Our food finally arrived, and as everyone began to dig in, I picked up my fork and pushed my lettuce around the bowl.
The energy surrounding us was heavy, and I felt responsible. “So,” I started, wanting to clear out some negativity. “Jamie and Blake finally have their happily ever after. What about everyone else? Wes, are you still pining after Addison?”
“Gee, Cay. Thanks.” Wes rolled his eyes. “And no, I’ve been dating Olivia for over a year.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay. Addy is still a touchy subject for me. Don’t think I ever got closure from that one.”
Erik gasped loudly. “Doth my ears deceive me? Wesley Parker. Did you admit you still harbor feelings for Addison?”
Wes reached out and shoved Erik’s shoulder as he laughed. “Shut up.”
“I just confirmed Belle left me for another man.”
“God dammit, Liam,” Jamie said as he dropped his fist on the table. “Is that why you’re so damn crotchety? Because you are empathizing with Elijah in Cadence’s situation? You feel like she is doing him an injustice because you’re lost in your own shitty feelings right now.”
Liam ignored Jamie and took a bite of his chicken avocado wrap.
“Besides,” Jamie said. “You didn’t just find out. We talked about this after Noah’s funeral.”
“Isuspectedit when we talked, and it was even heavily implied. But until this morning, I had no proof. But my PI just sent over some nice photos of the two of them together. Images I’d need a lobotomy to forget. And that has nothing to do with Cay and Elijah, and if she wants to flirt with some singer.”
I was dumbstruck. I had no idea what was happening to the people I cared most about. I couldn’t even blame Elijah anymore. I had allowed him to pull me away with his promises of a wonderful life together. It’s my own fault I didn’t keep in touch.
I should have realized something was wrong with Liam. It wasn’t like him to be so argumentative. He was the levelheaded one and always had control of his emotions. It was so unlike him to lash out. I felt like an insensitive jerk.
“Cut the shit, Liam. Can’t you see you’re being an ass to Cadence? She doesn’t deserve your wrath. Save it for Belle. Not us.” Jamie ran a hand over his face. “I’m sorry on his behalf, Cay. Forgive his cranky old ass.”
“Thanks. But it’s okay. I get it Liam, and I’m sorry I didn’tknow.” My voice didn’t reach its normal volume, and once again, I pushed the food around on my plate.
“I’m not one to broadcast my problems.”
Erik cleared his throat. “Me, on the other hand. I have no issues to speak of. My life is perfect.”
“Nice way to turn the conversation on yourself, douche. And isn’t Right Hand Sally getting a little tired these days?” Wes asked.
Erik scoffed. “I’m probably gettin’ more ass than you are, and you’re in a committed relationship.”
“And that’s why you haven’t had a girlfriend in… hm. What? Like a year? At least?”
“That’s because I know what I like. I don’t settle.”
“Or maybe it’s the girls who aren’t settling… settling for you.”
I leaned over to Blake and whispered, “They are still like this? I mean, you’d think by now they’d have grown up.”
She chuckled under her breath. “Nope. They still act like they can’t stand each other, but then get all butt hurt when one of them forgets to text the other back.”
“Children.” I shook my head and straightened. I let my gaze move to Liam. He was staring at the center of the round table, fixated on something that wasn’t there. I leaned back toward Blake. “Do you think Liam is okay?” I whispered.
“He’s been off for a little while now.”
“I honestly had no idea. I feel like a terrible friend.”
“Don’t be too angry with him. He is just hurting right now.”
“I wouldn’t be here right now without him lighting that fire under my ass. I owe him. The least I can do is be there when he feels at his lowest.”
