Page 68 of Linc
“Yep.”
Our food comes and our server asks if we need anything else and I look over at my best friend.
“Do you want to split the watermelon or strawberry margarita?”
Anytime we eat Mexican food we always share our drinks.
“Oh, umm, not tonight.I’m not drinking,” she says and doesn’t sound like herself but then looks over at Levi.I raise my eyebrows when she looks back over at me, letting her know that I know something is going on.
“What was the news you wanted to tell me in person?”I ask when we finally start to dig into our meal.Linc and Levi have been talking about the firm and their other brother Reid, so I focus on Saylor and what she’s hiding.
Her eyes soften even more and I watch as she reaches over for Levi’s hand, ending their conversation.
“I really want you to support this decision.And you’re the first to know.”She starts.
“Wait, are you okay?”I ask, my stomach starts to do flips at the anticipation.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she says.“Levi and I got married a couple of months ago—”
“What the fuck?”Linc interrupts.“Is that true?”he sounds more hurt than accusatory.
“We love each other and didn’t want to wait,” Levi tries to justify to his big brother and I can see the redness creeping up his neck.I’m staring like Levi is a big marshmallow.He definitely is a pushover and people pleaser.
“You got married and didn’t think that I’d want to be there to cheer you on or support you on the biggest day of your life?”I ask Saylor.I feel a pang of sadness in my chest, not being included in this with her.Growing up we fantasied about what our weddings would be like and how we would be with each other every step of the way.
“But to get married without me there?Do Mom and Dad know?What about Reid?When I told you to go out and take some time off to find yourself, this wasn’t what I was talking about.”Linc chimes in before Saylor can answer me.
“We wanted it to just be us, then we’d have a big reception at a later date.”Levi tries to explain.“Please don’t be mad at me.”I can hear the distress in his voice from across the table and watch as Saylor reaches over to comfort him.
Linc reaches over the table and yanks Levi up to where they are standing.He pulls him into a big hug and tells him something only the two of them can hear.I turn to give them their privacy and focus my attention on my fiery best friend.
“What am I chop liver?Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You had just gotten hurt, then left.You had so much on your plate and a long road to recovery.I didn’t want to add to it at the moment.I love you so much and you were hurting so bad when you left with your dad.”
“I know,” I tell her and I know she’s right.I wasn’t in the right headspace for that kind of news.“Please tell me from now on no matter what is going on, okay?”
“Okay!”
Linc and Levi sit back down and Levi puts an arm around Saylor and brings her close, kissing her temple.As Linc places a hand on my bare thigh, giving it a squeeze, I turn my head to his and he gives me a reassuring kiss.
“Well, we have some news too, that just happened?”
“Really?”
“Linc and I are moving in together,” I announce.
“Ohmygosh, that’s so exciting!”Saylor says.
“We think so,” Linc beams as he takes a drink of his beer.
“I’m happy for you Lincoln.I feel like we’re where we are supposed to be in life for the first time,” Levi says and Linc gives him a nod.
We are at the end of the meal and I watch as Saylor yawns.
“You’re tired, so early?”I ask.This is the time we are usually ready to go out.
“Yeah, I can’t hang like I used to,” she says then looks over at Levi giving him alook.
