Page 6 of Wrath

“You just have to be honest. Something made you run from that chapel and come he–.”

“I saw him.” I blurt out the words I’ve been holding in all night. “Last week, I saw Aaron ride past a bar I’d just come out of.” Hearing it out loud makes my reason sound even more pathetic.

“And he’s been on your mind since then.” The girl my brother’s in love with looks as if she might understand when she tilts her head at me sympathetically.

“Yes. But he shouldn’t have been. I’m happy. I have the perfect fucking life.” I stand up and realize how loud I’ve raised my voice. I can’t even be mad at anyone. I’m still furious, and so confused, and I’ve only got myself to blame. “Screw this.” I head to the bar and grab the closest bottle I can get my hands on.

“You want some?” I unscrew the top and hold it out to Peyton.

“Eden, it’s ten-thirty in the morning.” Her eyes go all wide and judgy on me.

“I know. And I should be in Mexico on my honeymoon. Also…” I pause so I can knock back the bottle and let the alcohol burn my throat. “...my name isn’t Eden anymore, it’s Katie.”

“Sorry, I was ju?—”

“How do you even start off that kinda conversation anyway? Oh, hey Aaron, long time no see. You rode past me the other night, so I just thought I’d steal a minister's car and run out on my wedding.” I toss the bottle at the wall, smashing it to pieces and making Peyton jump.

“You stole a minister's car?” She stares back at me looking stunned.

“It was the closest vehicle to the back door of the chapel.” I throw my hand in the air. How I got here isn’t what matters. It’s how the hell I’m supposed to fix the mess I’ve caused that I need to focus on.

“I should go. I need to speak to Mark. I should never have?—”

“Whoah!” Peyton races to the door, blocking it before I get there. “You don’t want to do that. Raze wouldn’t want you to leave, neither would Wrath. You came here for something, maybe it’s answers, maybe it’s clarity. Whatever it is, don’t leave without it.” She makes that smile again, one that almost convinces me that things could be alright.

“I like you, Peyton.” I look at the girl who’s far too young for my brother but seems so put together. I can see why he likes her so much.

Suddenly the double doors open behind me and after an encouraging smile, and a shrug from Peyton, I slowly turn around.

Aaron is the first person I set my eyes on, and unfortunately, his face is still just as handsome as it was yesterday when I punched it. I can’t deny finding satisfaction in the fact his cheekbone is a little bruised from the impact my fist made.

“Peyton, what did I tell you?” My brother starts stepping toward me and when I look up at him and shake my head, he looks past my shoulder toward his old lady. The growl he makes as he backs down tells me he’s not happy, but I guess he knows when and where to pick a fight. I smile at him gratefully, but it quickly fades when suddenly I realize that there are no more barriers between me and the boy that broke my heart.

“We need to talk.” I step closer to Wrath, ignoring all the club brothers who are standing behind him. “Alone.” Keeping my head held high, I move past him, and as the rest of the men clear a path for me, I start moving toward my brother's office. When I hear his footsteps follow after me, I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief.

“You wanna start?” Aaron closes the door after him, and I try to find the words while he steps over to rest his ass on the desk.

“I don’t know how to,” I admit, my voice coming out weak, which was not what I intended.

“It’s good to see you,” he whispers, and when I’m brave enough to look up at him, his crystal blue eyes hold so much pain inside them it makes me want to cry.

“I shouldn’t be here.” I shake my head. I was sure that I’d cried all my tears out at my brother’s beach hut last night, but fresh ones build and my lips start to quiver.

“But ya are.” Aaron keeps his eyes focused on mine as he stands up straight and steps closer, and when he reaches out his hand to take mine I shake my head in refusal.

“Did someone hurt ya?” His forehead creases from the concerned frown he makes.

“Yes, Aaron, someone hurt me.Youhurt me,” I admit, and the devastation I see on his face puts a hard lump in my throat that I can’t seem to swallow. Why is it impossible for me to hate him?

“Ede–”

“I’m not called Eden anymore. I have a new life. I’m a different person now. One who was supposed to get married yesterday to a sweet, caring man who wanted to take care of me for the rest of my life.” I slide both hands over my face in frustration.

“But ya didn’t,” he reminds me, and his arrogance only aggravates me more.

“No, I didn’t.” I laugh at myself when I realize what an idiot I’ve been. “I’ve got to fix this. Aaron, I’m sorry I came here. I’m sorry I punched you in the face… Kinda… I need to go.” I turn my back on him and head for the door.

“Wait. Go where?” He rushes to put himself in front of me, the same way Peyton did.

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