My Brother's Best Man

The barman brings my water, laying it down on the bar, the sound seeming far too loud. It’s like the nail in the coffin people always talk about, that sound, and the coffin is us.

“They must be,” I go on. “They made you and Alex. Goodbye, Becca.”

I can’t resist, even as we stand here at the bar. As I turn, I brush my hand along hers just for a moment.

She tightens her grip on me, letting out a short breath as though eager for me to stay.

Then she lets me go.

I do the same, though it’s hard, maybe the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

It’s definitely more difficult than any fight or business venture.

“Maybe I’ll see you in a couple of months,” she mutters under her breath, just about audible to me as I do the impossible.

I walk away from the woman of my dreams.

“Here you go.”

I place the glass down in front of Alex.

He smiles up at me as he takes it. “Thanks, Ben. I can honestly say you’re the best best man who’s ever lived.”

I swallow, masking my reaction, wondering what he’d say if he knew the truth.