Page 5 of Downfall

He’s taller than I remember, his black suit hugging the dips and curves of his body. A new thorny rose tattoo runs down his neck and disappears into his collar. He only had his lacrosse number on his wrist back in high school, but I guess he doesn’t mind needles anymore.

A pit forms at the bottom of my stomach thinking about someone else holding his hand while he got that tattoo, but I shake the thought away just in time for Declan to turn his head. That’s when I notice the dark purple bruise surrounding his left eye. My heart sinks like it used to when I would see him hurt. Back when he’d climb through my window…

“You okay?” a voice whispers.

I realize I haven’t let go of Ashton, and my nails are digging into his arm, creating little half-moons on his skin.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” I back up, giving him space and walking over to where the girls are standing.

Ashton says something to Declan, but I can’t make it out. All I see is Declan nodding out of the corner of my eye before taking his place next to his best friend. Our best friend. The officiant starts reading off his script. The entire time, Declan’s gaze is cast downward, like he can’t even bring himself to look at me.

Fuck him.

If I have to stand here staring at the way his dress pants strain against his thighs and the glisten of that stupid fucking lip ring, the least he can do is spare me a glance.

I clear my throat and four sets of eyes turn to me while the officiant continues rattling off his speech. I wave them off, shaking my head, but I still feel eyes on me. That’s when I see him, his gaze slowly and deliberately raking over me. I guess I got my wish. But when his eyes land on my arm, something changes. They darken before he looks away, settling back on the officiant. The man is now asking if Allie and Ashton have vows.

They do, of course, and they’re beautiful, but it’s hard to pay attention when every so often I catch Declan looking at me. Although he’s not really looking at me. He’s still staring specifically at the brace on my wrist.

What the fuck?

By the time Allie and Ash share their first kiss as a married couple—that nearly becomes X-rated before the officiant coughs and breaks the spell—I feel physically itchy. I need to get out of here.

I watch as Emory signs her name on the paperwork and then step forward at the same time as Declan.

The old man looks at us, wholly unamused. “We only need two witness signatures,” he says in an irritated tone.

“I—”

Before I can finish my thought, Declan steps back and gestures for me to go ahead, so I do, signing my name and turning to Emory to fake some sort of illness. That’s when he finally speaks, uttering the first words I’ve heard him say since the ones that broke me in half.

“I’m going to head out. Congratulations, man.” His voice is smooth and deep with a slight rasp to it. Like honey that’s been raked over hot coals. He claps Ashton on the back, nodding his chin toward Emory before turning to Allie. “I would tell you not to break his heart, but I’d like my balls to stay where they are.”

“Smart.” Her lips tip up into a half-smirk.

He nods, and with that, the man who obliterated my heart without a second thought is gone.

Half an hour later, Ashton glares at me from behind Allie’s back as she unlocks the door to her restaurant.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“Of course. We wouldn’t want you to be without your lip gloss for an entire night,” Ash deadpans.

Allie gives me a once-over, clearly onto the whole ruse. Rolling her eyes, she sighs and pushes open the door. It’s dark and quiet inside, but slight movement off to the right catches my eye. Allie flips on the light switch and a chorus of “Surprise!” echoes throughout the room. Ashton nearly jumps out of his skin, while Allie doesn’t even attempt to act amused.

I step off to the side as their friends and family crowd around them. Emory comes forward, and Allie shoots her a murderous glare, to which she just shrugs and settles into Luke’s side, kissing the baby strapped to his chest.

I slip off before Ashton can say anything to me. While everyone is preoccupied with congratulating the newlyweds, I take it as my chance to escape in case Declan decides to show up. Or at least, most are. Ashton’s sister, Cassie, smacks him upside the head.

“I can’t believe you got married without me, Ashtray,” she yells.

“Jesus, Cassiebear, I’m sorry.” He covers his eyes, bracing for another hit, but she wraps her arms around him instead.

“I love you, you idiot.” She pulls back, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so happy for you both.” As she releases Ash and takes Allie in her arms, I notice the tall man positioned protectively behind her. He has a beer in one hand and the other travels down until it lands on the small of her back. Must be her new boyfriend. I’m not super close with Cassie, but I did run into her recently, and she told me all about her new guy. However, she failed to mention he’s six and a half feet of muscled Daddy energy.

Not that he’s my type. He’s too put together. Too clean-cut. No visible tattoos or piercings…God, I’m a mess. I make my way back to the front door and am almost in the clear, but no sooner does my hand brush the handle than I hear a throat clearing.

“Going somewhere?”