Page 13 of Mountain Dreams

“How’s Maddie?” Cody said as Wyatt handed him a soda.

“Good. She’s good.” Wyatt said as he went behind his desk and sat down.

“How are the wedding plans coming along?” Cody asked, popping the top on his soda.

“Okay, I guess.”

They each took a long drink, and Cody eyed his friend closely. He hadn’t seen him in a while, and he thought Wyatt looked older and wearier.

“You guess?”

Wyatt sighed and set down his soda can. “I don’t know, man. All the planning. It’s not really my thing.”

What is your thing? Flirting with women at bars? Cody remained silent, thinking Wyatt might be more apt to confide in him that way.

“Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”

“The wedding or the marriage?” Cody asked, thinking it was an important distinction.

“Maybe both.”

“What changed since your engagement party?”

Wyatt hesitated, and Cody quickly added, “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“No worries. We’ve known each other a long time.”

Cody nodded.

“I trust you. It’s just that I don’t want to hurt Madison.”

You already have.

“I’m thinking about calling it off.”

Cody stilled, but Wyatt seemed relieved by his admission.

“Maddie’s a great girl, and I still love her, but…I’m not in love with her anymore.”

Cody just stared at him, temporarily at a loss for words.

“You’re the only person I’ve said that to.”

Wyatt still trusted him, and Cody felt a twinge of guilt. If his friend only knew that he’d been spying on him just a few nights ago.

“What are you going to do?” he finally said. He noticed that Wyatt hadn’t mentioned another woman—yet.

“I’m not sure. I keep thinking it might be cold feet and the feeling will go away. A lot of guys get that, right?”

Ignoring the question, Cody said, “Don’t you think you should tell her? The wedding isn’t that far off.”

“I know. I’m just afraid to let everyone down.”

Cody recalled Madison’s words and said them aloud. “A broken engagement is better than a broken marriage.”

Wyatt eyed him curiously, but he forged ahead.

“It’s not fair to string her along. If you’re having doubts, you should tell her.”