Page 61 of Conflict
I hold my hand steady on his shoulder. “I know. I can tell.” I pause, unsure of how much I should say. I don’t know what all she’s told him, and if she hasn’t told him everything, it shouldn’t come from me. But with his past, I won’t allow him to get hurt again. Not by a woman. I don’t know if Branson could take another heartbreak, especially with this woman who has the potential to ruin him. “But do you know everything about her ex? Do you know why they really broke up? I don’t know. I hate to say this because she seems like a nice girl and I can tell she does care about you, but the whole thing just seems…a little too convenient.”
Whoa, that was the wrong thing to say. Branson works through several emotions: surprise, rage, anger. He closes his eyes for a brief moment, his nostrils flaring, and I have to take a step back, because cousin or not, the guy looks like he might punch me.
When his dark eyes open, however, I see a calm there that I don’t think I’ve ever seen. A genuine smile curves at his lips.
“Yeah, Shane. I know. She’s been nothing but honest with me about it, and to be honest, I don’t give a shit why she left him. That doesn’t matter. Just like it doesn’t matter why I’m not with Megan anymore. I’m leaving the past where it belongs—in the past—and I’d appreciate it if you’d do the same.”
Enough for me. I hold my hands up and take another step back. “Okay, okay. I’ll drop it.”
The elevator dings and we step inside, riding in silence. I can feel the tension swirling around us, and I want to apologize, but the truth is I’m not sorry. I’ll never be sorry for wanting what’s best for my family. I just hope Branson can see that in time.
The elevator doors open, and I get off first. The women are across the lobby, chatting animatedly. I start to walk towards them, but Branson calls my name. So I turn around, and he pinches the bridge of his nose before he looks at me. Then he lets out a deep breath.
“I don’t think I ever thanked you for always having my back, even when everyone else treated me like the bastard I was. I’m grateful for you, and I know I should’ve listened to your advice all those years ago. That being said, Ariana is different. I love her, man, and regardless of how we got together, I’m spending the rest of my life with her. I’d be appreciative to have your support.”
In all of his years with Megan, Branson never defended her. Sure, she was his wife. It was his job to do just that, but there was no excuse for the way she acted—ever. So when he takes Ariana’s back and asks me to do the same, who am I to argue?
I swallow hard then nod in his direction. “I guess it’s the cynic in me, and after watching you be miserable for so long, I’m just worried about it happening again.”
Branson does a chin lift towards Ariana, his eyes never leaving her. “Do I look miserable to you?” he asks, and I can’t help but laugh.
He’s not wrong. He doesn’t look miserable. Not even in the slightest.
“No. Not at all. And to be honest, I was convinced after the night of Knox’s wedding.”. I grin. “Hell, I was surprised you made it off the dance floor before tearing her dress off.”
He grins at my teasing.
“I guess I was just caught off guard by the whole fake engagement thing. You have to admit it’s a pretty wild story.”
Branson places an arm around my shoulder and gives me a bro squeeze before letting go. “I know, I know. I was even more of a cynic than you are. If I hadn’t lived it, I’d be thinking the same thing.”
The girls walk out the revolving door and head outside, and we make it out there just in time as Alyssa’s gets into a cab.
Fuck, I’m almost too late. With a quick nod to Branson and a kiss to Ariana’s cheek, I say my goodbyes and run to the cab, grab the door, and slide in next to Alyssa.
The sound of her protesting shriek makes me smile, and I close the door, waving to Ariana and Branson while trying to ignore the feel of Alyssa’s pure hitting my chest.
I rattle off the address of the winery where I’d seen her this past summer, and sit back against the leather as the cabbie takes us on our way.
Alyssa’s huffing next to me and it’s not long before she turns to me with a glare. We exchange a bit of back and forth conversation, and even though it’s hostile and ends with her stopping the cab, I know what’s between has only intensified on this night.
She leaves. I let her go.
It’s all a part of the plan.
Later on, I’m commiserating on my couch with a pint of rocky road and a romantic film that makes me weepy. I jump when my phone lights up. I get some idiotic, foolish hope that it’s from Shane and wonder if he got my number from my sister.
But my hopes are dashed when it is actually my sister.
Ari: While I think tonight’s dinner went well enough, I got some weird vibes. Branson agreed, but don’t worry, he’s not in the room right now and I won’t break your confidence. What was going on? You ignored my question earlier about Shane. Why do I get the feeling something happened between you two?
I sit up quickly, groaning. I knew we hadn’t played it off well enough, but I’d hoped Branson and Ariana were too focused on each other than to notice. And that’s what we call wishful thinking.
I tap the spoon against my chin, wondering what the hell I should tell her. I can’t exactly tell her I had a one-night stand with her fiancé’s cousin, can I? That wouldn’t be awkward at all. Ari would probably take it upon herself to fix us up or, heaven forbid, place us together in the procession for the wedding.
With quick fingers, I type out a message that I hope satisfies her.
Me: Oh, I’m so sorry if we made it awkward. We were acquaintances back in college. He dated a friend of mine and things didn’t end well. I think we were both just surprised to see each other. We talked in the cab, and all is well now. In fact, we’ve already planned to be platonic “dates” to the wedding whenever it happens so meddling family members don’t try and set us up with anyone. You know how weddings make people. :D Plus, we both know Victoria would love him, and clearly I live to drive her crazy. Now go back to your hunk. Love you!
Ari: Oh, good! I’m glad to know things are good. You two are the closest to both of us, so I’d hate it if there was some bad blood there. And I like the sound of platonic dates. Mother will fawn all over him, and then her head will explode when she finds out it’s not true. You’re a little evil genius. Night, Lyssa. Love you, too.
I put my phone away then rest my head back against the couch, closing my eyes. What the hell am I doing? Lie after lie, and it’s eventually going to catch up to me. But I just hope that, for now, that little explanation keeps Ariana off my back where Shane’s concerned.
Now, I just have to hope that she doesn’t mention to him about us being dates.
Because that little white lie has the potential to backfire in one hell of a dangerous way.
