Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
“Who wants to go first?” Allie asked, holding her glass aloft. Some of the liquid sloshed over the edge, and she giggled as Kit reached out to steady her.
I laughed, sipping my own drink. I felt light and floaty—like nothing could touch me.
I was tempted to blame the buzz on the alcohol, but it was more than that. It was Frasier, and the way he’d touched me, watched me. All evening, he’d made me feel wanted and desired, and I thought I might combust.
I’d forgotten this sensation. Forgotten what it was like to crush on someone. And I found myself wanting to “lean in” to it, as Georgia had suggested. It might all be pretend—at least for Frasier. But if anything, that made it easier for me to let go.
“First for what?” one of the other bridesmaids asked, interrupting my rum-fueled musings. I kicked off my shoes, burying my toes in the cool sand.
Allie beamed. “Truth or dare, of course.”
A few people groaned, including me.
After a fun evening at the beach bar, the party had moved back to the resort. My body might be sitting in a chair in front of a bonfire, but my mind was still stuck on that dance on the beach. Talk about bringing the heat…
Holy shit, Frasier had some moves.
How that man was still single was beyond me. Sure, he could come off as intense, grumpy even. But beneath the intimidating exterior, he was a teddy bear. Definitely boyfriend material. No. Husband material.
He was kind and caring. He was loyal and generous. He’d always been there for me…and maybe that was the problem. Maybe I was the problem.
He was always too busy with hockey or me to leave time for anything else, like dating.
He claimed that wasn’t true, but I didn’t see how it could be otherwise.
I wanted Frasier to find happiness, but the idea of watching him with another woman sent such a visceral reaction through me that I thought I was going to be sick.
I am so screwed.
Because I was coming to realize that not only was I attracted to my best friend, but the feelings I had toward Frasier went so far beyond mere attraction. And I wasn’t sure what to do about that. If I even should do anything about it.
When I glanced up, Frasier was watching me with a concerned expression.
He looked as if he were about to get up and cross the circle to me, but I shook my head.
His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, but then he placed his hand over his heart.
His eyes locked on mine as he tapped twice. Are you okay?
The bridge of my nose stung. I didn’t know whether it was the alcohol or my emotions, but I loved this man for checking in with me. I loved that he knew me so well.
And even though I was far from okay, he made me feel like I could be. So I placed my hand over my heart and tapped twice. He nodded, seemingly satisfied—at least, for now.
“First of all, everyone put their phones in a pile,” Allie said. “Or here.” She stole Kit’s hat and turned it upside down before passing it to the bridesmaid next to her. “Put them in here.”
I didn’t know whether that made me feel better or worse. At least no one would be able to record whatever was about to go down. But I wondered how far some of Allie and Kit’s friends would take a game of truth or dare.
“You too, Allie,” I said when I noticed she hadn’t added her phone to the pile.
This was her bachelorette party, and I was willing to go along with some shenanigans.
But I would never do anything that could risk Frasier’s reputation or career.
I knew how important it was to him. I knew how hard he’d worked for it, and how much his family had sacrificed for him and his brother when they were younger to make their dreams happen.
“I need my phone,” she said. “I have a website that randomly generates the prompts.”
“Isn’t that cheating?” someone asked.
“Yeah,” someone else chimed in. “I thought you had to come up with your own.”
“More fun this way. More random,” Allie said.
“We play this way all the time,” one of the other bridesmaids said.
Seriously?
They were in their early twenties. Fresh out of college. And yet, it still surprised me that they were playing truth or dare.
“Aren’t we a little old for this?” I asked as the hotel waiter delivered a fresh round of drinks.
“Just for that—” Allie grinned. “You’re going first.” Her smile widened, her eyes taking on a wicked glint. Oh boy. “Everyone knows the rules. If you don’t want to do the truth or dare, you take a shot. So, Bryn.” She looked at me. “Truth or dare?”
I held my sister’s gaze, not even sure I wanted to engage. But then I remembered that I was done with being sad and serious. And I figured, what the hell?
Maybe it was the ocean air—more likely, it was the rum punch. But I could certainly use more fun in my life. And so far, this trip had been fun. Frasier made it fun.
“Truth,” I finally said, thinking that might be more intimidating than a dare.
Allie glanced down at her phone, where the website had randomly generated a question. “What’s the last lie you told?”
I tried not to look at Frasier.
Don’t look. Don’t look…
I swallowed. Hard. “The last lie I told…” I glanced around the circle, trying to buy myself some time.
I couldn’t admit that I was lying about my relationship with Frasier. But when my eyes inevitably landed on him, I found myself blurting, “I’ve been lying about our relationship, saying that we were just friends when we’re so much more.”
It was the most honest thing I could’ve said.
We might be playing a game, but in that moment, my words were meant solely for him. Frasier’s eyes widened ever so slightly, and he rubbed the back of his neck. I wondered what he was thinking. I wondered if he realized just how truthful I’d been.
Because we were so much more than just friends. Frasier was my rock. But I was coming to realize that maybe friendship wasn’t enough anymore. And somehow, that idea didn’t scare me as much as I’d expected.
Allie laughed. “I’m pretty sure everyone knew you were lying about that one, Brynnie.” Kit nodded, which surprised me somehow. “But we’re glad you finally admitted it.”
Tension eased out of me as the game resumed.
I finished my drink and ordered another.
One of the bridesmaids ended up in the pool on a dare.
One of the guys had to tell us the most hilariously awful, embarrassing story involving nudity or a sexual experience.
By the end of his tale, we were all laughing so hard, I nearly peed my pants.
My cheeks ached, and I was struck by a realization. I wasn’t pretending to enjoy myself; I was actually having fun. Maybe Georgia’s suggestion hadn’t been such a terrible idea after all.
But as Frasier’s turn neared, I braced myself.
Sure, there were no phones, but he was still a celebrity.
If we’d been hanging out with other guys from the team, I wouldn’t have been concerned.
And while I didn’t think anyone here would intentionally harm Frasier or his reputation, fame did funny things to people.
I smoothed my hand down my throat, enjoying the way his eyes lingered on my every move. I double tapped my collarbone. If he wanted out, now was the time. I could make some excuse, and we could leave the party, head back to our room.
But after tonight—the alcohol, the dancing, the flirting, the touching—I wasn’t sure I could trust myself to be alone with him. I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off Frasier all evening. The prospect of being alone in our room thrilled and terrified me in equal measure.
With his hand on his thigh, he double tapped his response. Okay, then.
“Frasier,” Allie said. “Truth or dare?”
I held my breath, and then he said, “Truth.”
Allie tapped her phone then grinned. Several people around the circle “oohed” in anticipation of whatever she was about to say. “What’s your biggest turn-on and biggest turn-off?”
“A woman who’s into hockey,” one of the guys, Hayden, called out, cupping his hand around his mouth.
“Someone who knows their way around your stick,” said another, and everyone laughed.
Finally, everyone quieted down, their attention on Frasier.
When he answered, he looked me square in the eye and said, “Bryn.” I swallowed hard, everyone else fading into the background.
“Everything about Bryn is my biggest turn-on.” My breath caught, and it no longer felt as if he was playing the game.
Or at least, I was left wondering which game we were playing. The fake relationship or the truth. My heart was pounding so loud it was a wonder everyone else couldn’t hear it.
“Aw.” Allie clasped her hands together beneath her chin. “That’s so freaking sweet.”
“But boooring!” shouted Elise next to her. Around the circle, people nodded. My skin was hot and tight, but I waited to see how Frasier wanted to handle it.
“Give us more,” someone started chanting, and the others joined in. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying not to laugh. This was so ridiculous.
Frasier met my eyes again when he opened his mouth to speak, and everyone quieted down. “Biggest turn-on,” Frasier said, “is a woman who’s confident.”
A few of the guys nodded.
“Really?” the maid of honor asked, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “It’s that simple?”
Frasier nodded, and one of the groomsmen said, “One hundred percent, man.” And he gave Frasier a fist bump.
“Biggest turn-off,” Allie said, and I was grateful that everyone seemed to accept Frasier’s answer.
Frasier dragged a hand through his hair. “When someone I’ve just met tries to call me by my nickname.”
I laughed. “Oh. That’s true.” I could remember a few times when people, especially women, had tried to call Frasier or one of the guys by their nicknames. They always bristled at it.