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I still can’t believe he’s here.
And he’s so mad at me…
But not for the reasons I was anticipating. Him being here in Vermont proves as much.
“So,Sky," Cort says, pulling me back to the present. He grins up at Skyler, showcasing that little dimple in his left cheek. It’s a smile I’m quite familiar with, and if Hudson’s low groan is anything to go by, God help us. “Tell us. How do you know our grumpy lil No-No here?”
Skyler makes a face, and so do I, shaking my head at Cort. “No-No?”What the fuck?
But he just blinks up at Skyler with bleary drunk eyes, completely unfazed, waiting for a response. He looks fucking ridiculous with that plastic tiara on, but he lost a bet with Hudson apparently.Anotherbet. I swear it’s like some weird foreplay they’ve got going on.
“Uh-um,” Skyler stutters. His wide eyes flick to mine then away, like he can’t help himself.
My mouth thins, and I shake my head, grumbling “Black Diamond, okay? We were in rehab together.”
Hudson straightens, arm dropping from around his fiancé who’s nodding, eyes wide. “Oh. Okay. Now I see,” Cort says.
Clyde strokes his beard and Frank looks around the table, exchanging equally confused looks with a couple of the other guys in our party whose names I forget. They’re old friends of Hudson and Cort’s from high school. They all shrug, and turn toward the stage where another woman takes the stage, trading places with the guy who just finished up his routine.
“See what?” I say suspiciously, eyes narrowing.
Hudson and Cort share a quick glance, before my best friend says, “We had a feeling something went down.”
“We just didn’t know it was with another dude,” Cort says oh so helpfully.
I stare at them.
“Welcome,” Cort says grinning.
Clyde chuckles.
I glance at him, and he spreads his hands. “What? I don’t fucking care who you like.” Aside from Cort, Hudson, and well, me, the bachelor party is made up of all straight men, as far as I know. Clyde included, who just celebrated his twenty-year anniversary with his wife.
Which is also why Frank’s little comment before shouldn’t’ve set me off.
Skyler shuffles awkwardly, and at his side, he starts to tap his fingers together. Not thinking, I reach out, clasping his hand with mine. He tenses, but he doesn’t immediately rip away from me.
Clyde grunts, his gaze flicking from our hands to my face. Then he nods. “Up. Gotta piss.” Not releasing Skyler’s hand, I slide from the booth, letting him pass. He halts briefly, and reaches out clasping my shoulder.
He’s a man of little words, but the gesture doesn’t go unnoticed by me. It’s his way of showing he’s cool with this.
For whatever reason, this prompts the others—Frank and the two guys I don’t really know—to get up as well, leaving just Hudson and Cort. I assume to give us privacy.
“I should probably…” Skyler says so quietly I have to strain to hear him. He pulls his hand from mine and goes to turn away, but I grab his shoulder.
“Hey.”
Dipping his head, he turns just enough to peer up at me over his shoulder.
“Can we talk later? After close. I’ll wait for you.”
He blinks rapidly, gaze drifting downward.
My chest squeezes. “Please, Sky?” I sidle up next to him, ensuring my words are for him and him only. “I’ll explain everything. I just… I don’t want it to end like this.”
I don’t want to ruin what was…
His throat bobs with a swallow and he nods, still not meeting my gaze. “Later.”
