“Or at least until she knew her dad was all right.” Ryan added.
I rubbed a hand over my face. “How exactly is this helping me?”
Ryan and Nathan shared a look.
I rolled my eyes and wished like hell I was getting another beer and not a damn water.
“Indy’s young.” Nathan shrugged and sat back on his side of the booth. “She doesn’t understand yet why it’s important for her to be able to stand on her own. She needs more autonomy before she becomes part of a couple. You’re doing the right thing.”
I groaned and scrubbed my aching eyes. “Fuck, at this point I’m not sure I understand what the fuck I’m doing. I want her back. This whole thing is starting to feel like a mistake.”
“You both just need some time and distance.” Ryan sighed. “It is fucked up though.”
My brothers were clearly out of platitudes, and we sat in strained silence for a few moments then Nathan turned to Ryan. “So what’s the deal with the honeymoon? Are you guys not going on one?”
Their conversation buzzed over me, but I couldn’t pay attention. My eyes had snagged on a couple at the other side of the restaurant—the girl had a passing resemblance to Indy. The guy with her knew what he had since his arm had been wrapped around her from the moment I’d first spotted them. He smiled down at her and listened to her talk. Then he pressed a quick kiss against the tip of her nose.
I had to look away. It was so fucking cute it was going to make me puke.
That could’ve been me. I could’ve been the one holding my girl and living the good life.
“…Hawaii. But we haven’t booked anythi—”
“How much longer until I can have another beer?” I grumbled, talking over my brothers.
“Once you’ve eaten half your dinner like a good boy.” Nathan raised his eyebrows. “And no sooner.”
“Fucking bullshit,” I grumbled under my breath.
“So what else have you been up to since…” Ryan pulled a face like he’d accidentally mentioned Beetlejuice.
Sober Dylan probably would’ve given him shit about it, but Drunk Dylan was too morose to give a shit. “Aside from making sure Indy’s dad’s lawyer was up to date on everything, I also gave my deposition to our lawyer.” We were contemplating whether we had grounds to sue James and the network, so our lawyer was doing a bunch of fact finding. Needless to say, the show was on indefinite hiatus. “I’ve been painting in my spare room mostly.”
Ryan sighed. “You can’t just sit around and mope for forever. You need to keep living your life.”
“Yeah, do you seriously think Indy is going to want to date you when you’re such a sad sack?” Nathan laughed.
I shook my head. “Date? What are you talking about?”
“This isn’t forever, Dyl.” Nathan said it slowly like he was talking to a dimwit.
Maybe because he was.
“I broke her heart. Kicked her out of my house and out of my life. After she found out that my dad attacked her dad. Why would she ever want to date me?”
“Because she knows how awesome you are,” Ryan said like it was a fact everyone should just accept.
“I mean, you made her fall for you once.” Nathan shrugged. “I don’t see why you can’t do it again.”
My pulse kicked into a higher gear as I turned over their words in my head.
Our waitress appeared at the side of our table with a loaded tray. She set down ginormous burgers in front of my brothers. “And a grilled chicken rice bowl. Can I get you guys anything else?”
I stared at the thing in front of me in confusion. Did I seriously fucking order this? This?
My brothers were too busy laughing like lunatics to answer the waitress. I narrowed my eyes at them.
“Yeah, can we get another one of those burgers?” I nodded at the plate in front of Nathan.
