Chapter 22
Bryson
A stretch Escalade limo picked us up outside the Grisold Christmas Tree Farm, where we’d just wrapped up the rehearsal dinner. Caitlyn and her family and friends had taken off, warning us not to have too much fun.
Silas stepped out of the front-passenger side. “Hey, guys. Ready to go party?”
“Oh, hell yeah!” Reece exclaimed. “This is gonna be awesome.”
He was the first in, followed by Bolton.
Percy turned to Silas. “Where are we going tonight? I want to hear the plan that was so much better than mine.”
“That would ruin the surprise,” Silas said with a smile that looked sharp enough to draw blood. “But I will tell you, the party starts right now. Go on.”
Percy grumbled but climbed into the Escalade. Branson followed him, pausing to thank Silas.
That left me and Christian hanging back—and I really didn’t want my ex-boyfriend chatting up my current…something.
I nudged Christian forward. “You go first.”
He hesitated just outside the open car door. “So you’re Silas.”
“Yes?” Silas said, raising an eyebrow. “And you are?”
“Christian. Bryson and I go way back—”
I pushed him into the Escalade, following behind. “We’re going to be late if we stand around talking.”
Silas gave me a confused look, but now was not the time to explain Christian’s misguided plan to win me back.
Silas climbed in last, closing the door behind him, then rapped on the divider so the driver would know to take off.
Reece rubbed his hands together. “So, what’s first? Booze? Strippers? Hookers?”
Branson elbowed him. “None of that stripper shit, or we can turn this limo around.”
Silas grinned. “Don’t worry. Bryson and I came up with something you’ll enjoy.” He opened a hidden compartment filled with ice and pulled out a bottle of scotch. “How about we start with some booze?”
He handed out glasses and poured scotch for everyone except himself.
“You’re not having any?” I asked.
“I’m here as the party aficionado. I’m not really part of the group.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Branson said. “You’d be invited even if you hadn’t helped plan everything.”
“Have a drink,” I urged.
Christian leaned in against me, pressing his shoulder against mine. “And tell us more about you, Silas. I don’t know anything except you’ve got the Larkin men under your spell.”
“Not much to tell,” Silas said. “I’m a wedding planner, and I’ve helped the guys navigate a new town.”
“Is that all?” Christian turned to me. “Maybe I have less to worry about than I thought.”
Did it sting that Silas didn’t openly acknowledge our…connection. A little. But then, why would he tell a stranger we were casually hooking up?
“What do you mean?” Silas asked.
Christian smiled. “Oh, didn’t Bryson tell you? We were together back in Arkansas, and now that I’m here—”
“How about we get some music going?” Bolton interrupted. “This is supposed to be a party.”
Silas stared at Christian and me a beat—expression unreadable—before he turned and connected his phone to the Bluetooth speakers. “What’s your vibe?”
“Something lively,” Reece suggested.
Silas hit a couple of buttons and the car filled with a thumping techno beat that wouldn’t be out of place in a nightclub.
I threw back my scotch and eyed Silas across the limo. He was close enough I could see him shut down, but far enough I couldn’t really explain anything without everyone listening in.
I settled for turning to Christian. “We’re not getting back together.”
“Well, I know you say that now, but the night is young.” Christian batted his eyes.
The guys started giving Branson shit about how whipped he was for missing the last baseball game, and I gladly sank into group banter.
Silas was sipping scotch, gazing out the window, and Christian continued to sit too damn close. I edged closer to the door, hoping to find some space, but there was none.
It was going to be a long fucking night.
Ball Breakers was just as rough around the edges as Silas had said. The crowd looked like a mix of working men, truckers, and bikers.
Branson grinned as he surveyed the pool tables. “This takes me back. Perfect choice, bro. Thanks.”
“Thought you’d like it,” I said.
Christian wrinkled up his nose. “It’s…a choice.”
“He met Caitlyn at a place like this,” I explained.
Before we came in, Silas led us on a tour through Blush, and the guys gave Branson all kinds of shit while choosing sex toys for him to spice up his wedding night.
“Caitlyn will love this bachelor’s party after all,” Reece had said with a laugh as he held up a small pink vibrator.
“But why should she have all the fun?” Bolton had asked, picking up a prostate massager with a grin.
Branson had shaken his head, face red. “I thought the bachelor’s party was supposed to be fun for the groom?”
“Soon,” I promised.
“You’ll like it,” Christian said. “I know Bryson was always into—”
I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Not another word.”
The guys had busted up laughing—all of them except Silas.
We’d all picked out something for Branson and deposited our goods in the limo before entering the pool hall.
Branson seemed relieved to be onto the next phase of the night. “Let’s get a game going.”
“I’ll order the drinks,” Silas said. “You all want a round of shots, or are we ready for beer?”
“Just get a couple of pitchers,” Bolton said, handing him a credit card. “This round’s on me.”
Everyone started for the pool tables, but I hung back.
“I got it,” Silas said. “Go have fun.”
“I’ll help,” I said. “Besides, I wanted a chance to explain about Chris.”
Silas turned to the bar. “There’s nothing to explain.”
“We broke up months before I came here.”
Silas nodded. “I figured.”
“He wasn’t in the wedding party, but a groomsman got sick right before they came. He jumped in.”
Silas glanced over his shoulder at the group. I followed his gaze. Christian was staring at us.
“Bryson, don’t worry about it,” Silas said. “Tonight is about your brother. Have fun. I’m fine.”
“I just…” I ached to touch him, but I wasn’t sure he’d welcome it in front of everyone. “I don’t want you to think…”
“I don’t.” Silas nudged me with his shoulder. “If you miss him, though—”
“I don’t.”
“But if you did,” Silas said quietly, “I wouldn’t want to hold you back. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you,” I said. “And at the risk of sounding full of myself, I think I’m the guy who could make you happy. Really happy. But only if you let me.”
The bartender chose that moment to move down the bar. “What can I get you guys?”
“Two pitchers of whatever’s on special,” Silas said.
“No problem.”
The bartender went to work. I tentatively put my hand on Silas’s back. “Sorry if I’m being pushy… Chris being here has me off-balance.”
“It’s okay,” Silas said quietly. “You’re right. I have to decide what will make me happy. And so do you. Maybe Chris—”
“No.”
He smiled then. “Good. I’m not done with you.”
If I had my way, he never would be. But I’d pushed enough for one night.
The bartender placed the two pitchers on the bar, along with a stack of glasses, and Silas handed him the credit card.
“Hey, guys!” Christian said brightly, joining us just as we picked up the pitchers of beer. “Come play. I need a partner.”
He hooked his arm through mine and tugged me toward the tables. I gritted my teeth and went along with him, but not without sending Silas a look and mouthing, save me.
Silas laughed as he trailed behind us. The guys had claimed two pool tables. With seven guys, we didn’t have an even number to play. Silas offered to sit out.
A young, good-looking guy who was playing with a group beside us turned. “I could join you guys to even the teams out.”
“Bails,” a big, bearded guy said. “Careful, okay? They’ve got some sort of party going. Don’t wanna rain on their parade.”
He smirked at the guy, not even slightly intimidated. “I’ll play nice, Flynn. Promise.”
“If you would, that’d be great,” I said. “We’re here for a bachelor’s party, and I don’t want anyone left out.”
“Well, who’s the groom?” Bailey asked. “I can help him win.”
I laughed at his cockiness. Kid was sure of himself.
I pointed. “My lookalike over there. Join him. If you’re actually that good?”
“He’s good,” Flynn rumbled behind us. “Too good. Just beware that he’ll run the table, and that might not be much fun.”
“In that case, I definitely want him,” Branson said with a grin. “How about a friendly bet, guys? I’ve got a pricey honeymoon ahead.”
Bolton laughed. “Sure, I’ll take you on.” He glanced my way. “Christian, play with me. You’ve got lots of cash to spare.”
Christian rolled his eyes. “I was going to play with—”
“Silas, you’re with me,” I said before he could drag me into it. “We can play Percy and Reece.”
Reece didn’t look thrilled with the arrangement. I was sure Bolton wasn’t really loving entertaining my ex, either, but I appreciated the gesture.
“I hope you’re not expecting me to be good at this,” Silas murmured as we selected pool cues.
I widened my eyes, pretending shock. “You mean there’s something you can’t do?”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t do it. Just not well.”
Reece broke, sending a striped ball into a corner pocket. On his next shot, he missed.
Silas scratched on his first attempt. He turned. “I really would have been happy to watch.”
I grinned. “No, this is good. You’re more human when you have some flaws.”
He scoffed. “Of course I have flaws. Otherwise, I’d—”
“What?” I asked.
He shook his head and pointed toward the other table. “He really is good. Check it out.”
I glanced over just as Christian huffed with annoyance. “Jesus Christ, Bolton, you might as well have just mugged me. There goes my money.”
“It’s for a good cause,” Bolton said unapologetically.
Branson stood back, grinning, as Bailey sank shot after shot.
“Wow. He knows what he’s doing, huh?”
“Yeah, but how about we play our game?” Percy suggested impatiently. “It’s your turn, Bryson.”
I returned to our table and bent over it, lining up a shot.
“You look like you know what you’re doing,” Silas murmured.
I turned my head and winked at him. “I know how to work my stick, baby. Don’t you worry.”
Reece snorted, Percy rolled his eyes, and Silas eyed me in challenge. “Perhaps we should make a bet of our own?”
“Yeah. What do I get if I make this shot?”
He leaned in close to me. “Me in your bed tonight.”
“All night?”
He hesitated.
“You’d be in my bed either way, Sy. Gotta up the stakes.”
He smirked. “Sure of yourself, huh? Fine. All night.”
I turned back to the table, taking my time to line up a shot. We hadn’t gotten far into the game. It shouldn’t be too difficult to sink a ball, as long as I chose carefully.
I drew back the cue stick, shot it forward, and the cue ball careened into a solid green. It hit another ball, which hit another ball, which rolled toward the side pocket—
And stopped one millimeter short. I sucked in a breath to curse.
Silas moved to the side of the table and nudged the ball into the pocket. “Look at that. It went in.”
“Hey,” Percy protested. “That’s cheating.”
“No,” Reece said with a chuckle, “that’s foreplay.”
Silas gave me a hot look, and hell yeah, I was already imagining what we could do with a full night together. Not just the sex—obviously that would be amazing—but the extra time we’d have to cuddle and talk and sleep together. That’s what I wanted. And maybe Silas wanted it too?
We finished the first round of beer and played one more game—swapping up partners. Chris came over. “How about I play with Silas?”
“No,” I said quickly. “You can play with me.”
He beamed, and I realized I’d walked right into his trap. “Perfect.”
We were playing against Bailey and Branson—he insisted on keeping his winning partner—and I laid out the cash for the bet my brother would take home.
“Too bad we’re playing against kid wonder here,” Christian said. “We could have made this interesting.”
“Probably not,” I said blandly.
“Remember that time in Little Rock when we went bowling?”
“Vaguely.”
“I offered you a blowjob for every strike you made.” He laughed. “I think you bowled your best game ever.”
“Hmm.”
“Pretty sure I never fully worked off my debt. Maybe tonight—”
I tossed down my pool cue. “I forfeit! Bailey is too good. Who wants another round of beer?”
The guys all chorused their agreement.
“I’ll go with—” Chris started.
“No.” I gave him a stern look. “Nothing’s happening. You’re wasting your time.”
Silas broke away from the group. “Need a hand with the next round?”
“Let’s do it.”
We wrapped up the games, grabbed a couple of tables, and ate and drank for a couple of hours before piling back into the limo. I was careful to keep my distance from Christian. He’d sulked most of the evening after my rude dismissal, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
I was more interested in the looks Silas had been giving me ever since that little bet.
As we settled into the limo, I tugged him into the space beside me. “Sit here.”
“Someone’s bossy,” he said with a laugh.
“Mm-hmm. And other things.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What other things?”
“I’ve got a question for you.” I leaned in to murmur in his ear. “Do you care if anyone knows about our…thing?”
“Our thing?” He laughed. “No, I don’t—”
I grabbed his face and kissed him long and hard, unable to resist another second.
The guys whistled and hooted and laughed. But I didn’t care. I wanted Silas to know he was the only guy I saw.
If Christian saw that too, well, that was just a bonus.
Silas fisted my shirt, pulling me in, and kissed me with just as much heat.
“Get a room,” Christian grumbled.
I grinned against Silas’s mouth. “That sounds like a great idea.”