Chapter 1
As my two friends proceeded down the aisle after pledging their love to each other, I couldn't help my face from forming an indulgent smile. Three years of work, of scheming and refereeing fights, but here they were exactly where I knew they should be, getting married. Well, as married at two men can get in California, anyway.
Unfortunately, I was pulled out my reverie by a tug at my elbow before an arm hooked around my own. "You look a little too satisfied. Should I be afraid to ask you what you're thinking about?" asked my escort as we made our way down the aisle.
I rolled my eyes. "Actually, Josh, all I was thinking was about how happy Joey and Chris look together. That's all." At Josh's raised eyebrow I added, "And how none of this would've been possible if it hadn't been for my incredible foresight."
Josh laughed ruefully. "God, Justin, your delusions of grandeur never fail to surprise me. What makes you think that any of this happened because of your meddling? Joey and Chris got together on their own accord, not because of you."
I completely disagreed with that. Joey had been Josh's best friend in college, and I had met Chris the first week I started as a bartender at Club X, the hottest gay club in town, where Chris DJs four days a week. We instantly hit it off and became fast friends, and I knew that he and Joey would make a great couple, even after Chris completely messed up their first date by being a total ass. Thankfully, I was there to convince Joey to give Chris another chance, and the rest is history. I mean, look where we're at now.
"Whatever, Josh. You're just jealous because I haven't put my excellent and flawless; mind you, skills to work on you. I have a record for successful couples. Brit and Christina? Ashley and Jacob? Hell, my gift even works on heterosexual couples."
"Jealous? Please? I don't think that I need to take relationship advice from someone who hasn't had a boyfriend since high school."
"That's not true." I pouted. "Remember, there was Sean. The chemistry major?"
"I forgot about him. He didn't last long enough for me to remember. You were together for what, three weeks?"
"Two months." I corrected. Josh just continued on.
"Whatever. I've proven my point. You're twenty-one and you're talking about a guy you dated when you were eighteen. Where's the expert relationship advice for yourself?"
I rolled my eyes again. One day, if I kept hanging with Josh, my eyes were gonna roll out of my head. "Whatever. Your last boyfriend was when you were what, nineteen? And seeing that you're now twenty-six, I think you need somebody to handle your romantic life. And since I'm a proven expert, that person might as well be me."
Josh just shook his head, which means he had decided to ignore me as we rode to the reception site. If I hadn't been in such a good mood, I would've continued to talk until I exasperated him, but two of my favorite people were now husband and husband, and I was not going to let that be marred by Josh's lack of faith in me. Even though you would think by now that he'd know to never doubt me.
But then again, Josh and I have always had a funny relationship. To the outside observer, it might seem as if we didn't like each other, but that wasn't the case. We've known each other for twelve years, after my father married Josh's then barely legal sister, Heather. The marriage didn't last long, but during its short tenure, Josh had come to live with us and instantly charmed my father. Even though there have been two other wives since Heather, Josh had always been a constant fixture at my house, until he left for college. Then, when I decided to come to LA, Josh was kind enough to offer me his spare bedroom, even though the proximity can make us both a little snarky at times.
The reception was lovely, but I had to admit that my best part was when Chris hushed everyone to make a toast. "Hey, people, it's my day and I want to talk, so you're forced to listen to me." he began, holding up a glass of champagne. "First, I'd like to thank my wonderful husband and partner, Joey, for taking mercy and marrying a man like myself." Chris gazed down at Joey and smiled, and I could feel my heart ache with pride and love for those two. "Secondly, I'd like to thank our good friend Justin, who knew that we were made for each other even when we weren't sure of it ourselves." To that, I shot a smug look Josh's way. Chris thanked some more people, including Josh, but I was too busy gloating to listen.
I know that's childish, but you have to understand that I barely get these moments. I'm twenty-one, almost twenty-two, and Josh has this annoying habit of treating me as if I'm still ten years old, following him around. Okay, gloating may not be the best way to prove that I've grown up, but Josh always thinks he's right and sometimes it's just so satisfying to prove him wrong.