AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smile but don’t say a word and take the spare seat next to Hunter.
Once everyone stops staring at me and whispering what a nutjob I am, the music resumes. My eyes lock on Maddy as she takes a deep breath and turns around. Once she looks as composed as she can be, considering the past five minutes, she continues her walk down the aisle. Aiko follows a moment later, while Max looks at her with nothing but love in his eyes.
As the ceremony commences and we take our seats, Hunter leans in and whispers, “And the award for the biggest dumbass goes to…”
“Shut up,” I mumble. “By the way, you are the world’s worst wingman. Where were you when I was making a complete fool out of myself? A heads-up would have been nice.”
He raises his hands, brushing aside all blame. “Hey, I tried. It’s not my fault you had verbal diarrhea.”
I can’t argue with that.
We watch the rest of the ceremony in silence, and I’m thankful for the distraction because I have no idea what comes next.
“So you think I should just go over and be like, Madison…I want you back?”
Silence.
Turning over my shoulder to see what has captured Hunter’s attention, I spot a certain redhead. “Give it up, man. I’m pretty sure your staring is starting to creep her out. In fact, it’s starting to creep me out.” I flail my hand in front of his face, needing to ensure he’s still breathing.
He dodges it, transfixing his gaze back on Mary. “Should I wave?”
“Sure, why not.” Surely it can’t hurt. I spin in my chair, curious to see how this pans out.
From the corner of my eye, I see his arm shoot up high, and he waves a little too zealously. He gains everyone’s attention, which seems to infuriate Mary. However, when she gradually raises her hand, both Hunter and I gasp.
“Holy shit, Dix, are you seeing this?” I’m almost certain Hunter is about to rocket off his chair in excitement. “Should I go talk to her?”
The fact she acknowledges him is rather promising, but that hope nosedives a second later. I burst out laughing, turning back around to face my shattered friend.
“Well, at least she waved back,” he defensively states, reaching for his beer.
“Yeah…with her middle finger. I’d give up, Hunt. She’s not interested.”
He slumps back into his seat, nursing his beer unhappily. “I don’t get women,” he gripes.
I match his pose. “Yup, you’re preaching to the choir, my friend.” We both drink to our sorrows while watching the surf through the window, as Budweiser has yet to let us down.
“Are you having fun?” Max has come to stand by our table, mineral water in hand. He looks beyond elated, while I’m wondering how long it’ll take to drown.
“I’ll get us another beer.” Hunter stands, offering his seat to Max.
When he sits, I sigh because I know what’s coming. “You knew, didn’t you? This entire time you knew.” I don’t even have to clarify what I’m talking about.
He nods.
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
Placing his mineral water on the table, he coolly shrugs. “Sometimes we need to believe we’ve lost everything to appreciate what we had.”
Max and his damn philosophies.
“Well, I sure as hell have appreciated what a moron I am. I’m utterly embarrassed and sorry for ruining your day.”
He’s quick to reply. “You didn’t ruin anything, Dixon. You just confirmed what this day is all about.”
“And that is…?” I need him to fill in the blanks. But as usual, he doesn’t.
“You know what. Don’t be coy; we both know you’re smarter than that.” When he waves lovingly at Aiko, I know that it’s awhohe’s referring to. Today is about unity and promise. It’s about surrendering oneself to another to find the missing piece of the puzzle that is love. I’ve put off the inevitable for far too long,
