Page 109 of Headstrong Like Us
“It doesn’t really matter,” I say. “There is no opportunity.”
Talking about Ripley is stalling the inevitable. Because I asked Oscar to stop by for a reason. It’s now or never, and never is not a fucking option.
I manage to collapse the stroller.
Oscar peers into the trunk. “We’re about to stay in a million-dollar Key West rental house. Shouldn’t they have some kid stuff already there?”
“They do.”
“So you’re just stuffing your car like a jalapeño popper for shits and giggles?”
I roll my eyes. “Have you met Ripley? He’s more averse to change than Maximoff. Little man likes his shit the way he likes it, and right now, I’m trying to get him on my good side.”
Oscar grins. “You’ve got one of those?”
“Funny.” I slip the stroller into the trunk. Sweat suctions my black shirt to my abs, and I lift my sunglasses to my head and face him. “I have something for you.”
My pulse hammers. I can’t begin to predict his reaction. How upset he’ll be. I just hand him the business card.
Oscar turns it over and reads the words:Be my groomsman?
I scour his face for a reaction, but it’s mostly blank.
“I take it Donnelly’s your best man?” Oscar asks, flipping the card over again like he’s searching for something else. Maybe ajust kiddingor another question.
“Yeah.”
“And you’re only having one?”
My brows lift. “Yeah, just one.” I cage breath. He still hasn’t looked up at me.
“So you didn’t pick me…” Oscar’s brows furrow, hurt cinching his face.
Shit.
Fuck.
Shit. Shit.I run my tongue over my lip piercing. My pulse skips. “Man, I’m sor—”
He breaks into a smile. “Relax, Redford. I’m fucking with you.” He leans closer and pats my shoulder.
“Fuck,” I curse out a deep breath. “You’re dead to me,” I say casually, brows raised. “I almost thought you were about to cry.”
He laughs harder, humor exploding across his face. “Because I’m not your best man? I’ll survive, bro. I would’ve liked the bragging rights. But let’s be honest, if it wasn’t me, then it should be him.”
I hold out a hand, processing this shit. “So you’ve been fine with being just a groomsman all along? And you never said anything?”
“Yeah, seeing you nervous about this was Christmas come early. And I bet Donnelly it’d take you untilafterthe bachelor party to ask me, so fuck you for making me lose fifty bucks.”
I roll my eyes again, but I’m smiling. He got me. And relief floods my body. I feel a little bit silly for worrying in the first place.
For thinking our friendshipcouldbe affected by wedding bullshit.
“I have something else to ask. You may just be a groomsman, but I want you to be a bigger part of the wedding.” I take a breath. “Because you do mean a lot to me.”
Wind picks up and ruffles Oscar’s curly hair. Light breaches his brown eyes. I realize I’m surprising him this time. “What is it?” he asks.
My lips lift into a wider smile.
