Page 24 of Lost the Handle

“Yeah, I’m here. Just digesting all this. What did you say?”

“Told her I wasn’t.”

“But…”

“But nothing. I’m marrying Ava.”

Benson blows out an annoyed breath. “Why, dude? You love Emery.”

I don’t deny it, nor do I confirm it before I say, “I’m marrying Ava.”

I have to keep saying those words, so I don’t worry that Emery will fuck it up somehow and I’ll lose everything. Maybe I should be honest. Tell her what is going on and how this has to happen. While she’s a possessive pain in my ass, she would support me. She’d let me— No, she wouldn’t. Who the fuck am I kidding? That girl isn’t going to let me marry Ava without a fight.

And I don’t know if my armor is thick enough to survive the battle.

It never is. Not where Emery is concerned.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “It is what it is.”

Benson makes a noncommittal noise. “I think you should blow Ava off. I don’t know what she has on you, but you know all of us would help you get out of it.”

I know that, but I refuse to put my bad choices on my family. “There is nothing to get out of,” I lie once more. Since I agreed to this, I’m realizing how easy it is to lie to my family. That’s not a very healthy thought. Alas, that’s where I am in life. “How’s Cam?”

He doesn’t like the subject change, but I don’t miss the excitement in his voice. “She’s good. Adjusting to Blackhawks life out here. It’s weird wearing black and red when I’m used to purple and black.”

I chuckle. “Especially when they’re our rivals.”

“For sure, but everyone has been kind. I like it here.”

“Good. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. Cam’s thinking of coaching at the top gymnastics gym here.”

“That’s badass.”

“Yeah. They’re offering her a pretty good amount of money. I don’t know, we’ll see.”

“Great,” I say enthusiastically. “I’m excited for the wedding.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m glad we’re doing it back home,” he admits, and I couldn’t agree more. My parents are his, which is why he and Cam are getting married on my parents’ land out in the country. It’ll be a super-small wedding, just our family and Cam’s. It surprises me since the two of them have such a big social media presence, that they wouldn’t want something grand and over the top. I don’t think Cameron is even wearing a real wedding dress. It’s going to be low-key, and I have to admit, I like it that way. “I’m really jazzed for what’s to come here.”

“For sure.” I push off the couch, and I realize I didn’t tell him something I know he’d want to know. “Oh, Emery drives my dream car.”

Benson hisses a breath. “No shit? She drives a Bugatti?”

“Yup, fucking sexy-ass car. All sleek black with silver chrome. I about came in my pants when I saw it.”

He laughs. “Did you drive it?”

I scoff. “No. She said I can’t because I’m very engaged.”

Benson’s laughter gets louder. “Not surprised. I’d break off the engagement to drive that car.”

If only I could.

“I didn’t know she had started another company.”

“Really? Doing what?”

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