Simply Red

Brody’s Perspective

It was Saturday morning and Grammaw’s old house was buzzin’ with crazy. Me and Maxwell were in our room and our friends were in the guest rooms, we were all gettin’ ready for Dylan and Gina’s wedding. For the second time this year we were the best men at a wedding. I was standin’ up for my big brother and Maxwell was standin’ up for Gina… hell if it weren’t for him those two woulda’ never even met.

We had our first BroMax Farm board meeting and it turned out to be a great experience. We all walked away with a lot to think about, especially Maxwell. “Brody, what do you think about the idea of me quitting teaching, and running the candle business fulltime?” He asked me.

“Is that what you wanna do?” I said as Maxwell straightened my bowtie.

“I… I... I guess. I don’t really know” he said stumbling for an answer. “The business is taking off, but I guess I still look at it as a side hustle.”

“Well, based on the numbers and the ideas flyin’ around the barn yesterday, it sounds like we got a legit business on our hands” I said.

“But I love teaching… I love the candle business too” Maxwell whined.

“Waaahhhhh” I said mockin’ him, “I’m Max, I got TWO jobs I loooooove so much, poor frickin’ me.” Max playfully hit me on the chest. I kissed him and then said, “And I’m too hot, have too many muscles, and the best gotdamn husband in the world. Man, yer problems suck.”

He kissed me back “shut the fuck up already. I get it.”

“Hey Maxwell, you aint gotta make any decisions right now. Just think about what you wanna do. I mean, you got a full semester left in the school year, see how it plays out.” I was tryin’ to take the pressure off him. “Hell, if you love teachin’ keep teachin’, if you’d rather make candles, do it. If you wanna do both, then let’s figure out what that looks like. We’ve been puttin’ yer paycheck in the bank since you started teachin’, and I gotta great income. You can do whatever makes ya’ happy.” I got another kiss for that, damn that boy could kiss. You know what they say about redheads… pure fire!

“You’re right, they just really got me thinking yesterday. If the business is going to grow, I’m going to have to take it on fulltime sooner or later” he said with a have smile/half frown on his face.

“Well, not necessarily. I mean y’all could hire a manager or somethin’” I offered up.

“Hmm, I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Well, there’s more n’ one way to skin a rabbit.” He laughed when I said that. I got one more kiss before he dropped the subject. He was standing behind me and we were in front of the full-length mirror, “Gotdammit we look good” I said, and we did… we looked damn good. “Hey Eric, didn’t text me yesterday or today. Ya think I should be worried?” Eric was about five months sober and he texted me every single morning to tell he was still sober; he was really turnin’ his life around and I was damn proud of him. But I hadn’t heard from him in two days… that was a first.

“Well, they were on a plane flying out here yesterday morning, and he’s probably busy getting ready for the wedding and just forgot today” Maxwell said trying to ease my mind.

I decided to text him. His texts always said, “I’m still sober 🙂” and my response was always, “I’m still proud of you 🥲” it became a thing between us and I was a little worried that maybe he fell off the wagon, but I also figured Hunter woulda’ called me if he did. But to be safe, I texted “Still sober?” he immediately responded, “🙂” I wrote back “That don’t answer my question” there was nothin’ for a few minutes, then little bubbles that showed he was writin’ then nothin’ again. Finally, “I’m still sober 🙂” that was a huge relief, and I responded ““I’m still proud of you 🥲, see ya in a coupla’ hours.” That got me a smiley face reply.

By the time I was done texting and turned to tell Maxwell that I finally heard from Eric, he had made his way down the hallway and was poundin’ on doors and yellin’ “The limo is on its way, let’s roll!” Since we lived in the middle of East Bumba Fuck (according to Cam), we decided to rent a limo to and from so we didn’t have to worry about driving home. We all met in the living room dressed in our finest. Dayum, our friends all cleaned up nice.

“Has anyone heard from Eric or Teddy?” Seth asked.

“Yeah, Eric just texted me, I told him we’d see ‘em in a coupla hours.” I responded.

“Still no word from Teddy?” Seth asked again and everyone just shook their heads. We locked up the house and walked down the long, gravel driveway to meet the limo at the street. I wasn’t gonna make the guy drive his clean car up the gravel drive and get it all dusty before we ever even made it to the church. We were standing on the side of the country road looking damn fine in our suits and tuxes when the big black limo pulled up. The chauffer stepped out, greeted us, and opened the door.

“Burton” I yelled recognizing the driver from high school.

“Brody!” I saw the last name James on the order and thought it might be you. We were just passing acquaintances, but it was like seeing an old friend. We talked for a quick minute and caught up on the decade that had passed since high school. He owned the limo company, he said he had seven cars and all of ‘em were booked for the day. He was short drivers so took the gig himself today. When I told him we were going to Dylan’s wedding he laughed, “somebody finally leashed that old hound huh?” Dylan had a rep for datin’ anything that moved. Gina had definitely tamed him.

Elliot’s eyes grew wide like a little kid at Christmas as crawled into the big luxury stretch. “This is so weird, we’re like in the middle of nowhere in a limo” he almost giggled. “The only other time I was ever in one of these things was for your wedding” he said looking over to the other bench seat where Zach and Seth sat. Then he started playin’ with the radio and pushing the buttons. Zach seemed at home in the big car, while the rest of us just enjoyed ridin’ in style. We kept the partition down and Burton joined in on the banter as he drove us to the little church downtown.

Max was gettin’ text after text from Gina, “Ugh, she’s losing it” he said. “She thinks she looks fat and pregnant, and wants to know where the fuck I am.” He said lookin’ down at his phone. We reached our destination and Max jumped out the door as soon as Burton opened it. He was off lookin’ for Gina to carry out his duties as best guy/best friend. BA met him at the steps of the church and quickly ushered him to the green room to conquer Bridezilla… Seth followed behind. The rest of us went into the church where Dylan was already waiting for us and lookin’ damn good in his tux... damn, it was hard to believe that he was marryin’ Gina. I loved my brother, but c’mon. Gina was way outta his league… but he won her over. Well, I guess it’s not that unbelievable… he was a damn good man.

“Damn, big brother. You look good.” I said to Dylan.

He looked at me and my friends and replied, “Y’all hose down pretty nice too.”  Our group was all in the wedding and we were the first to show. Dylan and Gina had asked Seth and Zach to do readin’s, and Cam and Elliot to be ushers. We were there just about a half hour before the other guests started to show. Cam and Elliot went off to greet them just as Seth came out of the green room in the back of the church where Gina was getting ready for her walk down the aisle. “How’s Bridezilla doin’?” Dylan asked.

“She’s fine” Seth said. “She’s hormonal as hell, but we talked her off the ledge.” Dylan just grinned at that, he knew his fiancé well and thought the hormonal mood swings she’d been havin’ during her pregnancy were “cute as a damn button.”

Things were under control behind the altar, so I decided to join Cam and Elliot in the back of the church and greet the other guests. Damn, there were people there that I hadn’t seen in a crow’s age. Old friends, neighbors and coworkers of Daddy’s, relatives of BA, cousins from my momma’s side, even Dylan’s friends from high school… so many familiar faces. I was on the lookout for my momma, Patty James. Rumor had it she went back to Tampa with her tail between her legs months ago, but you never knew for sure with that woman. Dylan and I had discussed it beforehand she was welcome at the ceremony, but there was no way in hell we were going to let her on the boat… dear lord, trapped for several hours with Patty James out on a boat in the middle of the ocean with no escape.?! No. Frickin’. Way. In. HAIL! Therefore, we were all on high alert. There was no sign of her.

All our friends had arrived, including Eric and Hunter, and Teddy and Emma. I was standing next to Dylan when Teddy entered, “so Gina decided to invite Teddy afterall?” I said to Dylan as our four friends approached.

“Nope. I did” Dylan said as he stood next to me and looked forward. “She couldn’t make up her damn mind, so I mailed the invite for her. He’s a friend and I aint threatened by him. He should be here.”

“Damn, yer ballsy” I said with a snicker. “Was she pissed?”

“Nah, she knew it was the right move… I’m glad he came” Dylan said just as the four of them came up the steps to greet us.

“Congratulations, Dylan” Teddy said as he and my brother shook hands.

“Damn you look good!” I said to Eric. He was silent as he pulled me into an embrace, he really did look good. I hadn’t seen him since he got his 30 day chip and he looked… I dunno… radiatn, like he was glowin’. The two times we saw each other before then were Seth and Zach’s wedding, and New Year’s Eve in Vegas… neither encounter was a good one.

“Thanks” he said quietly, “and look at you… new hairdo?” I just smiled and nodded. Then Hunter pulled me into a big hug.

“Thanks, Brody” he whispered in my ear. I knew what he meant.

“How’s he doin’?” I whispered back so only Hunter could hear. He responded by tellin’ me we’d talk later. After that, things were a blur of handshakes and hellos as the crowd entered the church to be seated by Elliot and Cam. The tiny church was full… old friends and relatives on one side of the aisle, our college friends, Gina’s coworkers, and her relatives on the other. There were cream colored flowers on the altar, and matching bows on the ends of each pew. Dylan took his place on the altar with me standing behind him as the organist started playing a processional hymn. Maxwell walked down the aisle. He looked hot as hell, but I couldn’t help but snicker a little. Other than the bride he was the only one making the march… I thought it looked kinda’ stupid, but Gina said it was tradition for the matron of honor to make the walk… even if she was a he, I guess. Once Max joined us on the altar the organist shifted into Here Comes The Bride. Gina stood in the back of the church in a beautiful off-white antique-style wedding gown. She looked flipping radiant (not fat or pregnant at all like she feared), she refused to wear white because she said it felt hypocritical… but she was good with off-white. Dylan was trembling with the most gigantic smile on his handsome face as he watched her ascend the aisle. Dylan landed the girl of his dreams… he did good.

The wedding was beautiful, the most memorable moment for me was when Dylan struggled to stiffly read his vows from a bunch of note cards he wrote up, then tossed them in the air and said, “Damn girl, I’m gonna’ love you forever, treat you better n’ anyone else ever could, and make sure you never regret marryin’ this redneck.” I knew my brother well… and he loved that girl more n’ life itself.

After the wedding I stood with Gina and Dylan on the steps of the church shakin’ hands and greetin’ people with Maxwell at my side (I hate shit like that, but I loved seein’ my brother happy). It was only a few blocks to the dock, so we all walked there and boarded the boat for the reception. There was a little nip in the air, but all in all it was a beautiful night to be on the water. There was a cocktail hour before dinner was served and I bellied up to the bar. Eric was next to me and ordered two club sodas for him and Hunter. “Make it three” I said to the bartender. Then the three of us went up to the big deck on top and looked over the rail as the boat left the dock and took us out to sea. “So, how you doin’?” I asked Eric.

He was slow to answer “Good” is all he said.

“Ya’ know I was happy to get your text this mornin’, ya’ scared me when you didn’t text me for two days” I said looking him in the eyes. He looked over to Hunter who was standing on the other side of him. Hunter just shrugged his shoulders.

Eric took a deep breath, then exhaled and said, “I didn’t text you because I almost fucked up.” Hunter just watched as his boyfriend confessed. “When Hunter was asleep on the flight, I ordered a couple of drinks.”

“Aw Eric” I said in a disappointed tone. He had worked so damn hard and had been sober for like five months.

“I didn’t drink em’” he said as soon as he heard my tone. “I stashed the little bottles away for later… this is the first time in a long time I’m seeing everyone when I’m sober, and I was scared. Damn scared.”

“But you didn’t drink the booze?” I said trying to clarify what he was telling me.

“Nope. I came clean to Hunter about it at the hotel, dumped the bottles down the toilet, and then found a meeting” he said looking embarrassed.

I smacked him on the back “you are one strong mutherfucker” I said. “I didn’t even think about this being the first time yer sober and seein’ us all in a while. I am so damn proud of you.”

“Me too” Hunter chimed in. “Brody, he has been so damn strong. Yeah, he almost fell off the wagon… but he didn’t.” he was singing Eric’s praises, it was obvious Hunter loved and supported him.

Eric had a weak smile on his face. I smacked him on the back again and said “you should be smilin’ proud you sonofabitch. You did GOOD!” Then… then he smiled. We talked until it was time to head back down to the main dining room for dinner. I took my place next to Dylan, and Maxwell sat three seats away on the other side of Gina. Everyone was having a good time and the boat was loud. I clanked my spoon against my glass to get everyone’s attention. “Hey y’all, can I have your attention?” I said loudly, but everyone kept talkin’ and eatin’ like I wasn’t there.

“Hey!” Dylan yelled, and the crowd went silent. As always, my big brother had my back.

“Hey Y’all” I said. “Dylan and Gina asked me to make a toast… I hate social stuff like that, but hell, I’d do anything for them” the crowd laughed quietly. I was really uncomfortable being the center of attention so I decided to keep it short. “Here’s to my big brother Dylan and my Sister in-law Gina may they have a lifetime of happiness.” It wasn’t much, they deserved a bigger tribute, but the words were from my heart.

Max was up next. “I met Gina my freshman year in college. She was strong, confident… a force. Then I met Dylan when I came to North Carolina for the first time almost four years ago for his Grammaw’s funeral” then he held a glass up in Grammaw’s memory and everyone toasted her (Daddy had a proud smile on his face). “He was outgoing, funny, and kind… a force all his own. I got a job as a teacher and moved here about a year and a half ago to be with my husband Brody, you just heard from him. My friend Gina had secured a teaching a job in Milwaukee that fell through at last minute. Some would call that bad luck, I call it fate. Gina got a job at my school and moved out here” Max paused and turned to the happy couple. “When Dylan met her, it was clear that it was love at first sight. He volunteered to show her around, helped her find and apartment, and even moved her in.” Max moved his gaze to Dylan and said “I love ya’ like a brother, but subtlety is not one of your strengths” getting him a laugh from the crowd. Then he spotted BA at a table in front of us and locked eyes with her. “When my mother in-law met her, she took me aside and told me “You need to snag that one for Dylan.”

Before the audience could laugh, BA yelled out “damn right I did and yer lucky you came through, Red” getting and even bigger laugh.

“Well, here we are a year and a half later celebrating two of my favorite people as they start their lives together” Max said holding up his glass. “To Dylan and Gina. May your new home and life together be filled with love and happiness. Cheers.” Everyone drank a toast, then someone started to clink their spoon against their glass and the newlyweds kissed.

The rest of the night we all celebrated on the water as we cruised the Atlantic and looked out over the shoreline. Max and I grabbed a romantic moment out by the rail on one of the decks. “That was a nice speech” I said. “Thanks for pickin’ up my slack” I added before I gave him a peck on the lips.

“You weren’t slacking” Max said, he was feelin’ his buzz and his words were a little slurred. “You, Brody James, are a man of few words. But they were the right words and they were from your heart.” He put his arms around my neck and pulled me into a kiss, this weren’t no little peck, it was a big, sloppy, passionate kiss. Hell, we were making out right there on the deck. He moved his hands down to my bubble butt and squeezed.

“Maxwell, there’s like a hundred and fifty people on this boat” I said trying to discourage him. He just moved one of his hands around to the front and grabbed my crotch. “Save it for home, Romeo” I said pulling away from him.

“This aint over” he slurred with that devilish grin that attracted me to him in the first place. When Maxwell got drunk, Maxwell got horny and he wouldn’t take no for an answer, we’d definitely be having sex when we got home. We turned and went back into the main dining room to join the celebration again.

Ricky and his “girlfriend” were sitting next to Mrs. J at a table full of teachers. They were a cute couple. I’d really grown to like that kid. When we first met, I thought he was just another redneck punk, but he turned out to be a kind, smart, ambitious guy who came through for Maxwell on a regular basis. After the teachers table we stopped and hung out with my cousins for a bit, then we sat down with our college friends… Harris, Terrance, Tommy, and Darius were sitting with them too. Eric seemed to be comfortable among his friends again, he was learnin’ that his past indiscretions didn’t matter to us… but he did. I also noticed that everyone around him was drinkin’, but it didn’t seem to bother him. We were all having a great time when BA approached the table. “Well, hell. Nobody told me this was a gay cruise.” She said making everyone laugh, then she grabbed Zach’s hand and pulled him onto the dancefloor, “Come on Biscuit, we’re dancin’.’” They were only out there a coupla’ minutes before the rest of our gang joined them. We all danced until the boat pulled back into the dock.

The happy couple said goodbye to each of their guest as they disembarked, they were both happy as a coupla’ starvin’ squirrels that found an acorn. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun night. Burton was waiting for us with the limo just steps away from the pier, the door was open and the six of us piled in. Burton headed back to our place, keeping the partition open again and joining in the conversation as we talked about the wedding. My drunk, horny husband was subtly feeling me up the entire trip. His hand was on my crotch as the limo moved us towards home. No one seemed to notice but me… and dayum did I notice. I was hard as a rock and extremely thankful that the zipper on my rental tux didn’t break… I was ready to burst out. We FINALLY pulled into the gravel driveway; Burton insisted on driving us all the way to the door. We all exited the big, beautiful car and each couple tipped him generously. We said our goodnights, then he drove off and the six of us made our way into the house. We were all wiped out and everyone headed straight up to bed.

 I had to deal with Zoey before I headed up to bed. When we got upstairs, Zoey scratched on Zach and Seth’s door, Zach opened it and let him in… he was rewarded with a face full of Zoey kisses. I said goodnight and went to our room, the door was shut. When I opened the door, there was Maxwell. Leanin’ against the headboard, nekkid as the day he was born with only a homemade candle to light the room. “Hey baby, I’ve been waiting for you” slurred my redheaded muscle husband.

 “I see drunk Maxwell is still rarin’ to go” I said with a smile as I stripped out of my rented tux and walked towards the bed.

 “Wait, wait, wait” he slurred with an evil grin, “put the bowtie back on.” I laughed as I scrounged around the floor to find my tie then did my damnedest to be sensual as I put it back on… I failed miserably and Maxwell laughed at my awkwardness. I finally fell onto the bed next to him wearin’ nothin’ but my bowtie. “Goddammit, you’re a sexy little fuck” he growled at me as he rolled on top of me and straddled me.

 One thing about drunk Maxwell is that he was horny and aggressive in the bedroom… and that’s where we were. I was lyin’ flat on my back with Maxwell straddling my hips and our bare cocks touching. His heavy balls were warm as they rubbed against mine. He moved back and forth rubbin’ his junk against mine as he leaned in to kiss me. Gotdammit, he knew how to push my buttons, I was hard as a rock. “You’re gonna fuck me tonight you sexy little man” he whispered with his lips almost touching mine.

 “Oh, I am, am I?” I asked with a grin.

“Hell yeah, ya’ll” he said with a mock accent that made me snicker as he reached into the nightstand to pull out the lube. He squeezed some into his hand then reached back and stroked my cock with the cold gel. The sensation of the cold on my hard, hot throbbin’ rocket felt friggin’ amazin’!

“Damn Maxwell, that feels so good” I whimpered then he leaned down and shoved his tongue in my mouth. He had me so hot and worked up that I didn’t even realize that he had sat on my cock and was working it into his hot, tight ass. My eyes popped opened when I realized and all I could see was his beautiful face. His eyes were closed tight and a few strands of his red hair flopped on his forehead as he lowered himself, taking me inch by hard inch into him. When I was all the way in, he put his hands on my chest and pushed himself back so he was sittin’ upright. I looked up at him, dayum, he was one of the most beautiful specimens I’d ever seen. His head was thrown back and every muscle on his body seemed to pop out and flex with perfection. That gotdamn red mane on his head was his crownin’ glory.

He slowly moved his body up and down on my hardness, he moaned quietly at first. But, like drunk Maxwell always did… he got more aggressive. His moans became louder as he bounced up and down on my shaft givin’ the old bedsprings a workout. I kinda forgot we had a houseful of friends. Well, that was until I heard ‘Bam, bam, bam’ against the wall and Cam’s voice yell out “Hey, keep it down in there.” Then I heard Elliot snicker.

“Max and Brody goin’ it at...” Zach yelled down the hall. “De ja vu! Night two of being back in the duplex.”

Max smiled and let out a little snicker as he continued to ride, then his face went back to one of pure, orgasmic pleasure as he bounced up and down on me and stroked his own beautiful manhood. “Fuck, Brody. Fuck” he said as he bounced harder and stroked faster. “Fuck!” he yelled, eliciting cheers from our friends down the hall as he shot his load. The first spurt went right up my nose as the next several spurts found a restin’ place on my chest and abs.

So much for bein’ quiet and not wakin’ the house. Well, when in Rome… I didn’t even try to hold back “Fuck, I’m cummin’” I yelled in a breathy growl as I shot my load up his tight, muscular ass. Max stopped bouncin’ and his strong body collapsed onto mine just as our friends down the hallway started to cheer and clap. Zoey joined in barkin’ like a mad dog.

Sober Maxwell woulda’ turned bright red, but Drunk Maxwell just yelled back “You bitches are just jealous because I got the hottest man!” what a dork… damn I loved him. He rolled off me and we fell asleep with me spoonin’ him. The next mornin’, I got up and Maxwell was still sleepin’ it off. I jumped in the shower, then went down to make coffee. It was almost 8AM and everyone was still in bed. I let Jimmy outta the barn, but Zoey was still hagnin’ with his new pal Zach so I couldn’t let him out.

I filled my travel mug and brought a cup of coffee up to Maxwell. “Hey, I’m gonna go.” I whispered after I set the mug down on the nightstand and shook my husband awake.

 He groggily nodded and said “Okay, I’ll get up and get everyone ready to go over to Dylan’s for the gift opening. We’ll meet you there.” Then he gave me a kiss and added with a smile. “Last night was fun.” I was off to the Mackey’s farm to pick up Dylan and Gina’s wedding gift.

  

To be continued…