Scream at the drunken moon

Chapter 30

An hour before the ceremony, I dress in my suit. Mike has been back and explained that Charlie has asked him to walk her down the aisle and that's where he was last night. He headed back there, after getting his suit on so he can travel with the girls to the beach. I check my pocket for what feels like the 100th time to make sure I have the rings. I'm giving them to Jaime and Vic when we reach the beach, being as they are on best man duties. I squirt a little aftershave over myself and take a final glance in the mirror before shouting to the others that it's time to go. Jaime and Vic, in matching suits to mine and Mike's, walk through from the kitchen and we pile into Jaime's car. Vic is bouncing in the back seat - with excitement or happiness I don't know. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check it. 2 text messages.

Charlie - I can't wait to be your wife. I love you so much xxx

Lisa - you can't just leave it there. We had chemistry. I know you enjoyed what happened.

I quickly delete the message off Lisa but find my smile growing as I read the one off Charlie again. I am so angry at myself though for messing around last night. As long as Lisa keeps her mouth shut, Charlie won't find out but I don't know if Lisa will do that.
We pull up and park the car and start our short walk to the beach where everything has been set up. Quite a few guests have already arrived and I furtively glance around to see if Rita and Lisa are here. So far, so good.
I see the YMAS guys and head over to say hi. They'd promised Charlie they'd come and they have kept that promise. The parents of all the guys are also here and along with our crew, manager and some of my old school friends and cousins. It's not the biggest gathering but we didn't want to invite people for the sake of it. I glance around at the decorations which a wedding planner sorted out for us and check again I have the rings. I hear my name being called and turn to see my mom, Rita and Lisa in tow. I inwardly cringe but try not to show anything as they walk over.
"Are you 100% sure about this?" my mom whispers when she gets close enough. I nod and smile at her, trying not to make eye contact with Lisa, which isn't that easy as she's glaring at me. Vic walks over and introduces himself to Rita and Lisa, who smiles at him in a flirty way. Good luck on that one I think, knowing he wouldn't screw around behind Danielle's back.
I can't wait to see Charlie now. I'm becoming impatient. And nervous. One night away from her nearly finished me off. I can't bear the thought of ever being away from her again. I check the time and see there's a little while before the girls are due to arrive. And isn't the bride traditionally meant to be a little late anyway? I need to pee. It's the nerves I tell myself. I tell Vic quietly where I'm headed and start off towards the toilets which are a little way off. I should have plenty of time but I hurry anyway.
As I'm leaving the toilet block, I hear my name.
Great. Lisa is stalking me. I decide to ignore her but she runs after me as I start making my way back to the beach.
"Don't ignore me Tony. What happened did so for a reason."
"The reason being I was incredibly drunk. There's no way it would have happened otherwise. I love Charlie. I've loved Charlie for a very long time and I'm marrying her in a few minutes and that's that."
I start walking away and I hear her mutter something.
" If you dare say anything, I will never forgive you" I hear myself say, rather loudly, and I continue making my way back.
It seems I timed I right. The registrar asks to take our places as the bride and her entourage (his words exactly) are just arriving. I take a few deep breaths and quickly hand the rings to Vic and Jaime who put them in their pockets until they're needed. I glance behind me and see everyone taking their seats, Rita and Lisa next to my mom. I curse myself for having invited them in the first place but they're the neighbours I grew up with so it felt wrong not to.
I hear the music start up and I feel my stomach do a million backflips. Here we go.