Page 52 of All the Promises We Break

This silver lining shines brighter than the sun, more glittering than the moon. I roll over, pulling her pillow against my face. The lack of a second heartbeat or the soft sighs as she drifts into a deep sleep are too loud now. I’m going to need something a little stronger than a couple beers to kick my sandman into gear, even if it’s just for a few hours.

After gently putting Dylan’s pillow back to her side of the bed, I pull my flannel pants on and open the door to find Wes facedown on the couch, with the gaming system control still in his hand. The television is glowing on a frozen screen awaiting his next move. The pizza boxes are still on the coffee table where we left them, flanked by a couple of IPA bottles that weren’t there when I said good night. This wasn’t the same bachelor party I had the first go around but it was perfect.

Removing Wes’s fingers one by one from the grip on the controller, I lower the sound and continue his gaming questfor him. My thumbs click away for minutes before a dull groan waves into my left ear.

“Go back to sleep, Cinderella. You have a ball to attend.”

“I can’t sleep. The bed’s open if you want it,” I tell him.

Wes turns his head, so it’s buried in the couch cushion for a minute before struggling to push his body up from his slumber. “Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts. I’ll have to kick your ass if that’s the case, and I’m in no mood for that shit.”

“Are you serious? I’m wishing it was four in the afternoon and I could be starting my life officially with her. This is a feeling like a kid before Christmas. I haven't been this sure of anything in a long time.”

“You were never a good liar.”

“I’m not lying.”

Wes sits up and rubs his hand through his hair, stretching out his legs before propping them on the table in front of him. “Then what am I picking up on?”

The sound of my character meeting his end echoes over and through that question. I stare down at the buttons beneath my thumbs. “Did I push Dylan here? I hope this is what she wants, and she isn’t just doing this for me.”

“Dude, if you have to ask that question then this shouldn’t be happening. Where’s all this doubt coming from, because you said you were sure. Is it her?”

“I want her to feel like she comes first. I made that promise with her early on and I want to keep it.”

“She said yes. She’s been with you every step and then some. You were ready to tell your board to fuck off for her. You went into battle with Paul Cooper for her. You came back from the near dead for her. I’m not the guy who generally plays the one-woman game. I wish I could get there, I want to be there, but you are. Youarethat guy and she’s endgame. Trust it and trust her.I know you. I know you better than you know you sometimes. You’re wrapping the past and the present.

“You’re still working your way back, man. I get it. Let me make it clear for you. This isn’t then. She’s not the one who will fuck some other man and rub your nose in it. Just because you marry her doesn’t mean it will end the same or end at all. You’re straight goals, man.”

“Goals you have?” I tease.

“I’m not an idiot. I’ll leave the field by choice someday; I hope someday soon. I do want what you have. I’m just not there yet, almost, but not yet.”

“You’ve been off all week. Is it Merlin?”

Wes takes a deep breath and lowers his head to his waiting hand. “Yeah, it’s not really working out. I fucked up. I did something stupid, and she isn’t talking to me.”

“I assume you apologized.”

“Fuck, like over and over. This girl’s as stubborn as she is beautiful. Once her mind is made up about something, it will take a miracle to change it.” Wes shrugs. “Maybe it’s just over.”

“I’ve never seen you so stirred up over a woman before. Give it a bit of time and space. She’ll come around.”

“God, I hope so.” His eyes float down to a row of three shot glasses. Two are empty and upside down. The third is full.

“Are you going to leave that?” I ask.

“Yeah. Seems right.”

“Hey.” I’m not sure how to respond, so I'll keep it simple. “Thanks for staying here.”

“Never leave a wingman, right?”

Dylan

I can’t sleep. I thought after a bottle of wine it would be an easy sell. The truth is I don’t sleep well without Eli. I used to love to play starfish in the middle of my bed, but now the comfort of him next to me is what I need.

I’ve curled my body into the tiny wingback chair by the window in my hotel room. Some people count animals. I count stars in the sky. There are so many tonight. I hope Eli is watching them with me. This would make a great concept for my audition.

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