Page 120 of Book Boyfriends
“Because you led her on, cheated on her, dumped her, and then ran off with her cousin,” Hope jumps in helpfully.
Lips pursed, he continues, “Anyway, I know that we didn’t end well, and that’s on me.”
The way he utters the phrase is akin to just forgetting the towels before a beach trip. It minimizes both his actions and their aftermath. This is textbook Will.
“On you?” I say, my jaw clenched. “This isn’t like the time you accidentally brought me the wrong type of cupcake for my birthday, and I got sick. Or the time you forgot to tell me your boss’s wedding was black tie and I showed up dressed for a garden party. You and Lena hurt me.”
“And now you’re hurting Lena back,” he hisses.
“I’m doing nothing of the sort.”
“A week before our wedding you email her to say you’re not coming.” His eyes narrow.
“I’m sorry she’s upset, but?—”
“She’s been crying since your email came. She’d hoped that your RSVP might be a second chance for the two of you.”
My RSVP had always been about keeping the peace. About my mother, uncle, and brothers. This situation is hard enough without forcing anyone to choose sides. Even my decision not to go came with a long conversation with my mother and an email exchange with my uncle, reassuring them that this changes nothing with how I feel about them. Even Uncle Hans responded with an,I love youbefore he told me,Don’t be silly, you’re not paying for anything.
“She’s so hurt. She misses you,” he says, disappointment lacing his words.
“I didn’t mean to hurt Lena.”
“Well, you did.” His glare tightens that knot in my stomach. “Was that your game all along? Make her think there’s a chance? Did you RSVP only to do this?”
“No!”
“You used to be more empathetic than this. You used to think about others. I thought you—” His chide is halted by a yogurt dish smashing into his face.
Eyes wide, I whirl.
Hope, hands on her hips and face pinched, glares at Will. “Don’t you dare lecture her about empathy you gaslighting butthead.”
“Real mature, Hope,” he mutters, swiping at his face.
She picks up my dish and aims it. “I could demonstrate my maturity level. I am doing everything for two these days.”
A ghost of a smile belts across my face as I hold my palm up. “It’s all good, Hope. I got this,” I say, plucking up some napkins from the table and handing them to Will.
“Fine.” She sits back down, patting her belly. “Baby girl and I are here for backup when you need us.”
With a grateful smile to my bestie, I face Will. “Listen, I’m sorry that Lena is hurting. That was never my intention. Playing games with someone’s heart is more your thing, not mine.”
He flinches.
“Contrary to what you think, my decisions no longer concern you, nor are they made because of you. I choose not to attend your wedding for my sake. You both hurt me, but I’m not doing this for vengeance. This is about my needs. My wants. About putting myself first. You may have been careless with my heart, but I’m no longer going to be with it.”
“I’m sorry.” He releases a hard breath. “For everything. For accusing you of doing this deliberately. I should have known better. It’s not like you. I just… I love her so much, and I don’t want her to pay for my crimes. Things haven’t been the same between her and your family since…”
I arch a brow.
He motions at me. “I know. Why would we expect that? What we did was wrong, but she fought it for so long. I was the one who pushed. I was the selfish one. I should have ended things with you before anything happened, but I didn’t. Each time something happened, she’d push me away, saying she didn’t want to hurt you. That this couldn’t happen again. Still, I just…”
“Used me so you weren’t alone until you could have her. I was your consolation prize.”
“Yes,” he says, his gaze downcast.
“I’m nobody’s consolation.”
