Leo hushes everyone with his hands. “And, even with all this excitement, we didn’t forget that today is another special day.”

The crowd parts and Jess and Lauralee wheel out a cart with a large white cake with sparklers on it. There’s a topper with a gown similar to one in my collection. It’s beautiful, but it also looks lonely on there. A bride without a groom. Alec’s words echo in my brain. I’m not in love with you. Maybe I never was. Oh, and happy birthday.

The crowd around me sings a joyous and off-key happy birthday song that should make me giggle, but right now my brain is racing a mile a minute trying to process the highs and lows of the last ten minutes. It’s practically giving me whiplash.

I raise my glass and swallow back the entire contents. The group disperses to start breaking down the show, but Jess grabs my arm.

She must see the shock on my face.

“Are you freaking out? It’s not crazy that everyone loved it. We knew they would. Now it’s official.” She laughs. “Where’s Alec? He cannot be missing this moment.”

Her mention of Alec sets the tears at the edge of my eyes into free fall.

Jess’s laugh calms and her face falls with realization. “Oh, fuck.”

I reach for the champagne bottle she’s holding, and begin to chug it.

CHAPTER 2

GRIFFIN

“What do they put in this shit?” Ronnie scrubs at his cheek with a makeup wipe. “Permanent marker?”

“It’s a good thing it’s not on your dick, then.” Dallas laughs from where he’s lacing up his boots.

“I’d take lipstick any day over the rash Kenny boy got from the last fan girl he slept with.” Ronnie grins, still scrubbing his red stained cheek.

“It was an allergic reaction to the metal of her tongue ring.” Ken pipes up from where he’s buttoning his vest across the room.

“Fuck. That’s messed up.” Dallas chuckles. “Was it good at least? I’ve heard a tongue ring on your dick is fucking out of this world.”

“Yeah, it was fucking cool until I broke out in hives.” Ken laughs like it was no big deal his dick swelled up for hours and I had to take him to the hospital.

“Better make sure her mouth is pure platinum before you dive in next time, bro.” Dallas claps Ken on the shoulder before jogging over to the vanity to check his hair.

“Yo, Griffin.” He catches my eyes in the mirror. “You going to get ready or what?”