Page 90 of All The Way Under
Fair.
“I didn’t keep up with you either, for what it’s worth, so I didn’t know about the sail. Congrats. That’s a huge accomplishment.” I pause. “The new update on ATWU is pretty crack too, by the way. Used it a few weeks ago and thought of you.”
I regret the last sentence the second it leaves my mouth.
She blushes. “Oh, good. I thought that update might change things for the better. I have an open-ended contract with the military now. They want first dibs on anything I come up with.” Saylor crosses her legs at the ankles.
“There you are,” Mark says, coming up from behind me. “Ready to go in? Nolan and Cat just got here.”
Saylor nods. “Yeah, sure. Was just saying hi to Brody really quick.”
Ah, that’s all I needed to find my voice.
“Wait, you are here with Mark?” I ask, looking between my best friend and the woman who haunts me.
My woman.
He wouldn’t.
“I’ll see you both in there,” Saylor says, turning to walk away, looking just as perfect leaving as she does coming.
As soon as the door closes, I grab my friend by his collar.
“Unhand me. It’s not what you think,” Mark deadpans, rolling his eyes.
I release my grasp. “Talk.”
“Nolan told me I should ask her so she would be here to talk toyou.” He huffs. “She’s here as my platonic, nothing at all, friend. Jesus, Brody. Who do you think I am? I’m your best fucking friend.”
“I trusted motherfuckers before, and that’s what got me here. I’m sorry. Seeing her has me on edge. I don’t know how to act. I haven’t spoken about Saylor in months. Why would Nolan think I wanted to talktoher?”
He raises one brow. “You’re joking, right? Just because you haven’t spoken about her doesn’t mean everyone doesn’t see the romantic fool you are about her and the past you had with her. Your parents were part of this. It might be Nolan’s wedding, but it’s your fucking intervention.”
“Intervention for what? I’m happy. I’m fine. I’m over her.”
“So we’re not going to talk about the ten minutes that happened before I walked in? That looked like anything except you being over her. She was willing to be here. Saylor moved onwith her life, and now it’s time to start over with her in a new space.” He coughs into his hand. “If you can convince her.”
“If you think I’m fuck-all stupid, and I’d put myself throughthatagain, you’re crazier than I realized.”
“It’s not the same. No more security. Did you notice that? The circus around the Wyndhams died down. You avoiding their name isn’t the only reason you didn’t hear about them. They began a huge campaign to disappear into obscurity after you broke up with Saylor. They’re still filthy fucking rich. They just don’t use their name and lay a little lower.” He looks away. “And don’t act like that rich fake shit is the only reason you pushed her away. You know you freaked and were being pusillanimous. You know you didn’t think you deserved it. We all know you do.”
“You’re a pussy,” I fire back.
“I used the refined word. Stop being so crude. It’s a blessed day,” Mark says, flashing a half smirk. “A joyous wedding!” he exclaims.
Nolan and Catherine rush down the hallway, big smiles on their faces, looking at each other, speaking low. Nolan turns and sees me, and the smile drops.
“You can’t kill a man on his wedding day! Let’s go in!” he calls to me.
“I’m going to kill you all tomorrow, then. It’s settled.”
We go into the room where guests are cheering. The bride and groom do some dumb, rehearsed dance, and we follow after, but I can’t stop myself from searching for her in a crowd. It’s automatic and infuriating.
When I see her, she’s watching me, a smile on her lips.
I bite back any emotion and take my seat at her table, right next to her, because the entirety of the humans who care about me put my name card next to hers. Hers just says S.W.
“All this fuss just to tell people you’re going to be together for the rest of your lives. Seems excessive,” I say, folding my arms, leaning back in my chair.
