Page 12 of Unrequited Sloth

“It’s tradition.”

“I’m not going to some sleazy strip club, so find something else for us to do.”

Dillon muttered something under his breath, which sounded like “boring cunt.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. I’ll sort it when we land.”

Bobby nodded and went back into the upper-class cabin. He’d been planning to see the others in economy, but after that conversation, he needed to get his head clear. The toilet was empty, so he stepped in there and locked the door. He didn’t need to go, but just looked at himself in the mirror. His face was flushed, whether that be from embarrassment or anger he wasn’t sure. He couldn’t believe what Dillon had said. He’d been friends with him since their first year at university. Both his brothers had been out by then, and he’d never appeared to have an issue. Maybe it was just Gabriel he didn’t like. Could Dillon be right? Did Gabriel fancy him? Did it matter if he did? It wasn’t as if anything would happen. Bobby was straight and marrying Gabriel’s sister. Both pretty big fucking reasons for nothing to happen. Although he couldn’t help but smile at the idea that a guy like Gabriel could be interested in someone like him. Bobby couldn’t think of a better compliment.

Bobby thought that if he were into guys, then Gabriel would definitely be his type. He was a handsome guy, but also attentive and made you feel important. Bobby also knew that Gabriel would know just how to satisfy a man in bed.

Where the fuck had that come from? He shook his head before splashing water on his face and flushing the toilet, in case anyone was standing outside and might wonder what he’d been doing.

Bobby returned to his seat, and Gabriel was still engrossed in his porn-adjacent TV show. Bobby had been intending to order his food, as it was one of those “order when you’re ready” menus, but his head was spinning. He didn’t want to disturb Gabriel, so he adjusted his seat into a flat bed, put the sliding wall up between their seats, and got under the blanket, facing the other way. He wouldn’t sleep, but right now he needed to calm his brain down.

The first night had taken the edge off Bobby’s anxiety. He wasn’t someone who usually got stressed, but given how distant Alex had been, the shit Dillon had said on the plane, and his brain replaying every interaction he’d ever had with Gabriel, his head had been mush. A night of drinking and gambling had helped him forget all that.

Now he was avoiding opening his eyes, as he could already feel the hangover waiting for the sunlight to announce its arrival. He might only be thirty-one, but it was a big difference to twenty-one, and even twenty-five. Bobby turned over and buried his face in the pillow, giving himself a few more minutes before the day started. Dillon was in charge of their itinerary, other than the time he was spending with Gabriel at the Grand Canyon. Thankfully, he’d listened, and there had been no strippers last night.

A loud bang on his hotel room door forced his eyes open, and the equivalent of a thousand needles barraged his head. Who the fuck could that be? He’d set an alarm last night, so he knew he wasn’t late for anything. The door banged again, so he forced himself out of bed. He put his feet on the floor and stood up, before dropping back down onto the mattress from a head rush. There was more banging.

“Just a minute,” he shouted.

That had been a mistake, as his head pounded even more than whoever was at the door. The banging was incessant now, so he was pissed off as he stumbled to the door. He opened it and wasn’t surprised to see Dillon on the other side. How did he look so sprightly? Dillon had put away more drink than he had last night, and Bobby was certain Dillon kept going after he’d called it a night. Before Bobby could say anything, Dillon had pushed into his room.

“Get dressed. We’ve only got twenty minutes until we have to leave.”

“Leave for what?” he croaked.

“A surprise.”

“I thought we had the speed car racing today?”

“That’s with everyone this afternoon. This is just the two of us.”

Bobby narrowed his eyes. He knew his best friend, and he was up to something. What it was, he wasn’t sure, but it would definitely be something reckless and impulsive. That was how Dillon liked to live his life.

“Where are we going?”

“It won’t be a surprise if I tell you,” he said with a smile and bounced on the balls of his feet.

This was far too much energy for whatever time it was. It had to be before nine o’clock, as that was when his alarm was set, since he didn’t want to miss breakfast. Americans knew how to put on a buffet, and he’d written off this weekend as “fuck it” with calories. He was in great shape and could recover quickly when he got back to the gym.

“What’s going on, Dillon?”

“I feel shit about yesterday. Work is really stressful with this promotion, and I want to be the best best man for you. I thought we could do something together and make things right.”

Bobby smiled. “We’re fine, Dillon. I know you’ve got a lot going on at work. You didn’t need to do anything extra.”

“I wanted to, now get your arse in the shower so we’re not late.”

Bobby laughed and did as he was told. He had no idea what Dillon had planned. They wouldn’t be going to see strippers before nine o’clock in the morning, would they?

It was Las Vegas, so anything was possible.

CHAPTER 5