True Love (The Society #4)

Chapter 30 – The Best Boy

One Week Earlier – Thursday – March 28, 2024

Tanner

One week earlier...

I whistled as I stepped out onto the lawns of the new castle I’d just purchased for the Society. Oh, yes. This would do quite nicely. Quite nicely indeed. I snapped my fingers and a game of croquet magically appeared on the lawn.

I grabbed a croquet mallet and starting whistling. It had been almost two centuries since I’d played the good game. It had been too painful to even be near the game before. It made me relive seeing someone I thought I loved with my best friend at the time.

But now that I’d met Ash, I knew what love truly was. And I hadn’t loved the horned lady. Not even close. And I’d really missed croquet.

I hit the ball and it sailed perfectly along the plush grass and straight between the wickets. Still got it! I twirled the mallet in my hand as I snapped my fingers again to set up a refreshment table, a spread of finger sandwiches, and a small tent to gather under. It was just like the good old days.

Nigel appeared beside me with a smile on his face. “This brings back memories.”

“What a time in Ireland we had. But nothing compares to this moment. ”

Nigel nodded. “And I won’t help write another manifesto here in New York. I’ve learned my lesson. One man’s gag is another’s doctrine.”

“Very true.” I leaned over and made another perfect shot. Definitely still have it . “All our friends will be here soon. Anything else we need to set up?”

“No, this is perfect. A splendid luncheon! I can’t wait for Ash to officially be my mistress.”

I was glad Nigel hadn’t quit on me.

“Ah, our first guests have arrived!” Nigel seemed so excited, but then he frowned. “What are they wearing?”

Matt was in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. And Brooklyn was dressed in a very casual sundress.

“It’s as though they’ve never been invited to a luncheon before,” said Nigel. “Oh well. I shall greet them, even though they’re dressed like peasants. It’s only proper.” He ran over to the back of the castle to greet Matt, Brooklyn, Jacob, and Chloe.

Matt walked over to me with Chloe in his arms, while the rest of his family kept talking to Nigel. “What the heck, man?”

“Is that a way to greet your friend?” I asked as I made another perfect shot. “Has something upset you?”

“You bought a freaking castle without talking to your financial advisor? We talked about this.”

“No, we talked about buying football teams. And does this look like a football team to you? No.”

“Soccer teams,” Matt corrected .

“If you say so.” I put the mallet back over my shoulder. “But what do you think?” I gestured around the immaculate gardens.

“I think I’m confused. You love living in the city.”

I laughed. “That I do, son. I’m not living here. I bought it for special Society events.”

Matt shook his head.

“What? It was a business expense. Business expenses don’t count as normal boy expenses.”

“That’s not how anything works.”

I shrugged and peered down at Chloe. “Say abuelo.”

Chloe looked up at me and said: “Abuelo.”

Ah! What?! “She said it! You baby genius!” I lifted her into my arms. “Say it again, Chloe.”

“She just yawned,” said Matt.

“No, she said my name.”

Matt shook his head. “She definitely yawned.”

No, I’d heard it. “She’s a baby genius.” I kissed her forehead. “You’ll say it again when you’re ready. No pressure, baby genius.”

Robert and Daphne had just shown up on the lawn. And they were dressed ridiculously too. Robert was wearing a pair of khakis and a button down. And Daphne was in a casual sundress like Brooklyn’s. Seriously, had none of them ever been to a luncheon before?

“What are you wearing?” I asked as Robert walked up to us. I handed Chloe back to Matt so I wouldn’t accidentally drop her because of Robert’s personal affront.

Robert looked down at his khakis. “Khakis? ”

“You say it like you don’t even know. Why are you wearing khakis to my luncheon?”

“Um...” he looked at Matt and then back at me. “We were invited to lunch. So I just put on whatever.”

“Hardly,” I said. “I invited you to a luncheon at my new castle. Not a lunch.”

“I think that’s the same thing,” said Matt.

“No it most definitely is not. And you’re dressed even worse.”

Matt shrugged.

“It’s fine,” I said. I wouldn’t let their casual fare ruin my day. “Would you like to play?” I handed Robert a croquet mallet.

“Um...I have no idea how to play croquet,” said Robert.

What? “Then let Matt play.”

“I don’t know how to play either,” said Matt.

“How could you not know how to play croquet?”

“Because I’m not an 80-year-old man?” Matt handed me the mallet back.

What in tarnation did he mean by that? “Respect your elders.”

Robert and I both laughed.

“Nice one,” said Robert and high fived me.

Matt looked back and forth between us. “You’re younger than me.”

Robert and I both laughed again.

“If you say so,” I said.

Matt kept looking back and forth between us. “Why aren’t the two of you fighting right now?”

“I mean, I made fun of his khakis,” I said .

Robert shrugged. “And Tanner’s top hat is silly. But I guess I get it.”

Matt lowered his eyebrows. “Why are you being nice to each other?”

“I don’t think we are,” I said.

Jacob ran across the lawn toward me. “Abuelo, Abuelo! You have another castle!”

I laughed as I leaned down to hug him. Jacob had been to my actual castle before. But obviously Matt didn’t know that. “Yes, I have a castle now,” I said.

“A second castle.”

“This one.”

Jacob frowned. “Abuelo, you have two castles.”

Robert laughed.

I looked up at him and winked.

“Like that,” said Matt. “Why did you just wink at Rob? Why aren’t you fighting?”

“Gentlemen don’t fight,” I said and stood up.

“What the heck is happening?”

I looked down at my grandson. “Now, shall we play and show Coach and Uncle Robert how it’s done?”

“Yessie.” Jacob grabbed the mallet from me. He didn’t get the ball through the wicket in one shot. But it only took him three. He was a genius too. I ruffled his hair.

“When did you learn how to play croquet?” Matt asked.

“At Abuelo’s other castle. Mister Nigel showed me how.”

Robert laughed.

I loved the bewildered expression on Matt’s face .

Brooklyn and Daphne came over to hug me. Mason, Bee, and Nova arrived shortly after. They were dressed casually as well. Mason was a vagabond in jeans like his brother. And I was pretty sure there was some spit-up on Bee’s tank top. A tank top. At a luncheon.

Seriously, what was everyone wearing? Had they no decency?

“Where are James and Penny?” I asked and checked my watch. “Don’t they know it’s rude to be late for a luncheon?”

“Oh, I think Penny mentioned they had a last-minute appointment, but they should be here soon,” said Brooklyn.

“A last-minute appointment during luncheon?”

“Yes?”

“With who? Wouldn’t they be having luncheon of their own?”

“Maybe they don’t have luncheon?” said Brooklyn.

“Good heavens. Who doesn’t believe in luncheon?”

“That’s not really what I said...” her voice trailed off. “I think it was an engineer friend from out of town?”

“Since when do engineers not believe in luncheon?”

“I’m not sure I know many who do.”

What was Brooklyn talking about? “Is this engineer part of some strange satanic cult or something?”

“What?” Brooklyn laughed. “Why would you assume that?”

“Because only a devil wouldn’t believe in luncheon. ”

Brooklyn smiled. “You’re amazing, Tanner.”

Oh. I smiled. Well, obviously.

“Sweet boy, where did you learn to do that?” asked Brooklyn.

Jacob had just made another great shot. “At Abuelo’s other castle. Ah! Gotta go!” He dropped the mallet and ran over to the doors where Scarlett, her parents, and her baby brother Liam had just emerged.

I smiled as I watched him hug Scarlett. The two of them were definitely going to live happily ever after. Just like me and Ash.

But the smile fell from my face when I saw James and Penny’s attire. What in the world was wrong with these people? James was in a full tuxedo and Penny was in an expensive, floor-length sundress with a hat. None of that was right for a luncheon affair either. But...at least it was closer.

“I should have known you’d dress a little more appropriately,” I said and shook James’ hand.

“We’re dressed almost the same,” he said.

No, I was wearing a custom striped linen tuxedo with tails and a matching top hat. He was wearing navy. Like a common boating man. He didn’t even have any tails. It was shocking. And Penny looked great, but I didn’t see the strings of a corset. My friends were ridiculous.

“Tell me you know how to play the game,” I said.

“Croquet?” asked James. “Of course.”

“I should have known a fellow billionaire would understand. We’re going to need more mallets.” I whistled .

The back doors opened and a few women in corsets, lingerie, and parasols came out holding mallets. But not normal mallets. The bottom part of them were shaped like penises.

Damn it. I’d specifically said no phallic things today. “NO! Stop. Shoo.”

“But you requested...”

“No. Not those ones. The normal ones.”

They all looked at each other, deeply confused.

“And put on more clothes.”

“But you told us to wear these during croquet matches...”

“Nigel,” I said. “A little help.”

“Yes, Master.” He sprinted over to the scantily clad women with their penis mallets and ushered them back inside. Then he reappeared with some more normal mallets.

James grabbed one. “Are we playing stinger? Or teams?”

“What?” I stared at him.

“Stinger or teams?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said.

“Do you not know how to play?”

“Of course I know how to play. I invented the game!”

Robert giggled.

I cleared my throat. “I mean...I’ve played for some time. The normal boy way.”

“And what way is that?” asked James.

“You just play. Individually.”

“Oh.” James shrugged. “Okay, we can do it like that I guess. I just never have. ”

How long had fellow billionaires been bastardizing my game?

Penny lifted the brim of her hat to see me better. “Sounds fun to me. It’s always good to mix things up.”

Mix things up? They were the ones mixing up all the rules with their modern-day tomfoolery. But alas, I was a modern-day boy now too. “I guess we can do teams,” I said. “If that’s how the young folk are doing it. But first...” Chastity had just arrived. She was the final guest I was waiting for. I waited for her to walk over. “First I have an announcement to make.”

“Tanner and Ash are to be wed!” Nigel shouted, stealing the reveal.

Damn it, Nigel. Every few minutes he seemed to spill another secret. “Can you really keep no secrets anymore?”

Nigel shook his head.

He was out of control.

“I don’t have to keep secretses anymore,” said Nigel. “And I don’t want to. I’ll reveal all!”

Chastity shot him a look. “Nigel, some secrets are good to keep.”

“Nope,” he said.

“But...some are.”

“Never,” said Nigel.

She shook her head and turned to me. “Is Nigel right about the secret he just spilled? Are you and Ash engaged?” She pulled out her phone. “Why hasn’t she called me?”

“Not quite yet,” I said. “I’m going to propose here. At this castle. In one week’s time. ”

“Congratulations, man.” Matt slapped me on the back. “I’m so glad this all worked out.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Brooklyn gave me a hug.

“Yes, yes, but that’s not why I invited you all to luncheon. I wanted to invite you to my wedding.”

Everyone looked at each other.

“The wedding will be here. At this castle. In one week’s time.”

“I thought you were proposing in one week’s time?” asked James.

“Exactly, young lad.”

“I’m confused,” said Robert. “Your proposal and wedding are taking place the same day? What if Ash says no?”

Nigel laughed. “She won’t. She’s smitten with my master. And smitten with me. She doesn’t know how to live without her dutiful houseboy any longer. I made sure of it.”

I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything. “She’s going to say yes.”

“Well, this is perfect,” said Chastity. “Ash hates planning things. This will spare her a lot of trauma.”

“Precisely.” I smiled. “I knew you would understand. Which is why you’re the maid of honor.”

“Yay!”

“And please inform Rosalie and Madison that they’re going to be bridesmaids. As well as all you lovely ladies.” I gestured to my friends.

“This is going to be so much fun,” said Daphne. “I can’t wait!”

Matt rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to plan your bachelor party. ”

“And why would you do that?” I asked.

“Because I’m your best man.”

I shook my head. “But I wasn’t the best man at your wedding.”

Mason laughed.

Matt just stared at me. “But I’m your best friend. Obviously I’m going to be your best man.”

“I’m also your best friend,” I said. “And yet...just a groomsmen at yours.”

“Tanner.”

“Matthew.” I laughed. “Honestly, I have considered asking you. It was a tossup between you and Robert.”

Robert giggled.

“Excuse me?” said Matt. “You’d seriously ask Rob over me...”

Brooklyn cleared her throat. “Do you need any help with plans, Tanner? Just let us know.”

“I’ve already booked everything. Well, Nigel has really.”

Nigel nodded. “We booked an amazing photographer.”

Brooklyn’s eyebrows pulled together. “A photographer? Why?”

“Why wouldn’t we?” asked Nigel.

She just stared at us. “You were pretty specific about not being photographed at our wedding. The photographer got a few pictures of you guys, but they went mysteriously missing shortly after we got them. And Nigel literally cut you two out of a picture and then hung it on our wall. ”

Nigel laughed. “Nonsense. I’m not good with scissors.”

“No, that happened,” said Matt. “And you didn’t use scissors. You used a sword. It was all very dangerous.”

I laughed. Classic Nigel.

“But seriously,” said Matt. “I thought you didn’t like being in pictures?”

“That was the old me,” I said. “It’s fine if someone captures my image now. I’m not going anywhere. And I’m not worried about being tracked, you know?”

“No?”

“Oh right. You wouldn’t know.” I lifted my hand for a high five and Robert high fived me.

“Look,” said Matt. “I don’t know what’s going on but...”

I knelt down in front of Robert. “Robert...”

“No freaking way,” said Matt.

I laughed and tied my shoe. “Just kidding.”

Matt looked relieved.

But then I turned to Jacob. “Grandson, will you be...”

“Are you serious?” asked Matt.

“...my best grandson?” I finished.

“Yessie.” Jacob smiled up at me.

“Okay, fine that was adorable,” said Matt. “But you can ask me to be your best man now.”

I ignored him. “Mason.”

Matt cursed under his breath.

“Will you be my best...business partner?” I put out my hand for him to shake .

“Of course, man.” Mason shook my hand while balancing Nova in his arms.

“And James...”

Matt sighed audibly.

“Will you be my best...billionaire?”

James laughed and gave me a hug. “Absolutely.” He slapped me on the back. “I love the titles you’re coming up with.”

“I know, right? So much better than just having a boring old best man.”

Matt glared at me.

I walked up to Robert and got down on one knee again.

“What the heck is happening?” asked Matt.

“Robert, will you do me the honor of being my best man?”

“Whoa.” Matt stepped in front of me. “No. Stop it.”

I laughed. “You’re right. But get out of my way, son. I’m doing a proposal here.” I pushed him to the side. “Robert, will you be my best prankster?”

Robert laughed. “Absolutely, old man.”

We both laughed.

“I would have totally understood if you wanted me to be your best man now though,” said Robert. “I feel like we’ve really been bonding.”

“Right?”

“What have you two been bonding over?” asked Matt.

“Best friend things,” said Robert and I at the same time. We high fived .

“The two of you aren’t best friends. I’m your best friend.”

“You can’t have two best friends, lad,” I said.

Brooklyn laughed.

“Baby,” Matt said. “Don’t encourage them.”

“This isn’t any worse than your best man competition.”

“But of course I was going to ask Mason,” said Matt. “He’s my brother. Rob and Tanner know they’re my best friends too though. And James.”

Robert shrugged. “We had no choice but to become each other’s best friends since you wouldn’t choose.”

Robert and I both laughed.

“Stop laughing together.”

Robert and I high fived.

“And that. Stop doing that.”

“Sorry, man,” Robert said. “You snooze, you lose.”

Hm. “I’ve never heard that expression before, but I think I agree.”

Robert shook his head and laughed.

“Nigel.” I turned to him. He’d been with me through thick and thin. Even if my curse had partially been his fault. And he was no longer good at keeping important secrets. “I know you prefer to be called a boy and not a man.”

“Yes, I like being the cutest boy in the room,” he said with a smile.

Chastity rolled her eyes.

“So...will you be my best boy?”

Nigel smiled. “It would be my honor, Master.” He bowed deeply. And then started jumping up and down. “ I’m the best boy! I’m the best boy! Take that, Master Matthew! I’m the favoritist!”

Matt opened his mouth and then closed it again.

“Great,” I said. “Now, please help yourself to some luncheon. There’s some finger sandwiches and lemonade.” I gestured to the tent that I’d set up. “And shall we play some croquet?”

“Who plays croquet?” asked Mason.

“Gentleman and scholars, best business partner. Stay in line.”

Mason laughed.

I hit one of the balls and it went perfectly through the wicket.

“Wait,” said Matt. “Don’t you have someone else you’re going to ask to be in your wedding party?”

“Yes, a new friend I’ve made recently. He really did me a solid.” Although he hadn’t protested at all when I’d asked him to fuck Ash. But still... “His name is Cole. He doesn’t have a title. I’ll just call him friend. He’ll be at the end, I think.”

“And I’m at the beginning,” said Nigel happily.

Matt actually looked hurt now. “You’re not asking me? At all?”

I didn’t want the poor lad to be upset. It was just a bit of payback for his best man competition. Which I’d clearly won. And he chose Mason anyway. But the games were done. “Matt, you know you’re my best friend.”

“Then why aren’t you asking me to be your best man?”

“Because I’ve known Nigel for centuries.” I cleared my throat. “What seems like centuries. ”

“It really does feel that way,” said Nigel. “Because it is that way.”

“What?” asked Brooklyn.

Nigel, stop it! Some secrets still had to be kept! I cleared my throat.

Robert laughed.

“Anyway. Where was I? Matthew. Will you be my best...son?”

Matt laughed. “Best son? Really?”

I shrugged. Matt had seemed like a sad, lost puppy when I’d first met him. I’d taken the lad under my wing. And yes, I knew he thought I was younger than him. But I was really more than 300 years older than him. And in a lot of ways, he did feel like my son.

“I never thought I’d actually be happy that you called me son.” He smiled. “Of course I’ll be your best son.”

“Abuelo,” said Chloe.

“Did you just hear that?!” I picked her up. “Baby genius, say it again.”

“Abuelo.”

I smiled down at her.

Matt put his arm around my shoulders. “I was just messing with you earlier. She’s been saying Abuelo for a week, actually. It was her first word.”

I felt tears welling in my eyes. “Thanks, son.”

Matt slapped my back. “Now someone teach me how to play my father’s favorite game.”

I laughed as I held my granddaughter against my chest. I couldn’t believe she’d said my name first. It felt like my heart might burst out of my chest .

Brooklyn wrapped her arm behind my back and rested her head on my shoulder as she stared down at Chloe. “I think you’re her favorite.”

I couldn’t stop smiling.

But I smiled even harder when I whooped everyone’s asses in croquet. Stinger, teams, and individuals. And I had to admit, stinger was quite a bit of fun. Maybe modern-day billionaires weren’t bastardizing the game.

“Tanner,” said Chastity and pulled me toward the refreshment table. “I’ve been on my phone for the past hour and...we have to postpone.”

“Postpone what?”

“The wedding. It’s just not enough time to plan the perfect bachelorette party. Every suite around is already booked.”

I laughed. “There is no bachelorette party.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Ash already had one of those.”

Chastity looked appalled. “That was for a different wedding. It doesn’t count!”

“It happened very recently. It counts. And trust me, Ash doesn’t want another one. She just wants me.”

Chastity sighed. “Can I at least help pick the wedding strippers?”

“What is a wedding stripper?”

She seemed shocked. “How do you not know this? You own a sex club, right? It’s a stripper. At a wedding. It’s right there in the name…”

“No.”

“Pleeeeeease?” asked Chastity. “I mean, is it even a wedding cake if a stripper doesn’t pop out of it? ”

“Fine. You can hire ONE wedding stripper. It is traditional for weddings at the Society to have a bit of entertainment…”

“Yes! I’m going to find you a stripper with the most magnificent cock in the history of stripper cocks.”

“This wedding is going to be fabulous,” said Nigel. “Oh! Wait! We need to call Justin.”

Chastity stared at him. “Hold everything. You guys know Justin too?”

“Of course we know Justin.”

“Isn’t he the best?”

Nigel shrugged. “No. He’s too touchy feely. It’s very unprofessional. But he does have a certain flair for grand events.”

He had a point. But... “Nigel, we already have everything planned. We don’t need Justin.”

“Honey, everyone needs a Justin,” said Nigel. “His words. Not mine.”

I laughed.

“Pleeeeease,” said Chastity. “One stripper and one Justin? For the maid of honor?”

“If the two of you want him, sure.”

“Yay!” They grabbed hands and started jumping up and down.

And then Chastity immediately pulled away. “Ew. Don’t touch me.”

Nigel pretended to puke. “Chastain touched my hand.”

“Will the two of you please get along? The best boy and maid of honor have to work together. ”

Nigel sighed. “I’d rather be a jonokuchi again.” Nigel shuttered. “You should have seen the things the bigger sumo boys made me eat…”

Poor lad. His sumo career had gotten off to a rough start, but he’d eventually worked his way up through the ranks. What times we’d had in the Japans…

“I’d rather be a peasant,” said Chastity.

They glared at each other.

“For Ash,” I said.

“Anything for the mistress,” said Nigel.

Chastity nodded. “Anything for my bestie.”

“And please, not a word about this to her,” I said. “I want it to be a surprise.”

A smile slowly spread across Nigel’s face.

“Nigel, I’m serious.”

He shrugged.

“Don’t you dare tell Ash about this.”

He shrugged again. “I can do as I please. And I please to not keep secretses.”

“Nigel. As my best boy, I’m begging you.”

“Can I have the next week off?”

“We have a wedding to finish planning.”

“That’s why we’re calling in Justin.”

I really should have asked Matt to be my best man...