Page 34 of Stick Fight

He gives a casual shrug. “He’d never know it was me, and besides he can’t stay mad at me.” He points to his cheeks. “Have you seen this face?”

“You scare me, dude.” The guys all stand, the luncheon over, and I put my hand on Rip’s back. “Okay, let’s get you out of here and hit up the strip. You look like you need a distraction.”

We all shake Easton’s hand, and after everyone disperses, I glance around the room once more. Cass is gone. Pushing him to the back of my mind, Rip and I head out into the bright sunshine.

“I can’t believe you’re officiating the wedding,” I say as we weave around a group of women in purple hats.

“Yeah, it’s pretty easy to get certified. I’m glad I could do this for Easton.” He nudges me. “When you get married, I’ll do yours.”

“Great, I’ll do the same for you.” I catch his eye, and we both laugh at that. He doesn’t know the extent of the fighting that went on at home when I was growing up, but he’s walked in on a few arguments that quickly turned to smiles when my parents realized they weren’t alone. I’m not sure what his problem is, to be honest. He comes from a good family, and his brother isn’t opposed to marriage, obviously.

Then again, you never know what goes onbehind closed doors, when you think no one is watching.

Unfortunately, Gabby knows that all too well now.

We walk the strip and while it would be nice to go unrecognized, I’m standing next to Mr. Lumberjack himself, which makes it pretty difficult. Maybe yesterday I would have enjoyed the attention.

Maybe you should be careful and consider why that’s different today, dude.

We saunter slowly, stopping every few feet for autographs. Rip takes it in stride, grinning like he was born for this, which, let’s be honest, he kind of was. When I see a bakery, I guide Rip toward it.

“Good idea, I’m starved,” he says, rubbing his stomach.

“We just ate.”

He shoots me a look full of indignation. “Bro, I’m a growing boy.” Laughing, I pull the door open. The smell of freshly baked bread and sugar rushes at me, warm and familiar. I breathe it all in as Rip continues, “If you’re not hungry, then what are we doing in here?”

“I wasn’t sure if Gabby ordered food or not. I wanted to grab her something, just in case.”

Rip stares at me for a second and I brace myself. Is this something a boyfriend would do? Not that I’d know. I don’t have girlfriends. Don’t do relationships.

Instead of calling me out, he nods. “Good idea.”

We head to the line, and I order a bunch of different pastries. My mouth drools as they fill my bag. Rip orders just as many as I do, and out on the sidewalk, he opens his bag and digs into a cinnamon roll.

“Fuck, this is good,” he groans around a mouthful.

I watch him for a second, my resolve melting. Shit, we’re on vacation. I’ll go back to clean eating when I’m home. “Yeah, okay.” I open my bag, pull off a piece of mine and pop it into my mouth. “Mmm.”

He elbows me. “Told ya.” Shifting the subject, and catching me off guard, he says, “Your place is kind of small. Ever have a roommate before?”

“Not really. I have two bedrooms. Besides, it’s only until she gets on her feet.”

He goes quiet for a beat. “This guy really hurt her, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“She really loved him.”

“Seems that way.”

“Okay.”

We step off the curb and cross the street. I can feel him watching me, thinking. “What are you trying to say, Rip?”

“She was always a nice girl.”

“She was.”

---