Page 98 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“Did he ever…?” Orion asks me. I know the question he’s asking.

I shake my head. I don’t think Hamilton cheated on me. But I have no way of knowing for sure. I don’t feel anything at the thought he might have. He’s so completely in my past.

I pull my phone out and notice several missed calls from Beckett and Hamilton. Both texted, asking me to call them back. Hamilton left me a voicemail begging me to help them make sure Sienna doesn’t call off the wedding. I toss my phone on the table to show Orion the transcript of the message.

He scoffs. “Why would they think you would help? No cheating is the number one rule of relationships.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe they hope to appeal to my business sense. They’ve already spent so much money on the wedding.”

“Beckett’s parents paid for everything,” Alex says. “And they’re the example of happily married and faithful. They won’t like this.”

Bristol comes over and fills our glasses with water. We go silent. None of us make eye contact. The news will get around, but we’re not ready to share before Sienna knows.

The front door opens and our heads swing toward it. I didn’t realize I’m afraid Beckett will follow Alex and Haley here. It’s the one place on the island they would seek sanctuary. We clearly share the thought. It’s Christian who enters and we collectively breathe a sigh of relief.

But Beckett storms in after.

“Alex, we need to talk,” he pleads.

“I don’t have anything left to say to you,” Alex says, his voice firm.

“It was a mistake.” Beckett comes closer, his hair messed up and his collar askew.

“Doesn’t change anything.” Alex rises from the table.

Orion stands behind him, his fists clenched, ready for a physical confrontation. Christian forms a wall next to Orion and the two of them make eye contact and nod.

I tune out the voices. When did they become such good friends?

I want Orion all to myself.

It’s good for him to have connections to other people. It will help when we fall apart. But I don’t want to lose Christian as a friend.

“You’re a fucking two-faced bastard and don’t deserve Sienna,” Alex says calmly.

Beckett takes a swing at Alex. He dodges. Christian grabs Beckett around the torso.

“You’re still pissed I got to her first!” Beckett struggles, but Christian overpowers him.

“Fuck off, Beckett,” Alex shouts.

Beckett knocks over a few chairs as Christian drags him out of the bar.

Haley’s phone lights up with Sienna’s name. She picks it up, and I move to follow her. But she waves me off before heading down the employees-only hallway.

“You okay?” I ask Christian when he returns.

“Yeah. He tried to elbow me in the ribs, but varsity wrestling prepared me for this moment,” he says dryly. He pulls my chair out so I can sit and eyes the bottle on the table.

Bristol comes by, fussing over her brother. “What just happened?”

Alex is behind the bar, on the phone. Luckily, the chaos was contained in the locals’ section so the rest of the restaurant didn’t notice.

“I think we need food first,” I say.

Bristol shakes her head but pulls out her notepad to take our orders. My stomach rolls from the alcohol and the indignity of it all.

It isn’t long before Haley joins us, her eyes red from crying. We give her a minute and use the time to fill in Bristol and Christian.

---