AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Twyla rolls her eyes. “A whole lot of ‘I told you sos’ and a big lecture about how I can do better.” She sniffles.
“Jackass,” Bryce mumbles.
Shayna glares at Bryce with annoyance.
Twyla turns to Bryce. “Right? I swear, all men are idiots.”
“Is there any chance of reconciliation?” Amara asks.
Twyla shakes her head. “He told me that all the pressure from the wedding was getting to him and it was my fault because I was making such a big deal about one day in our lives.” She flails her arms. “Like, forgive me for wanting our big day to be something really special.”
“Well, I don’t know him, but he sounds like a jerk. You’re probably better off without him.” I squeeze her hand, overwhelmed with empathy.
“Cheers to that.” Bryce raises her shot glass and downs it.
“Yeah, Vi would know better than anyone,” Amara says.
I turn my head in her direction and glare. Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth with her hand, briefly mouthing “sorry.”
“What’s that mean?” Bryce’s head tilts as if her little reporter antennae went up.
I might as well tell them at this point. I’m sure they’ve all had bad relationships. Huffing out a sigh, I say, “I broke off my engagement last year. I found him cheating on me, so I ended it.”
“Oh wow, I’m so sorry.” Twyla’s jaw hangs open, which is really sweet of her given her current circumstances.
“God, men really suck, don’t they?” Bryce sips her drink.
“Not all men,” Shayna mumbles and her cheeks flare. I get her sticking up for Lee. Whatever they have together must be special because I’d die for someone to look at me like he does her.
“How did you deal with it?” Twyla asks, her big eyes looking at me as though I hold the answers that will put the pieces of her heart back together.
I laugh, although it’s not funny. “I had to move back in with my parents—which was traumatizing in and of itself—and I was really sad for about six months. Then one day, I decided I needed to move on with my life. At first it was hard, but as time went by, I was able to find happiness in things I used to. I think time is your best friend.” I cover my hand with hers.
“That’s when she slept with Brady. As part of her rebound attempt,” Amara says and quickly takes a sip of her wine. After swallowing, she swears to herself. “I don’t know what’s with my loose lips tonight.”
Twyla’s eyes go wide and her eyebrows shoot up. “Wait. You slept with Brady Banks?”
“Never mind that right now. What’s important is that you know that you’ll get through this, and you’ll be happy again. It just might take a while.” I pat her hand while giving Amara a scathing look.
She sinks into her chair and sips her wine, looking as guilty—as she should.
Twyla frowns and nods, squeezing my hand. “Thanks, I actually feel a little better talking with someone who’s gone through something similar and come out the other side. I hope I come out looking as good as you.” She motions to my dress.
“I’ll bet you come out looking even better.” I wink.
The whole table laughs, and we spend the rest of the night listening to Twyla shit talk her ex.
By the time we’re ready to go home, I leave the bar feeling raw and vulnerable, much like I did the night I first met Brady.
Fifteen
Brady
“Fuck!” I toss the pillow under my head across the room and stare at the dark ceiling.
I don’t know why the hell I can’t sleep. My mind wanders to thoughts of Violet and wanting to make sure she gets home okay, but I don’t even know why I’m worried. She’s a grown-ass woman who had been out plenty of times before I was even in her life. She can handle herself. I’ve been on edge all night, wondering what she’s doing, who she’s talking to. If it’s a dickhead she’s talking to. I ignore the part of my brain that tells me it’s because I want to make sure she actually comes home… er… here and doesn’t go home with some other guy tonight.
Why shouldn’t she? She’s single. She can mess around with whomever she wants.
