I guess we were both faking it today.
“Wait, Poppy. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a dick.” I gave her a half-smile, and I lightly grasped her slim wrist, stroking the top of her bronzed hand with my thumb. “It’s supposed to be a happy day for Ty and Zoey.”
Alex sighed and looked down at my thumb rubbing her, undoubtedly feeling the electricity pulsing between us. It had always been this way, even when we fought it. Her eyebrows knit together, and she sighed again, turning her baby blues up to gaze at me questioningly. She was breathtaking, and I couldn’t believe how stupid I’d been for so long. If I’d been less stupid, I wouldn’t be in this mess.
“It’s going to work out, Jace.” Alex tucked a strand of hair that had escaped from my LTZ skull cap back in place. “It will.”
“Well, I already know how it’s going to work out.” I tightened my grip on her wrist. “I just have to go through with all of the steps.”
Alex didn’t speak at first, almost as if she was choosing her words carefully. “So you’ve told me. And as I told you, this should be an opportunity for us to be closer as a couple. I know you’re scared, and I’ve tried to be understanding. But you keep pushing me away.”
“Alex—” I pleaded.
“No, Jace.” She focused her eyes on mine. “You’re playing games with my heart. It hurts. It’s not acceptable to treat me this way.”
“I’m protecting you.” I fixed my gaze on hers, daring her to argue with me.
“Nope, try again,” Alex yelled in a whisper voice. “You’re the one who finally convinced me to be all in. You’re a hypocrite if you’re not all in too. Gahd! There’s no point to this.”
“I understand.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention to us.
They weren’t.
Everyone was gathered around the happy couple across the room patting Ty on the back and trying to get a glimpse of Zoey’s ring. I couldn’t speak for fear of breaking down, and I couldn’t look at my beautiful nymph for fear of giving in.
“And there you have it.” Alex pulled her wrist from my grasp and folded her arms across her perfect, perky breasts.
“Not everyone has a love story like Ty and Zoey.” I folded my arms across my chest too, keeping my eyes directed at the happy couple.
“Everyone has their own path, Jace. I’m truly happy for them.” Alex’s expression softened when Ty planted a scorching kiss on Zoey’s lips. “They belong together.”
“They have been a pain in my ass for nearly a decade. They have been their own worst enemies,” I grumbled bitterly before stealing a glance back at her.
Alex’s eyes narrowed at my crass comment, but she tried to hide it by looking down. Kicking the toe of her worn black Frye boot into the ground, she muttered, “Pot calling kettle—”
“Shit. I’m on fire today. Alex, I’m sorry.”
“Quit apologizing.” Alex stopped me, breathing in deeply to tamp her emotions down. “We are supposed to have the same happy ending.”
“Dammit, Alex. I won’t force you into a life you don’t want.” Secrecy be damned, I gripped her shoulders and drew her to me, breathing her in. “I can’t do that to you. You deserve someone who can give you—”
“Excuses.” Alex cut me off. “Just. Stop. Enough with the martyr bullshit. I’ve got the message loud and clear. After all we’ve overcome, it sucks to realize how little you really know me. How little you know what I want.”
Her words pierced my soul. I wanted to protest and to reassure her that I did know her, that she was everything to me. I couldn’t form the words. Clasping her close to me, my dream of having what Ty found with Zoey slipped out of my grasp with each passing second of silence. My heart ached. Alex was not only my best friend but the funniest, goofiest, sexiest, and most beautiful, dedicated, loving woman I knew.
And now, because of a shit hand that I’d been dealt, instead of revealing our long-time secret relationship to our friends and family, Alex and I were over. For real this time.
“This isn’t cool, Jace. I’ve really gotta go.” Alex broke free from our embrace to find the entire room looking at us strangely. After composing herself, she abruptly turned away from me and walked out toward the powder room.
“Jace, what did you say to her?” Zoey flew at me from across the room and grabbed my arm, her wild, blonde hair flowing around her. Ty followed close behind, his eyes constricted and curious.
Refusing to answer her, I kept my gaze on the two of them steady. “Congratulations, I’m really happy for you both, you know.”
“Thanks, man.” Ty clapped me on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just that my family is holding dinner for me, I’ve gotta head out.” I hoped my family obligations would keep the questions at bay.
“I’m going to go find Alex.” Zoey threw me a pointed look before searching for her best friend.
“Dude.” Ty watched his fiancée walk away. “You need to have a little more faith in her.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re together now.” Ty looked me in the eye. “Right?”
“Umm . . .” I closed my eyes and sighed heavily.
“You love her.” Ty cocked his head. “She loves you.”
“It’s not enough, Ty,” I breathed. “There are things going on.”
“Look, if that girl is your daughter, Alex will love her because she loves you.” Ty spoke softly, confidentially. “Wouldn’t you feel the same way if the situation were reversed?”
“How—” I was shocked that Ty knew my secret. Which meant only one thing. Alex had clearly told Zoey who had, of course, told Ty. I hated unnecessary drama; Alex knew that. My wishes had been made very clear. No one, not the band, my family, and especially not Zoey was supposed to know anything until I knew for sure. Even though I’d been avoiding
