Five kings.

I fucking had this. I leaned back and drained the rest of my Jack and Coke, minus the Coke. We’d long run out of soda and never bothered replacing it. The guy next to me sucking on a big fat one—Don, Dean?—folded. It was just the two of us now.

Five aces. He mouthed, “Busted.”

Motherfucker. I tossed my cards, and they skittered over the table. I didn’t give a shit about winning the game. I gave a shit about putting that asshole in his place. Jeff had been goading me all night, and that fucking smirk was long due to come off with my fist.

“Hey, Alex,” he yelled towards the kitchen. “Ready to head out and start hitting some bars, little bro? It’s getting a little stale in here.”

“If it’s cool with Stephen.”

The plan was to come to Alex’s place first, play a little poker, have a few drinks. He lived a block over from Water, so we’d stay awhile and then make the short trek to go pub crawling. Nothing too nuts, downright innocent for a bachelor party, but hey, I wanted nothing to do with that shit anyway.

“Hell, yeah. I’m ready,” one of the other guys at the table said. Mr. Crew Cut and Glasses. I was fucking awful with names right then. “I love you guys and all, but I’m not looking to finish off my night with dick.”

“How ’bout you, Chase?” Jeff glared at me, smirk still evident as he toked up. “You up for some more action too?”

“I’m doing fine right here.” We’d already stayed much longer than intended, played more than just a few hands, had more than a few drinks. I was sure there was already someone passed out as we spoke.

He nodded. “Pussy-whipped, huh?”

I pushed from the table and stood. Stephen was there, hand on my chest. “Chill out, man. I mean it.” His hand was on me, but he was talking to Jeff.

“Yeah, of course, buddy. It’s your party.” His mouth curled higher, and he laughed before taking a drag. “I didn’t mean anything, just messing around.”

I walked away. I was fucking hammered. We all were. I was rethinking the rest of the evening. It wouldn’t be fine staying there, not when the atmosphere was a fucking explosion waiting to happen. We could all use some fresh air.

I sat down on the couch next to Daniel, who was watching the Cubs game. Scratch that—there was one sober guy in the bunch.

He glanced over at me. “My mom’s not too big on fighting.”

“I know.” I plowed my hand through my hair. “So, how’re you doing tonight?”

“Hey, where’d Tommy go?” I heard in the background, then the sound of glass breaking.

Daniel looked towards that direction, then back to me. “Are you asking how it feels to be the only one not drunk in a room full of drunken idiots?”

I laughed. “Something like that.”

He shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

“Does it bother you that I’m one of them right now?”

“Why would it? I have my own reasons for not drinking. I’m not judging anyone who does.”

I nodded. “That’s cool.” Fuck, I needed that air. I’d never been even close to that intoxicated in front of him, and I didn’t like it one bit. Shit happens, I get it, but after Jeff showed up and got it into his head that he wanted to fuck with me, the liquor started going down a little too easily.

We sat in silence watching the game while I considered several times stepping away. But it was going all right. He didn’t seem bothered by me. I could handle it.

After another couple innings and a few rounds of Jager that I declined, Daniel glanced my way again. “There’s something I’m curious to ask you, Chase.”

“Shoot.”

“Why—”

“Hey there, Daniel boy.” Jeff was acting every bit the loud asshole that he was, stumbling over and fucking interrupting. He patted Daniel on the back. “Man, just look at you. All grown up now. I can remember you back in the day running all over that big yard of yours. What, were you about seven, eight when I first started coming around?”

Daniel shook his head. “I really couldn’t tell you.”

He laughed, taking a seat on the recliner and leaning back. “Your mom threw some great parties.”

I knew what he was fucking doing, and I hated the fact that he’d been to the house before. Hated the fact that he’d had his eye on Jillian the whole time while she was married.

“Got a girlfriend, Daniel?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s her name?”

“Cassie.”

He rubbed his chin. “Hmm. Short for Cassandra?”

“Yes.”

“Knew a Cassandra once.” He waved his hand in front of his mouth. “Whew. Should’ve seen the legs on that one. Fucking A.” He leaned forward a bit. “Speaking of legs, you’ve got to hear this, Daniel. You’ll get a kick out of it.”

I got up, ready to go anywhere else but around that jackass. Whatever shit he was going to say, I didn’t want to hear it. I’d come back to talk to Daniel later.

“No, no, Chase. Don’t leave. This is about you too, buddy. Daniel’ll love it.”

I caught Stephen’s eye, who was watching from the room over. He didn’t look so hot. Definitely had one shot too many, and I couldn’t see him heading out anytime soon.

“This was back when you were—where were you again?”

“Italy.”

He pointed his finger towards the ceiling. “Right. Italy. We were all at the engagement party. Remember that, Chase?”

He smirked and my fists clenched. Don’t even fucking talk about it.

“Chase was there with your mother, and it was the funniest damn thing. Hadn’t seen you in so long, I thought the boy sitting next to her was you.”

I was about to lose my fucking shit all over his goddamned face. I looked at Daniel with his blank expression and knew it was time to get the hell out before I did something I did not want to do in front of Jillian’s son.

“Party time!” The door busted open and Mr. Crew Cut barreled in. Lost the glasses but had found two women in skirts up to their crotches.

“Tommy, man. Was wondering where the fuck you ran off to.” Alex started heading to the door, bottle neck buried in his grip when he stopped dead. “What the fuck is this?” He waved his hand at the blonde and brunette under each arm while liquid sloshed out to the floor.

“Presents.”

“What, no redhead?” Jeff asked.

“One of us is a natural ginger, baby.” The blonde winked. “You’ll just have to unwrap us to find out which one.”

“Fuck, yeah,” Jeff said, pushing himself up.

“Ah-ah. You wait your turn, man,” Tommy said, waggling his finger. “You’re not the one closing up shop next month.”

“Hey, party’s over here,” I heard someone yell.

Daniel looked uncomfortable as hell. I wanted no part of this shit.

Tommy unhooked his arms and patted their asses forward. “Go ahead and start without me, ladies. I’ll be there in a minute.” They giggled off with Jeff following, and Tommy swiped the bottle from Alex, taking a chug.

“What the fuck, Tommy? You’re bringing whores here? You know Stephen doesn’t want any shit like this.”

As if on cue, Stephen said, “Get this shit off me. What the hell?”

“Aw, you’re hurting my feelings, honey.”

“I won’t push you off my lap, sweetheart. Either of you.” Whatshisname slapped his thighs, and they both plopped on top of him, laughing.

Alex glared back to Tommy, but he just shrugged. “Chicks dig guys in glasses.”

“What the fuck does that mean? You’re not even wearing any.”

Tommy smacked around his face. “Huh. And here I thought I couldn’t see straight cuz I was so fucking plastered.”

“Just get your whores out of here, all right?”

“Hey, watch it, pal.” He stuck out his finger, then lost his balance forward into Alex. “Those whores happen to be friends of mine. Have a little respect.”

Alex stormed off, leaving Tommy to grasp hold of the couch. He leaned face-first over it and… shit, I was just about to push Daniel out of the way. I thought he was going to puke all over his head.

Instead, he gripped Daniel’s shoulders and shook. “You get it, don’t you, man? People were taking too long here. If they’re not going to the party, I hafta bring the party to them.” Tommy ruffled Daniel’s hair, then staggered off to the kitchen.

I didn’t see Stephen or Alex anywhere. The women were at the table with a handful of guys playing strip poker, already down to their underwear.

“I think I’m gonna get going,” Daniel said. “This may be your thing, but it’s not mine.”

What the hell? “What makes you think this is my thing?”

“I’m just saying the drinking thing, that’s all.”

No, that’s not what he was saying. At all. Fuck that. I didn’t want it pissing me off, but yeah, it fucking pissed me off.

I sat down, my head starting to pound. If I was going to marry Jillian someday—which I fucking was—Daniel would be my family too. It wouldn’t do any good to start it all by going off.

“Daniel, don’t you get by now how much I love your mother?”

“And none of these guys have someone they love? I doubt that.”

The funny thing was, he really didn’t sound judgmental at all. Just stating a fact. But I didn’t fucking appreciate him stating it about me.

“I don’t know most of these guys enough to say anything other than they’re frickin’ wasted out of their skulls and acting stupid as shit. And yeah, I also drank too much tonight. So did Stephen. But that’s pretty much where our stupid ends.”

“It’s really none of my business,” he said, and I wanted to beat my head against the wall. He stood up. “I’m just gonna run to the bathroom before I go.”

I blew out a deep breath, digging my fingers into my forehead. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for this shit. Couldn’t think clearly. Way too fucking jacked up. Didn’t know how any of my words came across and if he’d even listened to any of it.

“What’s up, bro?”

“Fuck off.”

“Hey, now. No reason to be like that. Just being friendly.” Jeff sat down and tried passing me his blunt. He shrugged when I ignored it, finishing it off. “Not partaking in any of the festivities tonight?”

If he wasn’t going to fucking leave, I would. I put my hands on the chair arms, started pushing myself up when I saw that smirk. Close enough to smell the mixture of whiskey and weed on his breath.

“Get the hell out of my face,” I said.

“There’s just something I gotta know. Been bugging the shit out of me all night. What possibly could a fine-ass good woman like Jillian ever want with someone like you? Shit, you’re just a kid. She needs a man to satisfy her. I think it’s high time for me to show her—”

That was as far as he got before I had his face slammed into the ground. It didn’t take much; he was a big guy, but further gone than I was. It felt good. I wanted to fight. It’d been boiling up in my veins all fucking night. I wanted my fist to teach him that if he ever came around Jillian or spoke any shit again, I’d….

Fuck, Daniel was watching us.

Jeff squeezed out a tiny smile, even though I could tell he was hurting. “Jillian doesn’t like fighting,” he said.

“Fuck you.” I jammed his head, not enough to knock him out, but enough to shut him up and increase the hurt. I was not going to tolerate his shit completely. I pushed Jeff aside and got up as Daniel was almost to the door.

“Hey, Daniel—”

“Are you sure your stupid ends at drinking too much?” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m leaving, Chase. If you see my uncle, tell him I’ll talk to him later.”

Fuck. I nodded, letting him go. There was zero sense trying to accomplish anything with him right then. He’d never understand how much restraint I’d just showed. He’d only view me as one of the many drunk-ass idiots in the room.

I went to find the bathroom so I could splash some cold water on my face, passing the card table. I could only assume the women were under it because the guys looked pretty frickin’ happy.

I heard Stephen’s slur at the back of the hall, so I headed that way instead. I’d been wondering what he’d been up to. I poked my head into what I guessed was Alex’s bedroom. There was a little outdoor patio set off the room, and that’s where Stephen and Alex half sat/half lay with an open bottle of Jack between them.

“Chase, buddy,” Stephen waved. “Shut the door. Come on over. Join us for a drink.”

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me, and went over to the open glass door. The night air slapped me hard. Better than a splash of water. It was fucking glorious.

“Chase, here… this guy’s all right,” Stephen said to Alex.

He slid the bottle across the table, and I grabbed it. Why the fuck not? Daniel was gone, these guys were cool, and I’d already planned to take a cab home. From what I could tell of Alex so far, he was nothing like his asshole brother.

I took a swig. “Daniel left. Said he’d catch up with you later.”

“Yeah, he already stuck around longer than I thought,” Stephen said.

“The whatever the fuck they are still out there?” Alex asked.

“They weren’t sitting at the table, so yeah, I’m figuring they’re still here.”

Alex chuckled. “Fucking Tommy.” He looked at Stephen. “Man, I’m sorry your party got all fucked up.”

Stephen swung his glass around. “No worries. Fuck this night. Didn’t even need a party. Got everything I need already. Chase gets it. Don’t you, buddy?”

Every word Stephen spoke I swore would be his last for the night. Any second he was going down hard. I was floored he’d made it that long.

“Yeah, I sure do,” I said.

“Yeah, I know it. Gotta admit, wasn’t so sure about you at first, didn’t think you were good enough for my sister, but hey”—he lifted his glass—“you proved me wrong. You’re all right, Chase.”

I nodded, tipping the bottle. “Appreciate that.” Because I did. I fucking appreciated it a hell of a lot. As far as I could tell, Daniel was the only one left close to Jillian who wasn’t fully on board with our relationship. He’d proved that tonight.

The only one and the most important one. But I couldn’t let that mess with my head right then. Not when my head was already messed enough.

“A toast,” Stephen said. Alex raised his glass, and I lifted the bottle. “To everything we already have. Fuck this night.”

Yeah. The glass clinked three ways.

Fuck. This. Night.