True Love (The Society #4)

Chapter 34 – The Daddy Daughter Dance

Thursday – April 4, 2024

Ash

Chastity laughed. “And the wine in the flask!” She laughed even harder. “Or that time we went skiing and you flashed all the military heroes. Oh! No. Wait. The banana party.” She fanned herself. “Girl, you were so wild riding that man like he was a horse. And don’t even get me started on how gracefully you handled being kidnapped. You have lived a life, let me tell you. It’s about time you settled down.”

I just stared at her. What was a banana party? When had I been kidnapped? What the hell was she talking about? I’d never done any of those things... And she’d been going on and on for a good ten minutes.

Tanner leaned over to whisper to me. “You had some wild times.”

“I didn’t do any of that. I have no idea what she’s talking about.” I rubbed my forehead. But there was a lot of time in college that I couldn’t remember. Especially that first year. I had so many blanks.

“I love you, girl. You’re my ride or die bitch. And I’m so happy you found Tanner. You two are so perfect together. You’re seriously couple goals. #Tannash. Take it away, Nigella.” She tossed the mic at Nigel .

He caught it and stood up. His eyes looked a little watery.

Oh, Nigel.

“This is the happiest day of my old life,” he said.

“What?” I heard Matt say from his table.

Nigel lifted his glass higher. “Master Tanner. My attempted assassin. My master. My...my best friend. My everything.”

Okay...this was a lot.

“I never thought this day would arrive. For the longest time, we were just two lone wolves in the wild. Howling at the broads. Wild but very unfree.”

At least this was a little cryptic. He wasn’t just outright shouting about being a genie.

“So unfree. Practically in chains. Not bound to anything. Drifting and drifting. Cursed!”

Nigel...

“Just two supernatural boys...”

Damn it, Nigel.

Tanner cleared his throat.

“Just two normal boys.” Nigel sighed like having to lie was the most exhausting thing in the world.

And maybe it was after 300 years.

“We’ve travelled the world. Sailed the seven seas. Conquered lands. Met queens. Invented contraptions galore. Worked hard. Took siestas. Fought in wars side by side. Watched so many friends perish.”

“Were they in the military?” someone at a table nearby whispered.

“But it has all led us to this moment. Here. In...what year is it? It is so very hard to keep track after all this time. ”

“2024?” someone said.

“Oh. Is it?” Nigel looked startled by the news. “I thought it was the 90s.”

“Was he even alive in the 90s?” whispered Brooklyn.

Nigel cleared his throat. “I am devoted to you. Always. You will always have my sword.”

Rob giggled. “Does he mean penis?”

“No, my sword.” Nigel pulled a sword out from behind his back and a few people screamed. “Master Tanner, you aren’t just my best friend. You’re my brother. Bound by time. But no longer lost in time. Our relationship may have started off rocky. But I’m so glad you couldn’t kill me. Or else we never would have known a love like this. The love of brothers.”

Tanner smiled. “Thank you, Nigel.”

That was...a lot. But I loved it. I started to clap, but then Nigel turned to me.

“And Mistress Ash! My very own mistress! We’ve been searching far and wide for you. You gorgeous animal.”

What?

“And you’re not just gorgeous. That used to be the only thing of value for a young lady in the past. But now us modern-day boys value your brain. And the jokes you make. And I’m so excited to have you as my mistress! Now and forever more! To Master Tanner and Mistress Ash!” He raised his glass.

A few people clapped. But mostly people just looked around like they had no idea what had just happened .

I got it. I’d be very confused too if I didn’t know that Nigel and Tanner weren’t actually modern-day boys.

Rob, on the other hand, wasn’t confused at all. Because he knew their secret. He clapped enthusiastically and whistled. And then he stood up.

“Is he giving a speech?” I whispered.

“Surely not,” said Tanner.

But then Rob lifted his glass. “Dude, I’m not going to lie. I freaking hated you when I first met you. Not you, Ash. You’re amazing. I’m talking about Tanner. Or whatever his real name is.”

“Rob, sit down,” Matt hissed.

Rob ignored him. “But, man.” He laughed. “Tanner, you’re hilarious, old man.”

Tanner smiled.

“I will always be the king of pranks. But you’re a close second. I know we started off rocky, but at least there were no assassination attempts. Am I right, Nigel?”

Nigel shrugged. “Who says we didn’t try to kill you?”

Rob laughed. “Hilarious. Anyway, here’s to putting old rivalries to bed. To my friend. Tanner. And his new wife, Ash.” He raised his glass.

“To friendship,” said Tanner with a nod.

I smiled up at him.

“To best friends,” said Rob. “Suck it, Matt.”

Matt just shook his head.

Jacob climbed up on his chair and grabbed the mic from Rob. “My turn. I love my abuelo. He’s the best abuelo in the whole wide world. And I love going to his castle. And playing knights. And watching cricket matches and watching football. The real kind, right, Abuelo?”

“That’s right, grandson,” said Tanner.

“And I’m excited about my new abuela. She makes me laugh. Goodnight.” He dropped the mic on the table and it screeched.

Matt laughed and picked the mic up. “Good job, kiddo.” He ruffled Jacob’s hair. “Tanner.” He turned toward us. “I owe my own happy ending to you. You’re...you...” his voice trailed off.

“I’m your best friend, I know,” said Tanner with a smile.

Matt smiled too. “Tanner, you are my father,” he said in a silly deep voice like Darth Vader.

I wasn’t sure Tanner got the reference, but he seemed pleased enough.

“You were there for me when I needed you. And I hope to always be there for you when you need me. Even if you do rarely like to talk about yourself.”

Tanner smiled.

“I couldn’t be happier for you and Ash. I should have known as soon as she set me on fire that she’d be perfect for you.”

I laughed.

“I can’t wait for you two to have kids of your own. So all our children can grow up together as friends. Here’s to our future. Here’s to your future. And here’s to happily ever afters.”

“Here, here,” said Tanner. “Thanks, son.” And then he leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear: “I can’t wait to have kids either. I had Nigel stop putting birth control in your green juice, just so you know.”

I laughed. “I know. And I’m not drinking it anyway.” I grabbed his hand. “I want all the babies. As soon as possible.”

He smiled down at me.

Someone started clinking their glass with a knife.

My eyes grew round. “Do they really expect me to give you a blowjob?”

Tanner laughed. “What? Why would you think that? Traditionally I believe it’s a kiss.”

“Are you sure? Weird. I dunno why I thought that…” I could have sworn it meant blowjobs.

Spaceboy took the mic back. “Now it’s time for the daddy daughter dance.”

Oh? Odd. But, okay. I stood up and walked toward Chastity’s daddy.

Cole stood up as I walked by his table. He winked at me.

Ah! No! You’re not my daddy! I ran over and grabbed Chastity’s father’s hand. I pulled him onto the dance floor.

“You look beautiful, Ash,” he said. “What a marvelous wedding.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” Ah . Why did I always call him that? “I mean Chastity’s daddy.”

He just laughed and twirled me around. “Chastity is so lucky to have a friend like you.”

He was going to make me cry. This was the best daddy daughter dance ever. And I hadn’t even realized it was a thing.

The song came to an end .

“Um...okay,” said Spaceboy. “Now let’s have the bride dance with her real father maybe?”

Oops...

My father stepped in to take Daddy’s place.

“Sorry about that,” I said.

He just smiled. “Congratulations, Ash.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“This wedding was quite last minute. Are you...you know?”

“What?”

“Are you with child?”

I felt my cheeks turning red. “No.” At least, not that I knew of.

My dad just nodded. “Alright then. Well, I’m very happy for you. But...”

“What?”

He glanced over at Tanner. “Is Tanner the father of one of his groomsmen?”

“What?”

“He called the man with blonde hair son. But aren’t they the same age?”

I laughed awkwardly. “It’s just a gag.”

My father still looked a little concerned. But now he was staring at Nigel as we danced. “And what’s this about you being that weird little man’s mistress? Are you sleeping with a married man? Or…married boy?”

I laughed. “No, Dad. It’s another gag.”

“It didn’t seem like a joke.”

“He’s Tanner’s man servant person.”

“Is that even legal?”

“I think so? ”

My dad just laughed. “Well, if you say so. I’m just happy that you’re happy. After everything with Joe...”

“Don’t worry about that. I got even.”

“Even? How?”

We gave him inrections! “By finding my true love.”

My father smiled and awkwardly patted my head.

Dad.

The music changed to a fast-paced song.

Tanner tapped my father’s shoulder. “Sir, would you mind if I stole a dance?”

My father placed my hands into Tanner’s. “Take care of her, okay?”

I felt tears welling in the corners of my eyes.

“I’ll never let anything happen to her,” said Tanner. “I promise.” Tanner pulled me into his arms and I laughed.

“Isn’t this song a bit fast for a slow dance?” I asked.

“You’re right.” He stepped back and lifted his hand. He placed his palm in mine and we turned in a circle.

I laughed. I felt so fancy. It seemed like we were in some kind of old movie. I had my big skirt pinned back in place and it felt appropriate for the dance.

Tanner got everyone on the dance floor to follow his moves. And soon we were all doing one old-fashioned dance after the other.

“Where did you learn to dance like this?” asked Matt.

“From...overseas,” said Tanner.

Matt just shook his head .

The next dance made us change partners every minute or so.

I somehow ended up dancing with Diablo. “How was your honeymoon with Sierra?” I asked.

Diablo shrugged. “Fucking her was fun, but not as fun as fucking you.”

Jesus.

He gave me a devilish smile. “Speaking of which…do you have some extra tickets for your honeymoon?”

I spun away from him and into...Angel’s arms. Crap.

“What my brother meant to say is that you give much better head than Sierra. But we gave her the best dick of her life and she’s definitely in love with us. No one she ever meets will ever measure up to the whirlwind romance she had with us. So she’ll be sad and alone forever.”

I smiled. Well, that was amazing. He spun me away and...Madison was my next partner? “Wait, why are you doing the men’s moves?”

“There should be no difference between the male and female moves. What kind of patriarchal nonsense is this?”

I laughed. She was so ridiculous. If everyone did the same moves exactly, we’d all end up stepping on each other’s toes.

Cole was my next partner.

Damn it.

“I can’t believe you left me hanging during the daddy daughter dance,” he said .

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” But I did know. I’d called him daddy when he was deep inside of me and I never wanted to talk about it again, thank you very much.

“In all seriousness, I’m so glad you’re happy.”

Oh. That was sweet. “Thank you.”

“Tanner is a great guy.”

“He really is.”

“Speaking of Tanner...” Cole twirled me away and I finally landed back in Tanner’s arms.

And Tanner didn’t let go of me for the rest of the night.