Page 10 of All In

“Alright. I’ll take you home.”

Harlow sags against me, and I have to catch him and support most of his weight.

I glance up at Annette and John. John looks just as pissed as me, his mouth set in a harsh line. I’ve seen that look a hundred times over the years. It’s the disappointed dad look. And Annette has tears welling up in her eyes.

I’m thankful that Harlow isn’t looking at that because I know seeing his mom upset—even if she’s upset for him—would wreck him even more.

“Where are my parents?” I ask.

Annette shakes her head. “Still inside, I think.”

I hope they’re able to figure out what the fuck is happening. As soon as the thought hits me, people start pouring out of the building and into the parking lot.

“Fuck.” I nod toward the building. “Can one of you go get Harlow’s stuff from the room and bring it to my house? I’ve gotta get him out of here.”

John turns on his heel without a word, heading back toward the building, dodging people left and right as they stare at him with sympathy. Fucking assholes. It’s not their fault, but I still can’t fucking deal with it.

“Let’s go, Harlow.”

“I’ll be by Gray’s soon,” Annette says softly.

He shakes his head. “Please, no. Not right now. I just want to be alone.”

My stomach twists. There’s nothing in this world that will cut me deeper than a hurt Harlow.

Without another word, I lead him to my car and open the door for him, helping him climb inside.

He buckles up, and I shut the door before rushing to the driver’s side and climbing in.

The second we hit the road, he lets out an incredulous laugh. “What in the actual fuck?”

“Good fucking question.”

Harlow shifts in his seat, looking at me with wide eyes. “Did I really just get left at the fucking altar? With a goddamn note?”

I grimace. “Looks that way.”

Another laugh bursts out of him, and this one is a little more unhinged and manic. “I just got left at the altar. Oh my God.” His voice cracks on the last word, and I glance at him just in time to see his bottom lip quiver.

Oh fuck. That’s gonna break my heart.

“He really left me at the altar.”

I reach across the console and take his hand. He squeezes my fingers right away. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. I have no clue what else to say. What do you even say?

“That motherfucker,” Harlow whispers, echoing my thoughts.

I keep my mouth shut. Nothing I have to say will be productive, and even though I want to, I’m not going to talk badly about the man Harlow loves. It’s hard, though, because goddamn, do I wanna talk some shit.

“I need you to be mad with me,” Harlow says, a bit of bite to his voice.

“Oh, I’m plenty fucking mad.”

Harlow’s hand trembles in mine. “The fucking nerve. Couldn’t even tell me himself? Had to send his stupid fucking brother—who I’ve never even met until today, mind you—out to do it for him?”

“An asshole and a fucking coward,” I say, squeezing Harlow’s hand.

“Damn right,” he mumbles. “God, I’m so embarrassed.”