There’s a snort from the man who is very much not named Buster, while Bram huffs and thanks him. He’s told to remain close, then we’re being swept into the sushi house and into a back room.
Nothing but the best for a Laurier.
Bram doesn’t always take advantage of his family name or the power it holds. He usually only throws it around when it comes to feeding me or getting us into something sold out in Bellport. For being a small town, there sure is a hell of a lot to do here.
Granted, I think we’ve upgraded to a midsize city in the last decade or so. The Bellport family, whom the town is named after, has taken to building Bellport into a place to be proud of. People come far and wide to see the sports teams here, who went from obscure to champions in a couple of years.
My best friend waits until after we’ve ordered our food to give me his attention. His tight shoulders and frown lines give away the fact that this is bad news.
“Just tell me,” I plead. “I’m sick with worry.”
He nods firmly. “The truth is… I’m going on vacation tomorrow for the holiday.”
I smile, excited he’s finally telling me the plan.
“Alone,” he adds.
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone. I need some time. Some space. My mind is all over the place right now. I think this will be best for us both.”
My brows dip. “Best for us both? How can you possibly think that? You’re my person. My best friend. What am I going to do now?”
“You have friends other than me. What about Foster and Duval? You could call them up. Or maybe one of the other Littles you know. I’m sure they’ll be doing a holiday get together.”
I’m shaking my head before he finishes. “Foster and Duval should spend their first Christmas together as a couple without a third wheel. And the other Littles might have something, but it would be hella weird for me to go alone. They all have Daddies.”
My skin flushes at the use of the word. I’m always careful not to say it too much around Bram. It would be far too easy to slip up and call him by the title.
We don’t have that kind of relationship though. No matter how much I’ve wished for it, he’s never pushed for more.
And he would have to be the one to bring it up. I couldn’t dare risk our friendship on a crush.
Even if it’s been years since I realized I loved him.
“Why hadn’t you mentioned any of that?” Bram’s face is pinched with some expression I don’t recognize.
I throw my hands up. “Because it doesn’t matter. I didn’t think I’d be around any of them anyway. It’s always us. Always you and me.”
“Yes, it is.” His voice is soft, with a hint of frustration.
“Is it that you don’t want me around? Am I too much trouble?”
He shakes his head. “That’s not it at all. You know I love spending time with you. I was being honest when I said there’s some stuff I need to think about. I can’t… I can’t do that with you around.”
I go over the facts in my head as the waiter appears with the food. My best friend is going through something he doesn’t want to talk about. He’s telling me he needs space away from me (and everyone else, but mostly me). This is a last-minute change because he knows I’d find a way to change his mind if he gave me more notice.
Speaking of which — “When do you leave?”
“My flight is in the morning. I’ll be gone for a week.”
“Where are you going?” I say as I stuff a crab rangoon in my mouth. I’m trying to keep my cool while also probing for information he probably shouldn’t give me.
Probably shouldn’t because he doesn’t fully understand the level of obsession I have with him. I will track him down like the stalker I can be to spend the holidays with him.
Is it wrong to crash his holiday? Yes.
Will it stop me? No.
