Page 46 of Delay of Game

“It’s not fair that you got to walk away with a clean slate. And it’s definitely not fair that you’re back now and want to act like none of that happened—like you didn’t break my heart.” My voice wobbles on the last word and I wipe the single tear that escapes me. Jordan looks at me, mouth open like he might respond. But he doesn’t. His eyes shine with tears, and my first reaction is to console him. Apologize for being so harsh.

Fuck that. I can’t do that when I’m still so fucking angry about his actions.

“Al,” he says in a hoarse voice.

“Let’s just get through the rest of tonight so we can get back to our own lives and only interact when we absolutely need to. Okay?”

He doesn’t respond, but when Robbie and Olivia come back inside, he moves to the chair as we settle in to watch Eli and Ash play against Boston.

CHAPTER 16

Two Years Ago – June

Jordan

“This is a really stupid idea,”Ash tells me as we get ready for the rehearsal dinner. I fix the dusty pink tie around his neck and narrow my eyes at him. He might be right, but I’m not backing down.

“It’ll be fine. If she wants to go out of her way to avoid me, so be it. But I’m not going to make it easier,” I mumble.

Ash sighs and fidgets with the sleeves of his shirt, rolling them up to expose his forearm tattoo. “Can you two just get along? You already bickered over Christmas,” he says, looking at me disapprovingly.

“That’s because she brought some random date and he was a dickhead.”

“True, but you didn’t have to crush the guy so hard at Uno. And what about the All Star break?” he counters, and I cross my arms over my chest.

“What about it?”

“You guys turned everything into a competition that week. Board games, pond hockey, even snowboarding. To be honest, man, you were both kind of annoying.”

“Yeah, well. She’s the one that won’t accept my apology. I’ve tried to make things right but she’s stubborn,” I say morosely.

“Pot, meet kettle,” Ash scoffs, sitting on the couch to put his shoes on. “You did the same thing over Easter too. I just—I don’t want you guys to ruin this weekend. Robbie and Olivia don’t deserve that.”

My shoulders slump and I sit next to him, sinking into the couch. I rub both hands over my face and groan. “I know, I swear I’m not trying to be difficult. I’m just frustrated that she won’t talk to me.”

Ash leans forward and clasps his hands, resting his forearms on his knees. “That’s tough, and I get it. I would be heartbroken and mad too if Eli never wanted anything to do with me after I fucked up.” He looks over at me with keen blue eyes and I can’t believe I’m getting sage advice from Ash. “I just think this particular weekend might be the right time to let it go,” he says.

I swallow, not wanting to admit that he’s right. I nod, but deep down the truth is that I don’t want to lethergo.

“There you are,” Eli says, walking into the living room, dressed in black slacks, the same white button up that all of us are wearing, but wearing a dusty blue tie, indicating he’s part of Robbie’s wedding party. I pull at my matching one, loosening it up a bit.

“Here I am,” Ash says with a smirk, lifting up on his knees and pulling Eli down by his tie. They meet in a kiss over the back of the couch, and I check my phone just to give them some privacy. With all of us bunking up at the cabin, there’s not much of that to go around.

“You look good in pink,” Eli tells Ash, running his hand down the fabric of the tie. His own tattoo of a sailboat peeks out ofhis sleeve and I smile at these two idiots, happy they got their shit together enough to admit they’re in this for the long haul. I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to tie the knot next.

“Is everyone ready?” Robbie asks from the hallway, fixing up his green shirt, opting to go without a tie.

“How come you don’t have to wear one?” Ash asks, frowning.

“Because I’m the groom.”

“So?”

“Take it up with the boss,” he says, chuckling.

“Olivia!!” Ash yells, and a moment later, Olivia steps out in a green dress that matches Robbie’s shirt, her dark brown hair flowing in waves around her shoulders. She’s barefoot and wearing very little makeup, but the smile on her face makes her look radiant.

Robbie gravitates toward her and kisses her forehead, whispering something none of us can hear. She blushes and squeezes his hand in acknowledgment.

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