How long till he gets hitched?
Six months?
I can do this.
I just need to keep my head down and avoid Sierra at all costs.
After the wedding, I can leave.
“Of course, bud. Anything for you,” I mumble gruffly, as Kai pulls me into a bear hug.
“Thanks, Crane. Seriously, this means a lot to me.”
Kai chokes up, and I clap his back, attempting to brush off the raw emotion with humour.
“Don’t you fucking cry.”
Kai laughs, his eyes skimming the room until they land on Lorena.
“I’ve got my dream woman and my best friend in the same room. What more could a man want?”
Lorena makes her way over to us, her mouth curving into a smile as Kai pulls her into his arms.
“Do you need a drink, Crane?” Lorena asks, moving to the kitchen.
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though.”
Lorena smiles politely, and I’m reminded of the times I tried to keep her away from Kai.
Now look.
“Crane said yes.” Kai grins, squeezing Lorena against his chest.
Lorena's eyes flicker with what I can only read as disappointment, but she smiles at me like she means it.
I don’t get women.
“That’s great! You and Sierra will have a blast planning things out.”
“Yeah, if they can get along,” Kai says, lifting his beer bottle to his lips.
“Sierra?”
I’ve no idea why me being the best man matters about getting along with Sierra, but the guilty look in Kai’s eyes soon tells me.
“Sierra is Lorena’s maid of honour.”
Of all the people—she chose Sierra.
“It’s cool. We’re all adults.” I shrug, making eye contact with Lorena. “But I’ll have that beer now if that’s alright.”
Lorena nods, and Kai is drawn into a conversation with his dad, both of them chuckling at some secret joke.
I need some air.
Sierra is back in the room, her head resting on Declan’s shoulder as she smiles at her mother, avoiding my gaze when I walk by.
She may be beautiful, but she’s angry.
