“The night before we left? Saying how we needed to behave and all this nonsense. Like we’d even go to a strip club in this economy.” He laughed. “Deranged.”
I hadn’t gotten that text, I got another. “Hey Finn! Have a good time down there, but not too good! LOL! Please make sure Miles doesn’t drink too much, and there are no photos or videos of him misbehaving. Just bring my Miley home safe and sound! LOL! I know I can trust you, Finn. Thanks!”
I responded by liking the message. I’d already told the guys about the pictures, but there was no way I’d meter the groom’s drinking outside of what was healthy. I didn’t dwell on it. Better that I didn’t. Dealing with the bride’s demands surely wasn’t the best man’s duty? Or maybe it was. Either way, I didn’t have to. She went right over my head.
I chuckled. “Yeah, for real.”
With his back sorted, Tyler stood and eased the beer to my mouth. “C’mon, bro. I’m hungry.”
I finished it in one go.
In the elevator, I texted the group chat to see where everyone was and tell them Tyler and I were getting food. Some of them were up, but by the time we got back with the breakfast burritos, everyone was sitting by the pool. Except for Ryder.
Tyler said, “If you guys are licking your wounds afteronenight, what the fuck are we gonna do when we go hard?”
“Chill, bro. It’s like nine a.m.,” Connor said, mouth full of burrito.
Jason wiped his mouth on a napkin. “What’s the plan for the day?”
Miles looked at me, followed by the others. “Uh, I think it’s another chill day by the pool and a nicer dinner tonight.”
“Seriously?” Connor asked, deadpan.
“Uh, yeah.” I didn’t understand. “Why?”
“Kinda lame, no?” Tyler cracked a new beer.
Miles interjected, I thought on my behalf. “No, that was the plan. But we’re gonna go bar hopping after dinner, right? Get a feel for the city.”
“Now we’re talking,” Connor said.
“Thought that was obvious.” I took a bite.
With his mouth full again, Connor said, “You’re the number one male. You gotta know this shit, bro.”
I chuckled and nodded, agreeing that I should know that kind of stuff. But should I? Or a better question: if I were supposed to, how would I get that information? I didn’t plan the trip, Miles did… It was whatever.
“Shit, it’s Rick.” Jason showed his phone to Miles. “I haven’t taken PTO since my paternal leave, and he’s still riding my ass.” I‘d never heard him so animated. Or pissed.
“Is that your boss? You’re in Miami. At a bachelor party,” Tyler said.
Connor took another bite. “Don’t pick up, man. Fuck that.”
Miles was already looking at his email. “No, he’s gotta. Shit might be fucked.”
“Or he’s just a dick.” Jason stood. “Come with me, Kilo? Maybe he forgot, and if you’re there, he’ll hang up quicker.”
Miles got up. “Yeah, alright.”
As they walked towards the hotel, I heard Jason say, “Hey, Rick. Is everything okay? You know I’m in Miami for Kilo’s thing, right?”
A few minutes later, Ryder emerged through the plant alleyway and sat down next to me. His mood was darker than the last time I saw him, but better than the day before. Though he still wasn’t chatty. At first, at least.
“You missed the burritos, bro,” Connor said.
“But not the beers.” Tyler handed him a Corona.
Ryder opened it and took a deep pull. “Thanks,” was all he said before sitting down and retreating into his phone.
