Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 19:30:44 -0500
From: Jesse McMillan <writingafewstories@gmail.com>
Subject: Giving Us A Chance-Chapter 6

Meagan Carroll sat staring at her image reflected in the mirror, hating
everything she saw. She'd wanted her long golden hair to be made into one
of those "stylishly messy" up-do's so many brides her age were going for
nowadays. She hated the way her mother had curled her thick locks into
loose curls so that they flowed across her shoulders. And hadn't she told
her idiotic sister she'd wanted a veil that flowed from her forehead back
to her shoulders, and not some freaking piece of crap that covered her
face? Typical of Tasha to pick up the wrong piece! Stupid people! Why
couldn't anyone see she wanted this to be perfect?!

It wasn't as if Meagan had asked for all that much for her wedding. What
would shutting down her uncle's apple orchard for her "Harvest of Love"
themed wedding really do to his seasonal profits? It wasn't like those
stupid tourists who drove the Parkway wouldn't be back! And why had her
sister complained when she and their mother had had to drive two hours to
pick up the perfect shade rose petals, "Beautifully Blushing Pink," for her
flower girl to scatter before she walked down the aisle? And then if that
hadn't been enough, her grandmother had actually had the nerve to suggest
that, as she'd said, "if she really wanted a rustic wedding," Meagan should
simply allow she and her aunts to cater the wedding with typical country
food! Over her dead body! You didn't serve some redneck barbecue to wedding
guests! She'd put her foot down on that one; caviar, and no substitutes!

She sighed as she stared into the mirror. Oh well. At least the veil could
be altered. Surely the shop wouldn't mind, and if they did Daddy could pay
for it. After all, weren't fathers supposed to foot the bill for their
daughters' weddings? She just hoped Aidan and his little gay friend didn't
embarrass her by doing something stupid, like they'd done at the rehearsal
dinner. Her pretty face visibly frowned and winced at the memory of that
fiasco. If it hadn't been embarrassing enough that she'd had to have her
rehearsal dinner a week ahead of the typical day before, just because
Granny had a doctor appointment the day before the wedding, Aidan and that
stupid little faggot Mason had humiliated her by cracking up during the
entire meal!

The frown that had crossed her face deepened. Mason! She felt sick at the
very mention of his name! She'd never been able to understand what Aidan
could possibly see in him, and she hadn't bothered hide it! Despite the
fact they were from totally different social and economic classes, Mason
was gay! She'd hoped that Aidan wouldn't be so clueless, and catch onto her
hints about Mason. But evidently all those muscles didn't go all the way
into his brain, because he just never seemed to get it. It just wasn't
right, the son of a once-prominent lawyer in the community, an all-star
athlete, military hero, and super-hot guy like Aidan having a friendship
with a little gay nobody like him! Well, that wouldn't last very much
longer! As far as she was concerned Aidan might as well be having a funeral
for Mr. Mason Alexander, because after tomorrow he'd be as good as dead to
both of them! She sat studying this necessity for some time before jerking
her phone from her bag. Tomorrow would be too crazy; she might as well talk
to Aidan about this now!

========================================================================================================================================

Aidan was jerked awake by his phone as it danced and buzzed its way across
the nightstand by his bed. Damn! After storming out of his mom's house
yesterday he'd crashed at home with a bottle of Scotch. His throbbing head
and nauseous stomach now told him that might not have been the best idea.

"Hello?" "Hey sexy man, it's me!" "Meagan?" A tinkling laugh echoed on the
other end of the phone. "Yes, dummy! Who'd you expect?" "Hey Babe. I'm
sorry. Just a little confused." "Well you better get un-confused before
tomorrow, because I'm expecting a certain sexy hunk to be waiting on me!"
Though he knew no one would see his reaction Aidan couldn't refrain from
rolling his eyes. "Yes Babe." "Now I know you're probably trying to
memorize your vows, so you don't embarrass yourself tomorrow, but I think
there's something we need to talk about." "Oh? What might that be?" Another
small tinkle of laugher. "Well, it's actually about your little friend."

Aidan felt himself immediately bristle at this. Now what? "My little
friend? Are you talking about Mason?" There was the slightest of pauses
before the overly sweet voice began again. "Well, yes.......Mason. I've
been doing some thinking, and I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better for
you and Mason to start looking for other friends. You know, rather than
each other?"Aidan sat bolt upright in the bed. "What?" "Well, I
mean.......he's gay honey. I'm not saying that to be mean. But after
tomorrow you're going to be a married man. How would it look for a
newly-wed to be associating with a little gay guy like Mason?

Aidan sat stunned as he listened to Meagan continue her case. "And then
there's the fact that you and I are gonna be spending even more time
together than ever before. I mean Mason......well, I don't really want
friends hanging around all the time." She giggled again. "We might suddenly
decide to get frisky.......how would that make poor Mason feel?" "Meagan
where is all this coming from? I mean I know you and Mason have never been
the best of friends, but don't you think this is just a little much?" The
girlish laughter returned, but this time there was the slightest edge to
its sound.

"Oh Aidan! You and your causes! Mason doesn't fit in our world! Think about
it. I don't remember Mason from school.......and I remember everybody who
mattered! He doesn't fit into our friends' class. He probably hasn't got
two pennies to rub together. How much money did your parents' divorce leave
your mother and you?........Well, it was definitely more than what Mason
probably has! And besides that he's gay! It's just not...........well, it
just wouldn't work out." "But Meagan.....Babe.....Mason's my best friend."
He didn't dare tell her the conversation that had taken place between he
and Mason just the day before. "I can't just write him off like he never
existed!"

This time there definitely was an edge to Meagan's voice. "Well I'm telling
you now I think it's for the best! Mason just doesn't fit into the world
we'll have together! He's not one of us. I think it would be infinitely
easier if you just dealt with this now, instead of waiting until he
embarrasses one of us!" Aidan's anger sparked within him yet again. How
many more people would he have to deal with telling him how to live his
life and who was good for him?! "Meagan I'm not going to discuss this with
you. Mason's my best friend. He's been there for me when nobody else in the
world has. I'm not going to turn my back on him now! Now if you'll excuse
me, I've got to go memorize my vows.......I'd hate to embarrass anyone
tomorrow!"

========================================================================================================================================

The makeshift amphitheater created along the hillside of the orchard was
packed. Aidan stood nervously scanning the crowd for someone who actually
bore a familiar face. Who the hell were all these people? Meagan's "small
affair" was swiftly turning into a teeming mass of strangers. He scanned
the crowd for Mason. He'd not spoken to his best friend since their talk at
"the pull-off" two days ago. He figured Mason would want some space after
what had transpired between them, not that he blamed him! If the roles had
been reversed he'd have probably gone into hiding too! But as the hour
ticked ever nearer Aidan had to admit that he was more than a little
nervous that his best man wasn't going to show!

A twinge of guilt passed through Aidan as the cruel truth dawned on
him. Had he really expected his gay best friend, his gay best friend who'd
just admitted having feelings for him, to stand up as his best man? He
mentally kicked himself. "Asshole!" "What?" Aidan's mother's sharp voice
spoke from behind him. They'd not spoken since he'd stormed from her house
after their argument, and it was clear that her anger had not completely
cooled. Betty Jo stood surveying the gathering crowd with obvious
disdain. "Nothing Mom. Just talking to myself." "I see." There was no more
spoken between them.

To Aidan's great relief Mason arrived, a little out of breath from arriving
late and not quite making eye contact with Aidan, but dutifully taking his
place beside him nonetheless. Aidan chanced a whispered word between
them. "I was afraid you might not show." There was a long silence. Aidan
was startled to look up and realize that Mason was staring oddly at
him. "If this is what makes you happy, then you should've known I'd show."

========================================================================================================================================

Betty Jo's feet were screaming in protest to the heels she wore. Why in
God's name had that stupid bimbo wanted the family to stand around she and
Aidan, instead of sit at the front like a normal wedding!? Stupid, spoiled
brat! Wedding wasn't even formally over, and she was already making Betty
Jo miserable! And who was this longwinded minister? Good God! Did he have
to quote half the Old Testament for one wedding? She made a mental note to
intentionally step on Aidan's foot when they danced later. If she had to
suffer through this her idiotic son should suffer as well!

She felt guilty for resenting her son so. She knew she should've been happy
for him. A wedding was supposed to be one of the happiest days of any man
or woman's life. But Aidan's complete lack of regard for, not only the
warnings he'd received from friends and family about Meagan, but more
importantly the feelings he'd trodden over was unforgivable! She hadn't
raised him to act like this.

The ancient minister droned on for what felt like hours as she anxiously
switched her weight from one foot to the other. For goodness sakes, why
didn't he get on with it? He droned for such a length of time that Betty
felt her attention begin to wonder. She knew she should've been keeping her
eyes and ears focused on her son. But this old windbag was gonna bluster on
until they were all old with grey hair! But as Betty Jo uncomfortably
shuffled her feet for the thousandth time an odd sound caught her ear. The
minister had finally stopped; at least he'd stopped rambling. And as her
attention focused on the wrinkled face of the old man she noticed that he
in turn was focused on Aidan.

"Aidan?" Aidan wore a strange look on his face as he stared at Meagan, who
was more than a little annoyed at the interruption. "I.....I'm sorry, what
were you saying minster?" The old man chuckled. "I asked you if you took
Meagan to be your wife, son!" The old man gave a mischievous wink. "You
might wanna be sure and answer this one!" But as chuckles rippled through
the crowd Betty Jo noticed that her son's face had gone strangely blank,
his eyes seeming to look beyond his surroundings. And indeed, when he did
finally move his actions brought a gasp to the crowd.

========================================================================================================================================

This may have been their wedding day, but Meagan was going to murder Aidan!
She couldn't believe he'd zoned out today. Of all day's to pull some
moronic stunt like this! He just had to act like a fool today! And as his
strong grip pulled her away from the small platform they'd stood on to the
shade of a nearby tree she didn't bother to hide her anger. "Aidan what on
earth are you doing? You're embarrassing me!"

It was clear, however, that Aidan's mind could not have been further from
considering the crowd that watched the scene before them. "Meagan I've got
to ask you something.......now." "What on earth could be so important as to
interrupt our marriage ceremony?" He surveyed her for a moment, his eyes
seemingly attempting to bore into her mind. "Did you really mean what you
said last night, about me and the friends I keep?" Though he'd used the
word "friends" his eyes had flashed toward Mason's back.

Meagan felt her face flush, her anger rising rapidly within her. She forced
a smile, but spoke through gritted teeth. "Why yes, Aidan, I did. I can't
imagine how this is so important as to discuss it now. But if you must
know, I did mean what I spoke with you about!"

========================================================================================================================================

Aidan had drug Meagan just far enough from earshot to prevent the crowd
from overhearing their discussion. Betty Jo nervously shifted from one foot
to the other as almost 500 eyes shifted from Aidan to Meagan, to herself
and the others on the platform, and back again to Aidan and Meagan. What on
earth was going on? It was clear from Aidan's face that whatever they were
discussing at that moment very much was important enough to warrant the
interruption in the service. She knew her son; something was weighing
heavily on his mind!

She allowed her gaze to flicker to Mason's own curious face. It was clear
that he had no more a clue as to what was transpiring under the apple tree
than she or anyone else. But the scream and steady stream of curse words
that soon echoed across the hillside as her son's large form retreated away
from the crowd toward his car parked in the distance soon left no doubt as
to what was happening.

"Aidan! Where are you going? Don't you dare do this to me! You can't walk
away from me now! Aidan, you bastard, get back here! Aidan! You son of a
bitch, turn around and face me! Aidan!"

========================================================================================================================================

The Mustang sat just where Mason knew it would, along the edge of the
Parkway pull-off, just a few miles from where Aidan had left the
wedding. Aidan's large form sat staring into the distance from the rock
ledge. Mason said nothing as he sat by his best friend. For some great
length of time neither of them spoke. Indeed, Aidan's gaze stared so
intently into his own thoughts that Mason wasn't actually sure his friend
had heard him arrive. But eventually a deep voice rumbled from beside him.

"I didn't expect you to come here." "I'm your best friend. Or at least, we
used to be best friends. I hope we still are." Mason was silent for a
moment. "I knew you'd be here." Aidan heaved a great sigh as he turned to
face Mason. "I suppose you're wondering what's going on?" Mason smiled
weakly. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. But I think the
bigger issue is the crowd of people I just left back there. It was
pandemonium. I actually felt sorry for Meagan, for once." Aidan didn't
smile at Mason's weak attempt at a joke. Instead he grew all the more
somber. "She wanted me to stop being your friend, you know. Meagan? She
called me last night to tell me it was time to find a new friend."

Mason's heart plummeted. "I see. And........do you intend to?" Aidan's blue
eyes bored into Mason's own face. "Mason I have to be honest with you and
tell you that I don't look at you in the way you've admitted looking at
me. You know I love you; you're my best friend in this world. But a deeper
love's just something I'd never thought about between us."

Mason had half risen from where he'd sat when two strong hands grabbed him
and pulled him back down. In all their 20 years Mason had never seen Aidan
fix him with such a piercing stare. "Don't go. I'm not trying to upset
you. At least just give me a chance to explain..................I don't
understand this between you and I. And I'm not gonna lie and say I feel it
right now. But what I do feel is fucking stupid for actually allowing
Meagan to force me to choose between her and the people that I love, and
though it may not be in the way you want, I very much do love you!"

Mason sat stunned. "Aidan where is al this coming from? And why now?"
Aidan's face was pained as he responded. "Mason I told you, she literally
called me last night to tell me that she expected me to walk away from you!
Maybe I've been blind, or maybe I'm just an idiot, but I finally realized
the truth. I realized what I should've a long time ago. Because Meagan is
such a selfish, manipulative little....." "Bitch?" "Yes, and infinitely
more! But because of Meagan I was going to lose the two people I love more
than anyone on this earth. I was gonna lose you and my mom! I can't do
that!"

Mason's heart fluttered at the touch of Aidan's hands, never releasing his
own. "So what happens for you now?" "You and I happen."........ "What did
you say?" "I said you and I happen, or at least we're gonna try."

Mason's breath hitched and his mouth suddenly went dry. "Aidan what are you
saying?" The blue eyes never left his own as Aidan answered him. "I'm
saying that you told me you loved me. And even though it's not the way you
want right now, I do love you. Mason you've been my best friend. You've
been there for me when my own mom's not always been able to be by my
side. You've listened to all my shit, you've helped me grieve, and you've
even supported a wedding I should have never considered. You've got the
most loving heart of anyone I've ever known, and I've taken advantage of
it. I've been a selfish asshole. I can't promise that I'll ever wanna throw
you down on the bed and have my way with you, but I do want to ask you if
you'd consider allowing me to return the favor of attempting to love you
the way you've loved me. If you'd consider it, I'd like to give us a
chance."