The squeal that escaped her mouth drew the attention of the entire bar. Their focus stayed on them as she applauded.
“Yes! You finally figured it out! Holy shit, this is the best news ever,” Sophie shouted, then turned to look for the server, her eyes widening when she finally spotted her. “Alicia! Bring us two kamikaze shots and a slice of chocolate cake, because we’recelebrating, woo!”
“Kill me now,” Riley muttered to himself, burying his face in his hands as Alicia shouted that she was on it.
Sophie gripped his hands, pulling them away from his face.
“Don’t you dare hide from me now, Riley Bear. You gotta give me details. Was this a one-time thing? Are you in a relationship? Was it everything you’ve been searching for your whole life?”
The sigh that escaped him helped calm his nerves. He noticed that everyone else in the bar had finally tuned back into their own conversations. Sophie only called him Riley Bear when she was in a teasing mood. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one always teasing her since he was the big brother? Not in this family, apparently.
“No, I’m not sure, and… yeah, I think it is,” he said, but reached over to slap a palm over her mouth to keep her from gaining the attention of the entire bar again. “Please chill. This is huge for me, and slightly terrifying.”
He saw her eyes soften in sympathy. Taz was finally reined in, for now.
She bit his hand and he yanked it away with a grunt, then she leaned in like they were sharing the secrets of the universe.
“Seriously though, Ri, I’m so happy for you. I’ve been waiting for you two to figure this out for years. You're so perfect for each other. I’ve never seen twopeople more compatible than you and Josh. And when you guys get married, he’ll really be my brother!”
Riley had a feeling this would be how most people would react to the news. He couldn’t even balk at the idea of marrying Josh because he was perfect for him, although it was a little bit too soon. There was still one problem he was worried about.
“Do you think Mom will feel the same way?”
He couldn’t help but think about her words at their last dinner.
Keep it in the home.
She thought people threw their queer relationships in people’s faces when all they were trying to do was exist in the world. The hypocrisy of the way hetero relationships were thrown in their faces since birth didn’t faze people who made this argument, because that was natural, and this was consideredunnatural. Ugh.
It was Sophie’s turn to sigh. She reached over to grab one of Riley’s hands on the table.
“I think she might be shocked at first, maybe confused, but Dad seemed to be an ally, and I think eventually she’ll accept it. It may be easier for her with you and Josh because you two have acted like a couple as long as I can remember. Only difference is, you’re kissing now.”
She gave his hand a squeeze and leaned closer to whisper, “Please give me some details. It feels differentwith him, doesn’t it?”
He couldn’t help but smile at his supportive but inappropriate sister. “It feels like everything. It feels right.”
“Yes! I knew it,” she said as she pumped her fist with the hand not holding his. “It had to be different with him. He’s yourperson. I can’t wait until I find mine.”
He couldn’t help a slight gasp at her words. Wasn’t he thinking the same thing last night?
Alicia interrupted the moment with two brightly colored shots and a slice of chocolate cake.
“Enjoy,” she said with a wink as she turned and walked toward the bar.
“Shots first?” Sophie asked.
“Of course, cake is the chaser.”
“Of course,” she said, lifting the shot and holding it out toward Riley. “To my brother and his new blossoming romance with the best friend who's been in front of him for years, a love they’ve both been completely blind to.”
He chuckled and tipped his glass against hers, then downed the shot, followed by both of them reaching for a fork to demolish the cake.
If there was one thing he could count on when it came to Sophie, it was her unconditional love and support. He hoped that would extend to the rest of his family. Until then, he’d enjoy figuring out what was next with Josh. But first, cake.
Gym Rat Pack Group Chat
GARRETT:Missed the rest of you at the club last night!
