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My brother and I currently occupy a tabletop dead-center of the brewery Right now, it’s the worst damn place for Thatcher to be He has a perfect view of all the guests, which is causing hiuard than a man about to be married

Thatcher stares at the beer, a dark porter on draft, that I shove at his chest “Her teenage brothers are here, Banks If anything happens to them—”

“It won’t,” I cut him off

His eyes peel to the sofa area Eliot and Toood is going to cohts right now I’ rainbow of joy for my brother today He deserves the hype man, not a Debbie Downer

But Christ, it’s hard when I’oalie playing defense as I try to keep Tony Ra my brother Lord knows Tony will throw out some dumb comment that’ll tank my brother’s mood

Which is already too uptight to begin with

“You should drink,” I try to encourage “You’re not on-duty, and you won’t see Jane later We’re not ht soursout with Sulli in a brewery, spa, barn, fucking horse- as I can spend more time with her

“Agreed,” Akara says, approaching with a couple beer flights “You need to enjoy this, Thatcher You’re only getting one bachelor party”

Thatcher doesn’t ease at those words Not really sure what’ll take the ice out of his bones tonight “What’s the word on the security ether noe could have one in five before the gents are drunk”

Akara checks the time on his watch “Maybe in twenty”

I wag a finger, then pound the table with said finger “No work Noparty Can you two please shove the pencils and calculators in a drawer for one night?”

Akara fits on a black beanie, sroom wants”

Thatcher shootsabout work, what do you wantup?”

“Phillies, Eagles Hell, I’ll take an hour of Jesus and Mary and rehashing the birth of Christ”

Thatcher almost smiles

There we go

He grips the porter but doesn’t drink yet “What about Sulli?”

I stiffen and shift, then scratch the back ofcasual conversation like ested, but I didn’t think he’d surface Sulli