“It’s complicated,” I said.
“You know how the Pruitts operate,” James said. “Of all thepeople in this city, you had to choose her? Didn’t you learn anything from mymistakes? There is no out with those people.”
“We have a deal…”
“Don’t tell me you signed something,” James said.
“No, nothing like that.”
They all just stared at me.
“I think I can help explain,” Tanner said. “Matt and I willlet you in on our secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Everyoneelse in the city needs to believe the tabloids.”
Rob frowned, but all three of them nodded.
“Matt isn’t actually dating Poppy,” Tanner said. “I can’tbelieve you guys would actually believe that.” He said it like he hadn’t justkissed me earlier to congratulate me on the same thing. Him knowing first wasreally getting to his head. “Poppy promised not to kidnap Scarlett if Mattpretends to date her. Just until Richard lets her take over the familybusiness. Apparently Matt’s expertise in the realm of finance is of the utmostimportance to Richard.”
“You’re going to help them launder money?” Mason asked.
I shook my head. “I’d never do that. I’m just…”
“Keeping Scarlett safe,” James said. He leaned forward in hischair, his elbows balancing on his knees. “I’m not asking you to do that, Matt.”
“You didn’t have to.” I shrugged. “We’re family.”
“Is that why you’re always trying to sleep with Penny?” Robasked.
Fuck. “About that. James open your present.”
James pulled out the framed picture of me, Mason, Rob, andhim from high school. He looked up at me.
“You have the life I wanted,” I said. “The wife. The family. I’vebeen jealous of you for years. Penny’s always kind of reminded me of Brooklyn. Andyeah, I may have had a little crush on her. Or a big one. Whatever, it doesn’tmatter. I don’t want to destroy your life. I know you didn’t destroy mine. AndI really want to put this all behind us. I want us to go back to being as happyas we all were in that picture.”
“Thanks,” James said. “That means a lot. Even though I wasprobably high out of my mind in this picture,” he said with a laugh.
“So not exactly like that picture,” I said.
“And we’re absolutely sure that Matt isn’t high right now?”Rob asked.
I laughed. “I swear I’m not.”
James looked up from the photo. “So…no more flirting withPenny?”
“Yeah. I really am sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re not actually dating Poppy.”
“Could you imagine?” Mason said. “I feel like we only justgot rid of Wizzy.”
We all laughed.
“But you really don’t have to go through with that charade,”James said. “I can figure something out…”
“I know you can. But you don’t have to,” I said. “That’s thewhole point. I’ve got your back, man,”
“This is wonderful,” Tanner said. “Here, Matt, you shouldcelebrate with some green juice.” He handed me a to-go cup filled with Nigel’ssecret hangover elixir. “You did have a lot to drink tonight. Just forpreventative measures.”
“Where did you even get this?” I asked.
“I slipped out real quick while you guys were talking.”
Had he? Whatever. If he’d made this, it meant Nigel’sskeet wasn’t in it. I’d never drink one of these Nigel made ever again. I tooka huge sip.
“What’s up, Mason?” Rob asked. “You look…weird.”
Mason laughed. “Nothing. I just…never really thought abouthow much Penny reminds me of Brooklyn. In just like…the way she always has allour backs. And her sense of humor. And a little how she looks too.”
We were all quiet.
“Well, James did propose to Brooklyn all those years ago…”Rob said.
James laughed. “Don’t bring that up. Not one of my finestfriendship moments. And just for the record, you both married girls fromDelaware too.”
“Huh,” Rob said. “I never really thought about it like thateither.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “Really.” And for the first time, Ireally meant it. It may have been a good idea to mention the fact that I wasdating Kennedy. But I was planning on surprising them tomorrow night. Bybringing her to our guys’ night. She was going to have so much fun catching upwith everyone.
“So we can tell everyone now?” Rob asked. “About Brooklyn?”
“Just let me tell Penny,” I said. “I owe her an apology toofor lying about wanting to be set up. For lying about everything really.”
“Maybe give her a little while to cool down?” James said. “She’spretty heated.”
I nodded. Penny definitely did seem mad at me. I’d fix thatnext.
“This was highly productive,” Tanner said. “And I think we’reall even now. My job here is done.” He looked down.
I followed his gaze. “What the fuck?” My pants were tenting. Ididn’t even feel a little aroused. What the hell was my dick doing? Shit.
Rob started laughing. “I’ve never seen someone get so excitedby an apology before.”
I covered my growing erection with my hand and looked over atTanner. “You said your job here is done. What the hell did you do?”
He grabbed the green juice from my hand. “Nothing you didn’tdeserve.”
“Did you slip something in my drink? What the fuck was it? Aboner pill?” If I was still holding the glass I would have thrown the greenjuice in his face.
“You drugged James at his bachelor party when you were beingspiteful. So it only seemed fitting that you got drugged in return. And no oneseemed to want to do it. So I stepped up. Like the saying goes…revenge is bestserved hard.”
Rob laughed. “Okay, I have to admit that’s pretty funny. Niceone, Tanner.”
Tanner smiled. “Thanks, Robert.”
“Revenge is best served hard.” Mason laughed. “Have you beenplanning this since our last guys’ night? When you insisted that was a phrase?”
“Well, it was a simple plan,” Tanner said. “I was just tryingto fix Matt’s mistakes. What do you say, James?”
James chuckled. “Honestly I don’t even really remember that nightat the Blue Parrot Resort. But we’ll all remember this. Well played, Tanner.”
Tanner smiled. “So we’re all good here? Shall we head home, Matt?”
“We’re not all good,” I said. Having a boner in front of allmy friends seemed a lot worse than tripping balls to me. No one deserved thishell. They all laughed at me while I tried to get it under control. “Undo whatyou just
