Page 30 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
It’s Matthew. Just a single line of text.
We’ll see about that.
You’re damn right, Matthew. We will see about that. Because you just declared war on three people who can actually bury you, you arrogant fool.
9
PHOEBE
One week later
The ride back from the airport is a stark reminder that the sweet dream is over.
My stomach is tangled up in knots as I brace myself for returning to the real world, preparing to say goodbye to the paradise I found in Hawaii.
“It’s been quiet on social media for the past several days,” Theo says, going through his phone.
August is driving, while Theo rides shotgun and Dominic and I share the backseat. We agreed to come back together. They’ll drop me off at my place before they go back to their own lives. Every mile we burn through New York City feels like a bitter farewell. I feel the distance growing between us, though I don’t want to.
“They found something else to focus on,” Dominic replies. “Nothing lasts long on the internet, not really. Sure, you can dig it back up, but there’s always something new to take its place.”
“Either way, it’s done and dusted,” Theo sighs. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”
We all know it won’t. Someone will try to milk this further, somehow, at some point. All I can do is pray for the strength to get over it sooner rather than later.
“Are you alright?” Dominic asks, looking at me.
“Yes. Just tired. Long flight.”
He takes my hand in his and gives it a soft squeeze. “Any plans for the weekend?”
“I don’t even have plans for lunch today,” I chuckle. “I just want to get home and decompress, for starters. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
I notice the subtle exchange of glances between all of them as we drive past Central Park and deeper into the heart of Manhattan. I wish I’d missed it more while I was away, but the truth is, I wish we would’ve stayed in Hawaii.
“Have you spoken to Penny yet?” Dominic asks.
Slowly, I take my hand back and lean against the car window. “Yes. She’s coming over later to catch up. I guess we’ll order in.”
“If you don’t have any plans for the weekend, we could put something together,” Theo suggests. “Our place in the Hamptons is the perfect getaway from the city heat.”
“Don’t I know it,” I sigh, a touch of bitterness in my voice.
“Ah, that’s right. We had you and… right.” There’s a tinge of regret in his tone.
“Right.”
The conversation dwindles quickly. Again. It’s awkward. I’m not helping, but I don’t know what else to do. In Hawaii, it was different. Nobody knew who we were. We answered to no one, and my family was far enough away that I could dodge their calls and messages without feeling too guilty about it.
I’m already feeling like the old Phoebe again. Maybe a little heavier. Or maybe it’s in my mind. It’s funny how my demons were waiting for me, right there at the airport, eager to dig their claws back in.
“Here we are,” August says as he pulls up outside my brownstone.
The goodbye is even more awkward as Theo gets my suitcase out of the trunk and Dominic escorts me to the elevator. I stop them from going any further with a polite smile, and for a moment, I feel like the worst person in the world.
August, Dominic, and Theo stand before me, gorgeously tanned and smiling softly. I mutter a “Thanks for everything, we’ll be in touch,” before disappearing inside the elevator.
Everything about them tells me they want to try to make this work. But I’m shutting them out. At least today because I don’t know what else to do.
