Page 33 of Unrequited Sloth

“I’d rather keep my brain busy.”

“The offer’s there if you change your mind. Send me Gabriel’s details now, and I should have something tomorrow by the time we catch up on Rainbow Futures.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I don’t offer if I’m not sure, Bobby. Let’s talk tomorrow,” he said, standing up.

That meant their meeting was over. He wasn’t sure why he’d told Daniel everything, but he was glad he had. Hopefully, he’d been right about their “wedding” meaning nothing, because if he was legally married to Gabriel, he was fucked!

Bobby’s head was spinning as he walked into Knights Corner that evening. There was no way he was telling his brothers about the whole real or not real marriage thing with another man. There was no reason to say anything until he knew if it was true, and besides, his brothers would probably be pissed off that he’d married a man before they had. Given what he’d learnt today, he had thought about cancelling, but this had been arranged when he got back from Las Vegas. Bobby needed to tell his brothers he wasn’t getting married, and they needed to hear it from him face to face. He wasn’t sure what they were going to say, but he had a feeling Ryan might suggest beating the crap out of Dillon, and Martin would consider Bobby’s legal rights. There were times his brother, the professor of law, forgot Bobby was a practicing solicitor, or ignored it when he was giving him advice.

Martin was sitting in a booth, engrossed in his phone. There was no sign of Ryan, but then he was working until seven, which is why they were meeting here.

“Bro,” said Bobby, knowing Martin hated being called that.

As expected, Martin looked up and glared at him.

“Move up, then,” said Bobby.

“Sit on the other side.”

“Me and Ryan on the same side is not gonna work.”

Martin wasn’t a skinny guy, but compared to Bobby and Ryan, he was. All the brothers were over six feet tall, but Martin had a lean physique.

“Just sit down opposite. Ryan can sit next to me. We both need to look at you.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, his stomach fluttering with nerves.

Did they already know something? Before he could ask, Ryan arrived with burgers for all of them. Bobby had the one with a mac and cheese topping. Ryan had his usual heart attack burger with bacon, hash browns, onion rings, and an egg. Martin had a simple burger, but not having cheese on it, and there being a salad on the side instead of Ryan’s triple-cooked chips, was a crime.

“They’re bringing drinks over,” said Ryan, sitting next to Martin. “What’s going on?”

Bobby wasn’t sure how to approach this conversation. His brothers were both looking at him expectantly, but there was that big-brother frown on Ryan’s face, which Bobby knew meant he was concerned.

“The wedding’s off,” he blurted out. “Alex has been shagging Dillon for months, and I found out when I was in Vegas.”

Ryan’s fist banged on the table, making Bobby and Martin jump.

“Ryan,” said Langdon, who had just arrived. There was a warning in his tone. He looked at Omar, one of the bar staff, who was carrying their drinks on a tray. “Leave them here, and bring another round, but put vodka in two of them.”

Omar moved their soft drinks to the table and scurried off to do as Langdon asked. Bobby hadn’t wanted a drink tonight, but given the reaction of his brother, it now seemed like a good idea.

“I won’t do anything stupid, Langdon. I need Bobby to tell me where he lives first.”

Langdon snorted and patted him on the shoulder before leaving them alone.

“How did you find out?” asked Martin.

“Gabriel overheard some of my mates talking about it in the pool. He was having it out with Dillon in his room, and I overheard them.”

“Your friends knew about it?” asked Martin.

Bobby nodded, unable to stop his eyes watering. Ryan gripped his hand. He’d always been the most tactile of all of them.

“I need those names, Bobby.”

“I don’t want any trouble, Ryan. The whole thing’s messy enough without you getting in trouble as well. Dillon would go to the police just to spite me.”