Page 214 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

He came to God first. “Congratulations to your family,” he said.

God offered his hand. “Thanks for coming. It meant a lot to Curtis.”

Meridian shook it. “The invitation was unexpected.”

“Everything about Curtis is unexpected.”

Steele stepped up beside God, and Meridian’s attention shifted to him. “Enjoy your family this weekend. Report in on Monday.”

Steele gave him a stiff nod.

Scar clapped Steele on the shoulder. “Don’t get too drunk. Training is a bitch when you’re hungover…trust me.”

The Ravens left the way they had arrived.

In silence and mystery.

By the time the band switched from jazz to upbeat classics and newer hits, the dance floor filled fast.

Bull danced with Fox and moved better than a man his size had any right to. Hart pulled Free into his arms and let Free laugh against his neck. Ro and Johnson swayed through one song after another while everyone chanted “Sasha” until Ro flipped off half the tent.

Amelia ended up on the dance floor too, swaying as Walker guided her through a slow turn with a strong hand at her waist and the other holding hers as if it were something precious.

Walker leaned close, said something that made her blush, and God watched her swat his shoulder before letting him pull her right back in.

Xander couldn’t go two minutes without someone approaching him for an autograph or selfie. He handled it with grace, smiling, signing wedding favors, posing with moms, ranch hands, the pastor, and all of Curtis’s kids.

Curtis jumped into almost every one of his photos as if he’d invented the term photo-bomb.

“Take another one,” Curtis told the photographer, wrapping both arms around Xander’s waist.

Cassidy stood a few feet away, watching with an amused grin. It’d taken a few hours, but he’d eventually relaxed when he realized no one there was going to harm the man he loved.

After Rid had consumed a bit more liquid courage, he approached Xander again with way more swagger.

“You’re welcome to come back anytime for those lessons.”

Xander perked up. “I’d love that.”

Dale’s head dropped back. “Jesus Christ.”

Curtis and Gen left shortly after midnight to a shower of sparklers and drunken cheering.

They had an international flight in the morning for an all-expenses-paid weeklong honeymoon in Aruba as a gift from Xander and Cassidy.

Once Curtis and Gen were gone and all the kids had been collected by their parents and driven away sleepy, sugared, and covered in ranch dust, the night shifted into something looser and far less formal.

They moved outside under the stars, the air warm and clear, the lights still glowing across the property.

Chairs were gathered into messy circles. Boots propped on coolers. Jackets off. Ties loosened.

And the stories started.

Bad ones. Outlandish ones.

Hart told stories about Fox from his SWAT days that had the ranch hands staring in disbelief.

Day, Ruxs, and Green added their own, trying to top each one SWAT threw out.