Page 79 of It Should Have Been Me

18. Scott

Dylan shakes his handsas if that will somehow flick the restlessness out of his system. I smile, turning my attention back to my reflection as I try to get the knot in my tie perfect.

“You nervous, Dyl?”

“No. Why would I be nervous?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because it’s your wedding day.”

“Oh, is that today? I was wondering what all the flowers were for.”

Peter walks in then with Tommy right behind him. “Hey, what’s up with all the flowers? Is someone getting married today?”

“Scott says it might be me.”

Peter feigns shock, then throws his arm around Dylan and slaps a kiss on his temple. “Well then, congratulations, boy!”

“Tom, the pink suit is fire.” It’s not really a suit. It’s a pink tie and jacket, which he’s paired with a pair of cargo shorts. I continue fiddling with my tie, shifting my focus between them and my reflection in the full-length mirror. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would clash with the green hair, but it’s very complementary.”

“Thanks, Scotty, but to be fair, I can pretty much pull off anything. So, did you bring your girlfriend again, Peter?”

“I did...but she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Well, you’ve been spending a lot of time with good ol’ Clementine. What is that in the air? Is that commitment I smell?”

“Her name is Lia,” Peter corrects firmly, his expression tightening with annoyance. “And we’re not dating, for fuck’s sake.”

Tommy walks over when he sees that I’m still struggling with my tie. “Let a pro show you how it’s done, Scotty. This is what happens when your fancy private school doesn’t enforce a uniform policy.” He shifts his attention to Pete. “You’re with her every day. Sounds like dating to me. And please refrain from cussing for the next hour. We’re in church, you heathen.”

I look down at the perfect knot in my tie. “Thanks, Tom.” Maybe now is not the right time to have this discussion, but I feel the need to voice my opinion because Peter seems oblivious. “Pete, I can’t really explain it, but I’m picking up a weird vibe...like she’s hiding something...or there’s something she’s purposely making sure you don’t see.”

“You think so?”

Peter trusts my judgment because I tried to warn Dylan that his relationship with Francesca was doomed from the start. Nobody listened to me and look at where that got him.

“Yeah, something’s off about her,” I reply. “I put up a fake persona almost all through high school. I know what it looks like when someone is trying to be something they’re not.”

Hell, I’m doing it right now. Pretending to be okay. Faking smiles and pleasantries for the sake of Isa and Dylan when, in reality, I just want to punch something.

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