But apparently there was more to it.
“Yeah.” After she sent the text, she looked up at me. “I’m gonna have to break up with him.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s way too possessive. Like today. When Zack and I practiced walking down the aisle, I had to hear about it on the drive to the restaurant. He said shit like ‘You gonna leave me for him?’ and ‘I saw the way you were lookin’ at him.’ Just way over the top bullshit.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah, he’s just…too much. When we first started dating, he’d get all jealous when a guy looked at me twice—but I didn’t think much about it…until he started accusing me of cheating on him and shit like that. I don’t need that shit.”
“No kidding.” I frowned. “Can I do anything?”
“You’re doing it right now, doll.”
“Do you want a drink? I was thinking about getting a bottle of white wine—just to calm my nerves.”
Roxy laughed. “An entire bottle? Yeah, that’ll calm ‘em for a while. But, no, I’m good. If I drink, I won’t be able to handle Dean.”
My mind darted way back to one of my first memories—of my father getting rough with my mom while I hid behind a recliner in the living room. He’d hit her and it hadn’t been the first time. “Has he ever…hurt you?”
“No. I mean, he’s grabbed my arm a little rough but no punching or choking or anything like that. But I do know that shit can escalate and I’m not going to let it happen. After the wedding’s over, we’re through.”
“Maybe you should wait till you’re home.”
“No way.”
“Won’t that make for an awkward trip back?”
Roxy laughed. “Nope. MAIMD has some charity show the day after tomorrow, so Dean flew into DIA, then took a small plane to the airport in Buena Vista—and they even had a rental car for him. So I’m not waiting. After tonight, we’re done.” When her phone buzzed again, she rolled her eyes. “He’s ridiculous. He’s not saying it, but I know he’s jealous that I want to spend time alone with you.”
“What did he say?”
“He just asked what we’re doing.” She tapped a short message on her phone and sent it. “I told him we’re talking.” After shifting on the sofa to pull her feet up underneath her, she continued. “I tried joking one time about something like that. I was supposed to interview Zakk Wylde—but before Ileft to go to the venue, Dean asked if I was going to sleep with him.”
“What?”
“Yeah—of all people. Everyone knows Zakk, even after all these years, is still head over heels for his wife and their kids. But that’s beside the point. When Dean asked that, I said, ‘Yeah, that’s how I get the best interviews, don’t you know?’ And he lost his shit. He wouldn’t let me leave, even though I told him I was just kidding. I wound up having to call my boss and lie to him, telling him I was throwing up and couldn’t make the interview. He wound up sending someone else in my place—and I was bummed. Zakk’s a legend and I’ve never had the chance to interview him.”
“Well…hopefully you’ll get a chance some other time.”
“Yeah, but that’s the kind of shit Dean’s been doing and I’ve…I’ve noticed myself kind of cowing to him. I hate that. I cow to no one—but he’s figured out how to get under my skin.”
“I’m so glad you’re leaving him,” I said, leaning over and pulling my dear friend into a hug. “If you need me to do anything, just say the word.”
“D, you’re getting ready to go on a honeymoon. What kind of asshole friend would I be if I demanded you stick around for me?”
“You aren’t an asshole, Rox.Dean’s the asshole.”
“I wish I had a guy like Braden. He knows how to treat a woman right.”
I nodded. “Hehasbeen very good to me.”
“I hate to ask this,” Roxy said, pulling her hair over her shoulders, “especially on the eve of your wedding, but…”
I remembered our conversation about settling—and how Zack and Braden were two different men: Zack was the fire while Braden was warmth. Zack was consuming while Bradenwas like a comforting blanket. I hadn’t forgotten the comparison—because it felt true.
“Braden and I will be happy,” I said, nodding my head, but I didn’t know if it was to reassure her or myself.
