“To the bar?”
“Yeah. Everyone’s here, but you’re not. I want you to be here. Please?”
“Ryan, I don’t know if—”
“I can sneak you in the back like before. You’re little. No one will suspect a thing. Please? It’s my birthday wish.” He blew like he had a cake full of candles in front of him. “I need a cake.”
She laughed. “How much did you have to drink?”
“This much.” He squinted at his fingers smooshed together and slowly widened the measurement. “A lot.”
“Do I have to meet everyone?”
“Nope. Just me. A secret rendezvous.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the back steps to the loft in thirty minutes. Leave the door unlocked.”
“You’re amazing.”
He didn’t remember ending the call but nearly broke his neck on the steps to the loft. He unlocked the back door and left the lamp on so Maggie would be able to see her way around.
Pat found him fumbling around in the hall. “You look a little lost, brother.”
Ryan smiled and slung an arm over Pat’s shoulders, giving his red hair an affectionate tousle. “I can’t believe you’re here.” His brother was his best friend and he missed him terribly over the past several years while he was finishing med school. “You need to move back home. Philly’s had you long enough.”
Pat laughed. “Christ, you’re wasted.”
Squaring off with him, Ryan balanced his hands on his shoulders and, through blurred vision, looked him in the eye.
“But I’m serious. I want you to come back. I know you thought she’d come around, but maybe it’s time to move on. She doesn’t even live here anymore. Come home. You could start your own practice and settle down. Any girl would be lucky to have you. Forget about Julie.”
His brother didn’t bother denying his affection for Julie Cook. He’d been a goner for her since he sat next to her in kindergarten, but Pat never had the guts to make a move and she’d moved on without him. No one had the heart to tell him she was now engaged. But he’d find out eventually. It was time for him to move on.
“I know it’ll never happen. But every time I picture my future, I can’t help but imagine her by my side.”
He affectionately slapped his cheek and burped. “It’s her loss.”
Pat reared back and steered him out of the hall. “Well, I’m not going to meet anyone new slow dancing in the back hall of a bar with my brother, you lush. Let’s get you something to eat. I have a feeling you could use a cracker or ten to sop up all the booze.”
Pat dragged him out to the bar, where more shots took place. Food was served. He might have swallowed a few bites, but he mostly drank. Finn started a dance-off and the music switched to disco. Someone handed out flamboyant sunglasses, feather boas, beaded necklaces, and hats. The room was spinning, but Ryan was having a blast.
“Ryan,” his mother called, holding her purse and standing by the door with his father.
He danced over to them and remembered he had a giant purple glitter top hat on his head. “Are you leaving?”
“It’s getting late. You stay and enjoy yourself.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I love you. There’s a freezer full of casseroles at my house with your name on it. Come by and get them this week. And this is for you.” She handed him an envelope. “We’re very proud of you. Happy birthday.”
Despite the alcohol pumping through his veins, her words hit him with the velocity of a speeding train. “I love you too, Mum. Thank you for … everything.” He hoped she knew how much she meant to him, and how much it meant that no matter the situation, he could always count on her.
She smiled and comprehension glittered in her faded green eyes. “You’re welcome. Enjoy the rest of your party.”
He hugged and thanked his dad, but only when they left the bar did he realize the time. If people were leaving it must be late. “Shit. Luke, what time is it?”
His cousin looked at his phone. “Eleven.”
“Maggie.” He made a beeline to the back, cursing himself all the while.
Relatives called his name as he passed, some even made a joke that he was running to the bathroom to toss, which he almost did along the way. How could he have lost track of time?
He careened into the hall and turned toward the loft door, only to come up short when he found his cousin Kelly leaning against it, arms folded across his chest, and a cocky smile twisting his mouth.
“How’s it going?” Kelly asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Ryan caught his breath and eyed the loft door. “Hey. I, uh, need to check something.”
Kelly cocked his head and raised a brow. “Funny thing. I was checking my inventory a while ago and heard a noise. I thought maybe an animal got into the soffit or something. You know how the raccoons can get around here.”