Saturday, November 23rd
Colin
The ringing of my cell phone on the nightstand startled me. Sydney was finally asleep and I was propped up on my side stroking her tummy. Anthony rubs his hand in gentle circles on her tummy when she wakes up from a bad dream. I knew the motion calmed her. She was holding one of Anthony’s shirts like it was a stuffed animal that was providing comfort.
I grabbed my phone and saw that it was after three in the morning. I squinted to read “Balcony Pub” on the screen. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I knew the Balcony Pub was one of the bars in Anthony’s high-rise on the Strip.
“Hello?”
“Yes, sorry to bother you at this hour, but is this Colin Everett?”
“It is.”
“My name is Ken and I’m one of the manager’s at Balcony Pub. Do you know Anthony Graves?”
I nodded my head, knowing that Ken couldn’t see me nodding. Fuck, how bad was this? At least it was a bar manager on the other end and it wasn’t an emergency room.
“Sorry, yes. Yes, I know him.”
He’s my best friend and brother. And even though I was pissed at him right now, I still loved him.
“He had a little too much to drink tonight and passed out in one of our hallways.”
I was standing now and turning on the rest of the lights while trying to absorb two crazy things; Anthony drank alcohol and actually drank enough to pass the hell out. This wasn’t like Anthony and I knew he was out of sorts. I began pulling some jeans on when there was a gentle knock on the door right before Matt walked in. He was dressed and had his phone in his hand. Matt and Gina stayed the night in one of the extra bedrooms upstairs.
“Is he okay?”
“Yes, we have him sitting up in a booth and were going to call the paramedics, but the bartender said he had left his phone on the bar top. So we usually try to call family or friends in these cases if possible.”
“Thank you for calling. Don’t let him leave your bar and don’t let him drink any more alcohol. We’re on our way.”
I disconnected the call and looked at Matt and then heard Sydney whimper and begin to cry. I sat back down on the bed and pulled her into my arms.
“Shhh, baby. He’s okay.”
“It’s my fault. I messed up and he left.”
“Baby, we’ve talked about this, remember. Anthony told you that it’s not your fault.” I kissed the top of her head. “Baby, remember last weekend how we talked about feelings that you brought out in Anthony and I? Anthony is struggling with those right now. You’ve made him, and myself, feel things we never felt before. Things like what Matt feels for Gina. I think that tonight, with him being involved in your scene with Evan, made him realize how much he cares for you. And it scared him.” I explained as best as I could.
“Love and attachment scare him, Sydney,” Matt said while looking down in her eyes. “I know that when he left tonight, it hurt you and believe me, I know how sorry he is for it. You don’t owe him a thing sweetheart. Not a thing in this world. But, as one of his best friends, all I can ask on his behalf, is that you be patient with him. He’s never had someone like you pop into his life and unearth him. Give him a chance to make this right.” Matt bent down and kissed her forehead.
“He was a dick tonight, baby. He knows it. He’s not perfect. No one is. But he’s as close to perfect that I know. He’s got a big heart and he’s only used a little bit of it up on ugly Doms like Matt and I.”
“And Blake,” Matt added.
“Remember how I told you that my family died when I was young and Matt’s family took me in?” Sydney nodded. “Anthony doesn’t have any family. He doesn’t talk about them and they’re not around anymore. He didn’t grow up in a loving family but he’s worth the risk, Sydney. He’s a good man.”
Matt looked at his phone and then up at me.
“I’m going to go get him and take him up to his place. You stay here. Gina knows I’m going.”
“Thank you, Matt.”
My thoughts were on my best friend who was really struggling. I hoped Matt would be calm with him. I worried about Matt going because things have been strained between him and Anthony lately. Matt has been on Anthony, trying to get him to open his eyes regarding his feelings for Sydney. Anthony didn’t need that right now. He was a mess and needed a friend; not a parent. I hoped Matt realized that.
I settled back down and cuddled up to Sydney. I wanted to tell her that Anthony loves her. But it wasn’t my place to. He needs to figure that out himself. As I lay there with her in my arms and thought about Anthony and Sydney, I felt a pang in my chest. While all I ever wanted was for Sydney to heal and find happiness with a good Dom, I now realized how attached I was getting to Sydney. With Anthony though, I knew he’d love her, care for her and give her exactly what she needed. And I knew that I’d still get to be around Sydney because of Anthony. In the very, very back of my mind, I thought of the tiniest chance that the three of us could continue as we are right now. It brought me comfort and a smile.