Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Okay, we’ll do it here,” I say, unable to muster the enthusiasm I should have about deciding on the place where the guys and I will be saying our vows.
Amalia claps excitedly. “Perfect! I’ll handle everything and keep you informed of anything you need to know. Next week, we have an appointment with the boutique for you to try on dresses and with the bakery to pick out your wedding cake.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, forcing a smile past my nerves. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
The ride home is filled with Amalia going over various details and asking questions about color schemes and foods and such. Brody’s driving his SUV, and he drops her off first, then Lacey next.
“We’re getting the kids at Beatrice’s?” Brody confirms once it’s just the three of us.
“Yeah, we—” I begin, but Hayden cuts me off.
“We need to talk,” he says. I’m sitting in the back seat next to him, so I look over at him, but he doesn’t make eye contact with me. “Can you ask her to watch the kids a little longer?”
“We’re supposed to take them to pick out their costumes,” I say dumbly, knowing whatever he needs to talk about won’t be good.
“All right,” he says.
“So…are we going to get them now?” Brody asks, confused.
“Yeah,” Hayden says.
The afternoon is awkward, and I almost wish I would’ve picked the kids up later, but thankfully, they’re too busy at the costume store to notice the tension. Evie picks out a cute cheerleader costume, and Miles goes with Creeper from Minecraft. Once we’ve purchased them, we head back to Brody and Hayden’s place since it’s the weekend. The kids pick out a movie to watch, and both pass out not even halfway through it.
Brody carries Evie to bed while Hayden carries Miles. After kissing them both good night, I find Brody standing in the hall with a frown marring his features.
“Something’s wrong with Hayden,” I whisper, emotion clogging my voice.
“Yeah.” He nods. “But he won’t tell me what. He said he needs to talk to us. He’s in the living room.”
“Okay.” I follow Brody down the stairs, where we find Hayden sitting on the couch with his face in his hands.
When he hears us, he lifts his head, and his eyes are glassy again, like he’s holding his emotions in and refusing to let them out.
“We need to talk,” he says, his tone devoid of all the emotion his face is showing.
I go to sit next to him, but as I sit, he stands, like he can’t bear being near me. Brody sits in his place, and Hayden walks around the coffee table, out of touching distance.
“I’ve made a decision,” he says, his eyes not really looking at us but instead past us. “I won’t be getting married to Bree.”
A piece of my heart cracks, like he’s stepping on it, and my organ can’t withstand the pressure.
“I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore.”
His foot is now pushing down harder, causing several pieces to fragment. It hurts, and it’s hard to breathe.
“And I’m moving out.”
And just like that, like a bomb has been placed inside my chest and has exploded, my heart shatters into a million tiny pieces.
“You don’t want me anymore?” I croak out, unable to stop myself from asking. I heard what he said, and I understand the words, but I don’t want to believe them.
“No,” he says simply, still refusing to look at me.
“Why? Is it because I said I only wanted you both together? I told you that I can try to be with you separately,” I stammer, tears filling my eyes.
“It’s not that,” Hayden says, swallowing thickly.
“Then why?” I ask, sniffling back my emotions. “What did I do wrong?”
His eyes roll toward the ceiling, and he releases a harsh breath. “It’s not you. I thought I could do this, but I can’t.” His gaze slowly shifts to Brody, who has yet to say a word. “And I won’t be working at Fields anymore. If you need me to give my two weeks, I can, but I’d prefer to cut ties immediately.”
My eyes flit between Brody and Hayden, unsure what to do or say. It’s one thing for Hayden to break up with me, but for him to move out and quit his job? This doesn’t make any sense. They’ve been best friends for years, more like brothers. And then it hits me…
“You’re walking away so Brody and I can be together,” I say, tears streaming down my cheeks. “But you know I won’t choose, so you’re making the decision for me by cutting yourself out of the equation.”
“Is that what you’re doing?” Brody asks, his voice hoarse.
“If that’s the case, then I’ll walk away,” I sob. “I’m not going to come between your friendship.” I stand, blinking fast so my vision will clear. “I told you I didn’t want to come between your friendship, and you said this is what you wanted!” I cry. “I was afraid of this happening, of one of you not wanting me anymore, and you said you wanted me forever.”