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of his dream to the harsh squawk of his alarm. He reached out and fumbled with
the clock until he found the switch and shut it off. With a sigh, Evan fell back and
closed his eyes, trying to return to the dream, but it was no use. His dream of Paul
was gone, much like his chances of ever being able to kiss the living, breathing man
himself.
Alden and John s wedding was this afternoon. After the horrible events at the
bachelor party the night before, Evan didn t know if he had the strength to attend
the wedding today. His spirit had been crushed by the fury in Paul s eyes and the
words Paul had hurled like stones. Did Paul really think he was just some serial
dater with no interest in a true relationship? Was that how Evan appeared to
others?
Evan couldn t help feeling like he had effectively ruined any chance of trying to
form a relationship with Paul. He had, after all, brought Paul s boyfriend s wife to
the bachelor party, and then he hadn t stepped up to tell Paul how he really felt
128 Hank Edwards
when Paul had been calling him out for his actions over the summer. But now that
would have to be set aside; he had to be at the wedding today, awkward situation
with the other best man or not.
Always a best man, never a groom, Evan grumbled as he swung his feet over
the side of the mattress.
A shower followed by three cups of coffee woke him up, and he felt like he
could finally manage to face Paul Cooper beneath an arch of roses while Alden and
John said their vows. He decided to leave early and see if there was anything Alden
needed him to help set up; surely Jeremy couldn t handle everything himself.
Opening a window, he was happy to discover the humidity of the day before
had vanished overnight. The sun was out, and a light breeze from the lake kept the
temperature in the seventies a perfect day for an outdoor wedding.
Dressed casually in faded jeans and an untucked button-down shirt with the
sleeves rolled up, Evan left the apartment with a determined spring in his step, the
suit bag holding his tuxedo over his shoulder. Paul Cooper could hold a grudge as
long as he wanted, but Evan had not knowingly sabotaged Paul s relationship with
Mike by inviting Meryl to the bachelor party.
The thought of Meryl lowered his mood a notch, and he sighed heavily as he
backed out of his parking spot. He had liked Meryl, had thought they were friends.
Until he had learned she had been using him to stalk the gay bars and parties
around town in an effort to catch her husband cheating on her. What kind of a
world was it when he couldn t even trust the friendship of a straight woman he had
met in a gay bar?
Coming to a stop in the apron of the parking lot driveway, Evan looked
straight ahead for a moment at the shimmering lake surface. He looked right then
left along the two-lane blacktop as a tiny ache of loneliness awoke inside him. This
was a day for picnics with someone he loved, and walks along the lakeshore, or
sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, sharing sections of the newspaper with the
windows open and jazz music in the background. It was not a day to attend his best
friend s wedding by himself. He decided to take the long way around the lake to
clear his head; Alden could wait a little longer.
Evan turned right and drove into the fading summer air.
* * *
Dude, you re going to have to talk to me sometime.
Paul stopped in his tracks with his back to the dining table. He wore his
tuxedo shirt, underwear, and black socks. His shoulders were tight with tension and
his teeth clenched, as they had been all night.
I don t know what I did, Adam continued, but I don t think it s enough to
warrant your bullshit silent treatment.
A worm of regret burrowed into his anger, and Paul closed his eyes. He had
lashed out at Adam after being humiliated by Evan and Mike, which had echoed his
Plus Ones 129
embarrassment and heartbreak with Garrett in New York, and that was the main
reason he hadn t yet spoken to his brother: he was ashamed of himself. He had
reacted badly when Adam had only tried to help him, embarrassing Adam and
himself in the process.
Paul took a deep, shaky breath, then turned to face his brother. Adam sat at
the dining table, a mixing bowl filled with a sugary breakfast cereal in front of him
and his shaggy brown hair sprung up in a variety of corkscrews. Adam s mouth
hung open in surprise, a spoonful of cereal hanging suspended between the bowl
and his bearded jaw.
A smile threatened Paul s stern expression. Adam looked so surprised and
childlike, it was difficult to stay angry.
Wow, that worked? Adam said. He lowered his spoon and sat back in the
chair, relief glowing within his brown eyes.
Look, Paul started, but Adam held up a hand for him to stop.
You don t have to say anything, Adam said.
But, I want to.
But, you don t have to.
Paul narrowed his eyes. You re pissing me off again.
Adam spread his arms wide. Fine. If you want to get it off your chest, then by
all means, go ahead.
Paul took a breath. Okay. I m sorry I got so angry with you at the party.
Adam sat quiet for a moment, then raised his eyebrows. And?
Paul rolled his eyes. And you didn t deserve it. Look, I said I was sorry, okay?
Adam pushed back from the table and crossed the room to stand before Paul.
He wore baggy sweatshorts and a faded old T-shirt with the neck stretched out
because he liked to sleep in it. Adam opened his arms, an amused glint in his eyes.
Come on, Adam said.
Paul frowned again. What?
We gotta hug.
Paul shook his head. No. You re wearing that sleep shirt that you haven t
washed in probably two weeks.
We re brothers, Adam said. That means it s not gay.
Paul sighed. I didn t say it was gay. I meant to indicate that it would be gross
to hug you when you re wearing that disgusting shirt.
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