“Yes, it does.” All eyes turned to Darren. Rather than back down under Harper’s angry glare, he stood his ground. “People bring friends as dates all the time.”
The room swelled as more brothers and their dates showed up. They gathered in groups, watching the drama. Jack noticed Marcus and Vanessa come down the stairs. Marcus stared at him, but Jack shook his head. He didn’t need to drag down Marcus’s night with his troubles.
The stare-off continued, but Darren never gave an inch. Finally Harper spun away. “How do we know he’s even gay?”
“Right,” Greg said on cue. “Bringing a straight guy isn’t getting a date.”
“That’s a first.” Brant snorted. “No one’s ever asked me to prove I’m gay.”
“Why does it matter if my date is gay?” The tacit admission that Brant was his date wasn’t lost on Jack. But having Harper on the ropes meant at the least, Marcus didn’t lose too. “The bet was if I got a date you’d move out. I have a date.”
Harper must have sensed an opening. “If he’s your date, kiss him.”
That was unexpected. Jack’s mouth went dry.
“Why am I not surprised you’re trying to weasel out of the bet,” Billy taunted. “Admit it, you’ve lost. Do you really want us to push you out kicking and screaming like a girlie-man?”
“Eat me.” Harper flipped him off. “If you weren’t a stupid little twit you’d know you can’t force me out.”
“You admit you lost, but you’re not leaving? Surprise, surprise.” Marcus suddenly appeared next to Jack.
“You wish, Reynolds. I don’t accept this”—Harper pointed to Brant—“as a date. If Murphy had a date, a real date, one he’d kiss, then I’d admit I lost.” He crossed his arms defiantly, but his usual swagger had disappeared.
“Even though everyone else, even Darren, says it counts as a date?” Brittany asked.
Harper’s confidence seemed to grow the more he repeated himself. “A real date means you kiss.”
Everyone stared at Jack. One kiss and he could get rid of Harper. Even he’d have a hard time staying after he refined the terms. He looked at Brant, who gave him a “why not” shrug.
Jack glanced at Brittany and remembered her words. It had only been two days. Claiming Brant as his date might not hurt his chances at making up with Ed. But a kiss?
The doorbell rang, and more couples pushed into the room. Unsure what to do, he avoided everyone’s gaze and stared at the picture. He picked it up, carefully pinching it at the sides. Man, it would feel good to get rid of Harper. Never have to deal with his shit again.
Jack felt the burning urge to rise to Harper’s bait—but all that had gotten him so far was zilch. Worse than that. Marcus was right. He had to think past the urge to have Harper out of the house to who else that might hurt.
He stared at the picture. Days after it had been taken, Sean proposed to his mom. That’s what had mattered to him. What he’d have told Jack was most important.
“I don’t need to play by your rules, Harper.” Jack turned toward Brant. “I appreciate you coming to fill in as my date, but I’m not going to use you like this. I want to patch things up with the guy I love.”
Brant flashed him a wide smile. “That’s totally cool. Ed’s a lucky guy. He just doesn’t know it.”
“Yes, he does,” a voice said from behind Jack.
Jack whipped around, chest so tight he couldn’t breathe.
Ed stood across the room, all proper in a dark gray tux and silver shirt. Dashing and tall, with flushed cheeks and a nervous flicker in his eye. He stared at Jack, his gaze searing right to the core of him. His lips twitched before shyly tipping up at the edges.
Brittany pushed his back. “Go talk to him already.”
Jack willed his legs to move through the shock. His gathered frat brothers blurred as he focused on his guy across the room. His heart thudded so hard he could hear it pulse in his ears.
Ed stepped forward, gaze sweeping appreciatively over Jack, and Jack could’ve melted right there. The biggest smile of his life pulled at his lips.
“You’re here. What are you doing here?”
Ed glanced around the room and then straightened. “You asked me to be your date for the formal. I’d like to accept.”
“I thought being here with me was too risky.”
“Someone once said to me that I’d meet a guy who’ll be worth the risk. Spoiler alert: I met him.”
Jack reached out and pulled them together, hands shaking on Ed’s biceps. “Eddy.”
“Wait.” Harper yanked Jack around and glared at Ed. “Didn’t you hear? He already has a date.”
An icy grip of fear seized Jack. Ed stared hard at Harper. “Get your fucking hands off my boyfriend.” Ed came forward, slipped his arm around Jack’s waist, and drew him close. “I heard. All of it.”
Jack caught his breath.
Harper scowled. “But….”
Ed glared at him. “I know what you’re trying to do. Just give it up.”
“Fuck you.”
“Piss off, Harper,” Jack said.
Harper stepped forward, red with rage and embarrassment. He looked ready to deck Jack. Jack braced for it, but Ed positioned himself between them. “You’ve done enough damage. Leave Jack and his friends alone.”
The room erupted in agreement, and Greg pulled Harper back, tugging him out of the room. “This isn’t over,” Harper yelled, but no one was giving him the time of day. They were all looking at Ed and Jack—and whispering for them to kiss already.
Music started, distracting half of the couples from the scene. Ed faced Jack, love burning in his eyes.
“Let’s give them some privacy.” Marcus shooed the crowds, motioning for them to mind their own business.
Ed chuckled, and Jack searched for a more private space. He nodded toward an empty corner.
“I’m really sorry about Thursday,” Jack said, “but I swear, it’s not like how Harper told you.”
“I know. I read all your texts and emails and listened to the umpteen-zillion voicemails you left.” He smirked, and Jack blushed.
“Sorry for that.”
“It was a tough spot to be in, your brother or me.” Ed took Jack’s hands in his. “I’m sorry I made you choose.”
“I shouldn’t have put you in that position in the first place.”
“I hope we can move on. Together.”
Jack brought their entwined hands to his chest. “You bet.”
“Uncanny choice of words.”
“One bet I am willing to stake everything on.”
Ed laughed, inching closer. A warm tingle scuttled over Jack.
“I’m curious,” Jack said. “What changed your mind? You weren’t talking to me.”
“Yeah, that was so my fault.” Before Jack could protest, Ed shook his head. “It was, and your friend made me see that.”
“Friend? Who?”
“Brittany. She came to my house this morning.”
“She did?”
“Yes. She was all over me. Said you were the sweetest guy—I can’t argue with that—who always puts other people first. That you were just trying to make Marcus happy because he’s the only family you have and that I should have at least given you a chance to tell your side because Harper is a liar and… well, she went on a bit.”