Off Chance (Off 5)

Nix raises his head up and catches my glare, which is still aimed his way. He does nothing more than give me a smirk before he says, "Well... Emily and I have some news."

Everyone goes silent and turns to stare at them. They had gotten engaged a few months ago while visiting Linc and Ever in Phoenix. I assume we're getting ready to hear about their wedding plans, and I'm not disappointed.

"We've decided against a big, formal wedding. In fact, we only want our immediate family attending. And we want to do it on December 25th because Linc only has a small break in his season where he can come."

Everyone breaks into talk around the table, excited that the date has been set and it's a little less than three months away. Nix holds his hands up to get everyone's attention. "There's one more detail I need to mention. We're going to have it in the U.S. Virgin Islands... St. John to be exact."

"Oh, a destination wedding," my mom says as she clasps her hands to her chest, her eyes getting misty.

"Don't cry, Aunt Nora," Nix says as he steps from his chair and gives her a hug.

I smile at Nix's uncharacteristic display of affection. It comes so easy to him nowadays and it's a damn sight better than the grumpy-ass attitude he wore after returning from the war.

Once Nix rose up from his chair, it was like open season. We all stand up, pushing our chairs back, and hugs and kisses are passed around in congratulations.

I step up to Nix and we clasp hands, pulling each other in for a manly hug/back-slap combo.

"I'm happy for you, man."

Nix looks over at Emily, who is standing there with her arm wrapped around Uncle Hank's waist. "I'm a lucky guy."

The tenderness in his eyes pangs my heart, and I feel envious. I want to look at someone like that.

Emily glances over at Nix and gives him a smile. It is full of love and devotion.

"Emily is a lucky girl," I tell him.

"She's my everything," he says, and my green-eyed monster starts roaring. I'm still able to pull out a happy smile for Nix as I head over to Nix's dad and Emily to give my congratulations.

Emily steps into a hug. After giving her a squeeze, I turn to Uncle Hank and clap him on the back. "You're losing your babies," I tell him.

Uncle Hank chuckles but then looks over at Emily. "Nope. I'm gaining a daughter and a damn fine one at that."

It tickles me but Emily blushes a pretty pink over the compliment. She gives him another hug. "And I'm gaining another dad."

"Okay, you two," I say. "You're making me sick. Stop it already."

Uncle Hank chuckles. "You'll understand it one day, Flynn. When you find that someone. Everything changes."

God, I hope so. I really do.

"So, Emily... have you already talked to Linc and Ever?"

"Yeah, we had to find out when Linc could make it before we finalized the date. He has a game against the Sabres on the 23rd and he'll fly out that night to St. John. Then he has to be back in Phoenix on the 28th."

I nod in understanding. Linc's schedule is crazy during the NHL season. "What about Renner? Have you talked to her?"

Emily shakes her head. "We were going to call her in the morning. It's past midnight there."

My sister, Renner, lives in Dublin with her rock star boyfriend, Cillian. "You don't give my sis enough credit," I admonish Emily. "She's living the rock-star life. She'll be up."

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I hold it up to Emily and ask, "Do you mind?"

She smiles and shakes her head. "Go for it. She can yell at you for waking her up."

I hit Renner's name from my Favorite list where she resides at the top because my sister is my most favorite person in the world. I talk to her a few times a week in addition to almost daily texts because, hey, I'm her brother and I worry about her. I don't know this Cillian dude very well and although he seems to make her happy, it's my duty as an older and over-protective brother to make sure she stays that way.

The phone rings four times before Renner answers. Her voice is heavy with sleep. "This better be good, Flynn, or I'm going to fly back to Jersey and murder you."

"What the hell are you doing sleeping? Shouldn't you be out partying with Cillian and his band or something?"

Renner lets out a big yawn. "Contrary to popular belief, our life isn't all about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. It's just about the sex, and I'm exhausted after the fun Cillian had with me tonight."

"Ewwww, Renner. TMI. I don't need to know that shit."

"Well, then quit calling me at ungodly hours. I'm cranky," she snaps back.

We're silent a moment and then we both start laughing, her giggles ringing through like a charming melody.

"So, why did you call, O brother o'mine?"

"We just got done having a family dinner and Nix and Emily announced their wedding plans. I wanted to make sure that you and Cillian could come. It's going to be on December 25th in St. John."

Renner lets out a high-pitched squeal and I hear Cillian yelling, "What the fuck's wrong?" I have a clear mental image of him sitting straight up in bed, looking around in a panic.

Renner whispers a, "Sorry babe. Go back to sleep. I'll tell you all about it in the morning."

After a moment, she whispers into the phone, "Yes... we can definitely come. Over The Edge is taking a break from their tour over the holidays."

"Awesome! I can't wait to see you, Ren."

"Same here. So how are things going with the roommate situation?"

I look around the room. Everyone is engaged in conversation, but I don't want anyone to hear what I'm about to say.

"Hold on," I tell her as I walk through the living room and step out onto the front porch. The early October weather is chilly and I'm glad I wore a long-sleeved shirt tonight.

I had told Renner about Rowan. About how I had rescued her, how she came to live at my apartment, and I told her all about Juice. She knows Rowan is living with me on a permanent basis now, but she doesn't know much more than that. I'm thinking I can use some girlie advice right now.

"I could use some guidance... about Rowan."

"Shoot," she says, matter of factly.

"Well... we've become really good friends over the last several weeks. I don't know much about Rowan's background but she says I'm really the first true friend she's ever had."

"Awww. That's so sweet."

"Yeah... my teeth hurt it's so sweet. Quit interrupting."

"Sorry... grump-ass."

"Anyway... we've kissed twice, and it was... well, it was explosive. I mean... we both have an intense attraction to one another."

"But?" she prompts.

"But, last time, we were getting pretty hot and heavy and she pulled away. She stopped it and she said she couldn't go there with me because she didn't want to risk our friendship. She said sex would change everything and she didn't want to lose me as a friend. And it's driving me fucking nuts because I know she wants me the way I want her. And I'm all messed up about it and don't know what to do."

Renner is silent for a moment and I wait for a pearl of wisdom to come through the phone and save my sanity. Instead, she only says, "I'm sorry, Flynn. That sucks."

"That's it? That's all you got for me? Sorry... and it sucks?"

"Well, I get where she's coming from. Sex does change everything. It opens up a whole new level of intimacy, which will naturally bring you closer."

"But that's a good thing, right?"

"Yes, but the consequences if it doesn't work out would be disastrous. You can't go backward to friendship. If you take it to the next level, and it doesn't work out... then it's over. If she cherishes this friendship the way you say she does, then this would be a very scary proposition for her."

"Bullshit," I tell her. "We could still be friends. Besides... why wouldn't it work out? We have a lot in common, and I really like her, Ren. A lot."

"I hear you, Flynn. I'm just saying I get where she's coming from. I think as women, we tend to worry about that stuff more than me

n do. I mean, let's face it, you probably just want to get in her pants."

That's true... I do want to get into her pants. But fuck, I want so much more. I want someone to be my everything. I've wanted it so bad since Marney died that I can taste it on my lips... and it tastes like ambrosia.

I know Rowan will taste like ambrosia.

"So what should I do?"