“It’s all good.”
“It’s not,” I mutter, squeezing him tighter. “I fucked up.”
“Eventually, I’ll probably consider asking you again.”
I go rigid. Jolt back and stare at him. “I’m not a groomsman?”
He shakes his head, an evil grin on his mouth. “Not right now, no. You should have shown up.”
“Lowsey,” I balk, but he just shrugs, reaching over to grab the handle of my bag to pass it to me.
“Maybe if you come to the engagement party in December, I’ll reconsider.”
“Engagement party?” I ask. Didn’t he already have one at the house? “What date?”
He shoots me a look, amusement in his eyes. He’s loving this. “You should have been at poker night. I laid this all out for you.”
I throw my head back and groan.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
carter
I’msurprised to find Arden leaning against the wall when we exit the locker room. I fully expected her to flee as quickly as she had from my bed. She and Penny are talking quietly amongst each other, Sweets nodding along as Arden speaks, looking transfixed and engaged in whatever the hell she’s saying.
My wounded pride flares to life, wondering if they’re discussing me. Are they talking about my laughable failure of a date night? How she had to take care of me like my mother?
Arden’s eyes sweep past Penny and find mine. Shockingly, she smiles. Not the big, pretty kind I’ve grown quite fond of, but a polite one nonetheless.
Penny’s head snaps over her shoulder. Her eyes lock on me for a moment, pinching a bit. I know that look. Never had it aimed my way before, though. She doesn’t greet me like she usually does. Her gaze skirts over my shoulder to her future husband behind me. She angles her headjusta tad.
I don’t have to wonder what thatlook is about. They’redoing that thing where they’re talking without speaking. That look was a question.
I’d rather hurt Lowesy’s feelings than Penny’s. We’ve got a nice, strong bond between us, but it’s not like mine and Dec’s. It’s not unbreakable. I can break my bond with Penny as easily as snapping a toothpick.
How to hurt Penny’s feelings the worst—the breaking of bonds type of pain? Hurt Declan.
I did that.
“All good,” Declan says quietly, even though she has yet to say a word. They can communicate with simple looks and gestures. It’s the benefit of loving someone for as long as those two have. Dec slides past me to wind his arm around her neck and haul her toward him. “You little rottweiler.”
Penny laughs, shoving at his hands, but he keeps her in his headlock and pulls her down the hallway. Away from me. He lifts his hand above his head in goodbye, never once looking back.
He’s giving me space with Red. Because he’s a good friend like that, and apparently, I’m the worst.
He’s also probably trying to prevent Penny from ripping my head off.
Arden’s eyes flicker to mine, her smile tight now. “Boyfriend.”
I dip my chin, but I can’t bring myself to participate in this little charade tonight. “Hey.”
Her red brows furrow a bit in the middle. She scans my face carefully. “You okay?”
I shrug. “I’m fine. Are you?”
What am I doing? Pushing her away when I’ve been dying to have her this close again, that’s what I’m doing. Why? I couldn’t tell you. I just feel like I have to even the playing field, let it be known that nowI’mmad about this whole situation.
She stares at me for a long moment.
