My Brother's Best Friend - LGBT, boyXman

35

(Ten Months Later)

I ran a hand nervously through my neatly brushed hair.

Matt slapped my hand away.

“Stop fiddling.” He commanded firmly. “It’ll be fine.”

“I feel sick,” I moaned.

“You’ll be fine.” He stepped close to me and adjusted my tie so that it was straight again.

I scowled at him.

“I’m going to die,” I said dramatically. “Everyone will be looking at me.”

“Nah. With David wearing the suit he is, everyone will be looking at him.”

I looked at him.

“Face it, Triss. He’s the more attractive one.”

“I’m glad you think so,” I said dryly. “I’d be worried if you found me attractive.”

Matt laughed. He flattened my hair with his palm and patted my cheek.

“You’re fine. You look very handsome. Are you ready?”

“Where’s David?” I asked nervously.

“He’s already outside. They’re waiting for us.”

I took a deep breath.

“I still don’t see why I’m the one who has to go to him,” I muttered.

“Because, you’re the girl in the relationship. And everyone knows it’s the girl who walks up to her guy at the altar.”

I made a sour noise in my throat and sighed.

“Alright… I’m ready. I think.”

Matt smiled at me.

“I know you are.”

We walked together out of the cottage and down the garden path, turning at the end to walk towards the acres of land behind the cottage.

I could see the big white marquee beside the stream.

“I know-” Matt said quietly. “-that having me live with you these past few months has been… difficult. I know it’s strained your relationship with David.”

“It didn’t, Matt. Honestly, that is all in your head. All it meant was that David couldn’t have sex with me all over the house.”

He wrinkled his nose in distaste.

I laughed.

“I suppose I should be thanking you.” I mused. “Because we’re confined to the bedroom, he’s become pretty adventurous. The other night, he-”

“No!” Matt yelled. “I don’t want to know!”

I laughed and slipped my arm into his.

“Sorry. Just teasing.”

We stopped at the entrance to the marquee.

“Hey,” Matt turned to me. “Before we go in there…”

“What’s the matter?”

“I… I just wanted to tell you… I’m really proud of you, Tristan. So proud. I never thought you’d be the one getting married first. And I never thought it’d be to another guy. But I’m happy that you’re so happy.”

“Thanks, Matt,” I managed to choke out, embarrassed to feel tears stinging my eyes.

“Don’t you start,” Matt warned me.

“Sorry.”

I took a deep breath and smiled at him.

“Okay… I’m ready now.”

Matt nodded, and grasped my hand, hard, for a moment, before we stepped into the marquee together.

A quartet of violins struck up a tune as we went inside.

I recognised the players as people from my old school band.

I could see David, stood at the far end of the marquee, dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a blue tie. He looked so handsome, stood in front of everyone, beside the registrar.

Ava and her parents were in the front row, along with some of David’s close family.

I could see some of my other friends from school, and a couple of people from the restaurant.

Some of my old teachers – David’s colleagues – were there as well.

Although the school had found out about our relationship several months ago, and rebuked David sternly, because our relationship technically started after I was no longer a student, they couldn’t do anything more severe than give him an official warning.

Matt and I finally stopped in front of David and the registrar.

David was smiling at me.

Matt leaned across and murmured ‘good luck’ in my ear before he released my arm and stepped back.

I flashed him a nervous smile, before stepping up to join David in front of the registrar.