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“I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I left work early.”
A little while later, Brayden walked toward our table in the corner with a big smile on his face.
“Not you, too?” I said.
“What?” He shrugged. “I’m just here for a drink.” He winked and looked over at Deek. “’Sup, man?” Then Brayden gave me a look like he felt sorry for me. “How are you doing?”
“Jesus Christ. Nobody died,” I shouted. “Why is everyone acting like someone died?”
Brayden patted my shoulder. “If you’re okay, then we’re okay.”
“I heard there was a party!” another voice yelled.
Holden. I shook my head and laughed. “I should’ve known this was going to be a trifecta.”
Holden bent to kiss my cheek. “Hey, Billie. Looking amazing as always.” He nodded toward Deek. “Hey, man. I saw your Instagram. What the hell were you guys doing with the Kardashians today?”
“You’re not serious, are you?” Deek cackled.
Holden winked as he sat down. “So what are we drinkin’?”
I lifted my bottle. “Beer.”
“Sounds good to me.” He grabbed a menu. “Let me see what they have on tap.” Holden lifted his hand to flag down the server.
“How is it that all three of you have the time to babysit me today?”
“It’s simple,” Holden said. “When one of us needs something, we drop everything. And there’s nothing more important to Colby today than making sure you’re okay. So of course, I had to come look out for you. I’m his best friend.”
Brayden and Owen whipped their heads toward Holden at the same time.
“Who the fuck crowned you Colby’s best friend?” Owen snapped.
“Yeah.” Brayden agreed. “Who died and made you the best friend?”
“Who died? Uh, Ryan, dumbass,” Holden answered.
The table went quiet.
Then Holden pointed at them. “Anyway, did you offer to marry Maya last night so Colby didn’t have to?”
“No,” Brayden squinted.
Holden flashed a smug grin. “That’s right. You didn’t. Cuz you’re not the best friend. I am. A best friend would have offered to marry her.”
I blinked. “Wait… Come again, Holden? What did you do?”
“That’s what all the chicks say to me.” He winked. “Come again.”
“Seriously, Holden,” Deek interjected. “You offered to marry Maya?”
Holden took a long swig of his beer and shrugged. “Yeah. I mean…I went to Colby’s late last night and offered to do the deed so he wouldn’t have to, so she would leave him alone. I was dead serious. I would’ve absolutely married her.”
“That was really sweet of you, Holden, but totally nuts,” I said. “Nuts only because I know it was more than just an offer. You would have gone through with it.”
“That’s right. Why is that so crazy? I don’t have a girlfriend like Colby does. No skin off my back. Nobody’s gonna be hurt. But he thought it would be too complicated because of Saylor and the attorneys and stuff. Wish I had thought of it sooner. I was totally willing to pretend to be in love with the bitch just to get her out of his hair. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for that guy. If there’s one thing Ryan’s death taught me, it’s that your true friends are the most important thing in your life. Even more important than family sometimes, depending on who your family is.”
Deek placed his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t I know it. This chick is my lifeline. When times are tough, I know I can count on her. And her on me. That’s why I’ve been dragging her ass around the city today to try to get her mind off shit.” He lifted his finger. “I didn’t, however, agree to marry Maya. So, Holden, you’re a better man than I am.”
Everyone laughed.
I was one lucky girl to have all these guys by my side today.
“Billie, are you ready to laugh your ass off?” Owen asked.
“Sure. Lay it on me.”
He looked over at Holden. “Have you ever heard of someone accidentally getting a Prince Albert?”
Owen then proceeded with a dramatic retelling of Holden’s crazy story of the blowjob that nearly gave him a cock piercing. They actually managed to make me laugh. But at a certain point, my attention drifted away as they continued to joke around. Everything at our table faded into the background once I glanced over at the clock.
Quarter to 4 PM. Colby was marrying Maya at this very moment, or close to it. At that point, I totally zoned out.
Then my phone chimed. It was a simple message. But a profound one.
Colby: I love you.
My heart broke. Because I just knew. He’d texted me that because it was about to happen. And he loved me.
CHAPTER 23
Colby
“How many of those have you had?”
I tossed the tiny tequila bottle into the hallway trash can and reached into my pocket for another. “Apparently not enough, because I can still make out your face.”
Maya scowled. “You act like it’s the end of the world marrying a beautiful woman. Many men would be thanking their lucky stars to marry me.”
