Page 112 of Untying the Knot
I wish I could go back to that time when I wasn’t fucking up, when I wasn’t tormenting myself with having to prove something. I wish I could go back to a simpler time when holding my girl’s hand was all I needed to be happy. When we went out on dates for the simple fun of it. WhenIprioritized my marriage.
Despite how morose I feel, I plaster on a smile for the bride and groom.
“Hey, there they are,” I say in a greeting that sounds far too obnoxious, thanks to my overcompensating. “How are the soon-to-be bride and groom?” From the corner of my eye, I see Banner giving me awhat the hell kind of joy just shot up your asslook.
“Good. Right, babe?”
Kelsey nods and pulls JP in closer, looping her arms around his waist. Jealousy rocks through me. Yearning flips my stomach into knots. “I just want to be married. I tried to convince him to have a quick ceremony tonight, but he was not happy about that idea.”
“I’m worth the wait,” JP says with a laugh. “Did you fly up?”
I tamp down my emotions that are so close to the surface from the sight of a couple in love. “Yeah, this morning. Banner drove up yesterday.”
“Visited with a buddy who lives in San Jose. And then made the rest of the way up this morning. Longer drive than I expected.” Banner chuckles. “With traffic, it was eight hours altogether.”
“Brutal,” JP says and then glances around. “Where’s Myla?”
I knew the question would be asked, as it’s natural to wonder where another person’s significant other is. That doesn’t mean that the truth isn’t rocking me to my very core.
I could tell them the truth, that I fucked up royally and, because I was so blind and determined to prove I could exist without baseball, that I neglected her. Or I can tell them the statement I prepared for this exact moment, a statement that will still make it seem like everything is okay but also not make JP and Kelsey feel like they are second-best to other plans.
It would be freeing to just tell the truth and sulk in my hotel room until the wedding, but I know that’s not an option. I might be in pain, but I’m not going to ruin this week for everyone else.
“Myla—”
“Hey, Bisley,” I hear just as an arm is looped around my waist. Stunned, I glance down to find Myla standing next to me, holding me, looking fucking gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder maxi dress.
What the hell?
My heart trips and tumbles around as I blink, attempting to make sure I’m not dreaming. She’s here, actually here. But why?
Then to my surprise, she lifts and presses a kiss on my lips. But not just any kiss, a kiss that sends a shock of lust all the way down to my goddamn toes. A kiss that flashes over a decade of my life through my eyes. A kiss that breaks me, shatters me, and creates a sense of severe longing that I might collapse right here.
My hand rests on her lower back, and I open my mouth just as she does, turning our kiss into something longer, hungrier than before. I soak it up. I lean on this moment. I let myself fall into the trap of hope as my tongue glides across hers.
But unfortunately, the kiss lasts a second.
One fucking second before she pulls away, rests her hand on my chest, and says, “JP, Kelsey, oh my gosh, you guys look so good, so happy.” And then she gives them both a hug. “So excited to be here.”
“Glad you could make it.” JP glances over his shoulder. “Okay, transportation has arrived. Some of the party has already arrived at the winery, so I think we’re the last to leave.” He nods toward the front of the hotel, where a few cars are waiting to drive us over.
Myla takes my hand in hers, and together, we follow everyone while I feel Banner’s eyes on me. I gently shake my head, mentally communicating not to say a goddamn thing, and thankfully, he doesn’t. When we get to the cars, he picks up on my need to be alone with Myla and asks JP if he can ride with them because he needs to be educated about wine. JP, of course, welcomes the tutorial with open arms and takes Banner with him, leaving me with Myla.
Thank God, because I’m going to need a second after that whirlwind. Her showing up, the kiss, her happy, smiling face. I feel like I’m in some sort of twilight zone.
I open the door for Myla, and she gets in, only for me to follow. Once we’re buckled up and the driver pulls away from the hotel, I talk quietly. “What are you doing here?”
Matching the pitch of my voice, she answers, “A deal was a deal, Ryot.”
“It was stupid of me to ask you that. Selfish. I was going to handle it. You don’t have to be here. I know you don’t want to be, and I’m absolutely okay with that.”I miss you so much, and I’m already so lost without you.
She turns toward me and looks me in the eyes, those bright blue irises shining brightly. “I’m not about to create drama around someone else’s wedding, okay? So let’s just do this wedding thing and then move on.”
The way she says it . . . it’s different.
There’s no malice.
There’s no anger.
