Page 90 of My Fiancé's Brother

“She must have tried on at least 20 different outfits. I had never seen her that excited before in my life.” She gave the table a sympathetic look. “He stood her up.”

This was the mean Julie that I tended to avoid at all costs. For some reason, I knew the worst was yet to come.

“Julie,” Beth warned.

“How long did you sit in that restaurant, waiting for him to show up?”

My face was on fire. “Not too long.”

“Our little Emily has always done that. She falls for a guy from afar, and once she has a crush on someone, it's game over for her. She falls hook, line, and sinker. It’s the most adorable thing you could ever see.”

“So here is to Emily. The one who loves silently from afar. Cheers everyone. May this next crush of yours never find out.”

I worked my throat to swallow. All eyes turned to me. My lips parted in an attempt to smile, but I felt like a hyena baring my teeth in fear.

“You can’t leave us with a cliffhanger like that,” someone said, from down the table.

Julie’s eyes glowed while she toyed with her necklace. “I always thought that if only I had intervened on your behalf with your hockey player, you might have had better luck.”

I shook my head slowly. “Julie. No.”

My heart beat in my throat. I knew what was coming, but I had no idea how to stop it.

She turned and placed one hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “So, I feel like it is my duty as Emily’s friend to let you know that she has the most adorable crush on you.”

“Holy fuck,” Beth breathed beside me.

I could feel myself break into a sweat. My mouth was like sandpaper. I was so mortified. I couldn’t even handle it. This was my worst nightmare. I had never wanted Jackson to know how I felt. I never wanted him to see how stupid and giddy and ridiculous I wasfor him. It was one of those fight or flight moments, and I wanted to flee, but my body refused. I was unable to move. So I just sat there.

Beth stood up beside me and looked around. “Well, that was just a mean bullshit story.”

“It’s the truth,” protested Julie.

“Truth or not, it doesn’t excuse you from humiliating Emily like that.”

“The truth needs to be out there,” Julie argued. “Considering she’s engaged to his friend.”

Gasps sounded around the table. I could not seem to bring myself to look at Jackson. I doubted I would ever be able to look at him again.

I stood up, feeling drunk even though I had only had half a glass of wine. I wavered on my heels. I needed to walk out of here, but I couldn’t seem to move. Julie had taken a knife and split me from belly button to chin. I had been gutted, and everything private inside of me had been pulled out for the world to see. I couldn’t bear to look up.

“If you would excuse me,” I said politely, before leaning down to pick up my purse. I almost did a face plant as I tried to pick it up. Only my grip on the table prevented me from completely dying of embarrassment. I managed to somehow stay on my feet, despite my wobbles and then I began the long lonely walk across the room.

CHAPTER 31

As I stepped outside,Beth caught up with me. “Emily. Wait. I'll drive you home.”

I nodded in misery.

“I can’t believe what a bitch she is,” Beth seethed as we walked to her car.

I couldn’t even speak. How could Julie do that to me? That was my biggest darkest secret. How could she humiliate me like that? How would I ever look Jackson in the eye again? Maybe I could move into a hotel until the wedding? Or I could tell him that she was mistaken and that I had a secret crush on someone else, but it wasn’t him? Or maybe I could just get in my car with Chloe and drive, making sure never to see Jackson again. Each idea was worse than the one before.

We got into the car, and Beth looked at me, with the most sympathetic look. “Hey, are you okay?”

I started to cry and shook my head. “Why would she do that? Why would she tell him that?”

Beth rubbed my shoulder. “She was just trying to get a rise out of you. It’s not like it is the truth or anything.”

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