Nuptials
James sat in the changing booth in a slightly too-small, last-season tuxedo. He took a sip of expensive bourbon from a silver flask he kept in his coat pocket. His brakes had slipped when he pulled into the parking space and, even though he’d just lightly tapped the building, he was still shaking. With the wedding just a few hours away, James knew he had to get hold of himself.
James had only spent a few hours with Jenn’s family and, so far, things were not going well. It started when he refused to sign the prenup that their lawyer shoved in his face after dinner. Her father, Warren, laughed it off, but there were dark glares and silence otherwise. Jenn clenched and unclenched her fists.
James didn’t know or much care where Jenn’s nouveau riche family got their money. There were rumors of mob dealings and union busting and all of that but, as far as he could tell, Jenn’s dad was just a good old boy ambulance chaser, making millions off the imaginary and/or carefully coached pain and suffering of minor accident victims. James respected the work ethic.
Even now, he could hear Jenn’s brothers in the hall, grumbling over how much the whole thing cost. James smiled. What did they expect?
James heard Randal’s booming voice. “Hey, new bro in-law. Time to come out and face the music, big man.”
James stepped up to the full-length mirror. “Looks good,” Randal said, patting him warmly on the back. “A little tight around the neck, but that’s okay.”
As James dropped his credit card on the counter to cover the tux rental, he heard the blinds close and the door lock. When he turned, Jenn was standing with the men. Randal shook his head and spoke quietly.
“We know you cheated on her. She told us. Hell, I saw the video. Not cool man. Not cool. You made us all look like fools, and you have to know we just can’t have that.”
Randal moved quickly, pinning James against the wall. James’s stomach clenched at the click of switchblades opening. Jenn leaned in and whispered into his ear.
“This evening might not go the way you expected.”