"I told my dad I would meet him in town to go over some business," I said to Amelia with regret. After our long talk on the boat about the connection this engagement had to working for my father, I felt bad for leaving her here. 

Amelia shrugged a shoulder as she nodded. "Okay, no problem. I'm going to relax and take a bath. Its been a long day," she added with a laugh.

She wasn't wrong. I wasn't planning on taking her out on the boat and spilling all those secrets. But I couldn't take it anymore. She deserved to know. She needed to know the truth if we were going to get married. The sad truth that I had a better chance of working for my father's office if I was a married man. Of course, a straight married man. 

I wasn't surprised by her anger when I told her the truth. I was surprised when she ended up agreeing to still marry me. I've known Amelia for decades, and she wasn't the type to forgive something like that. Of course, she didn't know everything.

"Yeah," I replied. "I know it's been a lot for you." I leaned in and kissed her softly. "You're pretty amazing, Amelia."

"I know," she teased and we both laughed.

"Go get some rest," I playfully ordered with a smile. "I'll see you later." 

When Amelia headed up the stairs, I went straight to the kitchen. My room was upstairs and I needed to shower, but I had a feeling it was going to be awkward if I followed her up. Hence the reason I was opening the fridge and pulling out the vodka bottle. 

I threw back two shots and exhaled a deep breath before I leaned against the counter. I lied to Amelia. I wasn't meeting my dad this afternoon. I was having dinner with Grant. I knew saying I was with my dad would be safe because he was going into the city and wouldn't be back until late. I hated lying to her. I did love her and she meant a lot to me; but this whole engagement thing had me losing my mind. 

I put the vodka bottle back into the fridge and headed to my room. Amelia should be in the bath by now. Once I made it to the third floor landing, I peeked down the hallway. Yep. She was nowhere to be seen.

My dinner with Grant was in a couple hours and I was already nervous as hell. It's been years since we've shared a meal. Its been years since a lot of things.

I went to my closet and pulled out a pair of dark denim jeans, my New York Giants Jersey, and one of my leather jackets. I laid the outfit out on the bed before taking off the filthy clothes I was wearing. Being on a boat all fucking day in the sun made you sweat. After I tossed them into the hamper, I turned on the shower and got the temperature right where I wanted it. Just as I went to step in, my phone went off. 

G: Hey. We still on for tonight?

I didn't blame him for being skeptical. There were many times where either he or I bailed when we were supposed to meet. I wasn't bailing this time. So, I gave him an honest answer. 

Me: Absolutely. I'm looking forward to it. To seeing you, was what I really wanted to say.

G: Vincenzo's at 7?

Vincenzo's was a really fancy Italian restaurant. My heart started pounding in my chest. That very familiar panic crept down my spine. Vincenzo's felt like...a date date. I didn't know if I was ready for something like that. I was still fucked in the head about this whole engagement thing. When I didn't answer, Grant sent another message. 

G: How about Jack's? Just drinks? Same time. 

I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding. He knew me too well. 

Me: I'll be there.

I put my phone on the charger and finally got into the shower. I had two hours before I needed to meet Grant at Jack's—and I wasn't going to be late this time. 

"You're late."

I smirked at Grant as he leaned against his car that was parked outside of Jack's bar. I locked my car and put my keys in my pocket. "Please. I'm five minutes late. Cut me some slack."

Grant pushed off of his car and started walking towards me. My eyes ran over him, admiring the pair of jeans he was wearing that fit him perfectly. Not to mention the tight muscle shirt he was wearing that showed off his six-pack. "I guess I can forgive you," he teased and stopped just in front of me. 

Look away. Look away. 

Grant reached for my collar. "It's twisted," he said quietly. His eyes never left mine. "I've never been a fan of leather jackets. Except on you." 

When my mouth suddenly went dry, my tongue darted out to wet my lips. His eyes tracked my movements. I wanted to kiss him—but we couldn't keep doing that. Breaking the connection, I cleared my throat and chuckled nervously. 

"I always said you should give them a chance," I quipped. I nodded my head towards the entrance. "Let's get a drink."

"Sounds good to me." 

We walked quietly to the entrance of the bar and Grant pulled the door open for me. The first thing I looked for when I got inside was Terri. Even though Grant and I were 'just friends', Terri was intuitive. I didn't need her suspecting and then mentioning it to my parents or Wyatt. Chills shot down my spine at the idea. Thankfully, she was nowhere in sight.

"So," Grant breathed as he sat on the bar stool, "what'll you have?" 

I took the seat next to his. "I'll start with a Bud Light." 

Grant snickered. "Light weight."

"Hey," I laughed, "the night is young."

Grant ordered our drinks and grabbed a little of the trail mix out of the bowl between us before he turned to me. Some of his blonde hair fell over his eye and I linked my hands together to keep from brushing it back. 

"How's Wyatt?" he asked. "It's been a long time since I've seen him."

Grant and my brother, Wyatt, met the few times that Wyatt was in town. After Wyatt went to school on the other side of the country, I didn't really see him outside of holidays and summer break. Grant was there for a handful of them. It got less and less after the kiss we shared on my twenty-first birthday. The more time we spent together, the harder and more awkward it got.

"He's good. He's glad to be back." I chuckled and grabbed some trail mix for myself. "He was ecstatic to see my fiancée."

"They're best friends, right?"

"Yeah," I answered. "They've been inseparable since they met as kids.  Kind of annoying, actually."

Grant took a swig of his beer and chuckled. "Why? Because you're lacking in the best friend department?" 

I rolled my eyes. "No. You're my best friend." 

Grant paused before he took another swig of his drink—the rim of the bottle hovered over his lips. He finally lowered the bottle and my eyes met his. 

"Logan, I'm sorry that I've been distant." 

"It's fine, Grant."

He turned towards me. "No, it isn't. Last time was my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"Grant," I said a little too quickly, cutting him off. "It's fine. Let's leave the past in the past, alright?" 

Grant's shoulders fell a little. "Yeah. Alright."

I ran my hand through my hair. The tension that surrounded us was getting worse and I wasn't ready to end the night yet. But if I didn't get some air, I was going to continue thinking about the last time we were together—and that would ruin this whole night. 

"I'm going to go smoke." I slid off the stool. "I'll be back in five." 

Without looking back, I walked straight to the door and exited the bar. I pulled out my cigarettes and walked around to the side of the building. I lit up my cigarette and took a long drag before leaning my head back against the wall of the bar behind me. Fuck. What was I thinking? Texting Grant was a bad idea. We always ended up bitching about shit that happened in the past and it never ended well. 

The sound of leaves crunching and twigs snapping had me turning my head to the right. Grant came around the corner with an intense look on his face as he closed the distance between us.

"Hey. Is everything—" I didn't get a chance to finish my question. 

Grant grabbed my face with his hands and crushed his lips to mine. I couldn't stop from moaning at the contact. I dropped my cigarette on the ground and pulled his body against mine. I could taste the mixture of beer and trail mix on his tongue as he deepened the kiss. 

Why did this feel so good with Grant and so...not good with Amelia? I didn't want to think about that answer right now. 

Grant's lips left mine and I heard his voice at my ear. "I've missed you, Logan. Have you missed me?" 

I closed my eyes tight—forcing myself not to admit the truth. The truth was dangerous. 

I groaned when he cupped my hard dick through my jeans. "Fuck. Grant...."

He sucked lightly at my neck and his voice vibrated against my skin. "This feels like a yes to me." 

Ring—ring

"Goddammit," I muttered and Grant pulled away. 

"Ignore it."

"I can't." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hit the accept button. "Hey, mom."

"Hello, Logan. I wanted to plan a brunch tomorrow to go over some wedding stuff. I know you said you had some plans tonight, but I could really use your help. Can you be home soon?"

My eyes met Grant's and I could tell he heard every word she said. "Yeah, mom. I'll be there soon."

"Thank you, sweetie." 

I hung up the phone and ran my hand over my face before looking back up at the man in front me. "I'm sorry. I wouldn't go if—"

"It's okay," Grant interjected with a small smile. "I get it."

"Text me later?"

He nodded and took a few steps back. "Yeah. Sounds good."

After Grant insisted on taking care of the bill at the bar, I got in my car and hesitated before I started the engine. Holy shit. What was happening? I just wanted to hang out with Grant tonight and have a few drinks. Just drinks. What would have happened if my mom hadn't called when she did? 

I refused to think about the alternative. I wouldn't be able to leave if I did. Instead, I turned on my car and started driving home to the lake house.