Branson elbowed him. “None of that stripper shit, or we can turn this limo around.”
Silas grinned. “Don’t worry. Bryson and I came up with something you’ll enjoy.” He opened a hidden compartment filled with ice and pulled out a bottle of scotch. “How about we start with some booze?”
He handed out glasses and poured scotch for everyone except himself.
“You’re not having any?” I asked.
“I’m here as the party aficionado. I’m not really part of the group.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Branson said. “You’d be invited even if you hadn’t helped plan everything.”
“Have a drink,” I urged.
Christian leaned in against me, pressing his shoulder against mine. “And tell us more about you, Silas. I don’t knowanythingexcept you’ve got the Larkin men under your spell.”
“Not much to tell,” Silas said. “I’m a wedding planner, and I’ve helped the guys navigate a new town.”
“Is that all?” Christian turned to me. “Maybe I have less to worry about than I thought.”
Did it sting that Silas didn’t openly acknowledge our…connection. A little. But then, why would he tell a stranger we were casually hooking up?
“What do you mean?” Silas asked.
Christian smiled. “Oh, didn’t Bryson tell you? We were together back in Arkansas, and now that I’m here?—”
“How about we get some music going?” Bolton interrupted. “This is supposed to be a party.”
Silas stared at Christian and me a beat—expression unreadable—before he turned and connected his phone to the Bluetooth speakers. “What’s your vibe?”
“Something lively,” Reece suggested.
Silas hit a couple of buttons and the car filled with a thumping techno beat that wouldn’t be out of place in a nightclub.
I threw back my scotch and eyed Silas across the limo. He was close enough I could see him shut down, but far enough I couldn’t really explain anything without everyone listening in.
I settled for turning to Christian. “We’re not getting back together.”
“Well, I know you say that now, but the night is young.” Christian batted his eyes.
The guys started giving Branson shit about how whipped he was for missing the last baseball game, and I gladly sank into group banter.
Silas was sipping scotch, gazing out the window, and Christian continued to sit too damn close. I edged closer to the door, hoping to find some space, but there was none.
It was going to be a longfucking night.
Ball Breakers was just as rough around the edges as Silas had said. The crowd looked like a mix of working men, truckers, and bikers.
Branson grinned as he surveyed the pool tables. “This takes me back. Perfect choice, bro. Thanks.”
“Thought you’d like it,” I said.
Christian wrinkled up his nose. “It’s…a choice.”
“He met Caitlyn at a place like this,” I explained.
Before we came in, Silas led us on a tour through Blush, and the guys gave Branson all kinds of shit while choosing sex toys for him to spice up his wedding night.
“Caitlyn willlovethis bachelor’s party after all,” Reece had said with a laugh as he held up a small pink vibrator.
