Take Me (Take a Chance 4)

“For a while, I did too.” Garrett turned to him. “But for some reason, she loves me. And I couldn’t be happier.”

“I know. And I’m happy for you both. I love you, man.”

Mike cleared his throat, overcome by love for a second. Shit, Morgan had made him acknowledge his feelings for Garrett and Kiersten and everyone. He’d gone his whole life without getting choked up about anything, but now here he was, about to slobber and snot all over himself because his best friend was marrying his sister.

Might as well give him a pair of pink heels, that apron Morgan had worn, and stick him in the fucking kitchen. He was done.

“Uh, I love you too, dude?” Garrett eyed him cautiously. “You okay? You’re kind of freaking me out right now.”

Mike snapped himself out of it. “Yeah. I was just picturing how I’d kill you if you ever hurt my sister.”

“Wow.” Garrett tugged at his bowtie, seeming relieved at the change of topic. “Guess I’ll have to not hurt her then, huh?”

Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “Somehow, I think you can manage that. When you love someone, you try to make their life better, not worse.”

That’s why he had set Morgan free. Let her leave angry at him instead of being torn about what she should do. Which was why he’d said he didn’t mean it when he said he loved her. Also why he’d flipped out at her about her work, knowing it would set her off, and he’d tried not to let her know how much he would miss her.

And, damn it, he would miss her a hell of a lot. He already did.

Garrett fiddled with his bowtie again, then dropped his hands at his sides so Mike could help straighten it. “Is Morgan out there?”

“Uh, no.” Mike’s fingers stilled at the mention of her name but he forced himself to keep moving. “We’re kind of done. She got a part in a play that’s going to be touring the country so we figured it was best to call it quits.”

Alistair knocked on the door and poked his head in. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Garrett said without looking away from Mike. “Why did you guys have to split just because she got a role?”

“Were we ever really together?” Mike asked, his voice choked.

“You let her leave? But I thought you were going to fall in love with her.” Alistair nudged Mike, a grin on his face. “Came to your senses once the booze wore off, huh?”

Mike swallowed hard, trying his best to sound casual. “Yeah. Something like that.”

Alistair’s smile slipped. “Oh.”

“You okay?” Garrett grabbed his arm. “If you need to—”

Mike shrugged free. “Stop hitting on me. I’m not your type.”

“Mike,” Garrett said, his tone hard. “I’m being serious here.”

“I know. I’m fine. Enjoy your day.”

Garrett looked at him for a little while longer, then nodded. “All right. But if you need me—”

Mike held his hand up. “You’ll be on your honeymoon, having the type of fun with your wife that I don’t even want to begin to contemplate, since I’m convinced Amy was Immaculate Conception.”

Garrett snorted. “Uh. Yeah. That’s right.”

Mike continued on. “And I’ll have your kids while you’re gone.” Mike forced a smile. “You’ll be fine and so will I. I promise to keep them alive.”

“Um, if you guys have had enough female bonding then it’s time to go get married.” Alistair opened the door and then whispered to Garrett, “Want me to help you run away since your best man won’t?”

“Nah. My feet are happily pointed toward the altar.”

Mike’s smile slipped a little bit. Yeah. His had been, too, even if he had been drunk off his ass. “Let’s go. I’ll get you up there and make sure you stay.”

Chapter Fourteen