Silas puts a hand on my back. “Uh, well, we got married after the Ferris wheel. But this particular moment, we had just gottento the Bellagio and happened to run into Dumb and Dumber here.” He waves a finger between Ace and Aston.
“You motherfucker. I told you to keep an eye on her, not fucking marry her!” Beck smacks the table.
“You know what? I feel like this is a conversation the family should have first, so maybe let’s just enjoy breakfast and celebrate your win yesterday,” Emma chimes in, trying to calm down the tension.
“I agree.” Chelsea nods.
I look around the table, and there’s a mix of shock and fake smiles aimed at us.
Beck’s chair scrapes across the floor, and he stands and starts to walk away.
Charlie jumps up at the same time I do. “I got him, B,” she says with an apologetic smile, then hands Ace his phone.
Archie is leaning toward Ace. “You’re such a dumbass.”
Someone clears his throat.
“Well, I guess we have a few things to celebrate then, huh?” Bo laughs, trying to change the tone. “A national championship, my and Chelsea’s engagement, and apparently Brooke and Silas’s nuptials.”
“Yes,” everyone awkwardly says at once.
Noelle gets up from her seat and walks over to mine. “Congratulations, Brooke,” she says, hugging me from behind.
I tilt my head toward hers. “Thanks.”
“Okay, so once again for those of us who are still a little drunk,” Aston asks. “I knew you had a thing for her, but dude, this is real?”
“It’s real,” Silas says assuredly.
“I had no idea you guys were even, like, a thing,” Archie says.
“Baby, it appears that this is a shock to everyone.” Emma leans over and kisses Archie’s cheek.
“Okay, well”—Casey slaps a hand on Silas’s shoulder—“justknow, if you hurt her, you’ll have more than Beck to worry about.” He squeezes. “But, hey, congrats!”
“I’d never hurt her,” Silas says.
The waitress comes over to us before anyone can say anything else and takes our orders.
When she asks me what I want, I don’t answer, my nerves too jumbled, so Silas orders something for me.
Bo directs the conversation back to Ace and Aston, and they continue to tell us about their night while we wait for our food. I don’t hear any of it over the pounding in my head.
Silas reaches in his pocket and pulls out my phone. “Do you want to call him or text him?”
I nod, taking the phone from his hand. “Thank you.”
“Remember, I’m right here. I won’t leave you to handle this on your own.” He kisses the side of my head.
I pick at my food when it arrives, and then my phone buzzes.
Beck: Come to room 1456. Dad’s on his way over.
I might actually start crying.
Brooke: Okay, be there in a few.
“Beck?” Silas asks.
