Page 132 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

Grey is quickly becoming my least favorite sister. But it’s hard to get too annoyed when I can still see camo paint inside the shell of her ear.

“So, you haven’t been dating anyone else?” Lex asks.

“Not for a long while.”

I actually don’t remember the last date I went on or the last time I went out with the guys, hoping to meet someone. It’s been like it was with the reporter today—I just haven’tseenother women. Haven’t wanted to. The guys had teased me about it a few times, but it’s not like I could tell them I had a thing for Coach’s daughter after meeting her once and talking for an hour.

Also, a lot of my closest friends on the team have been distracted finding their own women.

“I don’t like her,” Lex says with a frown. “She left you.”

“With just a note. Aftermarryingyou.” Callie shakes her head. “Wait—was it really her idea?”

“It was. But I was on board.”

“What I don’t understand iswhy,” Grey says, lip trembling. “Why she wanted to get married so soon after her engagement ended. But more—why you agreed to it. To amarriage, Robbie.”

She doesn’t need to say more. We have an understanding, the four of us.

Mom and Dad really did a number on us as far as marriages go. Torching their own and then going through rapid-fire speed marriages wreaked havoc on our formative years. We’ve all internalized in different, unhealthy ways.

Callie wouldn’t date at all foryears. I dated anyone and everyone, but wouldn’t commit. Grey went through a thankfully short period where she embodied the daddy issues stereotype—latching onto a series of total losers, desperate for someone to love her. Lex poured herself into work. Had Mitch not really pursued her, she’d probably still be married to her job.

A few years back, the four of us sat down and hashed out our issues with marriage. Over a few bottles of wine, which seems to be the best way to ease into a conversation about the trauma your parents caused, we agreed to look out for each other. Point out any unhealthy behaviors and coping mechanisms. Offer support as needed.

And, above all, NOT repeat our parents’ mistakes.

Which meant when and if we got married, we would do our level best to make itforever.

“Do you think she loves you?” Grey’s question comes with uncharacteristic softness.

Doesn’t soften how it lands.

“I don’t know. She was still reeling from what her fiancé did, and probably wasn’t in a place to know for sure.”

Lex leans forward. “So, why’d you marry her? If you knew she wasn’t in a good place mentally or emotionally,why?”

I’ve asked myself the same question. A lot.

The thing is … I don’t like the answer.

“I think because I wanted it to be true,” I admit. “I wanted Amelia to love me. And maybe I thought …” Now I’m the one holding back tears. I breathe through it until I can speak again. “Maybe I thought she’d change her mind if we waited.”

There’s a little sound from one of my sisters. A squeak, followed by a sniff. I can’t look at them, so I stare at the rug.

“Should I have waited on the marriage part? Yeah, probably. But I also don’t know that I regret it. I went to talk to the team lawyer about getting it annulled. But then, I couldn’t go through with asking. I realized it’s because … I don’t want to.”

“You want to stay married to her after sheleft you?” Callie asks.

“In her defense, that text was pretty damning,” Lex says. “But I’m still mad at her.”

Grey sniffs and offers me a watery smile. “Poor Amelia. And poor you. I would have paid all the cheese to come. A whole giant wheel of cheese.” She stretches out her hands on either side of her head.

I can’t help but chuckle. “I’m sorry, Grey. All of you—I’m sorry. No one needs to pay me in cheese for something like this. I should have told you. I would have wanted you there.”

It’s true. I wasn’t thinking about my sisters while I was marrying Amelia—which is a good thing when you think about it—but now that I’m looking back, it’s wrong they weren’t there. As bridesmaids or my best women or just as mysisters.

I may not regret marrying Amelia—not completely, anyway—but I absolutely regret not having my sisters there.

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