Page 90 of The Worst Best Man

“Now you do.” Gio handed them over with a flourish.

“Are you serious?” The kid gaped down at his hand as if Santa himself had just bestowed a magical gift.

“Pay it forward,” Marco announced cheerfully. “Let’s go.” He led the way inside.

“I feel like Oprah,” Gio mused, bringing up the rear.

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The game was action-packed for a basketball game. The courtside seats were worth the astronomical price when Gio and Marco couldn’t stop hitting each other in excitement.

“This is the greatest night of my life,” Gio announced when one of the Knicks City Dancers blew him a kiss.

“Top ten, definitely,” Marco said through a bite of steak.

Together, they razzed the players and shouted along with the rest of the crowd. And Aiden felt like he was part of the unit. He couldn’t imagine spending an evening like this with his half-brother. He and Elliott had never had much, if anything, in common. They were loyal because it was required. But they weren’t tight-knit like the Baranski siblings.

“Are you excited about being a father?” Aiden asked Marco.

“Shit yeah,” Marco shrugged. “Never thought I would be. But Rachel? She makes my life a thousand times better than before. And I had a damn good life before.”

“You know what you’re having?” Aiden asked.

“Little girl,” Marco puffed up and then shoved a finger in Aiden’s face. “But Rachel wants to be surprised, so she didn’t open the envelope. Andneither did I. Got it?”

Aiden smirked. “Your secret is safe. Does Frankie know?”

“Not yet.” The way Marco said it made Aiden think there weren’t many secrets the Baranski siblings kept from one another.

It was an appealing dynamic, he thought. He’d spent his life with family that ruled decisions, friends that he could rarely trust, and hundreds of acquaintances who would sell him out at the drop of the hat. It was nothing like the bond Gio and Marco shared.

Between plays, the brothers helpfully schooled him on all things Frankie.

“You gotta understand, Frankie’s looking for what our parents have,” Marco said, washing down the rest of his sandwich with overpriced beer.

“A partnership,” Gio added. “She’s not settling for less.”

Less is exactly what they’d agreed upon.

“So, how would someone prove they’d be a good partner?” Aiden asked.

“First of all, don’t be a pushover. Don’t give her everything she demands. Like when she calls you tonight and suggests you come over, tell her you can’t, and don’t give her an excuse.”

“That will drive her friggin’ nuts,” Marco grinned in approval.

“You’re not giving me bad advice to sink me, are you?” Aiden asked wryly.

Marco leaned in, the epitome of seriousness. “With the seats you could get us for the Jets? Nah, man. We wouldn’t lead you astray. Hell, we’re hoping you get married and have eight babies.”

“Frankie grew up with us. She’s basically a guy without the equipment,” Gio pointed out, leading them back to the topic at hand. “Talk to her like you would a VP in your company. Don’t be all like ‘Not now, baby, men are talking.’ She’ll have your balls in a peanut butter jar for that.”

Marco nodded. “Yeah, she’s a smart girl. Talk to her like she’s one.”

The crowd exploded as a breakaway was foiled.

Gio put his hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “Listen, man. Don’t be dicking around if forever isn’t what you’re after. You want to keep it light? Fine, do that. But don’t be getting into her head if you’re just looking to jump ship next week, got it?”

“Fair enough,” Aiden agreed. He didn’t know if forever was what he wanted, but he sure as hell wanted more than just next week.