The bar was packed, but knowing the owner’s husband apparently meant that Tallis had snagged a big booth. There were no complaints from me. I’d had a busy week at work and had got into the habit of staying awake late into the night texting or talking to Ryan, which meant while I was knackered and needed sleep, I was looking forward to a fun night while sitting on my backside.
“So, have you decided yet?” The question came from Tallis and pulled my attention away from Lenny serving at the bar. He’d caught my eye a time or two, had even thrown me a wink, but I was still unsure if he was flirty or friendly.
“About?” I asked.
Tallis rolled his large green eyes at me. “That friend of yours in the States and making a trip.”
I grunted in response, choosing to take a pull from my bottle of beer instead. Tallis was a good guy; his partner was great too, but Tallis and I had become firm friends, resulting in me oversharing last week about all things Ryan.
“If you’re still friends with the guy….”
I glanced back at him, understanding the direction of his trailed-off words. “It feels so much more complicated than that.”
He nodded and leaned forward. “Complicated could be worth it, though, right? You get a trip to the States, spend time with one of your best mates….”
When he spelled it out like that, it seemed pretty straightforward, until I considered the ache in my heart the last time he’d left, and then the added pain when I had to accept I’d lost him for good. And that was just with friendship. Now, with the casual sharing of info, I was more and more certain that Ryan was not straight. But everyone knew how assumptions could make an ass out of… well, me.
“I’m leaning toward heading out to see him. It’ll be good to spend some time with him before he heads home and is focused on his family,” I admitted.
Initially, Amber had been a little leery once she’d learned of her brother’s upcoming visit, but that hadn’t lasted long. While the girl was as tough as nails, she loved her brother fiercely. Sure, she was pissed at him, but the look was there, clear as day, knowing she’d be seeing him again and that he’d meet her daughter. And Gran was crazy excited.
The old coot was as fearless and stubborn as ever, and while her meds had really improved her health over the past couple of months, we were all aware she’d never be a hundred percent again. Old age didn’t stop for anyone.
“I say go for it. I think you’re making a good decision,” Tallis said. I smiled in response, hoping he was right.
“When he’s over, we’ll definitely make a night of it,” I said.
“Damn straight we will,” he declared, rolling his eyes at me. “I need to check the guy out who’s had you by the short and curlies since you hit puberty.”
I snorted. “In that case, maybe not.” My brain then stumbled. If Ryan wasn’t straight, he wasn’t out, so what I’d already sort of hinted at—my interest in Ryan—was already too much. It was something I’d need to be discussing with Tallis—the need for discretion—and of course Ryan, if it was evident I needed to.
Tallis grinned wide and leaned back, smiling at John when he returned with a round of drinks. “You’re family now. There’s no chance of us not seeing him.”
A flutter of warmth unfurled in my chest at his words. I simply nodded, heat filling my cheeks, not quite sure how to respond without sounding like a tool.
As I thanked John for the fresh bottle of beer, my phone vibrated. I tugged it out, seeing an incoming call from the man who was always on my mind.
“That him?” Tallis leaned in and peeked at my phone, grinning widely when he spotted Ryan’s name.
“I’ll just step out—”
Before I could move or complete my sentence, Tallis swiped at the answer button. “We all want to say hi.”
Amusement danced through me. I figured Ryan wouldn’t mind at all, especially since he knew I was out, yet he’d video called me anyway.
As soon as his face came into view, my heart flipped over itself. His dark hair was damp, as if he’d not long showered. A tight, pale blue tee stretched over his tanned chest and biceps, providing a sexy image of the guy. His focus was connected firmly to me, his smile bright, wide, and real.
“Hey, you.”
“Hey, Broadwater. Crashing my night out?”
He gave a light shrug, a smirk on his face. “Maybe. Thought I needed to check out who keeps stealing you away.”
This time tiny wings took flight in my chest. I swallowed, my grin true and fixed. “Missing your early wake-up chat, huh?” Humor laced my voice, but I was sure my words carried truth.
“That’s pretty much the gist of it. You having a good time?”
“Yeah. There’s an act on in about an hour, so we’re just shooting the shit.”
