Chapter 10 Tyler
I’m a man who enjoys taking risks every so often, but you won’t ever catch me gambling at a casino.
I pat Ryan’s back as we all gather behind him. “Man, you suck at poker.”
“Shut up,” Ryan mutters, watching another player take all the chips he placed on the table.
“He works in finance. He’ll be fine,” Marcus replies, laughter circulating through our small group. Some of the other guys are gambling at other tables or at the slot machines.
Between all the noises and lights, it’s like an adult arcade where you can lose a shit ton more money.
“Cheers to that,” Ryan says, knocking back the rest of his drink.
“That might be why he sucks,” Jackson points out as he grabs the empty glass and hands it off to a waiter passing by. “Drinking and gambling don’t mix.”
“That’s why the casinos have all these waiters and waitresses trying to get you to buy drinks,” I reply, glancing around to see uniformed workers roaming past the game tables.
Ryan rubs his hand over his slightly red face. “Safe to say I fell in that trap.”
I chuckle and look over to the left to see Derek and some others playing blackjack nearby. My amusement dies down as I watch him smile and touch a waitress’ back while she takes his order.
I thought he had a girlfriend at home.
Granted, he doesn’t seem like the faithful type.
“I think I’m done here,” Ryan says as he steps away from the table empty-handed.
“To the bar,” I laugh, tossing my arm around his shoulders. “No more gambling for you. You have a very expensive wedding coming up.”
“Sarah gets the best. It’s what she deserves,” Ryan replies.
I can’t imagine settling down any time soon. Marriage. Kids. The whole deal.
It’s hard to see myself as that kind of guy. I’m so busy all the time with work, and I don’t really think I’m father material. Mine was barely home for me to model after.
But I’m happy for Sarah and Ryan. This is the kind of life they want.
We crowd around the bar and order more drinks, enjoying our last night in Las Vegas before we fly home in the morning. It was definitely a hell of a weekend.
One that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
“So, what’s next for you guys? Kids?” Marcus asks him.
Ryan chuckles and shrugs. “Eventually. Definitely one day. I think we want to enjoy being newlyweds for a little while.”
“Yeah, once you have kids, everything changes,” I say as I lean my forearms against the bar. “We’ll really never see you.”
Ryan nudges me. “Is that you saying you miss me?”
I tilt my head back with a laugh. “You wish.”
In all honesty, I have missed him. I’ve missed all of us hanging out like this. These guys are the only family I really know, and I don’t want to lose that connection.
I guess I need to take Cassidy’s fear more seriously. If I lose Ryan, I lose a brother.
“I’m glad you guys are here,” Ryan says once he gets his drink. “And I’m glad you’re able to come to the wedding. I know traveling so much can be a hassle, but it means a lot to have you there.”
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jackson replies as he nods to Ryan. “We’re happy for you.”
“Now, you sorry bastards need to find some nice ladies to settle down with,” Ryan tells us pointedly. “Sarah is dying for double dates.”
“Don’t look at me,” I say before picking up my drink and taking a long sip.
“I practically live at the fire station,” Jackson replies.
Marcus shakes his head at us. “You guys are going to end up old and alone if you don’t change your priorities.”
“Last time I checked, you’re single too, lover boy,” I tell him with a slight sneer.
Marcus rolls his eyes. “I’m working on it.”
Not if he’s sleeping with Ryan’s sister.
“Yeah, he’s working on it. He’s going to find someone amazing,” Ryan tells us as he shakes Marcus by the shoulders.
I smirk, but I don’t doubt that. Marcus is a romantic. He’ll find someone first out of the three of us.
Ryan checks his phone and sighs. “I hope Cassidy is doing okay.”
“What’s wrong?” Jackson immediately asks.
“She said she wasn’t feeling good, so she decided to fly home tonight instead of tomorrow morning with everyone else,” Ryan replies as he tucks his phone back into his pocket. “She’s taken on so much as the maid of honor. I hope we’re not overworking her.”
Why do I get the feeling that she was lying to him?
I glance over at Jackson and Marcus, who look as concerned as I feel. What if this has something to do with us?
What if we pushed too much and scared her off?
“I hope she’s okay,” Marcus says. “Let us know if she needs anything.”
Jackson subtly elbows Marcus. He needs to reel back his concern a little.
“Yeah, sure,” Ryan replies before finishing his drink and clapping his hands together. “I think I’m going to try the slot machines.”
Jackson shakes his head. “I’m going to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t bankrupt yourself tonight.”
“I’ll come with,” Marcus says before looking over at me. “Coming?”
I tap my forefinger against my glass. “In a little. I’m going to finish my drink.”
Marcus nods and follows Ryan and Jackson over to the slot machines, leaving me alone at the bar with a bunch of other strangers.
A sigh drifts from me as I stare down into my drink. It’s probably not a big deal, but I can’t help but worry a little about Cassidy. I wish she actually talked to us this morning instead of running off.
Now, I just think she’s panicking and losing her mind, and I don’t like thinking about her going through that.
I down the rest of my drink and motion to the bartender to pour me another.
A person appears out of the corner of my eye as they take the empty bar stool to my right. “Drinking alone?”
I look over at a blonde in a tight black dress. “For a moment. The rest of the bachelor party is gambling.”
She smiles and tucks her hair behind her ear. “You’re not the groom, right?”
I laugh a little and shake my head. “No, I’m not.”
“Good,” she purrs the word as she leans a little closer. “I’m glad I came over.”
She’s pretty. I’m not blind.
Usually, I’d be super into this and flirting back, but I’m just distracted tonight. All I can think about is the woman who’s off limits.
I guess I like trouble.
“Order whatever you want. This should cover it,” I tell her as I take some cash out of my wallet and place it on the bar. “Have a good night.”
“What?” she questions me, confusion ringing across her face.
I walk away from the bar, mentally shaking my head at myself. The last thing that I need to do is get hooked on someone, especially someone I can’t have. I’ll just torture myself if I yearn for her.
“Did you get her number?” Ryan asks when I walk up to the slot machine he’s losing more money to.
I flash him a confused look before glancing back at the bar, which is in clear view. “No, I just paid for her drink and left.”
Ryan laughs. “What? You didn’t talk to her? Invite her back to your room?”
“We share a suite, so that would be a no go,” Jackson replies, giving me a stern look. I’m sure walking in on me and a girl would ruin his night.
“Just wasn’t feeling it,” I say as I slide my hands into the pockets of my fitted khakis.
Ryan reaches out and places the back of his hand against my forehead. “Are you sick? Running fever?”
I push his hand away as the others laugh, my eyes rolling. “You’re acting like I’m a manwhore.”
“If the shoe fits,” Marcus teases me.
I have a fling every once in a while, but it’s not a habit. Then again, that’s in comparison to the romantic who doesn’t do casual flings and the guy who lives at the fire station and can’t be bothered to date.
Of course, I seem like the manwhore.
“Well, we’ll be staying at a really nice resort in Mexico. I’m sure you’ll find someone there that you can’t resist,” Ryan says as he nudges my arm.
He’s probably not wrong. That someone just won’t be who he expects. Or wants.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” I reply, passing Jackson and Marcus a small smile that Ryan can’t see.
Jackson shakes his head, not looking amused. He doesn’t know how to have any fun, but I guess it’s not a great joke to make in the grand scheme of things.
Marcus bumps his shoulder against mine. A silent way of telling me to behave.
I’ll do my best.
No promises.