Page 69 of To Have and To Hold
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Three days until the wedding…
“Did you move them?”
Brantley shifted, looking back at Reese, where he was standing in the kitchen, rummaging through the drawers.
“Did I move what?”
“The rings?”
Brantley laughed. “Nice try, Tavoularis.”
Reese’s expression was rife with panic, his eyes wide, forehead creased. “Seriously. They’re not here.”
Brantley turned back to the television. “I can think of a dozen things you can worry about before the big day, but I told you, the rings won’t go missing. Your mind’s playin’ tricks on you because you can’t wrap your head around the idea of smooth sailin’ before the big day.”
And it had been smooth thus far. They were halfway through the week, and they’d made it without incident. He wasn’t counting their brief trip to Alluring Indulgence because there was no way to play that down. However, he’d spent yesterday and today reminding himself that there would be plenty of time to deal with Travis after they were married.
Until then, he had to chill.
It was easier said than done. Luckily, he could spend time at the shooting range without anyone questioning why he was there. That was what he’d done yesterday afternoon when Reese informed him he was going to get a haircut. Brantley was all for doing shit together, but there were certain things—haircuts and shopping for … pretty much anything—he figured were much better handled solo.
“But they did,” Reese shot back.
“They did what?”
“They disappeared.” Reese huffed. “They’re not here.”
Unfortunately, he seemed to be the only one capable of relaxing as they inched closer and closer to the wedding. Reese couldn’t seem to sit still, and now, rather than getting ready to go to Moonshiners for Bachelor Party #2, he was rummaging through the kitchen.
“I’m sure you just moved them when you were cookin’ last night.”
“I didn’t, Brantley.”
“Then maybeIdid,” he teased, although they both knew he did not move anything in the kitchen. Reese had spent weeks organizing the space exactly how he wanted it after he moved in. Since Brantley preferred not to cook, he liked not knowing where things were. It gave him an excuse not to volunteer to make anything more than a sandwich.
“Did you?” Reese barked.
It wasthattone that had Brantley getting to his feet. “I thought you were gettin’ ready. We have to be at the bar in twenty minutes.”
“Iamready,” Reese said, his attention once again shifting from drawer to drawer.
“Then we should head out. It’s not fashionable to be late to your own bachelor party.”
Reese looked up, frowned. “I’m serious. The rings are gone.”
Brantley joined Reese in the kitchen, taking his arm and pulling him around. He took the liberty of closing the drawer while he was at it.
“It was a dream,” he said softly, massaging Reese’s hand. “We’re not gonna lose the rings.”
“But—”
Brantley exhaled heavily. “Stop, please. The rings are in the safe. In my office. I put them there myself because I knew you were worried.”
Reese huffed. “You couldn’t just tell me that? Jesus Christ. I nearly had a heart attack.”
Brantley laughed and pulled Reese into him. “Would you like me to help you relax before we go have a beer or two?”
