Harrison POV What. The fuck. Just happened?! Rebecca said no at the altar! Holy fucking shit! My mind was all over the place and my jaw was on the floor, along with everyone else's as we watched her walk away and through the doors. I looked at Rhett to see how he was doing and noticed that he was smiling while he watched her retreating figure. What the fuck was happening right now?! He turned to me with an expectant smile, and I panicked. “Am I missing a cue or something? Holly didn’t tell me what to do if this happens at a wedding. What does the best man do in this scenario?” He grabbed my hands and pulled me to the altar with him. He answered, “You kiss the groom.” He cupped my face and pulled me into the most passionate, loving kiss I had ever felt, and I knew at this moment that Rhett was finally mine. All these years of friendship, bottled feelings, and buried emotions all let loose into this moment in front of all these people. Gasps could be heard throughout the room, bu
Harrison POV*One year later*The front door to the bar opened and in came my favorite person; Rhett Langely, AKA my boyfriend. His arms flexed in his white tank and made him look yummy as he carried in a box of glasses for me. We were getting ready for the opening of my very own bar: Hype. After Rhett’s promotion with Hoshiko Enterprises, we moved in together and still had enough money to buy a building and turn it into my dream bar. Rebecca furnished it and made sure that the overall feel of the place was good with her mad skill of interior design. She said that the dark browns that were in The Lock Box didn’t suit my vibe, so she chose a lighter color palette for Hype; the tables were a blond wood, the seats were blue, the chandeliers were multicolored, and there were color-changing LED lights behind all the liquor on the back wall.Holly designed the posters and handled all social media and promotional advertising. She’s fully healed and back to her wild self after her hospital
Dear readers, the first 2 chapters of this story start in 3rd Person pov for the backstory, but the rest is in first person, going back and forth between Harrison and Rhett.3rd Person POVIt was the final basketball game of the school year, and the entire student body was gathered in the gymnasium to watch. The boys were getting prepared in the hallway outside the gym before making their dramatic entry to hype the crowd.“You ready?” Rhett asked.Harrison rolled his eyes at him. “You act like we don’t do this every game.”They adjusted each other’s capes and nodded to each other before storming through the wooden doors with a loud thunk and hollering to everyone as they ran down the length of the basketball court. The crowd erupted in cheers and were brought to their feet as they saw the two boys with their make-do flag capes that sported the school’s colors of maroon and silver billowing behind them.Harrison's curly, shoulder-length blonde hair was dancing in the wind as he ran aro
3rd Person POVAfter the basketball game, everyone exited the gymnasium and the school altogether to head home. Harrison and Rhett were still topless, only sporting their flag capes and basketball shorts. Since it was spring and they were recently surrounded by hundreds of bodies, they weren’t cold at all as they stood outside the school.“Here comes your girl,” Rhett said, nudging his chin in a certain direction.Harrison followed his eyes and saw his sister trotting up toward them. “Hey, twinny!” he greeted with a smile and his arms open wide.Holly joined the boys and hugged her brother. She had the same curly blonde hair that reached her waist and brown eyes like Harrison, but her eyes were darker when Harrison's were more golden, and her face was more heart-shaped and feminine while his was more squared and masculine.“You boys did amazing as usual,” she praised as she parted from her hug with Harrison and went to hug Rhett.“Thank you, thank you,” he gave a small bow to Holly af
Harrison POVIt's Friday afternoon at The Lock Box Bar downtown and I’m the only one working the bar. Work is slow, and my coworker and boss, Jeff, is in the back doing an inventory before tonight’s rush. The phone on the back wall started to ring, and I ditched my cleaning of the glassware to answer it.“Thanks for calling The Lock Box, how can we make your day awesome?”“Hey Harrison, it’s Rhett.”I smiled and shifted my weight to one leg at the sound of his voice. “Oh, hey. What’s up?”“Harrison! What have I told you about personal calls on the business line?!” my boss shouts from the back room, but I choose to ignore him and listen to Rhett.“I wanted to know if you could get together for lunch today?”I checked my watch and saw the time was now a quarter till noon. “It’s kind of short notice, Rhett. I don’t know if I can make that. My boss gets super crabby when he’s stressed before a rush and I don’t want to get in trouble.”“That’s fine. Can I stop by the bar?”I’m sure my eye
Harrison POVI sat there for a moment with my eyes widened. Did I hear him correctly? Rhett's getting married? I didn’t even know he was seeing someone! It's only been a couple of months since we’ve last seen each other; there’s no way that he started dating someone and got engaged in such a short amount of time!Taylor and Brennan rushed to me and Jeff took over at the bar popping lids off of beer bottles as they helped me up from the ground. I saw him peeking over the bar at me, his brown hair falling over his forehead and his green eyes filled with concern, his brows forming a frown as he leaned further.“I’m good, I’m good,” I said to the guys as I got back up.“Take a break, man.” Taylor clutched my shoulder and motioned for me to head out back for some fresh air. I nodded and did as he said, walking in a daze.I pushed open the back door and was met with a brisk burst of air that cooled all of the sweat on my face and body that accumulated while working and being surrounded by s
Rhett POVMy heart thumped the entire car ride to the bar with excitement to see Harrison again after a couple of months. Last time we saw each other was two months ago when he stopped by my apartment for video games and beers.I knew it would be busy since it was a Friday, but I had to see him; I had to get this off my chest and officially ask him to be my best man. Rebecca had been bothering me with the question for a while, and I had been too coward to ask him until now. I didn’t know how he would react to the news, and I feared the worst. I know Harrison and I know he wouldn’t bail on me, but I began to doubt myself and question everything as time went on.When I saw him at the bar doing his tricks with the bottles and drinks for his customers I couldn’t help but smile. Harrison was always the one to make others smile; I just went along with it because I wanted to be more like him; outgoing and confident. He was an admirable soul.I saw him wink at a couple of girls and could only
Rhett POVI pulled into the condo garage and parked my car before entering the unit that Rebecca lived in and I frequently spent my time in. I agreed with her father that we wouldn't move in together until after we’re married, so I spend as much time here as possible with her when I’m not at work, then go to my own apartment for the night.“Becky, I’m hooooome,” I hollered in my best Ricky Ricardo voice.“Hi, honey!” Rebecca came out from the kitchen with an apron that was covered in flour. She got on her tiptoes to give me a kiss and told me, “I’m just finishing up dinner.”Her long black hair twirled along with her yellow floral dress as she turned on her heel and returned to the kitchen. She was so tiny at 5’5” and walking around barefoot in the condo, one could mistake her for a toddler if they weren’t looking at her.“How was your day?” she hollered from around the corner.“Good,” I answered as I took off my suit jacket and draped it over a chair on my way to the kitchen. “I stop
Harrison POV*One year later*The front door to the bar opened and in came my favorite person; Rhett Langely, AKA my boyfriend. His arms flexed in his white tank and made him look yummy as he carried in a box of glasses for me. We were getting ready for the opening of my very own bar: Hype. After Rhett’s promotion with Hoshiko Enterprises, we moved in together and still had enough money to buy a building and turn it into my dream bar. Rebecca furnished it and made sure that the overall feel of the place was good with her mad skill of interior design. She said that the dark browns that were in The Lock Box didn’t suit my vibe, so she chose a lighter color palette for Hype; the tables were a blond wood, the seats were blue, the chandeliers were multicolored, and there were color-changing LED lights behind all the liquor on the back wall.Holly designed the posters and handled all social media and promotional advertising. She’s fully healed and back to her wild self after her hospital
Harrison POV What. The fuck. Just happened?! Rebecca said no at the altar! Holy fucking shit! My mind was all over the place and my jaw was on the floor, along with everyone else's as we watched her walk away and through the doors. I looked at Rhett to see how he was doing and noticed that he was smiling while he watched her retreating figure. What the fuck was happening right now?! He turned to me with an expectant smile, and I panicked. “Am I missing a cue or something? Holly didn’t tell me what to do if this happens at a wedding. What does the best man do in this scenario?” He grabbed my hands and pulled me to the altar with him. He answered, “You kiss the groom.” He cupped my face and pulled me into the most passionate, loving kiss I had ever felt, and I knew at this moment that Rhett was finally mine. All these years of friendship, bottled feelings, and buried emotions all let loose into this moment in front of all these people. Gasps could be heard throughout the room, bu
Rebecca POV It was the day after our bachelor/bachelorette parties, and I was nursing a slight hangover when my dad showed up at the condo. “What are you doing here, dad?” “I wanted to speak to you about something.”I invited him in, and we sat on opposite couches. I sat with my legs crossed and a blanket around my shoulders as I sipped on some tea to help my head. Dad leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees, tapping the tips of his fingers together as he mustered the courage to tell me whatever it was he came here to talk about. “Is something wrong, dad?”He took a deep breath and didn’t answer yes or no. “Something has come to my attention,” he started. “One of the employees of Hoshiko Enterprises that attended Rhett's bachelor party… live-streamed certain parts of it.”I chuckled. “It’s okay, dad. I told him he could have strippers there.”“It wasn’t the strippers that were troubling.” I remained silent and let him continue, “At one point, the men were doing body sho
Rhett POV I was practically in a daze as the other groomsmen came into my room and helped me get ready. I thought Harry would be here, and I wish I hadn’t scared him away. I just wanted another tender moment with him, but the look on his face was a look I hope to never see again. I had hurt him, treated him like a plaything, taking him at my convenience and never truly admitting what I was feeling to him. He deserved better than me. Far better.Milo didn't let me have another drink to calm myself down after I spilled the first one, so I was empty handed, sober, and overwhelmed with emotions as the other groomsmen talked amongst themselves.The groomsmen were lounging carelessly around the room, now and then they would share words of wisdom (from those married) and sexually explicit advice (from those single) for the honeymoon that nearly made me cringe. My parents stepped into the room just in time to stop one of the guys from going further into detail about the most difficult posit
Harrison POV I had to leave the room and let the other groomsmen help Rhett finish getting ready and into a new shirt. Ever since he asked me to be his best man I was imagining helping him with his cufflinks and smiling with him at the altar as we watched his bride walk down the aisle. Now, I’m not so sure.How dare he make a move on me like that! And doing it an hour before he’s supposed to get married! I just kept thinking of Rebecca and how heartbroken she would be if she found out anything about Rhett and me. I imagined her in her dressing room, standing in front of the mirror with a smile on her face as her bridesmaids fixed her veil around her shoulders and straightened her train. My eyes watered at the thought. I can’t stand the thought of her getting hurt, but what am I to do? I can’t go to her and tell her that her groom and I fucked at his bachelor party and that he made another move on me just minutes before they were supposed to say “I do.” I can’t do that to her, but I
Rhett POVI stood in front of the floor-length mirror with a drink in my hand and barely recognized myself. This was who my parents always wanted me to be, not who I truly am. They wanted me to be a successful, career-driven man with a doting woman on his arm. The person in the mirror looked about right to be that person. Honestly, I don’t know who I want to be, but it sure as hell isn’t this guy in the mirror. I sighed, and heard a voice behind me say, “That’s not a happy sigh.” I turned and smiled at Harrison, looking handsome in his suit. I was yet to put on my jacket and was just in my white button-down and suit pants. We had time before the wedding started.“Nervous?”I nodded my head without a word. “Don’t be. Today will go perfectly. Everything looks beautiful and is set to perfection. What your feeling is just the wedding jitters; everyone gets them.”He came into the room and sat on the couch after unbuttoning his suit jacket. I admired him through the mirror.“Harry… do y
Harrison POVAfter my moment of awful reflection and wondering what life would be like without Rhett, I woke up feeling renewed and ready to watch Rhett begin his life with someone new. I know our friendship is strong enough now that nothing could break our bond, and I was finding it easier to push my feelings to the side. If Rhett could be happy with someone else, then so can I, and I’m excited to find that person.I got ready in my suit and headed over to the venue hours before the wedding was supposed to begin. I’ve never been to a wedding before, but I’ve watched enough movies to know that the bridal party was supposed to show up and be supportive and enthusiastic for the bride and groom as they got ready, so I got ready to hype him up.Valet parked my car and I didn’t hesitate to give them my keys this time. I walked in and immediately went to check out the room where the wedding was set to be. Rebecca had told me how the venue would look and showed me the room it was set to be
Harrison POV I’ve questioned once or twice what would have happened if I never had that summer in the lake house with Rhett. I questioned myself: how long would it have taken for me to discover my sexuality? I always knew I was attracted to boys, but would I wait until college to finally date one? *My parents split ways when my sister and I were seventeen years old and still yet to graduate from high school. Dad left, so mom took care of us for the rest of the year until we were officially adults and could handle ourselves. My best friend and I continued our senior year of high school as the Hype Boys as usual, pumping up people before sporting events and making people smile as we always have. There were whispers since I was considered to be good-looking but never had a girlfriend, but I brushed the comments aside throughout the rest of the year. Rhett and I went to different colleges; his parents paid for him to attend a university while I went to a community college in town, on
Rebecca POV The night before my wedding, I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling, letting my friend’s comments from my bachelorette party run around in my mind. It just seemed like everyone my age was settling down and starting families, and that day that I saw Rhett I had been wondering if I would ever have that. Maybe I thought the stars were aligning and the universe was telling me yes, it will happen, and here’s who it should happen with, but what if I’m wrong? What if I hadn’t come back and introduced myself to Rhett that next day?*I was passing out the yummy treats that I had made the day before at the office. The floor I'm on right now is where one of my best friends, Alaina, works, and I always love our little catch-ups. The basket I was holding began to slip out of my hold and was too big for me to catch one-handed, and ended up falling to the floor. “Oh, no!” I got down on the floor and began picking up what had fallen out. A set of large hands came into sight and h