“I did. He didn’t want to make things weirder for the wedding. I don’t know, I guess we’ll see my dad tomorrow and hopefully it’ll go smoothly.”

She hides her amusement behind her pint of beer.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. I just… I can’t imagine seeing my dad after I did all kinds of sexy things with his old buddy. That’s going to be weird.”

“Yes! This whole thing is weird. I’ve said that a thousand times. It’s weird, it’s weird, it’s weird.”

“Okay,” she slurs, setting her glass back on the bar. “I gotta know, how big is the giant’s cock? I mean, it’s gotta be huge. He’s what, six and a half feet? Tell me he’s swinging! Tell me you’re having the best sex of your entire life!”

“Oh my God! What?” I burst out laughing. “What are you even asking me?”

Her eyes widen like I’m dumb for having not caught on. “I’m asking you how big his cock is.”

“We haven’t done it yet.”

“What?” She shakes her head back and forth as though she’s trying to comprehend what I’m saying. “You haven’t fucked that fabulous beast yet? Why?”

I shrug. “Virgin. I mean, we’ve done a few things, but I haven’t seen…it.I mean, I’ve seen the outline of it, and I’vetouched it through his jeans. It feels huge, but I haven’t seen it yet.”

“You’re a virgin?” She takes another sip of beer. “I thought I was the last of the Mohicans. I told Rick I was waiting for marriage. Half of me wonders if that’s why he sneaks off to lunch with his coworker.”

“No, he wouldn’t do that, right?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but who knows?”

“You do. Listen to your heart. You want this wedding, right?”

“Yeah,” her tone lifts though there’s anxiety behind it, “of course. You’ve gone to all this trouble, we’ve paid for all these expenses, and it’s time to settle down. I’m twenty-four. I need to start having babies and doing the things.”

“Wait, you love him though, right?” Suddenly, I wonder if the stress Mae’s been transferring is about the wedding or her failing relationship.

“Of course I do.” She slides from the booth and takes another sip of her beer. “We should get home. We need to rest up before the wedding.” She stumbles as she stands, and I help steady her as she moves. “You should stay with me tonight. We’ll head over to the venue early tomorrow morning. The bridal suite should be all set up and ready by seven.”

She leans into my side and stumbles her way out the door. “You’re the best cousin ever. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about the wedding. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m just thankful you planned everything. I know it’ll be so pretty.”

I appreciate her words, even if she is a little drunk, but even trying as hard as I can to stay in the moment and enjoy them, all I can think about is Tennessee.

What happens tomorrow when my dad is around? What happened between the two of them back in the day? And why do I want my father’s ex-best friend to touch me again so badly?

Chapter Eight

Tennessee

Red leans over the kitchen counter, finishing off the last of a piece of sky high pie from the diner. “Heard from Duke today. He’s talkin’ about coming home in the next few weeks. I guess he’s almost finished with whatever shit he had going on.”

Duke is our club Prez, but he’s been out of the picture for a while now. Not sure what the fucker is up to. No one is.

“Yeah, well, you tell him we’re doing just fine without him?” I gulp a glass of milk like it’s a shot of bourbon and set the glass on the counter with a clink. Some days, milk just hits the spot.

“Nah. Didn’t want to rile him up. Besides, it’ll be good to have him back. With everyone gettin’ hitched, and you off romancing some girl, I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with myself.” He leans back against the kitchen counter, looking more worn than wicked lately. “How’d things go today?”

I’m not sure how to answer him. My mouth opens and shuts half a dozen times before actual words come out. “It was messy. Messy but really fuckin’ nice.” My chest tightens at the thought of having ruined whatever half chance I had with Sienna. “She’s Victor’s daughter.”

Red stares toward me like he’s seen a ghost. A real nasty one. “Shit, dude. That fuckin’ sucks. You backin’ off?”

That’s a good fucking question.“We left things weird. She wanted more answers than I could give her right then. Plus, I didn’t know how to tell her things I’ve done.” I hold my breath as I try to connect the thoughts I’m having with the feelings pressing at my chest. “I have no right to fuck around with this girl. Not only because of who she is, but because of her age. I know it looks ridiculous. Two people today thought I was her father.” I pause, letting it sink in, then offer the number again.“Two.”