Page 26 of Saul

Ricky giggled. “I’m in love with Jason Statham.” I rolled my eyes. Everyone was in love with Jason Statham.

Ricky picked at his fingernail then got up to refill my glass. “I think that we’re kind of trapped in a magical bubble and you don’t know what that’s gonna look like when it pops. And you are wary of trusting, because it seems too good to be true.”

“I just need time to think.”

“No, you don’t,” Ricky challenged. “You just want time to shore up your defenses. Steven was never right for you because you never let him in.”

“Saul’s seen more of me in the last couple of days than Steven has in the last year.”

And because it was Ricky, he smirked and managed to tease a smile out of me. “I’m betting you would never have let Steven diaper you.”

“Yeah, well no one’s ever going to do it again because look how well that turned out.” I got up because I couldn’t stay sitting.

“Which wasn’t Saul’s fault.”

I nodded. “I’m hungry. When’s breakfast getting here?” I wasn’t, and I knew Ricky recognized it as a diversion tactic, but he let that go as well.

“Anytime now,” he said, then giggled at the knock on the door, and stood. “Party time, baby, and I want my nails done after we eat.” I chuckled in relief and got out all the nail stuff.

I didn’t know whether to be relieved or not that Saul was sitting behind me and not in the same row during the ceremony. There weren’t set sides, not like in a church, but Steven had to stand with Chris and so he and I went to opposite sides when we sat down. It would have looked really awkward if Steven had tried to cross behind the happy couple.

And they were happy.

They didn’t do the traditional vows, but because of where we were, Chris promised faithfully to be a good Daddy for his boy. Ricky cried but these were happy tears. Chris and Ricky had insisted all the guests in the hotel come to the wedding, and as promised, Ryder had collected May-belle from the hospital so she didn’t miss anything.

The wedding was everything Ricky wanted, and it seemed like the last day hadn’t even happened.

But it had, and I didn’t know what to do about it.

We were laughing and drinking when Steven sidled up to me. I knew Saul was standing awkwardly to the side. He’d barely spoken to Chris, and I felt bad that their relationship was suffering because of me.

“Cal,” Steven started, and I frowned. When had he ever called me Cal? Only Ricky ever called me that, and not often.

“What?” I sighed and saw him holding what was probably Bourbon. The wedding was done, the gorgeous meal Joshua had presided over was finished. Tonight was a party for those that had the stamina. I’d already told Ricky I was taking myself up after an hour and he’d giggled and said he doubted he and Chris would even last that long.

“I want to talk to you,” he tried, but I shook my head.

“I think you said everything already. I’m not interested, Steven.” And he sold me out last night.

“But Cal,” and he grabbed my arm. “You’re not listening to me.”

I tried to shake him off. “Let go. I told you—” But then Saul appeared and had Steven’s arm behind his back before he knew what was happening.

“He told you to let go,” Saul ground out.

“What the hell? You’re gonna break my arm,” Steven almost shrieked. Not that Saul looked too concerned with that possibility. I felt the silence creep in all around me, and I didn’t dare look at anyone else. “Saul…” I bit my lip, feeling the heat climb my neck

Saul turned and looked right at me, waiting for me to say something. When I didn’t, he eased off on Steven’s arm but didn’t let go. “Is he who you want?” I opened my mouth, but then I closed it. I couldn’t do this in front of all these people. I tried to tell him that, but the shame from last night was still too raw.

But Saul nodded as if I’d answered him, let go of Steven, and strode from the room. I watched as Chris followed him.

Saul

I was on my phone to the marina before I’d gotten even halfway upstairs. It was going to cost me a ridiculous amount of money, but they had some guy that was willing to collect me. I’d have to call some Ride app then to get to the nearest airport, Clearwater-St. Pete, but I didn’t care. Taking this job had been the biggest mistake of my life.

“Saul, for Christ’s sake, slow the fuck down.” I ignored Chris, but he got to my room a second after I did, and I didn’t get the chance to shut the door before he barged in after me.

“Look, this whole weekend hasn’t turned out the way we wanted it, but you need to calm down.”

---