“But why should she have all the fun?” Bolton had asked, picking up a prostate massager with a grin.
Branson had shaken his head, face red. “I thought the bachelor’s party was supposed to be fun for the groom?”
“Soon,” I promised.
“You’ll like it,” Christian said. “I know Bryson was always into?—”
I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Not another word.”
The guys had busted up laughing—all of them except Silas.
We’d all picked out something for Branson and deposited our goods in the limo before entering the pool hall.
Branson seemed relieved to be onto the next phase of the night. “Let’s get a game going.”
“I’ll order the drinks,” Silas said. “You all want a round of shots, or are we ready for beer?”
“Just get a couple of pitchers,” Bolton said, handing him a credit card. “This round’s on me.”
Everyone started for the pool tables, but I hung back.
“I got it,” Silas said. “Go have fun.”
“I’ll help,” I said. “Besides, I wanted a chance to explain about Chris.”
Silas turned to the bar. “There’s nothing to explain.”
“We broke up months before I came here.”
Silas nodded. “I figured.”
“He wasn’t in the wedding party, but a groomsman got sick right before they came. He jumped in.”
Silas glanced over his shoulder at the group. I followed his gaze. Christian was staring at us.
“Bryson, don’t worry about it,” Silas said. “Tonight is about your brother. Have fun. I’m fine.”
“I just…” I ached to touch him, but I wasn’t sure he’d welcome it in front of everyone. “I don’t want you to think…”
“I don’t.” Silas nudged me with his shoulder. “If you miss him, though?—”
“I don’t.”
“But if you did,” Silas said quietly, “I wouldn’t want to hold you back. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you,” I said. “And at the risk of sounding full of myself, I think I’m the guy who could make you happy.Reallyhappy. But only if you let me.”
The bartender chose that moment to move down the bar. “What can I get you guys?”
“Two pitchers of whatever’s on special,” Silas said.
“No problem.”
The bartender went to work. I tentatively put my hand on Silas’s back. “Sorry if I’m being pushy… Chris being here has me off-balance.”
“It’s okay,” Silas said quietly. “You’re right. I have to decide what will make me happy. And so do you. Maybe Chris?—”
“No.”
