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His brother was questioning the validity of the annulment? Christ, did the guy never let up? ‘The annulment papers were checked by Beth. She’s a divorce lawyer – are you telling me she can’t be trusted either?’
‘She’s Megan’s sister, she would side with her.’
Matt wasn’t going to sit there and allow Chris to bad-mouth Beth. ‘Look, Chris, whatever you think about this marriage, it’s not going to succeed or fail based on your opinion. The fate of this union lies with Zac and Megan. Nothing you can say or do will influence that, and if you keep interfering, the only thing you’ll achieve is causing a deeper rift between you and Zac. A rift that’s unlikely to heal, even if the marriage does fail, because nobody likes to be told they’ve messed up. Zac included. So take my advice, and stop trying to split them up and start trying to accept the situation instead.’
He held up his hand when Chris attempted to interrupt. ‘Before you make a quip about me not being equipped to give relationship advice, I’d advise you to think twice. I haven’t eaten all day, I’m starving hungry, I’m pissed off, and I’m fed up to my back teeth arguing with people. So unless you want a fat lip, go back to your wife and grumble at her, she’s a much better listener than I am.’
Chris opened his mouth, as if to retaliate, but must have seen the warning twitch in Matt’s clenched jaw and backed down. Sensible man.
‘You’re drunk,’ his brother said, trying to maintain the moral high ground as he stormed off.
‘Not yet, but I’m working on it!’ Matt called after him, knocking back another swig of beer.
Chris turned back and glared at his brother. ‘Careful, Matt, you don’t want to turn into your father.’
Matt jumped off the stool and stormed over. ‘I’d rather turn into my father, than turn into you, Chris. Because at least Dad supported Zac. He was excited about the wedding, he wanted to be here to celebrate what should have been a joyful and special family occasion—’
‘Until he got arrested,’ Chris quipped, but his bluster visibly deflated when Matt took a step closer.
‘Whereas you didn’t need to get arrested to ruin the day, did you? You’ve managed to do that just by being the sanctimonious prick you are. Congratulations, Chris. You must be so proud.’ And with that, Matt turned and went back to the bar. He was done fighting. He didn’t have the energy.
Thankfully, his brother had the sense to walk away. Good. Matt wasn’t sure how much longer he could have curtailed his temper.
Slumping onto the bar stool, he took another large swig of beer.
Leah appeared, carrying a huge plate of buffet food, and slid onto the stool next to him. It seemed his torment wasn’t over. ‘How’s it going?’ she said, her cheeks pink from dancing. ‘Having fun?’
‘A blast,’ he said, watching her devour a sausage roll.
His stomach growled in response.
‘Chris being his usual joyful self?’
‘As only Chris can.’ Matt tried to ignore the waft of buttery pastry hitting his senses.
‘Are you okay?’ She took another bite of sausage roll, leaving crumbs around her mouth.
‘Not really. You?’
‘Peachy. Dad’s back in prison. Mum’s talking about divorce, and my half-brother’s a jerk who treats us like lepers. What’s not to enjoy?’ She finished off the sausage roll and licked her fingers. ‘Yummy. You want some?’ She offered him the plate.
He shook his head, his stomach aching with envy. But after his curry blowout last night with his dad, he was having to abstain today. ‘I’d better not.’
‘Honestly, what is it with you and food. It’s not like you need to lose weight. Stop starving yourself. It doesn’t work and it makes you grumpy.’
She was probably right, but he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to address his dietary issues. ‘Mum wants a divorce?’
Leah nodded. ‘And she’s taking up boxing.’
Matt frowned. ‘Are the two things related?’
‘No idea.’ His sister gave a shrug. ‘Just so you know, I’m in favour of the divorce. I won’t be trying to talk her out of it.’ She held his gaze. ‘Is that going to be a problem?’
Before he could answer, his attention was diverted to Beth returning to the bar, minus her grandmother. When she glanced over, she gave him a half-smile and his pathetic heart sped up, grateful for the minute crumb of attention she’d thrown his way.
He was such a sad sack.
‘It’s not a problem for me,’ he said, with a sigh. ‘Mum’s probably better off without him. She deserves to be happy, and Dad hasn’t made her happy for years.’
