I guess four bags does seem like a lot when he points out how many days we’re going for, and they also do look pretty fancy since they’re all matching designer bags my mom got for me.
I can’t help but laugh, amused by the almost offended glare he’s still aiming at my luggage. “I wanted to be prepared with options in case anyone else forgot something. Plus, we have a lot of activities planned! I needed a whole bag just for all the different shoes I’ll need to match everything.”
I’m Blake’s best man, and I’ve taken that role veryseriously when planning this weekend. John can judge me all he wants, but I’m sure he’ll end up with a candy dick in his mouth by the end of the night, just like everyone else.
And oh my god, he talked to me right away! I didn’t even have to say anything first or ask him one of the direct get-to-know-you style questions I prepared, so I think that’s a great sign for this weekend.
I was a little concerned about his lack of responses to the texts I’ve sent him, but I know he’s a busy guy and not everyone is as glued to their phone as I tend to be. I’ve met John a few times now, and he usually seems pretty standoffish. He really leans into the whole “dark and broody bad boy” thing he’s got going on with all the tattoos and piercings, plus all the black he wears, but I get along with everyone, so I’m sure we’ll be the best of friends by the end of this weekend.
He’s my best friend’s fiancé’s best friend, so we’re basically already best friend in-laws or something, and he’s already joking around with me! I love it.
He blinks at me a few times before opening his mouth. “An entire bag for shoes?”
Before I can ask how many shoeshebrought, Ash cuts in. “Are you two done bickering yet? Maybe we can check in?”
Bickering?Ash is so funny. I’m so glad he was able to take the entire weekend off to join us. Ash works for his dad’s law firm, and the amount of time he spends working should be criminal.
Blake and I have known Ash for basically our wholelives, but we’ve only become close recently. Turns out he’s always known he was bi, but he’d never told anyone until Blake announced he had a boyfriend at the game we were at as part of his hometown visit onLove Without Labels.It’s been great getting to know him more now that he doesn’t feel like he needs to hide that part of himself from us, and I hate that he ever felt that way. I love love, and I’ve never cared who dates who as long as everyone is happy.
“That’s a great idea,” Jace agrees as he somehow manages to grab almost all of his and his husband Kieran’s bags before moving into the check-in line. Kieran brought nearly as many bags as I did, and he’s only left with one rolling suitcase as he follows, so it’s pretty impressive.
Kieran is the only one I really trust to be appropriately packed for going out in Vegas. He’s a popular beauty influencer, and even though I’d never heard of him before Blake was onLove Without Labels, now I watch all his videos. Makeup isn’t my thing, but I like to support my friends, and he’s obviously crazy talented with all the artistic things he can do with his style. We’ve only really hung out in a group when Blake and Liam are back in the city, but both he and Jace are really nice guys, so I’m hoping after this weekend, we might be a little closer too. With Blake no longer in New York City to spend time with me, I’d love more people to hang out with.
Ash follows them into the line as Blake finally makes his way over to greet me, shouting “Vegaaaas”as he hugs me. I join in his yell, squeezing him tightly, and we’re both laughing by the time we break apart. “Can I help you with these?” he offers, gesturing to my bags.
“Thanks, bro.”
We join the rest of the guys in the baggage drop line, checking in all our bags before making our way to security. Kieran, Jace, and Ash are all at the front of the line, and Blake and I are at the back, Liam in front of us. I’m surprised John doesn’t want to be with Liam, but he gestured for me to go ahead of him.
It’s like we’re best friends already with how considerate he’s being.
“So, how are your babies?” I ask Blake as we wait, slowly moving forward in line.
“Oh my god, they’re amazing! I swear, the chickens somehow get even cuter the longer I live with them. And the mini white park cattle we got last month are sooo adorable, they’re going to be such a hit in the petting zoo.”
Liam snorts as he turns around to join our conversation. “Oh, are they actually going to make it into the petting zoo?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I ask, already smiling at Liam’s amused tone.
“Because Blake seems to think they’re dogs, and he keeps letting them into our house.”
“They were cold!” Blake insists with a massive smile.
“They’re literally covered in fur,” Liam reminds him, but he’s smiling too. I know he’s just as entertained byBlake’s approach to farm life as I am, even if he tries to remain the voice of reason between them.
“Keep moving!” someone from TSA shouts at us as we get to the front of the line and can finally push our bins through. Blake ends up needing a pat down, and I don’t hear why as I wait for my turn, but I must be the lucky one today because I manage to get through security without incident. John, who’s still behind me, isn’t as lucky. I look back just in time to see the monitor on the body scanner machine go off, and there’s a box around his waist on the screen, so he probably forgot to take off his belt or something. Classic mistake.
I’m still getting my watch back on, so I’m close enough to hear the TSA agent. “We’ll need to do a pat down. Would you like to do it somewhere more private or is here okay?”
“Here’s fine, it’s just my piercing,” John answers quietly, but I still manage to hear him, andholy shitam I glad I did!
His piercing? As in… John has his dick pierced? He must, where else would a piercing possibly be in that area? I can’t seem to look away as a male TSA agent quickly pats down John’s groin area. My mind is running wild with thoughts of what his piercing would even look like. The agent backs away and nods, so John finally grabs his stuff, meeting up with the rest of us.
I guess I knew that was a piercing people could have, but I’ve never met anyone who actually did it. I have so many questions! I know the security checkpoint at anairport probably isn’t the place for them, though, so I manage to bite my tongue until we get to the gate. Barely.
I can’t wait any longer than that though, so before we even find seats at our terminal, I turn to John, practically bouncing from how excited I am. “Oh my god, you have a dick piercing!Isit on your dick? Are ball piercings a thing? How much did it hurt? Holy shit, I have so many questions. You have to show me!”
John seems unamused as he slowly turns to meet my gaze, staring blankly at me. “You want me to show you my cock? Aren’t you the straight one on this trip?”
