When she gets within a few feet of JT, she practically leaps into his arms. He catches her waist and gives her a kiss, even though we haven’t gotten to that part. There’s awhole lot of throat clearing, and I’m not sure who’s louder, Coach or the wedding officiant.
JT doesn’t look sorry at all, but he takes Coach’s offered handshake and pulls him in for a hug. Those two have come a long damn way in the past six months or so.
The officiant eyes us all and the place goes quiet. It’s not that we’re intimidated, it’s that we can’t wait to hear what ‘s going to come out of Ollie’s mouth.
That’s right.
JT and Maggie are tying the knot and Ollie’s making it legal. The man has an alarming number of hidden talents and certifications.
“Dearly beloved,” he begins, “we are gathered here today because JT is finally putting a ring on this fine woman’s finger.”
“There’s already a ring,” JT huffs, holding Maggie’s hand up as proof. “She just gets another one today.”
Mickey turns to JT. “Dude, I wondered about that. Do you get two ring? I’m just looking out for you. Plus, I gotta say, you look hot. “
“Thanks, man,” JT says, smiling at his best man like we’re not in the middle of his actual wedding.
I feel an elbow in my side, and I turn to look at Van. “We won’t be this bad when it’s our turn to get married, will we?” he asks.
I shrug. “It’s possible.
Coach clears his throat again, as if the sound will knock some sense into his players. He should know by now that ship has sailed. There are fewer than thirty people in this room, but we’ve all broken out into side conversations.
There’s only one thing that can get this wedding back on track.
Rosco’s ear-splitting whistle pierces the air. I chance at look at JT and Maggie’s baby to see if the high-pitchednoise is about to make her burst into tears, but she’s smiling happily in Coach’s wife’s arms.
Now that we’ve all quieted down, Ollie stars back up again.
“Jaxxsyn Tieylyr Norris, do you take this woman to be your partner even though you’ll probably never deserve her? Don’t get me wrong. You’re the tits, but you’ve got one hell of a woman.”
The groom rolls his eyes. “My name is just JT, and yes, I promise to love Maggie for the rest of my life.”
“Maggie,” Ollie begins, “You’re picking him?”
She laughs. “Yes. Every single time. I will always choose you, JT.”
“Oh, I forgot. No one objects, right? Yeah, I mean, how could you? These two are perfect for each other. I’m the one who made the match.”
Mickey puts up a hand for Ollie’s high five and while this is the most non-traditional vow ceremony I’ve ever seen, it works.
“Maggie, JT? Go ahead and kiss. You two crazy kids are hitched.”
As soon as the words leave Ollie’s mouth, the bride and groom are locked in a not-safe-for-work embrace. Seriously. It’s getting frisky up there. Do they know we’re all still here? Finally, they take a break for air and cheering erupts.
As the wedding ends and the party starts, I find Claire and wrap her up in my arms. “You look beautiful, you know that, right?”
She smiles. “You look sinful in this suit, Mr. Santos. I can’t wait to strip you out of it.”
“Are you hungry?” I ask. “Because I’m not really hungry. We could be home in ten minutes.”
Claire laughs. “We should at least wait for the toast.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “But as soon as this thing’s over, Ms. Fowler, you’re mine.”
“I’ll go see if Mel needs a hand pouring that champagne,” she says, and I like the way my girlfriend thinks.
Since we might have to, uh…cut out early, I make my way across the room to shake JT’s hand. He’s standing with Will and Van, and I can’t help but think how far we’ve come in just a year.
