“What the fuck does this have to do with Lia?” I nearly yell.
“Well, the deli is next to a coffee shop, and in the coffee shop window, I can see Lia . . . with a guy who I think is Brian.”
“What?” I shout. “Take a picture. Take a goddamn picture right now.”
“Isn’t that a little stalker-y?”
“JP, I’m going to fucking rip your dick off if you don’t take a picture right fucking now.”
“Okay, fine. Jesus.” He pauses for a second and then says, “I just texted you the pic.”
I go to my text messages just as his comes in. I click on it frantically, and when the picture comes into view, I zoom in, and sure enough, there’s Lia, her hand on Brian’s as they both share a cup of coffee.
I sink onto my bed and stare at it.
“From your silence, I’m going to assume you’re unwell at the moment.”
That doesn’t even begin to describe it.
“Why wouldn’t she tell me?” I ask as I stare down at the picture. “Fuck, do you think . . . do you think she’s getting back together with him?”
“No fucking chance,” JP says. “Come on, dude. She was miserable with Brian.”
“Then why the hell is she secretly meeting with him?”
“Huh, that’s a great question.”
“What are they doing now?” I ask. “FaceTime me. Let me see what’s happening.”
“Are you kidding me? Dude, I bolted immediately. I’m in the deli.”
“Well, go back. Stand outside the window, watch everything, tell me everything. Are they going to hug? Kiss? Fuck, I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Will you settle down? I’m already dealing with a hormonal wife. I don’t need a hormonal brother as well.”
“Excuse me, but when Kelsey was going out with another guy, I’m pretty sure I was fucking there for you.”
“Yeah, and you were also single with nothing better to do than to soothe my aching soul. I’m trying to buy fucking mozzarella, for fuck’s sake. You’re asking too much of me.”
“Why are you useless?” I ask while I flop back on the bed.
“Listen, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation about what’s going on. Why don’t you just wait for her, and when she gets home, you ask her? Don’t confront her. Don’t blame her. Just ask her. Think you can do that?”
“Yeah, I think so,” I say, taking a deep breath.
“And for the love of God, don’t tell her I saw her and sent you a picture. That shit will get back to Kelsey, and she’ll have my nuts.” He lowers his voice. “I truly am scared, man. She’s something different when pregnant.”
“Wow, you make wanting a family so much less desirable.”
“Currently, it’s a three out of ten for me. I’d not recommend it.”
“Great.” I stand from my bed. “I’m going over to her place. The sooner I see her, the better.”
“Remember, be cool.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I say before hanging up and stabbing my hand through my hair. “Fuck, I feel sick.” I take a deep breath and, wearing only a pair of joggers and a white T-shirt, I walk over to her apartment, where I set my phone down on her kitchen counter and start to pace the living room.
She can’t be getting back together with him, right?
There’s no fucking way.
I’m tempted to stare at the picture, to analyze it until nothing is left inside me but dust and failed dreams, but I know that will do nothing for my psyche. Instead, I continue to pace and not freak myself out.
I love her.
It’s plain and simple, just like that. I love her, and I won’t fucking lose her. Not to Brian, not to anyone.
The elevator down the hall dings, and I shoot up off her couch, where I was attempting to meditate but doing a piss-poor job. All I ended up thinking about was the picture JP sent me and wondering why the hell she was touching him. And why she was still with him an hour after that photo came through. She’s now been gone for over two hours.
Footsteps track down the hall and come closer and closer to her apartment until her key fits through the lock. I steal my breath, and as the door opens, sweat breaks out over my skin as her beautiful face comes into view.
When her eyes lift and spot me, she startles, clutching the giant white garment bag in her arms. “Jesus, Breaker. I didn’t know you were here.”
My eyes fall to the garment bag, and I know what that is . . . her wedding dress.