hand on the bartender’s chest. “My dad is paying you to be here. If you don’t give me what I want, I’ll go get him, and–”

  “Stop right there,” he chuckled, holding a hand up. “Spending the night in a cell is nothing. Actually, it wouldn’t even be the first time, or the second. However, dealing with a hot girl’s dad… That’s some scary shit. Sorry, man. The lady wins.” He quickly poured two shot and slid them across the bar. I stuck my tongue out at Jack and downed the first one. I had no clue what it was, but it burned my throat long after it was gone.

  “Feel better?” Jack glowered.

  “Nope.” I threw back the second one. He looked like he was going to yell at me again, but another voice diverted my attention.

  The MC called for me over the microphone. “Has anyone seen the maid of honor? I have a song request for her.” A quarter of the place ratted out my location. Stupid, drunken fools! “Ah, there you are.” I couldn’t remember his name, but he laughed into the microphone. “This one’s for you, sweetheart. I was told you’d know whom it was from.” My body froze in complete and utter fear. One
note was all I needed to realize I was royally screwed.

  “Build Me Up, Buttercup”.

  With terror written all over my face, the bartender smirked and told me his motorcycle was right outside. Although I hated the death machines, I considered his proposition, but the chance to evade my impending doom was long gone when Joey grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the dance floor. He twirled me around once and held me.

  “Who is this?”

  “The Foundations,” I answered. We started moving to the music. “J…Joey, I can’t dance.”

  “I know.” His voice trumped Mr. Bartender’s any day of the week. “But does the doctor?”

  “Go ahead. Say what you’re really thinking.” Tension left me, but I didn’t even notice.

  “And what would that be?”

  “That I suck at this unless I’m dancing with you.”

  “Well…” He spun me a second time and kept us going. “I can’t help that your body always does exactly what I want it to. Always has and, judging by how well you’re moving right now, always will.”

  “Arrogant bastard.”

  “Call me whatever you want, BC, but I know how it is.”

  As the first few words of the next song took over the speakers, my heart dropped. The music slowed as the lights lowered. Joey didn’t let me go. But the real problem was I couldn’t come up with the name of the song or artist. I knew he’d ask. The sound of the guy’s voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

  “Is dancing this close to me that dreadful?” he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

  “No,” I whispered.

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “I-I don’t know who sings this song,” I stuttered like a nervous teenager. He wouldn’t kiss me in front of all these people, would he?

  The wrinkles that had formed on his forehead eased and he smiled. He took the hand he held and placed it on his shoulder, slowly sliding his fingers from my wrist, down my arm and to my waist. The bare skin he touched along the way sizzled. Out of habit, my hand slid over his dress shirt so my palm was on his back, my fingertips resting over the top of his shoulder. The position allowed him to pull me closer. His opposite hand reached for mine and he held it tightly between us. It was how he always held me when we danced.

  “I’ll let you slide this one time. Just listen to it,” he whispered, the sound of his voice at my ear making me squirm.

  The guy was singing about how he hadn’t forgotten how things were between him and a special girl. His memories were so vivid, he still felt everything. My chin leaned forward, resting on my fingers as I listened. The song could’ve been written for any couple, but it seemed to belong to us. After all the time that had passed, not only did Joey not forget anything when it came to us, he still wanted it. He still wanted me.

  My head relaxed on his chest and he kissed my hair lightly before resting his cheek on it. I was more comfortable than I had been in years. I was home and I never wanted to leave.

  When the song ended, someone coughed behind me, saving us from the awkward moment when we had to separate. “Mind if I cut in?”

  “Of course not,” Joey replied. “But only because it’s you. Just watch your shoes. The girl has two left feet.”

  I swallowed back the tears and turned toward my dad. He smiled, holding out a hand as Joey passed me to him. My body screamed in protest when it was taken from where it belonged. My dad’s arms felt safe, but they weren’t Joey’s.

  “Hey, BC?” I glanced over my shoulder. Joey shoved his hands into this pockets and took a deep breath. “Matt Nathanson.”

  “Damn it!” I knew his voice sounded familiar. He smiled sadly, then walked away, my heart going with him. No matter how many years had gone by or what I told myself, I was only me when I was with Joey.

  For the first minute, Dad remained quiet. It was as if he knew I was desperately trying to regain my composure. “Are you okay?” he eventually asked. I nodded, afraid what would come out if I tried to speak. “I came to apologize.”

  I cleared my throat. “For what?”

  “For not telling you how beautiful you look today.” I smiled, tears once again filling my eyes. “It’s no excuse, but I was so damn nervous about all the shit I was supposed to do. If I messed anything up, Alexa would’ve had my head.” We laughed.

  “You were perfect, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek. “But even if you weren’t, Lex wouldn’t have cared. She’s just thrilled you did what you did. She’ll remember this day for the rest of her life and it’s all because of you.”

  He rolled his eyes at the compliment. “Seriously, though. You’re absolutely stunning.”

  “Thank you, but you don’t have to worry about saying things like that anymore. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”

  “Brielle, I don’t care how old you are. It’ll always be my job to remind you how beautiful you are.” We were silent again. “I heard Aidan telling Mom he was heading back to Connecticut first thing in the morning.” He was supposed to be spending the day with my family tomorrow. He had promised! “Does he do this a lot?”

  “Does he do what?”

  “Leave you.”

  “Dad, he’s busy…”

  “Don’t give me that shit. I know he’s a doctor and takes his obligations very seriously, but if he wants to date my daughter, he better be making time for her. You deserve someone who’s going to make you his first priority.”

  “I know, Daddy. I know.”

  “What do you say we blow off the rest of this song and head over to the bar? I don’t know about you, but I could really use a drink.”

  “Are you tired of getting your feet stepped on?” I hadn’t really. Honestly, he knew me well enough not to move us very much.

  “It didn’t seem like Sullivan had any trouble dancing with you.” My eyes shot to my dad’s. He shrugged, not bothering to hide his smug grin. “I’m just saying, you didn’t step on him once.”

  “I think I’ll take that drink now,” I grumbled. Dad chuckled, but held his arm out to escort me to the other side of the room. “Maybe I’ll even have two.”

  I found very few things as annoying as Shannon when she started whining and hanging all over me. It usually only happened if she wasn’t the center of attention. Being a spoiled brat from the day she was born had everything to do with it. Generally, this side of her wasn’t a concern because she always did whatever she wanted, even if it meant doing it without me. Hanging out at my best friend’s wedding ranked fairly low on her things-to-give-a-shit-about scale. Honestly, I figured she’d decline the invitation with some bullshit excuse. Alexa was not very fond of her and she knew it.

  “Joe,” Shannon said, shaking my shoulder. I was in the middle of a tea party with two very pretty young ladies and the bitch had the nerve to intrude.

  “What?” I snapped, whipping my head around.

  “You said you’d be over when you were done eating.” She pointed to the empty plate in front of me.

  “Uncle Joe is having tea with us,” Vanessa said. The server had surprised them by bringing out fancy tea cups on saucers and a special pot full of apple juice. Tori told her she forgot mine and the girl returned with a third cup a short time later. I heard all about the hair salon and how much fun it was getting dressed up. Listening to the exciting details kept my mind off BC, who was sitting across the room with another guy.

  “You’re kidding me with this shit, right?” Shannon put her hands on her hips and glared at me.

  “Mommy, she said a bad word!” Tori tattled.

  “Stop it, Shannon!” I spoke sharply, but she deserved it. “What is wrong with you?”

  “I didn’t come here to sit with those people. I came to be with you.”

  “All you had to do was ask nicely,” Vanessa explained. “We can get you a cup, too.”

  “I don’t want a–”

  I stood, preventing her from finishing the sentence. She’d gone too far. “Girls, I’ll be right back. Don’t finish the tea with
out me, okay?”

  “Okay, Uncle Joe!” they said together.

  Grabbing her by the elbow, I took Shannon out to the lobby. “What the fuck is wrong with you?! They’re little kids.” She ran her hands up my chest, but I grabbed her wrists, stopping any further advancement.

  “Please. Just because Lex put you at that table doesn’t mean you have to pretend to like their kids.”

  Scratching my head, I sighed. How could she be such a heartless bitch? “I don’t pretend to like them. I love those girls.”

  “Since when?” She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her fake chest. She purposely wore a short, slutty dress for the attention, but it wasn’t working for her. Or perhaps it just wasn’t working for me. Appropriately dressed and covered in a long gown, BC looked more beautiful than Shannon ever could. Although it wasn’t fair to compare the two. BC was in a class all her own.

  It was a good thing I didn’t have my gun on me. I wouldn’t have actually shot her… Well, maybe I would’ve, but just in the foot or something. “Look, I didn’t ask you to come here tonight.” I motioned toward the room. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be right now than in there. If you want to leave, go right ahead.”

  She pouted. “So you’re kicking me out because I want to spend time with you?”

  “I’m not kicking you out!” Damn, she drained all my self-control. “If you want to come back in, fine, but stop with the fucking attitude. Today is about my friends and making sure they have the time of their lives. You knew this was important to me.”

  She sighed in what I hoped was resignation. “All right,” she declared, dropping her arms. “Let’s go.” Unclenching my teeth, I led the way, not wanting to waste another minute on her.

  From time to time, I’d steal glances to the other side of the room. BC was the last one seated at her table, so it wasn’t her fault the only chair open positioned her back toward me. However, she could’ve thrown me a bone and shot a peek or two over her shoulder. My nerves were out of control, wondering what they talked about. Did the doctor change her mind? Would she leave with him, even though she said she wouldn’t? I hated not being able to see her face. I’d know all I needed to if she’d just look at me.