Page 167 of Sour Notes

Both Nick and I stare at him slack-jawed. What? When? Why? How? I don’t think I’ve seen Mario get violent with so much as a gym bag.

“Jesus Christ, what the fuck went on between the time I said ‘I do’ and this morning?” Nick stares between the two of us.

“Yep, start talking, little cuz. I saw Swayze last night and the dude didn’t look so hot.”

Sighing, I pick up his note and give it to my brother.

“Okay, well, this clears up exactly nothing. What’s going on? Have you broken up? If he’s hurt you, Mia, I swear to god, I’ll kill him.” He crushes the note in his hand.

“No!” I quickly snatch it back, unfurling and smoothing it on the bed.

“Ooookay, she’s precious over the Post-it and she’s wearing his clothes. Mia, baby, you wanna hurry up and tell us why the guy you love, who clearly loves you, disappeared in the dead of night?”

My skin itches under Mario’s concerned gaze, his face is set in a rare serious expression.

Sighing heavily, I shrug off Swayze’s jacket, cradle it in my arms and hold it to my face, like it’s my baby. The boys shuffle impatiently in front of me.

“She’s sniffing his jacket, Nick. Fuck me, girl, you’ve got it bad. I know it’s too early for ouzo, but if you don’t start talking soon, I’m buying and you’re drinking.” Mario throws his hands up in mock exasperation, his theatrics almost making me crack a smile.

Almost.

“Mia, come on, we’re worried about you. What the hell is going on?”

Closing my eyes, I stroke the material, inhaling the woodsy scent of him while I muster up the courage to tell them.

“Okay, before you flip out, just know I was always gonna tell you the truth after the wedding.”

“What truth?” Nick growls out. “Has the fucker knocked you up? If he’s done that and run out on you, I’ll kill him. I swear to god.” Nick fists his hands at his sides, standing up to pace the room.

“What the fuck, Nick? No. Sit down, please. I can’t think when you do that.”

He runs his hand through his hair.

“Mia, I'm allowed to worry. You’re so broken, I sense it right here.” He thumps his fist to his chest, his eyes sad before sitting down with a heavy sigh. “Then what the hell happened, Mimi. You both looked so happy. I don’t understand.”

I look down at my hands twisting into the fabric of Swayze’s jacket, my eyes filling with tears.

“He deserves someone better than me.”

“Excuse me, Mia? The fuck⁠—”

I don’t need to look at Mario to hear the shock in his voice. But he doesn’t know. Not all of it.

None of them do.

“Swayze’s perfect. He deserves someone whole, someone who isn’t this fucked up, with so much baggage, she could fill her own storage unit.”

I hiccup out a sob.

“That’s not why he left, is it?” Nick's voice is tight. Measured.

“No. That’s why I pushed him away.” I angrily swipe away at the tears that aren’t getting the memo to stay in my head.

“Mia, baby, no…” Sadness laces Mario’s tone.

Finally dragging my eyes off Swayze’s jacket, I risk looking at them, their faces set in matching concern.

“Besides, Swayze and I were never really together.”