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ChapterFour
WADE
I can’t help checkingmy email in the Uber as I head to Dex’s bachelor party. It may be Saturday, but sometimes I can’t stay away from work. I really love my job, consulting with nonprofits on fundraisers. It’s been my sole focus for the past few years. But as I get older, I’ve started to realize that there’s more to life than just work.
For example, rock climbing. My best friend, Luke, manages a rock climbing facility here in Chicago. The owner, who happens to be his uncle, pretty much gives Luke free rein to manage the place. But over the past year, Squeaky Bum Climb has become my getaway when I need time for myself. It’s a great workout and has become a space where I can clear my mind of everything going on in my life. I’ve always loved rock climbing, but it wasn’t until Luke took over that I became more involved. I actually started teaching a few classes here and there, which is why I’m late for my brother’s bachelor party now.
Luke had a last-minute private party register and needed me to take over his weekly couples’ climb class. Normally, I work with beginner climbers, but the couples’ class was pretty easy. Though, being around all that love made a muscle in my chest twitch. I’m not a lonely guy. I date around, just keeping things simple, and I don’t jump at the chance to spend two hours with a bunch of couples in love. Hell, I can get that just by hanging out with Dex and his gamer team.
It’s not a huge deal. I’m only about thirty minutes late, and the first stop of the night is axe throwing. It’s something I’ve done a few times, so I can skip the educational portion of the night.
I pocket my phone as we near Bad Axe on the West Loop. Damn, I’m ready for a night with the guys. I’m kinda worried about what Link has up his sleeve for the rest of the night, but I know it won’t get too crazy. Despite living in the same city, I don’t get to see Dex often. And even though he’s my little brother and his friends are two years younger than me, I enjoy hanging out with them. I better, as I just moved in with two of them. Link is like another brother to me; we grew up together. He’s more of an annoyance than my own, but I do love the guy and know how to put up with his arrogant bullshit. Simon, Dex’s teammate and other good friend, is much more laid back, like myself, and we hit it off quickly all those years ago when we first met.
After moving in just yesterday, I can tell living with them will be an adventure, and being in the same building as my brother will force me to take more breaks and relax more.
It sure would make my mom happy if I worked less. Every time I see her, she asks me if I’m dating anyone. She so desperately wants grandbabies. But I’m only twenty-nine and have plenty of time to settle down. It helps that Dex is marrying Morgan in a couple of weeks. That will take some of the heat off me for sure. Dex is definitely more likely to start having kids than I am to find the woman of my dreams, with all the time I spend working.
Getting out of the car, I think back over my run-in with Bernadette earlier. Her body was sexy as fuck in her workout clothes. I’ve never seen her in that type of attire, but man did it look fire. Her toned abs were just tempting me to… I shake my head at the thought.
Nope. I can’t go there. Bernadette Ross is off limits.
But fuck, seeing her like that… Clearly she was so affected by the state of my undress that it flustered her, and it was cute as hell. I know I’m an attractive guy. I work out and take care of myself, but I’m not the guy to flaunt myself around. I wouldn’t have walked through the apartment in my towel had I known she was going to be there.
I won’t lie and say it wasn’t fun that I did. Her nervousness was adorably sexy, and I wanted more time in her presence, but she seems to spook easily.
I shake the thoughts of her away as I search the space for the guys, and when I see them, I head over to join them.
“Now the party can start, motherfuckers,” Link yells as we all greet each other in a series of man hugs and handshakes. I roll my eyes as I slap him on the back. Finding Dex, I hug him.
“It’s surreal, little bro, that we’re celebrating you getting married.”
He laughs. “Agreed. Glad you could make it.”
I shake my head. “Wouldn’t miss it. As your best man and all…” I dangle the bait I’m hoping hits its mark.
“Fuck that. You know I’m the true best man.” Right in the bullseye as Link inserts himself into the conversation. “He felt obligated to ask you and not me.”
“I’m his brother, dipshit,” I deadpan.
“Yeah, but you’re a douche, and I’ve been his best friend since we were five,” Link defends.
“Boys, we’ve gone over this.” Simon elbows Link in the side. “Dex asked me to be his best man, but I said no, ’cause I knew the two of you wouldn’t be able to handle the disappointment of not being his favorite.”
Dex just laughs. He’s heard this argument many times at this point. It’s all fun and games. There was no question I’d be standing up there next to my brother on his big day, but we all knew Link was going to pout about it. Which is why, after mentioning it to Dex, I decided to pretend I was too busy with work to plan a bachelor party Dex deserved, and I asked Link to take it off my plate. Link tried to act all mature about it, but ultimately, he used it against me in the long run. Poor guy will never know it was planned.
“Yeah, yeah, okay. You guys are starting to hurt my feelings. Are we going to throw some axes or not?” I motion to the area in front of us and am answered with a round of agreements.
We throw for about an hour, and it’s a blast. Luke and Billie tried it out one night after hearing about it from a regular at Squeaky Bum. Billie, who is one of the least athletic women I have ever met, loved it. She’s been back several times. Hell, she may even have a membership at this point.
It’s a pleasant surprise when Link announces that we’re heading to Portillo’s for some authentic Chicago Italian beef and then spending the rest of the night at Emporium Arcade, a twenty-one plus bar arcade with live music, craft drinks, pool, darts, and just about every arcade game known to man. It’s an adult man’s childhood dream. A local DJ who’s been blowing up the party scene recently is playing tonight, and I’ve got an opportunity to meet up with him for a few minutes between his sets. Having him DJ a fundraising event in the future would be a great marketing feat, so I don’t mind taking the time to network.
A couple hours later, we’re chilling around two pool tables, the four of us plus Ben, an old teammate, and Matt, his replacement. Matt is young and he’s slightly annoying, but he seems to fit in with his new teammates. The place is decked out in neon beer signs, and the music from the dance floor floods into the billiards area. You gotta yell to be heard, but I’ve been to louder, more obnoxious clubs.
We’re enjoying a game of pool when Matt makes a big deal about something on his phone.
“Dudes, the ladies are checking in.” Matt laughs. The kid is just old enough to get in here. He’s so damn green behind the ears it’s comical.
“I thought there was a rule that we couldn’t text or call any significant others,” Dex questions as he leans over the table and lines up his stick with the cue ball.
