Diary of a Bad Boy(81)
“Oh no, did she feel the ring?”
He slowly nods. “Yup. There I was, limp dick and sore throat, watching my girlfriend juggle my pee pants and the ring I bought her.” Roark lets out another bout of laughter but Bram talks over it this time, only engaging with me now. “When she asked what it was, I freaked, grabbed the closest pair of pants I had and fled to Rath’s place.” In despair, Bram rubs his thighs up and down. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know why I ran, maybe because I was so nervous she was going to say no after she squeezed pee out of me, I have no clue, but now it’s going to be awkward. She knows I was going to propose, so do I act like I wasn’t going to or do I suck up my pride and ask if she wants to marry the guy who chokes and pees his pants?”
Still chuckling, Roark says, “That’s a great question. I mean, if I were you I’d be in a bar right now, trying to forget the entire night. And then when I went home and she asked about it, I’d pass out on her tits and call it a night.”
“Roark.” I slap his arm. “That’s awful advice.” He shrugs as if he doesn’t care. I turn to Bram. “Don’t listen to him. Alcohol doesn’t solve problems.”
“It sure hides them,” Roark interjects and leans back on the couch, pulling me with him, but I shrug him off.
“First of all, if I were Julia right now, I’d be worried and want to know if you’re okay. Do you have your phone with you?”
Bram shakes his head. “I was in such a hurry, I didn’t bother grabbing it. She’s probably tried calling a few times by now.”
“Of course, because she loves you, and she’s worried. Your best bet is to go home, show her that you’re okay, and then suck up your pride. Tell her you had these big plans for making the moment perfect, but sometimes being perfect isn’t what life is all about.” Scooting a little closer, I continue, “I would touch her sweetly and then bend down on one knee, tell her how much she means to you, how grateful you are that she’s in your life, for lifesaving moments as well—it’s always good to add some humor—and then ask her if she’ll spend the rest of her life by your side. No doubt in my mind that she’ll say yes.”
“Even after everything that went down tonight? You don’t think she’s running for the hills trying to get as far away from me as possible?”
I shake my head, attempting to put Bram at ease. “I don’t think so. I think she’ll be grateful that you’re okay and excited that the man she loves is proposing.”
Bram’s eyes start to light up, his chest starts to puff out, as his shoulders straighten. “I think you’re right. Okay”—he stands and claps his hands together loudly—“I’m going to do this. I’m going to propose to my girlfriend.” Bram holds out his hand for a high five that I give a quick snap. “You’re a lifesaver, Sutton. Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem.” I stand as well. “I’ll walk you out. Let me get my suitcase.”
“Wait, what?” Roark says, standing as well. I quickly retrieve my suitcase, the wheels echoing down the hall. “Where are you going?”
I slip on my jacket and drape my purse over my shoulder. “I’m going home. I think it’s best we call it an evening.”
“Uh . . . what happened to your promise?” Roark asks as Bram watches with humor over the exchange.
“You lost that privilege when you gave your friend crappy advice. It wouldn’t have hurt you to try.”
“Yeah, it wouldn’t have hurt you to try,” Bram adds with a confident head nod.
Roark points his finger at Bram. “You stay out of this.”
Slinking away, Bram heads toward the elevator and presses the down button. I follow closely behind. The doors slide open and I step in after Bram. Roark blocks the door and looks me in the eyes. “Are you really leaving right now?”
“Yes. I am.” I push his chest out of the elevator doorway and let the doors close on a very fuming Roark.
When the elevator starts to descend, Bram says, “That’s not going to go over well.”
“Not so much,” I answer, a smile pulling at my lips.
“Why did you do it?”
“He’s sexiest when he’s angry.”
Bram chuckles. “You’re evil, woman, but I like you.”
“Thank you. He’ll be at my place within the hour.”
Bram leans against the elevator wall, studying me. “Oh, he will and you’re going to have one hell of a time explaining yourself.”
“No explanation needed for what I have planned.”
Bram lifts a brow. “Are you going to make good on that promise you made him?”
“It was never my intention to break it.” I give him a big smile that causes him to roar with laughter.
“Shit, Roark is in way over his head with you.”
Roark: What the fuck was that?
Sutton: Are you yelling at me through text?
Roark: Yeah, I fucking am. Why did you leave?
Sutton: I don’t respond well to yelling. Once you tone it down, I’ll speak with you.
Roark: Sutton, I swear to Christ.
Sutton: That’s not toning it down.
Roark: Takes deep breath What the fuck was that? Said while holding a butterfly