Page 20 of And the Best Man Ran Away With the Groom

Once we’ve each finished our drinks, Xav heads off to the bar to order new ones. While he’s gone, I slip my phone from my pocket to check my texts.

Jack Macey:How’s the honeymooning???

Me:Super romantic! How’s the escape from reality?

Jack Macey:Your mum made me apple crumble so I’m happy??

Me:It really doesn’t take much does it?

Jack Macey:Nope

Xavier returns with our drinks, and I quickly snap a picture of the yellow creation—what I’m pretty sure is a porn star martini—and send it to Jack.

Me:[photo]

Me:Cheers buddy!

Jack Macey:Yeah this is still weird but whatevs…have fun!

I slip my phone back in my pocket and glance at the two glasses Xavier has set down, frowning in confusion. “Isn’t there supposed to be shots of prosecco with this?”

“I already poured them in,” he informs me.

I nod, mildly impressed. “Nice. Jack says hi, by the way,” I blurt out as I bring my drink to my lips. It’s not until after I’ve said them that I realise this could be a misstep. Jackdidn’tsay hi. He said me being away with Xavier was weird. If he’s still uncomfortable about it, no doubt Xavier is too. What if bringing Jack up now causes Xav to backslide and miss out on his rebound opportunity.

Before I can say anything to correct my error, Xav shocks the hell out of me by smiling. “That’s nice. What’s he up to at the moment?”

I stare at him in shock for a moment, wondering what the hell’s going on. It’s as though he’s talking about some mutual acquaintance of ours rather than the guy who left him at the alter just over a week ago. Clearly my plan is working better than I even anticipated—helped along a little by our friends rum and vodka, no doubt. “Uh, he’s actually staying with Mum and Granddad at the moment up at the farm I told you about.”

Xavier’s eyes widen in obvious surprise. “Really? Why? It’s the middle of summer—I’d have thought he’d want to be at the beach.”

I nod. “Of course he does, but apparently the gossip’s been pretty crazy since the wedding. He wanted to get away from it. At least that’s what he said…”

“What, you don’t believe him?”

I lift a hand in a so-so gesture. “I do. But I think the main reason is he wanted space from his folks. That’s why he went to my mum.”

Xavier looks at me, perplexed. “His folks? But Linh and Harry are lovely.”

I nod. “Of course they are. But you must also know how hard they are on Jack?”

Xavier just stares at me blankly and I feel a wave of unease rush through me. Is it really possible that Jack didn’t share the nitty gritty about his relationship with his parents with the guy he’d planned to marry? He’s a private person, sure, but we’re talking about hisfiancé.

I take a long sip of my drink and then let out a heavy breath. “Look, I’m not going to go into all the details but let’s just say they have extremely high expectations of Jack. Always have had. And he’s never been able to meet them. It might not sound like much, but pile one thing on top of another for more than thirty years and you can see why he ran to my mum instead when everything happened.”

Xavier nods solemnly. “Yeah, I definitely get it. So, I take it your mum isn’t one of those judgey types?”

My face splits into a broad grin. “Definitely not. And even less so when it comes to Jack. He can do no wrong in her eyes.”

“What sort of farm is it?” Xavier asks. “Did you grow up there?”

No doubt this is my cue to veer the conversation away from Jack’s family life. “Yes and no. It’s Granddad’s farm so we spent a ton of time there while we were growing up, but we lived in Melbourne. Mum moved back there almost fifteen years ago after Dad passed. She’s always been a country girl at heart, and Granddad needed more help around the house, so it made sense for her…” I trail off with a shrug.

“What kind of farm is it?” Xav asks again, and I’m relieved he went for this route of questioning rather than asking me about my dad. “It’s not a working farm anymore. They just have a few chickens, and some horses, and Eleanor and Ruby, obviously.”

Xavier arches a curious brow. “Who are Eleanor and Ruby?”

“Granddad’s pigs.” I withdraw my phone from my pocket and scroll through my camera reel so I can show Xav a picture of my granddad’s two favourite girls. I’d say they’re his two favourites not including Mum or Alicia, but I really don’t think that’s true.

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