Page 27 of The Bridges I've Burned

“I know,” I answered, attempting to ease her nervousness. “I haven’t kept up on everything, but I heard about that.”

I left out the part about my nosy-as-fuck roommate.

Silence engulfed the room as we all tried to find some common ground.

Before things started to go from awkward to downright uncomfortable, the door burst open. I turned, and for the first time in years, I found myself staring into the familiar gaze of my big brother.

“Zander,” he said, a bit breathless. He must have broken a law or two to get here that fast.

“Hey, Macon,” I greeted him. My chest felt tight as I tried to maintain my smile.

He looked frozen in place, like he couldn’t quite believe his eyes. I tried not to let that affect me.

He left you.

He chose to walk away.

Now, you will do the same.

I swallowed back the hard lump in my throat as I watched Marin walk toward him, offering a hand and pulling him toward her. It was then that he seemed to snap out of whatever trance he had been in. He turned toward her, his expression morphing into something so personal that I had to look away. I noticed I wasn’t the only one. Elena’s brown eyes found mine just then, and she gave me a hesitant smile.

I knew I was here to talk to my brother, but that one smile made me want to take her hand and drag her into one of those empty rooms at the end of the hallway and demand answers.

Why did she leave?

Did she regret it?

Did she think about me?

But she wasn’t my priority.

And now that I’d learned who she was, I knew she’d done us both a favor by walking out of that bar.

This was far more complicated than either of us had ever anticipated.

“Are you—” my brother began. His words were hoarse, and I noticed Marin’s hand slip into his.

“I’m here for your engagement party,” I said. “If you can fit one more, that is. I know I didn’t RSVP.”

He looked visibly wrecked, his eyes glassy, as if he was trying to hold in a dozen emotions. I dug my fingernails into my palm.

Don’t react. Don’t react.

“We absolutely have room,” Marin finally answered, not even trying to cover the tears streaking her cheeks. “We’d love to have you.”

“Great.”

“Elena.” Marin turned to her friend as she wiped the moisture from her eyes. “Why don’t we head to the coffee shop and grab some refreshments? I see Zander’s already made a stop.” She motioned to the forgotten coffee cup I’d placed on the kitchen island. “But there is never enough coffee and pastries, right?”

Her gaze quickly shifted to Macon and then mine. She gave a tentative smile. God, she was horribly transparent. It’d be annoying if she wasn’t so wholesome about her intentions.

“Right,” Elena agreed, giving me a sideways glare.

What did I do?

Both Macon and I stood there, awkwardly staring at each other, while the women moved about the house, grabbing keys and purses.

Elena finished first, and she brushed past me, toward the door, briefly stopping at my side. Her words were barely audible, but I heard them nonetheless. “Do not ruin this day for him.”

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