Free Wet Part 3 by S. Jackson Rivera

her head against Paul’s shoulder to let him know how he’d touched her heart.
    The stone structure wasn’t as tall as some in the area, but the ancient inhabitants had built it on a high cliff overlooking the ocean. The breathtaking view seemed the perfect setting for the two of them to start their new life together. The wide, flat platform at the top accommodated the guests, giving everyone enough room to stand during the short and to the point ceremony. Not quite as quick as a Justice of the Peace, but again, a perfect compromise.
    Regina, the official photographer, in spite of the short ceremony, somehow managed to get over a hundred shots before Paul protectively led Rhees down the steps again, their guests right behind.
    Outside the walls of the ancient city, the locals had set up the plaza to accommodate a dinner and reception with a band and a dance floor. People from other buses wandered the fringes, spying on the festivities, while the bride and groom, and guests, ran through the customary wedding traditions, the toasting, the roasting—Taylor really let Paul have it.
    Paul and Rhees cut the cake and danced their first dance as a married couple to their song, “Everything”, by Lifehouse. The fabric of Rhees’ dress spread out when Paul twirled her, and she felt like Cinderella, dancing with her prince. Paul somehow, on purpose, had lost his shoes at some point, and Rhees almost drooled at how sexy he looked wearing a suit, barefoot.
    oOo
    Once the obligatory ceremonial rituals were over, the bar opened up and the real party began. Paul slipped away while the male guests kept Rhees busy by dancing with the bride. When Paul returned, he grabbed Taylor and pulled him aside.
    “Will you and the guys keep an eye on things at the party? I’m sneaking Rhees out of here on another bus. It’s leaving in a few minutes. Our—your bus won’t leave for another two hours.”
    “What’s the hurry?” Taylor asked. “It’s not like you haven’t been there, done that . You’ll be there, doing that the rest of your life. Stay and enjoy your party.” He waited for Paul’s reaction.
    Paul didn’t give him one.
    “You haven’t, have you?” Taylor shook his head, as if disappointed in his friend. “I can’t believe she won the prize by holding out on you—and you fell for it. Pussy.”
    Paul exhaled. “It isn’t like that.”
    “Oh, really?” Taylor laughed. “Tell me what it’s like then, sucker.”
    “You saw the way she reacted when you tried to hug her in Costa Rica. She’s not holding out to win any prize—I’m no prize, it’s just—”
    “No one’s that fucking special. Jesus Christ! You fucking married her. I know you and your promises, but you’re stuck with her now. I hope she’s good, because she’s all you’ll ever get from here on out.”
    “I love her, Taye. I love her.”
    “I know.” A forced grin twisted Taylor’s mouth. “I’m just messing with you, Bro. I don’t understand it, but even I can see she makes you happy.” Taylor looked off for a second, contemplating something with a sad, thoughtful look on his face.
    “And after your mad, mad years of living crazily with that dangerous, fucking bitch, Ginger, I like seeing you happy and at peace, finally.”
    “I wasn’t in my right mind.” 
    “No kidding. But are you sure being with Rhees isn’t swinging the pendulum a little too far the other way?”
    Paul looked up at the evening sky with a huge, contented smile on his face.
    “I’m sure,” Paul said. “I’m probably about as close to where I should be as I’m ever going to get.”
    They gave each other a man-hug, bumping chests with their fisted hands between them to make sure they didn’t accidentally have any intimate contact, and slapping each other’s backs with their other hands. David and Bryce showed up just in time to join their pow-wow with more banter, fist bumps, and arm slugs as they said their good-byes, until the next time they got