Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Need help scoring, do you?”
“Aaaand, fuck off. Not at all.”
When I looked at the dance floor again, I saw Anson dancing with Mia, Darren’s sister. I noticed his family, minus Mia’s significant other, who I’d never met, only heard of, had been at the ceremony. None of them stayed for the reception except for Mia. She was beautiful—tall and slightly curvy, her hair in hundreds of small, black braids that went down almost to her ass, and a smile that commanded attention.
“There you are,” West said, approaching me, then to Darren, “Hey, man,” before turning his attention back to me. “Get your ass out there and dance with me. And I can’t fucking believe Bobby isn’t here. I know he moved to London, but he can’t come back to accompany his husband to my wedding?”
Shit. I didn’t want to actively lie to West, but I also didn’t want to get into it with him today. It would make him sad for me, and he didn’t deserve that on his day.
“Jere over here doesn’t strike me as the type of guy who needs anyone to accompany him anywhere,” Darren said.
“Jere?” I asked. “And truth.”
West chuckled. “Guess you’re right. Come on.”
“Thank you for the chat.” I let my gaze penetrate Darren, hoping he knew how serious I was. He’d made me feel better when I’d been feeling sorry for myself. And he’d also helped cover with West.
“Anytime, my man. Anytime.” Darren winked just before I left with West.
We danced close to Anson and Mia. Elias and Carly, Anson’s brother and sister-in-law, weren’t far away either. Elias pulled Carly to his lap and spun them around in his wheelchair. She laughed and hugged him, and why the fuck was everyone so goddamned happy and liked having their spouses with them? I hadn’t realized the toll being away from Bobby so often had taken on me until I’d seen what it could be like.
My eyes found Darren’s, and he lifted his glass to me. I still didn’t know what was up with him and me tonight. While we’d come into contact over the years, it had never been one-on-one like this.
Shaking thoughts of the sexy, straight football player out of my head, I squeezed West tighter. “Happiness is a good look for you, West,” I said.
“Thanks, man. I just…”
“Never thought you’d have this?” I finished for him.
“Exactly.”
“But you do, and you and Anson are perfect for each other.” In ways I’d realized Bobby and I weren’t.
I knew Anson thought West had changed his world, and he had, but I wondered if Anson understood just what he’d done for my best friend. Before Anson, West had never let himself need anyone, not even me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, freeing me from my thoughts. He knew me well. I was surprised I’d been able to hide my divorce from him this long.
“Absolutely. Just glad for you and feeling nostalgic.”
“What’s up with you and Darren?”
My gaze found him again. He was talking to a woman, leaning his shoulder against the wall, cockiness oozing off him. “Nothing. Just chatting and having a drink.”
When the song ended, we sat at one of the tables, West and Anson glued together. Darren came over, the woman with him. She was gorgeous—tall and leggy, with a head full of dark curls. She looped her arm through his and…Jesus, she was his date to the wedding. I’d seen them together earlier, but I didn’t know where she’d been while we were chatting.
“I appreciate you staying in Atlanta and helping with the center while we’re gone,” West told me. The organization was doing great. We worked with queer youth and young adults, and because of West’s past, there was a special program for those who’d been through conversion therapy. We supplied housing, education, medical and emotional services, and more.
“No problem. Remember, this is partly my gig too.” Which was true, but everyone knew it was West’s baby.
“I don’t think he would have trusted anyone else, so I owe you a thanks too. My honeymoon depended on your answer,” Anson teased, making everyone laugh.
“Are you kidding me? I can’t wait to get you out of the country. I’m hoping we stay naked the whole time,” West answered. “There’s my favorite blush, Bashful.” He cupped Anson’s cheek and kissed him.
“Gag,” I said.
“Too. Much. Information,” Darren added.
Anson rolled his eyes at Darren. “You can’t be serious. You give me details about your sexual experiences, whether I want them or not.” Anson looked at Darren’s date. “Shit, sorry. No names, though.”
She joined in on the laughter. “No worries. We all know Darren has a big mouth.”
“Darren has a great mouth, you mean. He’s really, really good with it.” Darren waggled his eyebrows.
“I’ve heard never to trust anyone who speaks about themselves in the third person,” I said.
His stare snagged mine. “No one asked you, JereBear.”