| NYC |
BREWERY BUZZ
The four of us are sitting at a high-top in some hipster-esque brewery in Brooklyn. Trix found it online somewhere. It's an old converted warehouse with exposed brick and corn-hole games out front, complete with $14 ciders. If bars could wear a beanie and play hacky sack, this one would.
Painfully overplayed trendy songs are on repeat on the radio. Seriously smells like someone lit a millennial-scented candle in here. It's lofty and I'm glad I wore my heavy sweater. Also glad this place has hot $14 ciders. Brooklyn in January ain't kind.
We've spent an hour drinking and reviewing deets on the wedding. I didn't realize how out of the loop I was. Sure, Trix and I have texted and called and video chatted, but it's not the same. Living on the West Coast –well, I've missed a lot.
I guess that's what happens when you run away from your problems, your friends, parts of yourself. But that's the past now. Old news no one cares about. Especially me.
I'm in the mix now. Knee-deep in wedding planning like a true MOH. We've recapped everything. Here's what I know:
The wedding is April 30th. A Friday. Just over 3 months away.
It's going to be in Florida at Travis's parents' house. Yes, it's on the beach. Palm beach, I think. It's a Mediterranean style mansion right on the water. Think gorgeous Grecian palace and you're probably not far off. Colors are gold and rusty coral, Trix's favorite shade of coral. I'm maid of honor. Nate is best man. Meg and Alex and Brooks are all in the wedding party. Plus one or two cousins.
Everyone in the party is getting together for the weekend in the Poconos. I'm now invited. Perks of being a big girl and playing well with others.
Perks of getting back together with Brooks.
Perks of five shots of tequila, truth be told.
Trix's dress is actually unbelievable. Forget the Grecian palace and think goddess instead. I'm staring at it on Trix's phone, in a secret photo folder, sitting across from Brooks and Travis at the high-top.
"It's so gorgeous. I'm dead," I laugh, smirking at Trix. "Like, definitely dead."
"Stop talking about it, if we can't see," Travis says, rolling his eyes at us.
"Patience is rewarded," Trix says, giggling. She tucks her phone back in her bag.
"So, tell us more about this cabin weekend. Well, tell me more. I'm new to this." I smirk.
"Forget the cabin. What about the good stuff?" Brooks asks.
"The good stuff?" Travis asks, raising his eyebrow.
"What's the deal with the bachelor party? Some joint cross-over shit Nate said." Brooks asks, clapping Travis on the shoulder.
"Joint cross-over shit? Sounds nice." I laugh.
"It's joint and call it a cross-over, but not shit," Trix scolds, taking a sip from her cider.
"Hey, not my words." Brooks feigns innocence. "All Nate."
"So bachelor and bachelorette party together? Sounds very you guys. You didn't tell me anything about it." I say.
It's the truth. I can't imagine Trix and Travis having any type of party not together. Not because they can't be apart or because they don't trust each other. Just because they're that in love. I know. Gross. They both love partying and just love it more when they do it together.
"Don't tell me! Or us! You talk to Nate and plan it together. When and where and we will just show up." Trix says. Travis nods along.
"So it's a surprise? The whole thing?" I ask.
"These two don't want to know anything," Brooks says. "We have free reign."
"Seems dangerous," I grin.
"It does," Brooks laughs. "It is."
"Just nothing illegal," Trix says, rolling her eyes. "Don't want to start off married life as outlaws."
"Course not." Travis laughs.
"Come on, dude. Like I'd plan something illegal." Brooks rolls his eyes.
"I wouldn't put it past you," Trix teases.
"Don't worry. I won't let them." I laugh.
I tear off a piece of the Belgian soft pretzel sitting on the plate in front of us. I watch Brooks run his fingers through his hair and I catch his eye. I can tell he's planning something –up to something. Likely not illegal, per Trix's request, but likely something epic. If I know Brooks at all, if I know Nate and Travis and Trix at all, well it will definitely be epic.
I blink and behind my eyes I see a quiet château nestled in the mountains. I can feel the brisk air on the balcony and taste the speakeasy champagne. My ears fill with the countdown. The roar of the 20s. Emotions swell. I remember Valentine's Day and the L word. Then I'm in Miami and my world falls apart. I see Trevor's face. I can feel how drunk I am at Tenfire. The last six months once again feel like the heavy weights they were.
I push it back. Swallow it down. The blink is over and my eyes are open again. Brooks is in his flannel across from me at a hipster brewery in Brooklyn. Everything is as it should be.
I'm $42 deep, invested in my ciders and nothing can take my warm and fuzzy buzz away. I'm two weekends out from a romantic albeit less-fancy version of last New Year's getaway. Then only weeks, maybe a month, out from a joint cross-over shit fest of a bachelor/bachelorette party, which all but assures me a solid vacation with Brooks. Spending days drunk in love or at the very least drunk in lust.
"OK, so. Back to the trip," Trix sings in her light voice, rosy cheeked. I know she's feeling the ciders too. She flips her red curls over her shoulder and claps her hands together.
"Down to business," Travis says, pretending to get serious.
"Yea, what's the plan? Who all is coming again?" I ask, leaning my head onto Trix's shoulder.
I play with pretzel #4 that our GEN Z waiter just dropped at our table. Spicy mustard is heaven.
"So it'll be us four. Meg, Nate, Alex, and Whit. Travis's cousin Jack and his girlfriend Cam. His other cousin Vin. They're both in the wedding. And Johnny and Sara." Trix finishes reciting the guest list.
"Nice crowd." I nod.
"Oh and Brody and Lauren!" Trix squeals, clapping her hands.
"Why'd you rope them in?" I ask, looking at Brooks.
"Brody's been wanting to use the cabin," Brooks says, shrugging. "Figured it could be fun for them. Before they turn into an old married couple too."
"Oh my god! I almost forget he's engaged too!" I laugh. I remember seeing their engagement pic.
"So there're 15 of us going. Gonna be tight, but there are tons of rooms and some couches. So first come first serve." Travis takes a swig of his beer.
"We'll be sure to get there first," Brooks says, laughing. Fuck do I love when his eyes crinkle in the corners from laughing.
"We can drive up together. Bit of a hike from Cape May," Trix says.
"Shit!" I almost yell.
"What is it?" Trix asks.
"What's wrong?" Brooks echoes.
"I'll be in Seattle. I mean, my flight back is before then. I'll need to figure shit out," I say. I drain my mug of the dribble of cider that's left.
"Y'all need to figure a lot out, I'm guessing," Travis mumbles, cracking a grin.
"Eh," Brooks says, looking at me. I shrug back.
"We'll prob do the responsible thing. You know, put it off as long as we can," I say, grinning.
"Dance around the important stuff. Wait 'til it blows up. Our trademark." Brooks laughs.
"At least it's funny now," Trix sings, almost like it's a question.
"Hilarious," I joke.
We all laugh and I grab at the stitch in my side. Man I missed this. The laughing, but also being a normal person again.