Page 59 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“What about what happened at college?”

I sigh, the heartache of that time still somehow weighing heavily on my shoulders whenever I talk about it, think about it. “My first mistake was not speaking up when Lance wanted to break up right before we left for school. I should have fought him on it. As soon as I got on campus and saw how excited everyone else was to be there when I was the complete opposite, I knew I’d never survive our breakup. But Lance is such a thinker, a good decision-maker, and I trusted that he was making the right decision for us long term. I tried to stick it out, but I missed everything about the life I’d left behind—Lake Starlight, my parents, you, Lance. So, when I saw Easton at that party, it was the first time I felt a little like myself since I’d arrived on campus. The first time I felt even close to whole. But I was drunk and so was he. He walked me home like the decent guy he was, and I invited him in. Not to mess around with him, but we were talking about everything we missed from home, and I didn’t want it to end. He mentioned how hard it was to be away from you and Lance because, since the day you were all born, there was barely a day you weren’t with each other. We consoled each other with a hug that turned into a kiss.”

Shame clogs my throat, but I force down another gulp of my beer.

“It was stupid, and I wasn’t thinking straight. At some point, we fell asleep on the floor, and we woke up with our clothes on. Easton bolted, telling me he had to tell Lance. I wanted to beg him not to, but I couldn’t because that wouldn’t be fair to anyone. Lance had to know, even if it meant I’d never have him again. Lance called and left me a message, but when I tried to call him back, he wouldn’t accept my call. I kept trying to call him for weeks, but he never answered the phone.”

“But what about me?” Hurt rings through in Brinley’s voice.

I look at her with what I imagine are sad eyes. “Your loyalty was to them, and I understood that. I never faulted you for it. But I was embarrassed and ashamed and didn’t think I deserved your friendship. I’d torn apart two cousins who were more like brothers, and you were stuck in the middle. I’d already messed up my own life. I didn’t want to mess yours up too, so I pulled away.”

She puts down her beer and slides over to my side of the booth. “I’m sorry. At first, I just figured we’d act like it didn’t happen, but I kept getting mad at you whenever I thought about it. Lance wasn’t talking to Easton and things were awkward with us. I missed us too. And that’s why I tried to hang on, but it always felt like you weren’t there for me, but I should’ve been there for you too.”

She wraps her arms around me sideways and I turn in her arms, hugging her.

“But now that’s over. Brinley and Kenzie are friends again and this time, we act like fucking adults.” She grabs her beer and knocks my glass, and we both chug a good amount. “Babe, can we have shots? You pick.”

“Shots?” he calls as though he must have heard wrong.

“Yep. Shots.” She takes my hand and pulls me from the booth. “Let’s get some music going.”

“We’re closed,” he says, mixing up something and pouring it in two shot glasses.

Brinley ignores him and drags me over to the jukebox. Van slides a shot glass my way and walks over to her, hovering over her from behind. He kisses her neck and puts money in the machine for her. They whisper and talk about songs until something plays. Of course, she picked our favorite song from way back.

“I’ll Stand by You” by The Pretenders plays and she sings along while sauntering over to me. She picks up her shot glass, waits for me, and we clink them together. We sing the lyrics to one another and sway back and forth, hugging every once in a while. God, it feels so good to have her back. Really have her back this time.

“Another round,” she says, twirling her finger in the air. She’s not drunk, I don’t think, so I’m hoping she’s as high as I am and that we might be on the path to a fresh start.

“Brin…” Van says.

“What is the perk of you owning a bar if you’re not going to serve me when you’re closed?” She looks at me. “Do we let the boys join us?”

I don’t say anything.

“You and Lance haven’t made a lot of progress on moving on, huh?” She pulls me over to a table and sits down. “Tell me about Will.” She looks excited, but I’m not sure what I should tell her.

“He’s Will. I don’t know.” I laugh, and she draws back.

“So, you met on your podcast?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“And did he ask you out then, or did he send you some flowers or what?” She’s smiling, eager to hear how we came together, but it’s really not that exciting.

“After I was done with the interview, he said he had to head right to a business meeting, otherwise he’d ask me to lunch. And then he said he could do dinner. I agreed and he told me when and where to meet him. That’s about it.”

She lets her chin rest on her fist. “Nice. And you love him?”

For some reason, her question feels like a slap in the face, though I have no idea why.

“Well, I’m going to marry him,” I say with a forced smile.

“Yeah,” she draws out. “But do you love him?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“Good. And he makes you happy?”

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