Page 67 of Force Play
“Hey, Lucia.”
“Matthew.”
“I was just telling her how happy we are together, Matty.”
Gag.
“I hope you two enjoy the wedding,” I say abruptly, backing away from them before turning around and exiting the room.
I need space.
I need air.
And most importantly, I need to be away from them.
twenty-two
Ari
Ifweweren’tatour friend’s wedding, I’d have decked Matt already.
The nerve the prick has to show up here tonight when he knows goddamn well who Knox and Harlow are, meaning heknewLucia would be here. And I still don’t know how the fuck he and Anna got invited.
I sip on my beer as I watch Lucia from across the room. There’s a blonde woman with her right now, and I might not know who Anna is, but with how tense Lucia looks, I know this has to be her.
Lucia stares ahead with a blank expression while Anna seems to keep prodding her, but I know firsthand how stubborn Lucia is, so she’s not letting her anger and hurt show.
But that changes as soon as Micropenis Matt walks up on her other side.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but he’s only there for a few moments before Lucia hurriedly walks away.
I need to check on her, but I need to take care of something else first.
I head straight to the couple standing where Lucia left them.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I say, anger clear in my voice, even though I keep my tone hushed.
“Who are you?” Anna asks, looking at me like I’m bothering her.
But Matt knows me all too well.
He crosses his arms and stares daggers at me. “Ari.”
“Why the fuck are you two here?” I ask again, more emphatically this time.
“Anna is related to Harlow and Cole,” Matt answers, still looking at me with murder in his eyes.
“You know goddamn well you’re not welcome here tonight, Matt. I can’t speak to Anna because I don’t know their relationship, but I’d bet my life that Harlow and Cole have no idea Anna was the other woman. If they did, there’s no chance either of you would be here.” I step closer, getting right in Matt’s face. “If we weren’t at a wedding, I’d lay you out right now. But if you step a toe out of line and cause a scene tonight, I won’t hesitate to do it.”
I step back and straighten out my vest, giving them one last parting glare before I peel after Lucia, heading out the same door she used.
I walk into an empty hallway and look around, but she’s not there. I roll up my sleeves as I walk up one way before stopping when I hear a soft sniffle coming from the other end. I turn on my heel and head in that direction, and rounding the corner, I find Lucia leaning back against the wall about halfway down.
“Lucia,” I say gently, and her eyes fly open. They’re rimmed with tears, and I’ve never seen her look so defeated.
“Oh God,” she says, quickly wiping under her eyes to gather the moisture, trying to pretend it’s not even there.
“You don’t need to hide how you’re feeling.” I come to a stop right in front of her. “Are you okay?”
