Page 9 of Forever After Fall

“I nearly…” I can’t bring myself to say the words. They’re on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t even decide which ones best frame the situation. “There was a closet and⁠—”

“Did you fuck a bridesmaid?” Bo’s smile curls into devious amusement at my predicament. Of course the drunk version of him would think this is good news.

“No.”

“Did you get lost in the closet? Because honestly, shit’s dark. It happens.” Bo’s brows knit together as he looks me over. “You didn’t break anything, did you?”

“No, I didn’t break anything. But there was a lost bridesmaid. We didn’t fuck. We almost… Something along those lines. I didn’t realize…” The words fade on my lips as I find myself trying to admit the most embarrassing part of all of this. “She didn’t know it was me.”

“Who is she?”

“Bristol.”

“Bristol? Fuckkkk.” Bo curses, shaking his head for a moment before his brows knit together in confusion. “She didn’t know it was you? How the hell did she not?”

“It was dark.”

“Surely there was an opportunity for you to discuss it?”

“She told me to keep quiet so no one would hear outside the door.”

“Okay.” He considers the predicament. “Who did she think you were?”

“Jasper.”

“Oh… well. Double fuck.” Bo states the obvious.

“Yeah. Double. Fuck.”

“Are they together?” Bo glances back at the door.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. It would be quick if so.” I try to do the math in my head from how long she and Chris called it quits to now. Not that it really matters. These things happen fast. Obviously. Look at me and Bristol.

“Just figuring out if this is all going to come to a head out here with some blood is all.” Bo looks between me and the door warily.

“Well, here’s hoping he doesn’t find out. It was an honest mistake. I’d hope Jasper would give me the benefit of the doubt.”

“Me too. I’d rather not have to fight one of our oldest friends. It’s gonna make for an awkward day on Monday for you two regardless.”

I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I was too focused on the fallout with Bristol to even imagine the consequences this would have on work. Jasper and I are friends, but he’s also one of my crew leads at my construction company. I was thinking of promoting him. This is all going to throw a wrench in things. Maybe literally.

“Yep.” I run a hand through my hair again, only now remembering the gel Hazel’s stylist insisted the groomsmen use this morning as I destroy the perfectly tousled style she gave me. Not that it matters. Not much is gonna matter if this goes south. More than it already has. “Fuck me,” I curse.

“So she didn’t know it was you, but you knew it was her?” Bo clarifies.

“Yes. I thought she knew though. It was her idea. She just rushed me in the closet while I was minding my own fucking business, hunting for the right brand of whiskey. Next thing I know, she’s begging me to—” I pause. Bo doesn’t need those kinds of details, and he smirks at the way I come to a dead halt. “I thought it was odd that after all this time she was crossing that line, but I just… Fuck. Just fuck.”

“So let that be your story, then. You knew it was her, but you didn’t want to embarrass her when she came on so strong. Happens to the best of us.” Bo shrugs and flashes another glance at the door.

I shoot him a sidelong, suspicious glance, but I don’t have time to sort whatever mess he’s gotten himself into today. For once, I have my own. Not that I’m proud of it. I might have been in another life. But not in this one.

“I think I should go.”

“No. Don’t run off. You’ll look guilty. Guilty people run.”

“I am guilty. I should never in a million fucking years have crossed that line. Even if I thought it was her idea. At Hazel’s wedding no less.” I don’t know what got into me. She kissed me and that was it. I lost all sense of reason.

“A bridesmaid coming on to one of the groomsmen at a wedding reception is a tale as old as time, Ans. You’re not guilty of anything except being normal for fucking once. You’re allowed to be human.”