#starrose17

He gets to the islandthe day before the marriage. Anne picks him up at the airport and punches hisarm affectionately after letting him hug her tightly. They’ve been best friendsfor almost a decade, and he accepted on the spot when she asked him to be herbest man, side by side with her ex-husband, Jack.

“Is Thomas coming?”Anne asks as they’re driving back to Idelle’s house, where the wedding partyis staying until the next day.

“He’s getting intomorrow morning with Miranda,” he replies just as Anne parks her car. As theyboth get out and approach the house, James notices Anne looking anxious.

“Is everything alright?”he asks, ruffling her hair to make her laugh as they enter the house.

“Sure. We just had –there was a miscommunication with Idelle,” Anne sighs just as they round thecorner to the living room.

Oh God, no, James groans internally as soon as he sees the baneof his existence, John Silver. Silver is Max’s adoptive brother, and he’s beenshamelessly trying to get into James’s bed since Anne introduced them two yearsago. Now that he thinks about it, he probably should’ve anticipated that hewould be Max’s best man, considering how close they are.

“James!” Silverexclaims as soon as he sees him, a toothy grin spreading on his tan face. Jamesbarely nods in ackowledgement, looking at Anne for an explanation on what has gone wrong.

“Max and I can’t seeeach other until tomorrow, and Idelle has three rooms. Jack’s sleeping on thecouch,” she says, gesturing to the room.

“And?” James looks ather stupidly, still not getting what’s wrong.

“Max is sleeping withIdelle, so there’s just one room left.”

James frowns and looksover at the others, noticing Silver smirking in the corner.

“No,” he tells Anneunder his breath, “I’m not sleeping in the same room with that pervert, Anne.”

She rolls her eyes athim and pushes him towards the stairs, leaving him no choice.

***

When Silver finallymakes his way up to the room, he finds a pillow and a blanket on the floor,and James sitting comfortably on the bed with a book. The man lifts his eyesfrom the page only to glare at Silver for a brief moment.

“You’re sleeping there.”James nods at the floor, immediately going back to his book.

“Excuse me? Why shouldI be the one sleeping on the floor?” Silver asks, affronted.

“Because I’m older andI have a crick in my neck,” James says, setting his book to the side so he canlook at Silver. The younger man is now wearing a perplexed frown, his headcocked to one side as he studies James.

“Do you… well… I mean… Icould give you a massage?” he says in the end, shrugging a little. He shiftsunder James’s glare, trying not to get too uncomfortable as the silence stretches on.

“I’m married,” Jameseventually says, grabbing his book once again. He doesn’t look up when Silvermakes an offended sound low in his throat.

“I’m not trying to getin your pants!”

“Aren’t you?” Jamescocks an eyebrow at him.

“Wait a minute – is thatwhat you think I’ve been doing this whole time?” Silver looks almost hurt, andJames would be sorry if he wasn’t so tired.

“Listen, I found outyou were married two days after I met you. I admit the first time I flirtedbut – well, I find you really attractive, but I can control myself! I just wantus to be friends,” he finishes lamely, hugging his own body with a sigh.

James chews on hisbottom lips for a couple of minutes, before he stands up to retrieve theblanket and pillow from the floor.

“Get in,” he mutters, making room on the bedfor Silver, who just stares at him dumbly. “I’m not saying it again.”

Silver finally grinsand takes off his shoes, jeans and shirt before getting under the duvet. Jamesswiftly puts a pillow between them, ignoring Silver’s bewildered look.

“No touching, and ifyou wake me during the night you’re back on the floor.” James stares at himuntil Silver nods jerkily.