My Brothers Best Man (editing)

Eleven

Riley

Four days later

"James, I need at least two more hours. Take her to the nail salon or get her hair done!" I groan closing my eyes and rubbing my temples.

"Okay ill keep her busy." then he said bye and Hung up.

"Where does this go?" I turn to look at Axel, his white t-shirt and dark blue dock shorts, making him look downright drool worthy in casual attire.

His eyes twinkle with humor as I checked him out openly, "OH! yeah um, put it under that tree, in the shade." I point to the bright green tree left of the grill. He grins and nods before placing the cooler over where I asked him to put it. I run in the house to get away from him for a second, and to check on the cupcakes. Once I saw that they were cooled down and ready for frosting I put pink on 12 and blue on the other 12. I left them inside till like 10 minutes before the party. We are at M&J's place (Marilyn and James's), Running back out side I take in the decor. To the right of the sliding glass doors, there is a tall console table against the side of the house, covered with a half pink and half blue.

There are 12 pins of each color, so whoever comes can pink the color f the gender they think it is. Theres also a wooden heart with a glass on the front, little wooden hearts and a sharpie pen so that the guests can write their names on the hearts and put it into the bigger heart.

Plus little photos of James and Marilyn throughout their relationship. To the left is the pool, so we can cool off. I made it simple, I just put pink and blue streamers everywhere, theres a dark black balloon with a pink and blue question mark on it containing the correct colored confetti inside.

"It looks great, Riley."Axel comes up next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder, I melt under his touch. The weight and warmth of his hand makes me sigh out loud, tensing up I step back to get away, my foot hits the step to go up in the house and I feel my self falling back. I closed my eyes as a reflex, my arms flailing to grab something, anything. I find myself grabbing onto two hard things. Afraid to open my eyes, I squeeze the 'things', yup I'm holding Axels arms. His soft skin in contrast to the hard muscles underneath them. My eyes slowly move up from where my hands are, he pulled me closer to him, our chests touching. As hard as I was trying to not make eye contact, I needed to. I can't explain why, this invisible pull of tug-a-war that goes on between us is exhausting. I want to give in but I know he's hesitant. I don't want to push him, I remember James telling me about his Friend who got screwed over by an ex, I vaguely remember him mentioning Axel in that convo.

Connecting my eyes with his, I felt as though my heart contracted, my breathing hitched in response. The heat from his hands seemed to seep into my bright yellow, ankle length, tube dress that pinches between the breast and it has a thigh high slit for air circulation as well as a sexy spice to it. His hazel eyes, I could stare at them all day, the smooth green on the edge contrasted beautifully with the amber color in the middle, the sight of them alone was intense.

He lowered his face, this is it, he's going to kiss me. My eyes drift shut, I hold my breath in waiting for his lips to touch mine. Then I felt it, wait, thats not what I wanted to feel, The cool breeze enveloped me, my eyes shoot open to find him a couple steps away from me. His eyes say he's sorry but my heart reacts before my mind. I frown before blushing from embarrassment, I quickly spin away from him just as the doorbell chimes. Saved by the bell, I mentally roll my eyes.

Opening the door its Marilyn's uncle, aunt and cousins. On the invites we made sure to put for everyone to bring a dish. It makes it easy on me, the planner, and there wont be food that people don't like. The guests discussed the food over a group chat two weeks ago.

"Hi! Come in, come in. The food can be put on the picnic table out back, the gifts go on the coffee table in the living room." They shuffled in saying hi before going outside.

45 Minutes later

"okay, They're here!" I yell so everyone isn't too wild, they know what we're doing but just to make sure its not rowdy I let them know the guests of honor is her.

My parents face the back doors, waiting just as everyone else, When Marilyn walks out in a stunning white body con dress that shows her little baby bump, James is right behind her, he's also wearing a white, khaki shorts and white nikes. They're both grinning, as they move around the backyard to say their hellos, my parents walk over to me.

My moms hand comes up to rub my back, I almost jump from shock, she's not normally touchy feely. "Honey, you did great putting this together, who knew you had it in you."

Shrugging, hoping her hand would leave me alone, "it was easy, Axel helped a lot too."

My mom had a pink button up with cutoff sleeves and white capris, Das obviously had on blue, he just stood there quietly, waiting for his son and daughter in law to come on over.

"Oh Axel, he's cute isn't he?" She wiggled her micro bladed brows at me. For 53 years old, my mothers darker face looks good due to her hispanic side, she has some freckles under her eyes, her dark brown hair peppered with white hair, i have her brown eyes. My dad, Lighter complexion makes his dark green eyes pop more. He's 60, but they are both healthy, they look it too.

Resisting to roll my eyes I shrug my shoulder, "he's cute, not available but cute."

Her head tilts to the side, "last I heard he was single."

"He is, I meant emotionally Unavailable." James and Marilyn finally come our way, saving me from this convo I do not wanna have.

"HI! how are yall?" M greeted my parents with a quick hug, My mom smiled so big, "you look beautiful honey. That bump is so cute, feel any kicks yet?"

"no, its still a bit too early, in a couple weeks though I should!"

My friend pulls me into her side and gives me a kiss on my head, "You did great Riles. Thank you so much."

I hug her back, "its no problem, you're giving me my first niece or nephew so I'm thankful for you."

After talking for a bit I decide I need a dip in the pool, "I'm gonna go change into my bathing suit, I've been out here all day."

She nodded with a smile, "feel free to use my room, I have some of your bathing suits you've left, in my room, in a bin in the corner."

"gotcha thanks!"