Free Crash Ride by T. Gephart

for being so incredibly sweet.
    “Ok, ladies,” Troy waved over a waitress and ordered some champagne. “No more crying. What we need to is celebrate.”
    He was a God. Troy, I meant. His intervention saved me from a full emotional outburst that would have unleashed my unattractive crying face. No one needed to see that. He would so be getting a blowjob for that act of kindness; I was a really ugly crier.
    We moved over to one of the vacant couches, coupling off as we sat down. It should have felt weird— sitting next to him, acting normal—but it didn’t. Instead we laughed and chatted about the impending nuptials as the waitress handed out our champagne.
    “To my best friend, who’s been more like a brother to me.” Troy held up his glass. “I’m so freaking glad you didn’t waste time and asked the best woman who ever walked into your life to marry you.”
    His smile made my heart skip a beat before he continued. “Ash, I know we haven’t known each other long but I can tell you are the real deal, and I couldn’t be happier to have you as a sister-in-law. Sorry to tell you, but you marry this loser, you get us as well. It’s all good though, ’cause it means you can stare at Alex’s ass anytime you want now.”
    We laughed— Ash and I. She had stared at Alex’s ass so it was funny. Dan didn’t share the amusement as he shot Troy a dirty look and flipped him the bird. “I hate you, asshole.”
    “Back at ya, sunshine.” Troy grinned back.
    “To Dan and Ash.” Troy paused before adding, “Nothing but love for both of you. Congratulations.”
    “Dan and Ash.” The words left my mouth with very little effort. Troy had said it all so I showed my support by taking a drink. It was the least I could do and would keep me from declarations of how amazing Troy was. I was thinking it but the world didn’t need to know. Best I pin that thought for later.
    The drinks flowed freely, which could have been dangerous. My hands seemed to spend more and more time on Troy Harris; his arm, his knee, his thigh. No one noticed and more to the point, no one stopped me. I would have stopped had he asked, but he didn’t so I didn’t. Did that sound right? Probably not. Oh look, another glass of champagne.
    “So you wanna team up, beat the two of them into submission if either of them fucks this up?” Troy gently bumped my shoulder— he was touching me — as we watched Dan and Ash move from the couch and onto the dance floor.
    “Yes. I think that’s part of the job description when you sign up for the wedding party.” My voice came out breathier than I would have liked, possibly on account that I wanted to nuzzle against his chest.
    Troy’s arms stretched out over the top of the couch, his skin making contact with my back. The shiver travelled down my spine, all the way to my toes. “Funny how we worried about them noticing us being gone and they couldn’t have cared less.”
    Yes, no one had noticed. Let’s go back to car was what I had wanted to say but instead the watered down version of, “Yeah, I guess we lucked out,” was what I actually said.
    It was a compromise and it meant I didn’t sound like a nympho, so positives all around. Yay! “Did you still want to… get together…later?” My voice was unsteady, either champagne or concern that our night of debauchery was going to be put on a permanent hold, to blame. Best to be prepared.
    Troy’s hand slid off the couch and gently caressed my back. “Of course I do, why wouldn’t I?” His smile convinced me that he had no plans to sleep alone.
    I stifled a moan, allowing more skin to connect with his hand. “I just wanted to be sure you hadn’t changed your mind.”
    “Changed my mind? I’m the best man, you’re the maid of honor. I’m pretty sure there is some unwritten law that we have to sleep together.” There was a smile but no humor in his voice.
    “I’m fairly sure there is no such law.” My eyelids may have fluttered; I