“Don’t worry, brother. I got pictures. I think,” he says, pulling out his phone. He barks out a laugh. “Aston, look at Ramirez trying to climb that horse statue.”
I’m listening, but I’m also watching my brother. He’s just calm and smiling. Watching the Griffith twins being, well, them.
Silas leans in subtly. “You doing okay?” he whispers.
I turn my face just enough so he can hear me. “Yeah.”
But I’m not, and he knows it.
His hand covers both of mine under the table, and he softly brushes the knuckles on one of my hands with his thumb.
The twins are still regaling us with tales of their night, and I’m half listening to what they’re saying until Ace yells out, startling me, so I look at him.
“Holy fucking shit!” He’s leaning forward in his chair, holding his phone with both hands.
“What?” Charlie tries to lean over Beck to see.
Ace looks up at me and Silas and points a finger at us. “I totally forgot. You guys got married last night!”
“What?!” Casey yells and looks over at us.
When I look back at Ace, he’s holding his phone out to my brother.
Oh God. What are they looking at?
Beck takes the phone from Ace.
This is not good.
Charlie leans into him and gasps, “Oh my fucking God, Brooke!”
“Okay, now, let’s tone it down a little.” Silas brings his hands to the table and holds them out in front of him.
“Tone it down?” Archie laughs. “Brother, you just blew shit up.”
“Brooke,” Beck says deeply.
I swallow. “Yes?”
I don’t know if I can do this right now. Not in front of everyone.
“Do you want to tell me why Arbuckle has you over his shoulder and you’re flashing your hand, which has a goddamn ring on it, looking like you just hit the jackpot in the casino?” He’s not yelling, but he’s definitely not happy.
“Linson, maybe we should talk about it somewhere more private.” Silas wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I watch my brother track the movement.
“Oh, you do, do you?” Beck tilts his head and raises his brows.
“Okay, so let’s back up a second.” Charlie takes the phone from my brother. “Silas, I knew you liked her, but this? Is it a joke?”
Silas shakes his head. “Fuck no, it’s not a joke.”
“At what point in the night did this happen?” She holds the phone out toward us, and everyone at the table leans in to see it closer.
Kill me now.
I cover my face with my hands and lean on my elbows on the table.
“Oh fuck. She does have a ring,” Casey whispers.
