Page 67 of Playing the Backbeat

Everything with her is easy. Everything with her is effortless. Except my dick…that shit is really, really fucking hard.

“Then it’s settled.” She claps her hands together, returns to her tea, and leaves me, head spinning like some cartoon character in a video game about to be fucking ended.

“Thank you,” I choke and run, unsure how I’ll ever begin to repay Dee for what she’s just offered me. More than the help, she just gave me some hope that I’m not out of this yet. I drive pastthe Bridge on my way to my appointment and grin so wide my cheeks hurt.

***

“I’m not sure navy is my color.” Jake is standing in front of a 180-degree mirror while the tailor measures him from shoulder to wrist.

Chris stands behind him, waiting for his turn, his gaze roaming, and a glimmer in his eyes that makes me smirk. “Honey…navy, black, white, orange, blue, purple. They’re all your color.”

Jake lifts an eyebrow in the mirror, humor in his smile before he shakes his head at his husband.

“I know, I know. You can’t take me anywhere,” Chris jokes before turning to his right and immediately covering his hands with his mouth and kneeling to the ground. “Who is this grown-up and what have you done with my nephew?”

Dominic and Luca walk out of the fitting rooms in their matching suits, andholy shit, Luca is fucking adorable.

“They make suits for kids?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“And clip-on ties. And pocket squares,” Dom adds excitedly, holding up the purple tie and satin fabric square, matching ours. “Ellie is going to lose her fucking mind.”

“Lose her fucking mind?” Luca asks, clearly not understanding the phrase or the fact that Dom just let another cuss word fly in front of his two-year-old.

“Oops,” Dom mutters with a grimace.

“Nice. Now, Ellie will have two reasons to lose her mind,” Aiden says with a laugh as he joins us, his suit nearly identical, with the exception of his navy-blue tie and white pocket square. “Ashton and Toby should be here in five,” Aiden lets the tailorknow, who nods. Bec’s older brothers are also in the wedding party.

Despite not having a date to this wedding like I originally hoped for, I’m looking forward to the day. I picture me and Dee getting ready together before I remember she’ll be getting ready with the girls. I attempt to ignore the stab of disappointment.

“So how are things going with Dee? You two planning to host another game night soon?” Jake asks as he steps down, making room for Chris to take his place.

“Uh, yeah, sure. Things are…things are fine.” I adjust my tie and swallow hard.

“Why the hell is he blushing?” Chris asks.Damn. How can he tell when he’s literally looking at me fromacrossthe roomthroughthe mirror. Guess I’m more fucking obvious than I thought.

“I’m not.” Denial might get me through this.

Jake takes a step closer and studies me, holding me still with one arm on my shoulder. “Holy shit. Heisblushing. What happened?”

“Holy shit,” Luca repeats.

We all try not to laugh as Dom glares at Jake. “Come on. I’m already in deep…poop as it is.” Luca laughs, then runs at breakneck speed toward the rack of ties on display. It takes Dom a moment too long to realize he has maybe two seconds to chase after his kid before he owes this place money for damages.

Thank you for the save, Luca. Little man took the heat off me just in time.

“So, what’s happening between you and Dee?” Aiden asks.

Dammit, maybe not.

“For a guy who’s about to get married, you seem way too interested in my life. Let’s focus on the bigger picture here. You. Bec. The rest of your lives…”

“You know, you’re right,” Aiden agrees, shocking me. “You know how we ended up together? Well, it all started with a giant case of denial…foryears. Then we met again and more denial. More months pass by.” He gives me a pointed stare, but I refuse to give in. These fuckers are persistent, but so am I.

“Hm, nice story, but you might want to edit that bit out of any speeches. It’s not giving the romantic vibe I think you’re going for.”

A giggling toddler pulls our attention, and across the room I find Dom, flustered and out of breath as he chases an overjoyed Luca through aisles stuffed with expensive suits. “A little help here,” Dom pleads.

I jump into action, grateful for the distraction.