Page 4 of Knot Really Engaged
The anger though.
He used me. I feel sick to my stomach as the realization sets in—Ben had lied to both of us. Tears start falling down my cheeks, hot and heavy, as I think about how many other women he may have hurt with his lies. And here I was, thinking I had found the perfect man. Now, all that perfection has shattered, leaving behind nothing but pain and disappointment.
And that’s not the only devastating issue. Now, I have to go home alone, no boyfriend by my side like I said I would. Mom . . . God, she’ll be so disappointed. I can already see the pity in her eyes and the sympathy in her smile. It’s more than I can bear.
I bite my lip. There has to be a way to fix this. I can’t imagine having to tell my family the truth. The thought of their reactions, their questions, their well-meaning concern makes my stomach churn.
The bright LED screen displays the boarding announcement, but my eyes blur as I stand in line, feeling numb and disconnected from the world. My usual confident stance has been replaced by a slumped posture, my shoulders hunched and my feet dragging. It’s as if the weight of the world has settled on my shoulders, crushing me beneath its burden.
The betrayal cuts deep, leaving me raw and exposed. I feel like a fool, like a pawn in Ben’s game. How could I have been so blind, so naïve? The questions swirl in my mind, taunting me with their insistence.
Just then, a familiar voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts. “Hey, Little McCallister,” the voice calls out, and I whirl around to see none other than Liam Cohen grinning at me. One of my brother’s best friends since . . . I think forever . . . stands there looking just as handsome as ever. His blue eyes sparkle and his smirk is as charming as I remember.
“Liam,” I can’t help but smile back as he pulls me into a warm hug. His embrace is comforting, and for a moment, I allow myself to relax into it. “Are you going to Boston too?”
“Like I would miss your parents’ anniversary. I think they and my mother would disown me,” he jokes, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Small world, running into you here.”
I roll my eyes, trying to hide the flutter in my stomach. When I was younger, I had the biggest crush on Liam, but he always saw me as Max’s little sister. “Not really. We both live in San Diego, and we have to be in Boston for the weekend,” I remind him, my tone a little blunter than I intended.
“Sure, but you could’ve flown earlier or tomorrow.”
“Well, this is the flight that was more convenient for Ben.” I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Who’s Ben?” Liam asks, his brow furrowing in confusion.
I let out a humorless laugh. “The asshole I was dating up until about twenty minutes ago?”
He flinches. “Yeah, I remember Max mentioning some asshole you were dating. He wanted me to get the 4-1-1 but I haven’t had time.” He shrugs. “Oh well. I’m glad it’s over.”
But then, he frowns, his gaze searching my face. “Have you been crying?” As his jaw sets, he adds. “If that asshole hurt you, I’ll make him pay.”
I look away, blinking back the tears that threaten to fall. “He didn’t hurt me, per se. Though he turned out to be a complete liar and cheater,” I say bitterly, my voice cracking.
I explain how the wife came all the way to the gate to tell me he was married. Now no one is going to believe that he was actually real. The words pour out of me, a torrent of hurt and anger that I can no longer contain.
Liam puts a comforting arm around my shoulder, his touch gentle and reassuring. “I’m really sorry, Audrey. You deserve so much better than some cheating asshole.”
“Thanks,” I smile weakly, grateful for his wordsthat somehow draw a chuckle out of me.
Soon after, he asks me for my boarding pass, and I hand it over without hesitation. He takes my phone with him and goes to the counter to talk to one of the attendants. When he comes back, he hands it over with a grin. “Ready. We’re sitting together.”
“Thank you?” I raise an eyebrow, a little confused but appreciative, nonetheless.
He winks at me, his smile turning mischievous. “It is the least I can do for Max’s kid sister.”
I would tell him I’m not a kid if I wasn’t feeling so defeated. I’m almost thirty, for fuck’s sake. Being lumped into a single category is not only diminishing, but reminds me of the teenager who always wanted to be seen by him but he always ignored.
The PA system crackles to life, a tinny voice echoing through the terminal. “Attention all passengers. Flight 247 to Boston is now boarding at Gate 12. We invite our first-class passengers and those with priority boarding to please line up at the gate.”
Liam turns to me, a grin on his face. “That’s us, Little McCallister. Let’s go.” He reaches for my carry-on bag, slinging it over his shoulder before I can protest.
“First class? I can carry my own bag, youknow,” I grumble, but there’s no real heat behind my words.
“I know you can, but let me be a gentleman for once, okay?” He winks at me, and I feel a flush creep up my neck.
We make our way to the gate, where the attendant scans our boarding passes with a smile. “Enjoy your flight, Mr. and Mrs. Cohen.”
I’m about to protest, but Liam places his hand on the small of my back, and says, “Thank you,” as we continue toward the plane.
