The Runaway Groom // Brallon

Chapter 17

"I didn't think you'd agree to talk to me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

The vintage-looking café isn't as crowded the moment he and Ryan arrived. There seems to be no sign of Brendon too. He would have figured the younger man was still on his shift. He doesn't see Dan either.

A cup of warm coffee for Ryan and a Dr. Pepper for him. Not a likely choice for a serious chat, but it doesn't matter. What matters is the person talking to him right now.

He watches the slender brunette shrug sheepishly, staring down at his coffee. "Spencer told me about you. I'm sure Brendon must have told you about me."

"A bit." He knows about how he left Brendon without proper reason. But honestly, as sees the said man in front of him right now, shoulders slump with what seems like guilt written in his posture, Dallon couldn't seem to judge him right now. "I can't judge you from a past experience, though."

Jordan has always said he's too soft. And maybe it's not a bad thing.

Ryan pauses to stare at him, looking contemplative. He then huffs a smile, looking at Dallon with an amused gaze. "I was worried Brendon might hook up with a shady guy." The brunette's eyes soften as he continues. "I'm really glad it was you. I think you're good for him."

"You barely know me." He says out of confusion. "How do you know I'm good for him?"

"If anyone can get Spencer's approval wholeheartedly, then they must be something else. Believe me, Spencer isn't easy to trust anyone." Ryan says with a chuckle, still looking sheepish. "And the fact that we're talking right now without you screaming at me even with what you know is more than enough."

Dallon smiles, unable to say anything from such a compliment, let alone approval from Brendon's former boyfriend.

"You're the guy he confessed to that night, right?" Ryan notes, taking sip of his coffee.

He makes a small nod, his thumb brushing on the cold moisture of the smooth, tin can of soda.

"I'm guessing you like him back?" Ryan asked. Dallon would assume the brunette would look unhappy with the idea, but it's baffling to see such a hopeful look from him; hoping that he returns Brendon's feelings.

When Dallon says yes, Ryan's expression morphs into a blinding grin. He wonders if this is suppose to be a normal reaction from a past lover. There's always that sort of bitterness that a person has when they talk about a past relationship. He's seen Brendon's expressions before; there's that hint simmering anger and bitterness in his chocolate brown eyes.

None of those resemble any emotion from Ryan's honey-browns as he responds with a tone of genuine relief. "I'm glad."

Dallon blinks at him, absently sipping on his carbonated drink. Ryan's amused smile at Dallon's reaction just indicates that he knew what the taller man was thinking.

"You must be wondering why, right?"

Of course he is. Why else would they be talking?

Before he could say anything, Ryan raises his hand to reveal the same thing that he saw from Patrick's hand—a glimmering gold band on his finger.

"I'm married, you see." Ryan says sternly, as his eyes gaze on his ring.

Dallon just stares at him; too stunned to even form a response. He's trying his best not to judge the brunette's choices too soon without an explanation.

He watches the way Ryan's jaw clenches, his eyes averting Dallon's expectant gaze as he admits his words in a small voice, hinting a tone of bitterness lacing in from his lips. "But I never really had a choice."