Page 85 of The Player's Obsession

“I’m not sure. Cam is looking for him. The bride isn’t even dressed yet.”

“What can we do to help?” I ask.

“You, nothing.” Her eyes bore into me. I’m happy I’m not obliged to find the disappointed groom. Travis is on his phone, no doubt texting Nathan.

“See if I can talk to him,” Serena pleads to Travis.

Travis stands. “I’ll do my best.”

Serena makes an announcement to the room, apologizing for the bride running late. “Anyone who knows Melanie knows this is normal,” she says, trying to make light of the situation.

I’m not buying it.

I text Cam and Travis. They are not answering. We stand around nervously, waiting for a word.

“What do you think happened?” Penelope asks.

“I didn’t want to say anything before, but she was second-guessing our split. I wished her well. Besides, I need someone down to earth, I want someone I can make happy by delivering them a cup of coffee in the morning. I like affection and witty conversations. I wanted—more.” I shrug.

“You do?” Penelope asks.

“Yes, call me crazy, but I feel like you and me are more prepared for the next step. I’m happy, Penelope. I’m having the time of my life with you.”

“You are?”

“Sure. What about you?”

“I’m having a blast.”

My phone rings. I answer it. I listened as Travis said he’d found Nathan and that he had doubts about getting married. He was afraid to tell Melanie that he wanted to call off the wedding.

I hang up and break the news to the others. It was a shock to everyone except me and Travis. My first clue was when Melanie suggested I get my marriage annulled. I wonder who broke up with whom. Did Melanie tell Nathan she had doubts as well?

“I feel like it might be my fault. Maybe if she weren’t jealous, she would have gone through with it.” I shift on my feet.

“Don’t blame yourself. If they are meant to be, they’d both be here,” Penelope consoles me. “We have no way of knowing what’s going on in their personal life. If anything, you might have opened her eyes, and she will find the right man the next time around.”

“I don’t know what to believe, but I guess we can head home earlier now that there’s no wedding.”

“It’s a shame those decorations and balloons will go to waste,” Rose says.

“It was a fun weekend up to now,” Stephanie adds.

“I guess we can all pack up and head home,” Darrel says. “I need to rest before our big game.”

“Rose, do you know where Travis is? Can we walk you back to your room?” Oliver asks.

“I’m fine, I’ll wait for him here. Is everyone heading out?”

“I think so, but let’s use my parents’ box seats for the game next week, no sense renting another one unless we need more room,” Oliver says.

“Sounds good,” Darrel adds. We all hug and wish each other a Happy New Year before heading back to our rooms.

“What a terrible start to the new year,” Penelope murmurs.

“Their New Year’s may have sucked, but not ours. Ours was fantastic.”

“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?”

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