Page 133 of Stolen Moments

“I’m not drunk,” I slur.

Fuck. I run my hand over my face, trying to get some feeling back.

Jace pulls at his hair before leaning back in his chair. “This is about Emery, right?”

I nod. Of course it’s about Emery. Why else would I be outside, drinking alone?

Although, I don’t think my brothers have ever seen me less than put together and ready to get down to business. My last breakup didn’t have me on my knees, feeling like my life was over. Then again, my feelings for my ex don’t hold a candle to how I feel about Emery.

“Start from the beginning,” Jace says, taking his big brother role seriously. Like the lawyer he is, he calmly begins his interrogation. “How did you two meet?”

“We met at the airport. Actually, the first time I saw her was the night you proposed to Ry. I saw her reflection in the mirror, but before I could talk to her, she was gone. The second time was in the airport café. We shared a flight to L.A.. I thought we hit it off, but she walked away. Third time I saw her was in January, at the airport again, waiting for a car. It was the weekend I was watching Rhys while you brought Ry here for your babymoon.”

“So she’s the girl you took to movie night at the museum?” he asks while Cam and Eli sit silently, letting Jace continue taking the lead.

“Yes.”

“Then what happened?”

“Then we started seeing each other. It was a long-distance thing at first but got serious after Valentine’s Day. We spent Valentine’s weekend together in Portland.”

“Of course it did,” Cameron interjects. “Dude, never take a chick out on Valentine’s Day. That shit screams committed relationship.”

“Shut up, you idiot.” Eli throws a pebble at Cam. “He wanted to be committed.”

Jace rolls his eyes, waving his hand for me to continue.

“After that, she had me hooked. Every free moment I had, I spent on the phone with her. When we could make it work, we saw each other in person either here or in L.A., until I ended it in July.”

“Is she the reason you left Chicago early?”

“Yes.”

Jace looks at Eli. “You knew.”

“Wasn’t my story to tell,” he says with a nod.

“So, why did you break up?” Jace queries.

Now, this is the hard part.

“So, I’m going to have to explain this in parts, and I need you to be understanding. I already know I fucked up, but hear me out.” I look around the circle, making sure each one agrees before I continue, “I showed up to surprise her, only to be surprised myself. We were out on the boat deck, watching the fireworks, when this guy shows up, calling Emery his fiancée. She didn’t deny it. I blew up, said some shit I didn’t mean, and stormed off.”

“Why do I feel like there is more to the story?” Cameron asks.

Eli narrows his eyes at me. “What did you do?”

“I—” I swallow the lump in my throat. They are going to kick my ass when I tell them. And I will deserve every punch. “I walked off the property, called a cab, and then… Fuck.” My head starts to pound, and the acidic drink in my gut threatens to come up. “I blocked her number.”

“You did what?” Eli shouts. He shakes his head in disbelief. “Please tell me you did not ghost this woman. The woman you told me you loved.”

“I did. I was just so fucking angry. After months of dating, some guy shows up, claiming to be her fiancé, for fucks sake. What was I supposed to think?” I try to rationalize my behavior. “For half a year, she lied to me like some side fucking piece, all while she had a fiancé back east. How wouldyou feel?”

“Mad, but I would have at least heard her out. Did you do that?” Eli asks.

“No,” I admit.

“You are an asshole,” he mutters.

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