We’d been married for a few hours and alone for five minutes, and we were already arguing. Should be expected, really.
“Of course it did!” I cried. “It meant you wanted to save me— not that you wanted to… tobewith me.”
“Stop it, Charlie,” she insisted. “You can’t stand there and act like you know how I feel. I was keeping it together all day because I thoughtyoudidn’t want to marryme. I mean, the way you acted when I asked. It was a slap to the face! And the way you stood there when I was saying my vows… you were as stiff as a board! It was like this wedding was too much of a hassle to save you from the Underground. Ancestors, we might not be together, but I wanted to marry you to keep you with me. Don’t you understand I would doanythingto save you?”
There goes my attempt at communication.I’d been so guarded during this whole thing that Ava had no idea how I felt. I knew I wasn’t the kind of guy who showed his emotions often, but I’d concealed them too well this time. She didn’t have any clue that I still loved her.
Oberi sighed.Can youbothstop being dramatic and solve your problems so we can get to the good part?
I ignored him. “Why didn’t you say any of this earlier, pidge?”
“Because I don’t know what to think!” Ava cried, like it was all too overwhelming. “You’ve barely said a word to me since we broke up. I have no idea how you feel anymore— or if you feel anything at all! You’re a hard person to read. So forgive me if it felt a little weird walking down the aisle to a man who feels like a stranger!”
I hate giant misunderstandings, Oberi grumbled, like she was already tired of this.
And so was I. We’d been fighting for months, and it was time for us to find a way forward together. I didn’t want us to have problems anymore. Maybe this was our chance— a way to get thingsrightthis time.
“Pidge—” I started, but Ava had already spun on her heel.
“Give me some space, Charlie,” she stated. “I need a minute.”
She fled from the room. I cringed as the door slammed behind her.
My heart sank. Ava and I might be legally married, but one thing was very clear. This relationship was already fucked.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
AVA-MARIE
Ugh.Marriage.
I seriously couldn’t believe this guy. I gave up everything to be with Charlie, and here he was, lamenting that I only married him out ofpity.
Ancestors, I won’t bother to save your life next time.
He seriously had me miffed. I thought this wedding might’ve meant something to him, but guess fucking not. I could still hear his stupid words with his stupid voice rattling around in my head.
It meant you wanted to save me— not that you wanted to… to be with me.
The nerve of some people.
I was more or less wandering around. I needed to calm down before I turned into a giant sea monster and ripped his head off. Seriously, he was being ridiculous about this whole thing. It wasn’t like this was the wedding I had envisioned, either. Sorry he didn’t get what he wanted.
It was worse than that, though. It was like he was saying he didn’t wantme.
I felt huffy as I turned into the cafeteria. There were a couple hollers and some rattled applause— word must’ve gotten around. I gave a grim smile and waved to a couple of people, who shouted out congratulations as I passed.
Yeah, congrats, Ava. You married a big baby who detests you.
What a word.Detests. It spoke of an age-old feud, and that’s exactly what it felt like between Charlie and me. A nightmarish cycle that never fucking ended.
There hadn’t been food at my makeshift reception, only alcohol, so I found my friends at the end of a table having an early dinner— or was it a late lunch? Everyone was there, save for Eddie and Alistair… wonder where they’d run off to.
I slid next to Kallie, and she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Hey. Thought you two would be enjoying yourselves.”
“Honeymoon’s over,” I growled. I wish Ihaddrunk something at the reception now. I’d held off for Charlie’s sake, because he’d asked me to, and him looking out for me was kind of sexy, in a way. Now I just wanted to numb myself with alcohol.
“Did you guys get in another fight?” Opal asked in disapproval. Her lips tightened, like she couldn’t believe we were bickering so quickly.
