The Tuition Fee

Chapter 29: August, Year 4, pt. 2

Nathaniel 

Alina is the only person at the reception not in the wedding party. I can tell it's making her feel awkward so I make a point to introduce her to every person in the room and stay by her side for as long as I can. The dinner comes first, which is not the hard part of the evening. My mother rented out the rooftop deck for the occasion so we have one long table to fit everyone.

After our three hour nap on the beach, and more subsequent lounging in the sand and swimming in the water, I feel twice as refreshed as I did this morning. Even better once the wait staff begins passing out the free champagne.

"Cheers to free beer," James says beside me, clinking his beer bottle to my champagne flute.

"Cheers to that." We take a long sip, observing the mingling wedding party. Alina is talking with Rachel and Georgia near one of the fire pits, sipping her own champagne. She's in a light grey cocktail dress Marissa no doubt let her borrow, high necked and clinging to her curves in just the right place. "So, no one to bring with you as a plus one?" I ask James, eyes still trained on Alina as she laughs at something Georgia said.

"Uh, they couldn't make it," James mumbles beside me.

I turn, eyebrow raised. Was my unflappable, overly cocky brother acting shy? "They? Who is they, James? You've got to keep a brother updated here when you're halfway across the country."

James' checks turn pink and he rubs the back of his neck. "Swear you won't tell mom or Julian until I do?"

Now he's got my attention. I nod, turning to face him fully. "Of course bro. You can tell me."

James downs the rest of his beer, tossing it into a nearby trashcan. He fiddles with the jacket of his suit and I wait. "His name is David, he's the sous chef in my restaurant. And we've worked together for like, three years but this past summer he made a move and I, just, didn't stop him. Because I like him too? I don't know, but he really couldn't come this weekend, he had to watch the restaurant while I'm gone."

I think my eyebrows are in my hairline. "You're gay?"

He shrugs, grabbing another beer from a passing waiter. "I don't know man, it's all a little confusing right now. But yeah, David and I are together."

I smile and clap my hand on his shoulder. He gives me a shocked look and I just smile wider. "If it makes you happy James, it makes me happy. Can't wait to meet him, man. You have a picture?"

James' cheeks are bright red as he nods, pulling his phone from his pocket. He doesn't even unlock it, just shows me the screen saver of him and another man in their kitchen clothes at a stainless steel countertop, arms around each other and grinning at the camera. David has coffee colored skin and even darker eyes situated on a comforting round face. He's handsome, I can't deny that. "He's... He's a great guy," James whispers. "I think you would like each other."

"I'm sure I would." I sling my arm around my brother and hug him. "You tell me if you need me for anything, alright?"

Across the deck Julian clinks his glass and James nods, pushing me off him. "Yeah, yeah, alright. Go to your girl and leave me alone."

I laugh but glide over to Alina's side, downing my second champagne to grab my third. We sit down for dinner, a three-course meal that is accompanied by more free champagne. Alina is giggling beside me and I don't even know what glass she's on. I think I've had a whole bottle at this point, but I'm not stopping. I'm not driving, my room is five floors below us, and I have zero responsibilities tonight.

I barely pay attention when my mom gets up to give her speech, saying how proud she is of Julian and how lovely Amber is and how great it is that we get to expand our family, blah blah blah.