"Max, no. You’re not—"
"Ollie, it’s my dream. If I don’t get to do that, then what will I do?" I put on my best impression of Benny, widening my eyes to the point that they water.
"You’re the best man, Max. You’ll be front and center with Sam the whole time." She looks between the two of us like she can’t believe she’s explaining this.
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to laugh. "Okay, so I get to make a speech then. Should it be at the rehearsal or during the reception?" I snap my fingers and point one at her. "Or actually, I could do both."
"No shot." Sam stands and moves to the table we’re sitting at as he cuts off my request. It’s brave honestly, the daggers she’s throwing him could make the toughest guy cower. "Xav is making the speech since he doesn’t get to be my best man."
I motion toward my chest, as if I’m pulling a dagger out of it—gutted twice in one night. "Say it with a little more disdain for your bloodline, would ya." I shake my shoulders out. "So no walking you down the aisle, no speeches… What is the point of my role again? I think we all know this day is about me. I need to be a star, Ollie."
A laugh rips out of my brother’s fiancée. It’s almost maniacal as she straightens her papers once more. Sam glares at me, not finding any of this funny.
"Oh, actually. I have something I need someone to do. It’ll be the perfect job for you." Olive picks through her stacks, stopping once she finds a list titled:Wedding Party. "Do you want the most important job of all?"
"Ollie!" I slam my hand on my heart. "I can’t marry you, sweetheart. But thanks for asking." I place my hand by my mouth, blocking Sam’s view of my lips. "Remember the time we almost kissed? Spoiler alert… I do too!" I whisper shout.
"Shut up, idiot." Sam’s face goes from a glare to downright murderous, while Olive rolls her eyes.
"Very funny, and that’s exactly why you don’t get to make a speech." She sips her drink once more. "I was serious, though. I have a very important question to ask you." Olive places her hand on top of mine. "Will you be one of my flower girls?"
"Do I get the biggest basket of petals?" I ask with zero hesitation.
Olive giggles, chancing a look at Sam, who’s still not finding any of this funny. "Well, Sammy is the other one, and I’m pretty sure she can’t even carry a rattle, so how about you get to carry her and throw all the petals."
"Sold!" I stand, pushing away from the table. "I’m going to grab a drink to celebrate. Does anyone need anything?"
My brother finally laughs but shakes his head no, and Olive points to her mostly full beverage. "Okay, cool. Be right back." I exit the porch, heading directly to the fridge inside, where I know I’ll find a Diet Coke waiting just for me—and maybe a snack.
My fingers wrap around the stainless steel bar as I pull the French-door refrigerator wide open. These two have been shredding for the wedding, or so they say, but I’m pleasantly surprised by the leftover Chinese that greets me.
"Hey, Ollie!" I shout toward the back door, hoping she can hear me.
"Yes, Maxwell?" There’s an edge of amusement in her tone. I’m sure she was expecting me to ask for something to eat once I was given a drink—like that mouse in the storybook my mom used to read to me, I always need something more.
My eyes scan the fridge again. "Is this lo mein old?"
My brother’s heavy hand lands on my shoulder, causing me to jump. "Shit! Give a guy a heart attack, why don’t you." I shakemy head. "Not a good look to kill the best man and flower girl before the ceremony."
Sam chuckles, swatting my back a little too hard. "She bought that shit the second I told her you were coming over." He reaches around me, pulling out another beer. "I’ve had nothing but chicken and steamed broccoli for weeks. Can you get a girlfriend so my wife stops taking care of you?"
I grab the carton from the fridge and a fork from the drawer next to it. "No can do. I have everything I need right here."
Sam mumbles something under his breath, but I don’t stick around to listen. Instead, I make my way to the safety that comes with being near Olive, and plop back down at the table outside.
"Ew, you’re not even going to heat it up?" She sucks her teeth, her face turning mildly green. "What took you so long to get over here, anyway? I ordered it at six when Ithoughtyou were coming."
"Ewand," I attempt with a mouth full of noodles.
Sam walks past me, taking a spot next to Olive after sliding my drink in front of me. I forgot to grab it, but big brother knows what I like. I pop the tab on the crisp Diet Coke, using it to wash down the noodles.
"I sorta stole Sadie’s car and had to return it."
"You did what?" My brother barks.
"I mean, it wasn’t technically stealing. Howie asked me to take it from Sid and fix her flat tire, so I did." I wave my hand as if to say it’s no big deal.
A smile forms on Olive's face, and now she’s the one wiggling her eyebrows. "Who’s Sadie?"