Page 28 of All Our Nevers

I offer to carry more bags than I really can, snatching them up before anyone objects just so I can leave this room. Find a moment alone. Reign myself in.

I’m so fucking mad at him for making me feel this way, now of all times.

6

Owen

Amelia charges out of the room like a freight train. And it’s not that I’m surprised she would fight me, or yell at me, or storm out just to get away from me—no, none of that is surprising at all. But the look in her eyes before. It’s almost like she was… afraid of me. Like my touch was a violation.

I fucking hate myself for it.

The arrival of the grocery delivery is a mercy. I force Andy, Sophie, and Nolan to go get settled in while I unload everything into the fridge and cabinets, and by the time I’m done, Amelia’s back—that social media smile on her face like nothing happened. It’s fake. Convincing, but fake. And I’m the one who put it there.

“You guys hungry?” she asks the group. “I was thinking burgers for dinner if that’s alright.”

“Ooh, yes please,” Sophie says. “That sounds amazing.”

Perfect, another opening to give them some space—to hopefully do something right this weekend. I say, “I’ll get the grill started,” and don’t wait for a response, just turn and head into the kitchen.

But sure enough, the clap of Amelia’s heels follows me there.

“I can do it,” she says, but I already have the fridge door open and the hamburger package in my hand.

“That’s okay,” I reply as neutrally as I can. “I’ve got it.”

“Why?” she asks. “Because grilling is for men?”

“Jesus Christ, Amelia.” I can feel my shoulders slumping forward, exhausted by it all. “I’m offering to cook dinner so you can sit with your friends.”

“Right, I’m sure it’s for the benefit of my relaxation.”

“Why can’t I do one nice thing?” I ask. “I’m sure Andy would rather have you in there than me. I can grill a burger without you supervising every single thing.”

“Fine.” Her hands fly up in a surrender that’s all passive-aggression. “Whatever. If you really think you can do it then just go.”

I scoop the supplies into my arms and march out the back door without another word.

Twenty minutes later, I carry the heaping platter of burgers back inside—with and without cheese, toasted buns on the side, so beautifully plated that there’s no chance Amelia could find a thing wrong with it. We serve ourselves and find seats in the living room before Nolan brings out a cooler full of beers, the handle of vodka, and a shot glass.

“Maybe we should take it easy for the first night,” Andy says cautiously, eyeing the bottle of clear poison as he drapes an arm around Sophie on the couch.

“Overruled!” Nolan yells, slapping the shot glass down on the coffee table and taking a seat in an oversized armchair.

Amelia says, “Bride’s choice. How do you want to get drunk tonight? We could do beer pong, think while you drink, truth then dare, text or drink, a power hour…”

“Ooooh.” Sophie folds her legs underneath herself. “I think… well, since Owen is here and there’s still so much I don’t know about him, I’m gonna go with truth then dare.”

“Phenomenal choice.” Amelia beams, and that alone makes me nervous.

“I’m sorry, did you say ‘truth then dare’?”

“Yeah,” Sophie says. “It’s like truth or dare but better, because everyone has to do a truth first and then everyone has to do a dare.”

“Oh God. Okay.” I lean forward to pick up my burger from the coffee table. “I have a feeling I’m gonna need food in my stomach before this starts.”

“We’ll let you ask first,” Sophie assures, “so you don’t feel put on the spot or anything.”

“Great. Thanks.” I bite into the burger, chewing slowly, buying a moment of time, then swallowing before I ask, “How evil do you guys usually go with these ques—”