Page 12 of My Infatuation with Isabella

“See? This is exactly the reason why I keep my mouth shut.” Peter lifts both hands and takes a step back when we crowd around him. “Calm down, gentlemen. It’s just a phrase. I didn’t mean anything by it. Dyl, all I’m saying is that if this is what you want to do, I support you all the way.”

“Thanks for being a great friend, Peter.” I give Scott a smug smile. “And that’s why Peter is going to be my best man.”

“That shit right there, Dylan. That just proves that you are too immature to get married.”

I am getting so tired of his comments and his attitude and just this entire conversation in general. “You know, Scott, you were planning on getting married not so long ago, and you didn’t see yourself as being too young or rushing into things. In fact, you’d be standing at the altar tomorrow...if your fiancé would just come back home, right?”

I know the second the words leave my mouth that I crossed the line, and it’s confirmed when Scott shoves me hard enough to take a step back. Rage burns in his eyes and if he were the type to throw a punch, he would definitely throw one at me right now. And I’d deserve it.

“Fuck you!” he grinds out, shoving me again.

Peter presses his hand against Scott’s chest in an attempt to deescalate the situation. “Both of you need to calm down. This is getting out of hand.”

I know I’m wrong here, so I’m the first to back down. “I’m sorry. That was a dick thing to say.”

“Whatever.” Scott grabs his water bottle and pulls his towel around his neck. “Do whatever the hell you like, but when this all goes up in flames, best believe I’m gonna be there to say I told you so.” He turns and heads toward the exit.

“Scott, I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t acknowledge my apology and carries on walking.

“Are you coming to the wedding?” I call out.

He turns to face me. “I’ll be there...but for one week, I don’t want to hear from you.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I mean it, Dyl. One whole week...stay the fuck away from me.”

I watch him walk out, then turn to Peter. “What do you think? Friday or Saturday?”

“Nah, you gotta give him the whole week.”

“We were supposed to go surfing this weekend.”

“You’re gonna have to change your plans. You know the fastest way to make Scott aggressive is to bring up Cat. Dumb move.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Pete lets out a heavy sigh. “So, you’re getting married, boy! How’re you gonna pull a wedding together in a few short weeks?”

“We don’t want a big wedding. We’re just gonna have a small reception at the restaurant.”

His face wrinkles like he doesn’t believe me. “I expected something soppier and more sentimental from you.”

“You know Fran. She’s meticulous and methodical. Soppiness doesn’t feature anywhere in her vocab or personality.”

He stares at me for a long time, uncertainty toying with the expression on his face. “Are you sure this is what you really want, Dyl?”

“Of course, I’m sure. Scott doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about. Fran and I go together like?”

“Watson and Holmes?”

I chuckle, and that brings an instant smile to my face. “Yeah. Like Watson and Holmes. Which reminds me. I should be getting home. We have dinner plans tonight.”

“Alright.” He nods, tapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yep.”

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