Once the entertainment has packed up and left, Dilynne brings out the cardboard cutouts of the guys, revealing the adjustment that she made to the original game.
“I can’t with this girl sometimes,” Laney says to me from my right. “She created this game when Elliot and Tori were getting married and had cutouts of objects for people to pin to their junk. Now, I guess we’re pinning different hairstyles on them?”
“You know, since you’re a hairstylist,” Dilynne explains like it makes perfect sense as she continues to set up the cutouts.
Laney turns to me and takes my hand in hers. “Are you having a good time?”
“I really am,” I say. “And I know you and I haven’t known each other for very long, so it really means a lot that you’ve included me in this special moment in your life, Laney.” I fight off the emotion clogging my throat.
She squeezes my hand. “Well, it means a lot to me that you’ve made my brother smile again, so let’s say that we’re even.”
We share a laugh, and then I glance across the room where Elodie is trying to help Dilynne set up the cardboard cutouts of the boys, but the one of Elliot keeps falling down.
“He would be a pain in my ass, even in cardboard form,” Dilynne mutters as she kicks Elliot sprawled across the floor. “Can’t keep it up. I bet that’s how it is in real life too.”
Laney shakes her head and turns back to me. “Anyway, in all seriousness, how are things going with you and my brother? And please, spare me any more details of your love life.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Honestly, things are going so well that I’m terrified.”
“Girl, I know that feeling.”
“He took me on a date and told me that he thinks I’m the person he was waiting for to show him that he could be happy again, Laney.” I take in a shaky breath. “I’m falling for him.”
Laney squeals. “You two belong together. I can feel it.”
“You think so?”
“I know my brother, and I knew it would take a special woman to pull him out of the storm he’s been living in.” She rubs my hand. “That’s you, Vienna.”
“I—I’m speechless.”
“Don’t be. Just keep being patient with him and don’t let anything stand in your way. Otherwise, you’ll live with regrets and that’s something no one can ever take back.”
Trust me, Laney. I know.
Chapter 23
Rhonan
Dick Piercings & Realizations
“Jesus, do you think the music could be any louder in here?”
Henley leans his mouth next to my ear. “Your old age is showing.”
I push his shoulder and follow him deeper into the club. We just finished one of the best sushi dinners I’ve ever had, and now our group is walking through the main floor of Tonic, a nightclub in downtown Charlotte, to keep the bachelor party going. The reviews for this place were insane, and Fletcher agreed it would be a great place to kick back with everyone, so I made the reservations months ago. They’re also going to set up poker and blackjack tables for us to play in lieu of dancing.
Guys from Fletcher’s NFL team are flanking us as we walk through the crowd to the VIP area roped off for our party, and I’ve never felt so small.
I’m not a tiny man by any means, standing just over six foot and proud of the physique I’ve carved over the years. But being near a group of professional football players is making me feel like I would be the last guy in this crowd to be picked to play on the team.
Elliot comes up behind us, walking bow-legged still. I noticed something was off with him earlier, but I didn’t think too much of it.However, now that I have time to study him, I can definitely tell that his gait is not normal.
“Why are you walking like you have a fucking stick up your ass?” I ask as we pass through the ropes and everyone starts picking which booths they want to sit in.
Henley turns back to the two of us. “Well, according to my sister, Elliot does have a stick shoved up there, so...”
Elliot flips him off. “Fuck you and your sister.”
