“I don’t want it,” I remind him.
He steps closer to guide the straw toward my mouth anyway, looking at me with a conspiratorial grin. “Drink. We’re in Vegas. It’s a part of the experience.”
I attempt to glare back at him, but I think the corners of my mouth might tip up because it only causes him to smile wider. He moves a hand back to grip mine, squeezing it. I finally let out another sigh and take one sip, just to shut him up… and instantly regret it.
“This is disgusting, Chad.” I somehow truly hate the drink more than I thought I would. The double margarita earlier was far better than whatever the hell this sugary thing is.
“Fine, we’ll get you a normal drink then, but you’re drinking with me!” Chad drags me back to the bartender. “Hi again. My friend doesn’t like his slushie, it’s not your fault, he’s just picky. Can you pour a double shot of whiskey for him? We’re celebrating tonight!”
“Sure thing.” The bartender nods.
He pours the shot and slides it to me. I eye the shot for a moment, my instinct is to protest, but leaving this casino is the only thing I can think about, well, and getting Chad away from the bar, so I only hesitate a moment before tipping the shot back. Chad somehow chugs an entire slushie in the same amount of time.
“Thanks,” I mutter to the bartender, throwing some cash on the bar and turning back to Chad. “Now, come on, let’s go.”
“No, ow! Wait! Brain freeze, oh my god, John! Ow! Fix it!” Chad is a mess, and out of the corner of my eye, I realize the bartender is laughing at him. I give him an aggressive glare for laughing at Chad, and he stops immediately, turning around to mind his own business.
“Rub your tongue to the roof of your mouth,” I instruct.
“Ow, ow, ow!” Chad whines as he squeezes his eyes shut as his tongue starts moving vigorously in his mouth, and I try not to think about what else his tongue could do. After a moment, he finally lets out a relieved sigh, looking at me with obvious gratitude.
“Wow. That helped so much. You’re the best, John. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
His overly affectionate response confuses me yet again, so I take the empty drink cup from his hand and set it on the bar. He reaches his hand out and instead of protesting, I take it, and we start walking toward the entrance of the casino. I’m not sure where we’re going, but going outside sounds better than staying at the bar.
“Hey, guys,” Blake shouts, coming up to us out of nowhere before we can escape the casino with Liam at his side. “Are you having fun?”
“Define fun,” I immediately respond, and Liam quirks his lip at me, reading my sarcasm.
“Yes,” Chad says at the same time, grabbing my arm possessively with his free hand while keeping our fingers intertwined in the other. I didn’t wear my typical leather jacket out tonight, and I’m already regretting it. Chad has somehow worked his hand into the sleeve of my short-sleeved shirt, basically caressing my arm as he answers. “So much fun! I’m so glad I have my bestie-in-law John here to spend my night with.”
Blake snorts. “Bestie-in-law? That’s hilarious! I think I told Kieran something like that when we met.”
“It’s a real thing despite what John says,” Chad says seriously, leaning his entire body weight against me. “We’re family now. Our men are getting married.”
Liam slides an arm around Blake’s waist as he smiles softly. “How drunk are you right now, Chad?”
Chad holds up the remaining slushie. “Only this much.”
“No,” I correct. “He’s had far more than that.”
Blake laughs and kisses Liam’s cheek, murmuring something that makes Liam blush, and for a second, I can’t help but stare at how annoyingly sweet they are.
Chad’s body shifts against me again, stealing my attention, and I turn to make sure he didn’t fall asleep standing up or something, but instead, he’s looking at them with an expression I can only describe as longing. The way someone might look when they watch someone they care about move on without them.
I really can’t stop wondering if Chad is in love with Blake. And why does the idea of that make something in my gut twist?
It’s gotta be related to Liam. A protectiveness for my friend. Concern that Chad might try to steal Blake back before the wedding or something equally as crazy.
“You guys are so lucky,” Chad blurts out, voicewobbling slightly. “I mean, look at you. All cute and in love and happy. I want that.”
Blake beams. “Thanks, bro!”
Liam chuckles, rubbing Blake’s back. “We’re lucky, yeah.”
That seems to remind Chad of something, and he stands up straighter. “Well, I’m lucky too! I’m so lucky to have John, he’s amazing and takes such good care of me,” Chad says, looking at me in the eye now. It’s not until Liam lets out a laugh that I’m able to pull my attention away as I look to him.
“I’m sorry, this is just… incredible,” he says through a laugh, and Blake has a shit-eating grin on his face, looking at our hands.
