“I know. The wedding! But I think if we just continue to hate one another?” Hutch shrugged. “We’ll be just fine.” He squared his shoulders. “Have a nice life, Jill.” Then he turned and walked across the street to his apartment.
I managed to walk up to the house on shaky legs, but sat down on the chair next to Jo. Hutch had just told me goodbye in a not-so-subtle way, and I hadn’t even told him anything. I hadn’t been able to give him the reason for leaving or why I didn’t say anything. Once again, I didn’t even tell him goodbye. I was the worst human on the entire planet.
“I know you look like your best friend just died, but now might be the time to tell me what the fuck happened.” Jo squeezed my arm. “I don’t mean just now, but back when you deserted the man who stole your heart four years ago.”
Only I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair to Hutch to tell my sister without him knowing the truth first. “You know I can’t do that. Hutch doesn’t even know,” I reminded her and leaned back in the chair. “I hate my life,” I whispered.
“Starting to realize that, Jill, and I’m worried about you. What is going on with you?”
“How much time do you have before our Jack and Jill tonight?”
***
“You know Hutch is goingto fucking probably murder me, right?” Knox placed my vodka and cranberry down on the table in front of me before he sat down. “He hasn’t stopped staring daggers at me since he showed up.”
Maybe inviting Knox to be my date to the Jack and Jill wasn’t the best idea, but whatever. I didn’t want to go alone, and I knew Hutch was going to show up with Madison, so what other choice did I have? I took a sip of my drink, wiggled my fingers at Hutch in a little wave who scowled even more at me, and then shrugged my shoulders.
“Don’t care,” I answered.
Knox raised one eyebrow. “You’re using me, Jill, and honestly?” He chuckled softly. “I kind of dig it.” He peeled the label of his beer. “I have to say I was a bit surprised when you texted me.”
“I was shocked that you had the same number.” I picked up my glass, swallowed the rest of my drink, and placed it back down. “I think I’m going to get wasted tonight,” I admitted.
Knox grabbed my elbow before I could get up. “Not that it’s any of my business, but why?” His fingers squeezed lightly. “Are you trying to make your ex a little jealous because I know he wants to beat the shit out of me already,” he teased before he dropped his hand.
“You’re right.” I stood up. “It’s not any of your business.” I walked over to the bar, leaving Knox alone at the table.
“You and Knox, huh?” Madison appeared to my right with a smile on her face. “Can’t go wrong there.” Her fakecustomer servicevoice made me sick. “I mean he was fun when we were kids, but...” She shrugged and rolled her eyes as if we were two friends sharing a secret. Two friends who had slept with the same two guys, and I wanted to break her nose for it. She did me a favor by taking Knox from me, but Hutch was a whole other ballgame.
I resisted the urge to poke her eyes out. “I’m not having your sloppy seconds, Madison, like you’re having mine.” I shot back and turned my back to wait for my drink.
“No need to be rude, Jills.” She didnotjust call me that.
I spun back around. “Don’t you ever call me that, do you understand me?” I warned.
Hutch dropped his hands on Madison’s shoulders. “You said you were going to the bathroom.” He glanced over at me for a brief second. “Go sit the fuck down,” he ordered and waited for her to leave before he spoke to me again. “Jilly, I’m sorry for whatever she just said.”
I smiled at the bartender as he handed me my drink. “You don’t need to apologize, babe.” I mimicked the endearment Madison had used on him early. “But the next time that cunt calls me Jills?” I brought the glass to my lips to take a drink. “I’m going to knock her into next fucking week.” I smiled innocently before I walked back to my date.
Knox spun around to face me from his seat. “I thought Mortal Kombat was going to go down. I was fully prepared to shout ‘finish her’ when you punched Madison for whatever she was saying to you, Jill. I never really...never mind.” I must have had the look of death in my eyes because he clamped his mouth shut. “I’m hungry. Are you hungry? That food smells amazing.” He quickly changed the subject.
“Starving.” I smirked into my glass. “You’re actually not the giant douche canoe I thought you were, Knoxy.” I reached over to run my finger up his arm and squeezed his bicep. “How come you’re single?” I teased.
Knox stared at me for a second. “Is that a compliment, Jill, because it sure doesn’t feel like one.” He looked at where my hand was still wrapped around his arm. “I’m single because I haven’t found the right girl, and if you don’t let go of me, I think I’m going to probably end up six feet under.” He reached over to remove my hand himself. “Jesus, are you drunk already?”
“Maybe.” I stood up and smoothed my dress down around my hips. “How about we go get something to eat?” I noticed my sister waving me over while Pat stared at Knox with surprise written all over his face. “Since I’m in the wedding party, we get to eat first.”
Knox held out his arm. “To make sure you don’t fall over,” he assured me. “Even though you two aren’t together, Hutch clearly wants to figure out new and exciting ways to plot out my murder.”
“Hutch can go pound sand.”
“Don’t talk about my brother like that,” Pat warned as we approached the buffet. “Doesn’t matter who I’m marrying, I’m always going to be Team Hutch forever.” He wiggled his brows at me. “By the way, did you really bring Knox to my Jack and Jill?” He rolled his eyes.
Knox tightened his grip on my arm. “Standing right here, man, and weren’t we friends once or is that all a fever dream I made up in my mind?” he asked. I was sure he had no idea how Pat only put up with him because his parents were rich and sort of owned most of the town, but I kept that to myself.
“Were we?” Pat asked as he piled chicken onto his plate. “The way I remember it, you sort of weaseled your way in when you started dating Jillian, but maybe that’s my version.”
Jo pressed a palm against her soon-to-be husband’s chest. “This is our party, sweetie, so please no fighting. Knox was our friend, so he’s welcome here.” She smiled innocently. “It’s nice to see you, Knox,” she added, but I saw the warning flash in her eyes.
