Page 128 of Dickathlon

“He’s gotta be in the closet.”

“I don’t know about that, but I do know that I don’t care anymore. He made his choice and I’ve found a better man than he ever was to be my partner.”

“Awww. Babe!”

“Hey! That’s what I call you!”

“Sorry, not sorry. It didn’t seem like a ‘bro’ moment.”

* * *

My mom found us again. “The Campbells are here and Ian has an announcement. They want us to join them in the parlor.”

Thankfully, we were already on our second round. I downed the rest of my drink and Ty followed suit. It was clear my mom expected us to follow her, so we did. Freddie came too, and my mom didn’t tell him not to.

When we arrived at the parlor, my mom walked over to stand by my dad. The Campbells were next to them, followed by Ian with Hailey. There were a few other people in the room that looked familiar to our family’s circle, but no one I knew by name.

“Well, now that everyone’s here, I guess I can get on with what I gathered everyone here for,” Ian spoke to the room.

God, he’s as pretentious as ever.

After about the seventh minute of Ian and Hailey’s relationship backstory, I knew it was a proposal. Ian was just so fucking long-winded about it. I was surprised people were actually shocked when he got down on one knee.

Ty hadn’t let go of my hand since we arrived in the room, and his grip grew stronger now. I knew he was likely being a little possessive, but it felt good to have him there. A part of me was still vulnerable; I still remembered what it felt like years ago to have my heart crushed.

Hailey screamed “Yes!” and then there was crying and hugging, and a few minutes later, Ian was standing in front of me and asking me something. I could barely make out the words, my ears were ringing, but it sounded like he said, “Did you hear me, Declan? What do you say? Would you be my best man?”

23

Tyler

“No!” I shouted.

I couldn’t help it. I could see Declan floundering. I had never seen him like that before, but from what he told me of their past, I knew it was too much to ask of him. I couldn’t have cared less about the Campbells and certainly not the other people in the room. At that moment, I was only thinking of Declan.

My sweet Declan, who was still stuttering, probably trying to figure out what to say.

“Dude, I think Declan can speak for himself.”

Ian seemed to think we were dudes. If he wanted to throw it, I could toss it right back.

“I think you’ve overstepped, bro. I know you’re not friends,” I lowered my voice, “and I know why, so unless you want to make this worse for yourself, drop it.”

“What’s going on? Declan, what’s happening?” Avery asked, approaching from across the room near the Campbells who weren’t far behind along with Declan’s dad, Elijah.

Hailey hadn’t noticed. She was still staring at the ring.

While the other people seemed to sense drama, they weren’t leaving the room. They were doing that thing where they pretended not to pay attention, but still glanced our way every few seconds. I was surprised Avery didn’t tell them to clear out.

“Why can’t you be Ian’s best man, son?” Elijah asked, putting an arm on Declan’s shoulder.

Declan just stared at the floor, shifting his weight. I knew he’d never say it. He was too loyal and he didn’t want to upset anyone, but I wasn’t about to stand there and say nothing.

“Look, I’m not-”

I felt Declan grab my arm and he quickly said, “It’s fine, Ty.”

“I’m sorry, Dec, but it’s not.” I met his eyes with mine and pressed on, turning to Avery and Elijah. “The details aren’t important, but Ian and Declan aren’t friends and haven’t been for a long time. Dec just didn’t want things to be awkward between your families,” I said, glancing between the Moores and the Campbells. “But I’m not going to stand here and watch the man I love do something he does not want to do just so that we can all avoid the elephant in the room.”