“I was miles ahead of you, Sam.”
By this time, Chris had caught up to them with a nonchalant look on his face. The man was the least competitive of them all, but he still indulged in a good bet. And even some bad ones.
“Right. So that spit from your horse’s mouth didn’t land on my gloves then?” Sam taunted.
“Exactly. I was ahead of you. You just admitted it.” Wes did not look like he was giving up.
“Sure, Duke. You can take the win. Sounds like you need it.” Sam said, as he shuffled the reins, collecting them in one hand.
“I don’t need a win. I’m getting married tomorrow. That’s enough of a win to last a lifetime.”
Sam and James both belted out a laugh, Sam nudging James with his knuckles. “When did he become such a romantic nuisance?”
“All too soon,” James said. “He’s breaking up The Betting Buddies.”
“Marriage won’t affect us at all.”
“It already has, Wes,” Sam said.
Wes scoffed in a not so clearly scoffing way. It was more of a cough. And a laugh. With a bit of a humming sound.
“Might I direct your attention to the fencing tournament?” Sam lifted a brow.
“What of it?” Wes challenged, though all four knew he hadn’t a leg to stand on.
“When you let your wife oppose me?”
“She wasn’t my wife.”
“Semantics, Wes. Really. You let the gel infiltrate our sacred, manly tournament.” Sam was in full taunting mode now. James could see the flicker of amusement and mischief in his eyes.
“Don’t call her that,” Wes’ voice rumbled over the empty field.
“Now, now,” Sam said, knowing when to appease the beast. “We let her win the tournament—”
Wes’s growl caused Sam to reword his statement. “We let herkeepthe win. But really, I hope you don’t plan on inviting her to piquet tonight.”
James snorted a laugh and tried to cover it up when Wes glowered at him.
“He’s right though,” James said, pointing at Sam. “I’d rather not see any women tonight while we’re playing cards.”
“Women or ladies?” Chris, usually the quiet one, inserted.
“Either,” James laughed. “Or both.”
“Really?” All three turned to look at him, likely questioning his sanity. Or perhaps his decision-making abilities. “Feeling the uber-rake today?”
James ignored Sam’s comment, and turned to Wes. “We did the race, which was my pick obviously. We did the archery earlier, Sam’s choice. Isn’t it about time we head over to the club for Chris's pick?”
Sam was shaking his head. “I still think it’s a bit odd that Wes is letting us three bacon-brains choose the activities of his last day as a single man.”
“I don’t need to do anything more. I’m ready to be married,” Wes announced with an annoyingly bright, and immeasurably wide grin.
The other three groaned. At least, James thought the three were in sync. But really, he couldn’t be sure about Chris.
“Let’s go before this fool spouts any more nonsensical sentiments on love and marriage,” Sam said. He was already tugging on the reins to lead his horse to the club.
“Here, here,” James agreed.
