Page 204 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” bounces from the old sound system at Joe’s Sticks as the groom misses an easy shot.

“Damn,” Chase says, shaking his head as he regards the pool table disdainfully, then his hands. “Where did my hand-eye coordination go? I can’t believe anyone lets me operate on them with these hands.”

“Time to turn your license in,” his best bud, Wyatt, says from across the green felt.

“Or maybe”—I lean against my pool cue—“Chase could be throwing the game on purpose because he really wishes we took him to Scores for his bachelor party.”

Chase laughs, dragging a hand through his light brown hair. “Yeah, you guys are cramping my style by bringing me here instead of to the land of G-strings and fake boobs.”

I point the stick at him, narrowing my eyes. “Admit it. You have a stack of one-dollar bills burning a hole in your pocket."

“Tell the truth, Dr. Summers,” Wyatt says, his blue eyes narrowing, his tone toughening as if he’s trying to shake him down.

Chase holds up his hands in surrender, then drops his head forlornly. “The truth wins out. All I ever wanted was to throw money at women I’ll never have and don’t want.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Max adds with a nod as he makes his way around the table, lining up a shot.

Joe’s is our regular haunt, and for the record, a strip club was never in the cards for tonight.

But good friends, good beer, and a few competitive rounds of pool are an ideal trio before we send Chase down the aisle tomorrow.

I came here directly from work, and it has been a crazy day, cramming in not only my segment on first aid in the woods for WRBC Channel 10, but also a meeting with Dana, our reservations manager, to review some upcoming trips, including some potential ongoing clients.

Those are some of my favorite kinds, and as we assigned leaders for the tours, I told her which ones I wanted to handle myself.

I signed off on the employee handbook, too, and boy, am I glad that our rules have tightened now. That’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

Oh, but that’s not all. Mia and I texted on and off throughout the day.

She told me the bridesmaids are taking Josie to see Hamilton tonight as a surprise, since Josie’s been dying to see it, and Mia planned to throw her bra at the stage during the curtain call, since it was a bachelorette party, after all.

I’ve no doubt that’s precisely what the theater likes its patrons to do , I’d replied.

Good thing it’s showtime at the musical, otherwise I’d be tempted to check for a message from her. Doing that with Max nearby feels all kinds of wrong. Though, truth be told, feeling the way I do and not telling him feels all kinds of wrong, too.

Spencer takes a swallow from his beer then sets the bottle down. “C’mon, what could be better than the six of us at a strip club? Half of us are married, with one more to go tomorrow, and Max on deck in another few months, while Wyatt already has a kid at home.”

At the end of the table, Nick pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Not to mention, one third of us have pregnant wives.”

“Hear, hear. To my soon-to-be-born son,” Spencer says, raising his beer, then tipping it in Nick’s direction. “And my soon-to-be-born nephew, even though it’s still a weird concept that you ’ re going to be related to my nephew.”

“Yeah, I’ll just be, ya know, his father,” Nick deadpans. Spencer’s wife, Charlotte, is due in a month, and Harper, Nick’s wife and Spencer’s little sister, isn’t far behind.

Spencer shakes his head, as if this is all too much to digest. “Still strange that you’re married to my sister.”

“Speaking of sisters, how’s Mia doing?” Wyatt asks, directing his question at Chase and Max. “Natalie and I didn’t see her much this week.”

“She’s been running around for work,” Chase answers.

“Building her business has been pretty all-consuming,” Max adds, looking at Chase.

Something seems to pass between them. Absently, I scratch my jaw, wondering what it is.

Then, my conscience nags at me. I need to let Max know what’s going on, and I’m not talking about that hot-as-sin kiss on the couch last night.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've come to a decision.

I need to tell him what's in my heart for her, and that needs to happen ASAP. Maybe even tonight. I’ll have to search for the right moment.

A little later, Max clears his throat and raises his beer bottle in a toast. "To my brother, Chase. The happiest guy around. Josie is perfect for you, and we've always known it. I'm thrilled that you're marrying her, and may you always be not just the happiest guy around—but even happier."

Chase looks almost embarrassed, but also ridiculously delighted. The dude is, quite simply, madly in love with his bride.

Wyatt claps slowly. “To the golden boy. May your life with my sister always be golden.”

Nick lifts his beer. “I’ll second that, since Josie’s my sister, too.”

Spencer nods from Chase to Nick. “You two should form a club. The Society for Dudes Who Fell for Their Friend’s Sisters.”

Max laughs. “Don’t even think of looking at me. Henley is related to none of you fuckers.”

“Nor is Charlotte.” Spencer’s eyes land on me. “And what about you, Captain Outdoors? Are you the next one?”

I force out a laugh then take a hearty gulp of my beer to hide the fact that he’s nailed it, whether he knows it or not.

Max shakes his head, chuckling. “Guys. It's Chase’s night. Let’s keep it that way.”

And that ends my search for an opening. Tonight is not the time to tell Max that I absolutely want to be the next one in the club.