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"Faster," one says. "I can't be too late." The familiar tone causes my insides to twist.No. I look toward the bathroom again and it appears emptier than before, dark shadows looming over it. Fogging my vision, my eyes well with tears. This can't be real.
"They can wait. He can wait."
Anger rises inside me, my blood running hot and cold at the same time. It's not until the man on top turns around and stares at me with wide blue eyes that all the air rushes out of my lungs. Struggling to breathe enough to form words, I step back, pressing a hand to my chest. It hurts so bad. Sharp jabs at my heart make it hard to move and I feel like my shoes have lead in them as I try to leave the room. Scrambling off of his best friend and best man, Theon gets to his feet, tugging up his pants.
"How could you?" I finally manage, my words barely louder than a whisper.
Theon's face hardens. "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out this way." His voice is strained. "I care for you, Everly. I really do. It's why I never wanted to hurt you, but I can't help who I love."
"It's…" I swallow down the emotion building in my throat. "It's not me, is it?" I finally finish.
His jaw twitches and he shakes his head. "No. I tried. I have. The truth is my heart was taken long ago but my parents never approved. Unlike you, Harry doesn't come from money or have a lavish career. He lives on the wrong side of the tracks and will be an embarrassment to my family name."
"I don't understand."
"Are you fucking daft between the ears?" Harry shouts, reminding me of his unwelcoming presence. "He doesn't love you. He never did. He's only marrying you because his father wants to merge companies with yours and you are the only one naive enough to ignore what was happening behind your back. So gullible and stupid to believe your fiancé was always too tired to stay over or had to work late. You didn't even question why the guy you're dating wanted to save himself for marriage. You made everything so easy."
"Harry, please." Theon shoots him a look. "No need to be so cruel. He didn't ask for this."
"Sure he did, by being a complete moron and continuing to remain in some fantasy land in his head instead of facing reality like a damn grown-up."
Harry's words keep hitting me harder and harder. I didn't think it was possible to break so much in one day. He doesn't even give me a few minutes to gather myself together before the next strike.
"I don't feel sorry for him and you shouldn't either. Besides, at least he gets to wear your ring on his finger and be invited to family gatherings. All I'll ever get is hotel rooms and kisses behind some wall or in a bathroom like some secret side piece. Things could be a lot worse."
"I… I have to go." My throat threatens to close up and my muscles are too weak for me to do much to stop it.
"Wait. Please don't tell anyone. We can still go on as planned. I'll marry you like you want and we'll go away on our honeymoon and—"
"You'll sneak off with him every chance you get."
"I'm losing in this too, you know," Theon says, his eyes hooking onto mine.
"You mean by having to spend your life with me? Well, allow me to free you from your burden."
I rush down the hall and tears spring from my eyes, adding to my heated cheeks. I don't stop when he calls after me again or when my brother tries to call to me and my cousin chases me in the parking lot. Feeling like my world is crumbling around me, I run faster and only slow down when I feel like I'm far enough away for no one to come looking for me. Walking into the nearest gas station, I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand and head for the bathroom. My phone rings and I wait until I am out of view of others before answering Tiffany's call.
"Hello?"
"Everly? Sweetie, what's going on? What happened?"
"I… Theon and Harry."
"What about them?"
"They were together in the back dressing room," I breathe out.
A gasp comes from the other end of the phone line. "Oh my God. Those assholes. What the fuck?"
"I can't marry him. I don't care what our parents want. I can't. He gets his dad's company and to run off with Harry any time he wants, and what do I get? Nothing but fucking scraps. From everyone. Him. My dad. I'm not good enough for anything more than that." The pain escalates from my heart to my stomach. It's paralyzing when it reaches every part of me and I almost lose my grip on my phone.
"Then don't. I'll tell you what you should do instead. Go on that honeymoon without him. Meet some sexy stranger at a beach party. Have fun and forget all about him. No more wasted tears over some asshole who isn't worth it."
That's easier said than done. Nonetheless, she's right. Fuck him. He and Harry can have each other. My father can enjoy cleaning up after the mess I left behind. It's what he gets for only thinking of himself and trying to push his dream on me. "Good thing I have the tickets and he doesn't. Getting away really is what I need right now, and my family's isolated beach house in Key West is definitely calling my name."
"You need me to come with? I'd have to find coverage for my shifts but if you really need me—"
Shaking my head, I clear my throat. "It's okay. I think I need to be on my own for a bit. Figure out what I want for a change. This will give me time to do that."
