Page 25 of How to Break My Heart
And a beautiful one.
Despite my ego fighting me on it.
She catches me staring, and without a doubt in my mind, Everleigh appears annoyed. Her lips press together, jaw clenched.That’s not a welcoming look.
Madelina steals her attention with what appears to be some dilemma. They both disappear out of the room only to returnmoments later. It gives me a minute to gain my bearings, finish this god-awful champagne, and excuse myself from Ramona and her boring chatter.
With Madelina by his side, Myles calls everyone’s attention, ready to commence what I assume is his speech. I glance to my right, where my father is conveniently standing with Roland Whitney.
“On behalf of my fiancée, Madelina, and me, we thank you for coming today,” Myles begins, with a glass of champagne in hand this time. “We know many of you are surprised by how quickly things are happening, but rest assured, we want you to relax and enjoy all the festivities planned in the next few weeks.”
Myles continues to talk about his family before Roland takes over, followed by my father. I zone out during my father’s speech about family values and find myself distracted by Everleigh. Much like myself, she doesn’t seem impressed by my father’s lies but politely raises her glass upon his request. As soon as the toast is over, she drinks the entire glass of champagne, almost like she wishes she wasn’t here. It doesn’t take her long to reach out for another glass as the server walks past.
To be honest, I don’t blame her.
This lunch is tiresome at best.
My father is quick to pull me into a conversation with Roland. It starts out rather casually until my father manipulates the topic, and somehow, we end up talking about business.
“Beaumont.” Roland pats my father on his shoulder. “Let’s celebrate the kids today, shall we? We have plenty of time to talk business after the wedding.”
My father displays his poker face, an expression I’ve seen time and time again when he’s annoyed but doesn’t want the opponent to see his cards. “Family first,” he responds with a counterfeit smile.
There isn’t enough liquor inside this room to alleviate the tension.
Eager to escape, I step outside onto the patio for fresh air, quickly deciding that a whiskey or bourbon would be much more satisfying.
There is a bar right next to the lobby serving all types of liquor. I make my way there, praying Madelina doesn’t hunt me down to pawn me off on some other damn cousin. As I enter the dimly lit bar, I stop in my tracks.
Everleigh is at the bar, talking to some guy, laughing. They appear to know each other. Then, I see him reach out to touch her arm. She doesn’t look fazed, more flattered by his attention.
I’ve been adulting long enough to know she’s fucked, or is about to fuck, this man. I watch with my teeth clenched, subjecting myself to whatever the hell is going on.
Ishouldturn around and go back inside the restaurant.
What fool would stand here and watch his sister’s best friend with another man?
My feet are itching to move, eager to get away and pretend this doesn’t affect me whatsoever.
But something else is forcing me to watch. The same something else that made me look into her eyes that night at the party and kiss her like it was my last day on earth.
I take a breath, dispelling the burning sensation inside my chest, and force myself to leave.
Just like I did when I pulled away and pretended our kiss meantnothing.
CHAPTER 6Eva
Myles is standing beside us looking relieved now that the speeches are over.
With a smile, Maddy places her hand on his arm to reassure him. We spoke earlier, and it was evident he was overwhelmed by the attention.
“You did great,” I tell him. “Besides, this was practice for the big day. Not to stress you out, but wedding speeches go down in history as either the greatest speech of all time or an epic fail.”
Myles chuckles. “So, what you’re saying is I should watch what I drink so I don’t make a fool of myself?”
“Exactly.”
“Don’t worry, my father will make sure the spotlight is on him,” Maddy says with an eye roll. “It’s always about him.”
