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Merrick
It’s become an annual tradition for me to have a barbeque on Independence Day.
It’s usually just my small circle of friends, and occasionally a tag-along that either Jack or Gunner brings along. The past few years Aiden has shown up early, helping me set up everything and giving the two of us alone time to catch up, as we’re usually too busy at the office to do so.
He’s due any moment and for the first time in all the years we’ve been friends, I’m anxious about being alone with him. He’s tried to pull me aside numerous times in the office to have a conversation, but time is never on our side. He will whisper concerns in my ear when we pass in the hall, and has repeatedly offered to meet outside of the office to talk. I wish I could. I wish I knew what to say.
How do I begin to explain that I’ve fallen hard for my on-again, off-again friend? How can I possibly admit such an indiscretion about a married man who has done nothing but give me mixed signals? How do I tell Aiden that even though I’ve tried to walk away, something keeps continually pulling me back?
The first hour he’s at my house we shoot the breeze while we set out tables and chairs. He tells me about a trip he and Chloe are planning, asks me if I’ve talked to Gunner lately, and generally avoids anything too personal. This is typical A-game for Aiden. He likes to get you comfortable, then he swoops in and knocks you off your feet with probing, personal questions.
It isn’t until we’re assembling the appetizer trays that he casually comments, “You seem distracted.” What he doesn’t say, but that I hear because I know him so well, is that I’ve not been pulling my weight; not giving our patients my undivided attention like I should. He never says things such as this to hurt me, but it’s so rare that I’m distracted from my job I’m sure he’s assuming responsibility in some manner and filling in where I seem to be lacking.
“Yeah, sorry.”
“It’s Davis, isn’t it? You two have hooked up and now he’s running scared.”
I sigh heavily and turn to face him, leaning my hip against the kitchen counter. “No, we haven’t hooked up. Give me a little credit, will ya?”
He shrugs and dumps a bag of chips into a bowl. “I see what I see. And when I see the two of you together, I see trouble.”
“Gee, thanks. I never would have figured that out on my own.”
“Come on Mer, you and I both know you’re playing with fire.”
“Tell that to my heart.”
His eyes widen. “So what you’re telling me is that you love the guy? You’ve let yourself fall for a married man? Are you insane?”
I chuckle, though there’s nothing comical about the questions he’s posed. “Yes, most likely I am insane. But I can’t ignore how I feel.” I hold up a hand to stop him from speaking. “I appreciate your concern, but believe me when I tell you he doesn’t want that with me. We shared some private things with one another a few weeks ago and now he’s freaking out about it, that’s all.”
“Care to elaborate?”
I offer my buddy a roll of my eyes and hand him another bag to open. “I can’t share with you things he’s told me in confidence. Let’s just say it was really emotional and we both reacted to it.”
He arches a brow at me and smirks. “As in you slipped something of yours into something of his…”
“Knock it off. It’s not like that.” Hell yes, I’m attracted to Davis. But I would never act on it unless he encouraged me to do so, which he would never do because he’s married.And straight,I remind myself. “Things are just…weird between us now. Awkward.” Giving my head a shake, I sigh. “You’ll see what I mean if he shows this afternoon.”
“What are you doing here, my friend? You’ve spent months trying to get to know this guy and all it’s done is cause you worry and confusion. Why bother? Is he really worth it?”
Without pause, I reply, “He absolutely is.”
Aiden drills me with his gaze for a few long moments, then nods and tugs the bag open. “Then I guess that’s good enough for me.”
Thankfully, the heavy conversation is replaced with more small talk, some news about Aiden’s family, and some work concerns. Before long, Chloe and Rolene traipse into the house, carrying platters of food and bottles of wine. Soon after Jack arrives, a surely scowl on his handsome face, a bottle of tequila under one arm. He greets all of us with a muttered hello and a wave, but as usual he remains apart from the group.
Gunner arrives a few minutes later, and the tension in the room immediately spikes. He glares at Jack, then throws on a wide smile and wraps his arms around me. “Happy 4th, you gorgeous man.” He drops a quick kiss on my lips—typical Gunner greeting—and pats my ass, before turning to the girls. Aiden and I share a bemused look behind his back, both of us watching Jack’s reaction from across the room. Whatever the story is between my two polar opposite friends, it’s going to make for an afternoon filled with drama.Thank God…maybe then everyone will stop expecting me and Davis to give them a show.
Davis arrives right at three, greeting me with stern hello and shoving a case of beer into my arms. He follows along behind me into the main room, greeting Aiden and Chloe with the warmth I wish he’d given me. He takes the bottle of beer I offer with a silent nod, then resumes his conversation with no more than a glance my way.
Gunner steps forward and slides his arm around Davis’s waist, as if they’ve been lifelong friends, purring, “Hello, beautiful. And how are you this fine afternoon?”
Davis chuckles, seeming to accept Gun’s rather outrageous personality. “I’m good. And you?”
Gunner grins and leans in with a loud whisper, “Oh honey, I bet you’re good. But here’s a little secret, I am too.”
Davis takes it all in stride, which instantly rubs me the wrong way. He has no problem with my buddy practically accosting him and throwing innuendoes out right and left, but I offer the man a little comfort in the form of an embrace, and suddenly I’m like a pariah.
