Page 102 of Paper Hearts

If not, here it is. Kamila. They’re fucking married too. I have a feeling divorce is in their future.

Hours before the wedding, I’m in the living room with relatives of the James family, most of whom I don’t know as a window is being replaced. Ender threw a bottle of wine through it yesterday during an argument with his dad.

As I watch the window installer finish up, I’m almost certain I’m supposed to be doing something brides-maidy, but I’ve yet to do anything. I’m freaking the fuck out. Any minute Eddie, who is the flower girl, is going to come over here with my mom.

I am holding a bouquet of flowers so that has to count for something as a maid of honor, right? But I’m also working on a plan with Arya’s great-grandmother to take off in her car for a Thelma-and-Louise-style getaway with Eddie.

“Can I be Thelma?” Granny asks. I don’t know her name. We call her Granny, like I called mine. And I like Granny. I want to be friends with her.

“You can be anything you want to be, Granny,” I tell her, resting my head on her shoulder. I’m afraid she thinks this plan is for real, but maybe it is. You never know what the future will hold. I may have to take Eddie and run.

I didn’t think I’d show up at this wedding and Ender would be here. Nor did I think he’d find out I wrote a book about us.

As the hour moves by slowly, the room begins to fill with family. The wedding should be starting on the grass near the lake, followed quickly by the reception, all in an attempt to get it in before the storm comes in. We’ve had bad weather all week in Atlanta, and it hasn’t made planning a wedding easy, that’s for sure.

As I sit there with Granny and convince her we should at least stay for the wedding, we can run away after, Ender walks in with Myles. And I’m drooling. Bitch, you would be too. He’s dressed in a freaking tux. It reminds me of the time he took me to prom, only man Ender is so much different. He’s filled out, broad-shouldered, muscles everywhere. Tan skin on black fabric, scruffy face, hair tousled.

Please fuck me.

Ha. He’s done that already, hasn’t he?

Stupid. No one should look that good.

I, on the other hand, do not look good. My face is puffy from lack of sleep, my dress feels tighter than it should, my hair is frizzy, and I can’t possibly look him in the eye.

Best-case scenario… he loves me and finally owns up to it and falls desperately in love with Eddie like everyone else that knows her precious soul.

Worst-case scenario… he never did and sues me for writing a story about him. I mean, I changed the names. Hello, I tried to hide it.

Watching him walk through the house, I want to punch him in the face for breaking my heart. I didn’t lie. I’m ready to fight anyone. FYI, I’m like a honey badger when I’m drunk and I’m worried about Eddie.

As I sit there beside Granny, and we discuss our plan to run away, my eyes are on the door waiting for Eddie to come through with my mom when Ender turns my direction.

Fuck. Fuck. Fucking fuck.He’s walking toward me, my freaking book in his left hand tucked to his side. Oh my God. I think my heart is going to explode. It actually hurts in my chest. I glance around the room frantically, looking for Eddie. Thankfully I don’t see her. What’s he doing with the book? Why does he freaking have it?

My heart jumps up into my throat. Nope, my nose, but suddenly it burns as if tears are going to rush through my nostrils any second. The thought of him reading my book, reliving all those memories and knowing me down to my soul has my heart pounding.

Lana approaches Ender, her hand on his shoulder. “Ender, don’t make a scene here,” his mom says. “This is Arya’s day.”

“You asked me to be here. I’m here,” Ender snaps, looking back at the bar. He hesitates for another moment, just like he did that night he left me. This time he chooses the bar.

Walker’s eyes flash with anger and he slams his glass down on the bar. “I don’t know why you’re acting like such a little bitch,” Walker grumbles at him and Ender’s eyes shoot to his, fire and ice. Looking at the size of Ender these days, I wouldnotmess with him if I was Walker. It’s a death sentence. But he does because I’ve never known Walker to be smart. “You were the one who agreed. So you fell for the kid sister. Don’t put your shit on me.”

What the hell are they talking about?

Ender spins around to face Walker, grabbing him by his tie and yanking him forward. “Don’t you think I fucking know that?” His voice is sharp but wavering. Myles steps forward as does Theo and attempt to push Ender away, but he gets right back in Walker’s face. “It’s because of you. Remember that, this was because of you.”

Because of him? What? I knew Walker gave me a bullshit excuse.

Kamila steps in, her hand on Ender’s chest. “Stop it.”

Ender backs away from her. “Don’ttouch me.”

Her hand drops. “Still the same asshole you’ve always been.”

Ender snorts. “Honey, you haven’t seen how much of an asshole I can really be.”

I almost raise my hand and say, “I do,” but I don’t. I keep quiet and eavesdrop on a conversation I’m not meant to hear.

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