I get a subtle nod in response because,yes,I can.
The very next day, the night before the wedding, I get dressed up and drive to Club 12 with a smile on my face and anticipationin my heart. I don't give in to second thoughts or doubt. I don't even ask Annica if I’m doing the right thing.
I go because I trust that the timing is right. I go because I trust that Liam will hear me out and forgive me. I go because, for the first time in a long time—where my love life is concerned—I trust myself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Liam
"Well, put this one in the history books, folks," Luke grumbles as he circles the rim of his mug with his finger. "Lamest bachelor party in history."
Beau chuckles easily as he motions for the waiter, who's glancing about the place with a tray of food.
"I wouldn't so much call this a bachelor party," Beau says, "as I would a celebration dinner with my brothers." With that, he extends his glass toward the center of the table, and the rest of us follow suit.
"To brotherhood; may each of us find what we’re looking for.”
“And,” Braxton adds, “may the Wheaton brothers remain the best-looking brutes in the bunch no matter how old and gray we get." He chuckles, and we all clink glasses, except for Luke, who yanks his back with a puffed chest.
"I'm young at heart forever, boys, and I can still get the younger chicks to prove it."
Braxton shoots Luke a scowl. "The younger chicks are theeasiestones to get. I wouldn’t brag about that if I were you."
"Yeah," Beau agrees. "Talk to us when you're mature enough to score arealwoman. Awisewoman. A woman who doesn't think teenage bad-boy behavior is like…” He flicks his head. “So cool.”
Luke rolls his eyes. "Tsk, whatever."
They’re right, though. There’s nothing more exciting than gaining the love and affection of a grown woman like Ashley Chen.
The waiter brings our food to the table, which effectively silences the group of hungry men for a while.
Braxton is the first one to break the silence. "You've been pretty quiet over there tonight, Liam. You holding up all right?"
"Sure, he's all right,” Luke says for me. “Cuz he’s got a hot date lined up the night after tomorrow. Jessica and Nellie." He pops his eyebrows and grins.
I can't explain the dread and disappointment that Luke's reminder triggers in me. When the two of us talked about it over bowling, I felt confident that Ashley would come to her senses and see that she was pushing me away for no reason. Or at least, for no reason thatIcan understand or see.
I figured we'd at least get a chance to talk it out and, if nothing else, end things on a civil note, not as erratically as we did twenty-something years ago.
It sucks because as incredible as Ashley is, there's something in her that holds her back. Something in her that needs to be addressed, healed, fixed, whatever the terminology is. I hate saying that she needs help, but she needs help. And who’s to say that’s such a bad thing anyway? I needed help. I still do. But at least I’m doing the work. And if she thinks I have a whole lot more work to do, then she’ll have to do enough of her own dang work and actuallycommunicatethat to me.
I stare at a condensation ring on the table, contemplating my crummy reality.
So isthiswhat's going to happen? Ashley and I will just never see each other again, and she’ll keep living some stupid dictated life under her ex-husband's authority until some other controlling D-bag comes along?
Why is she pushing away a man who wants to respect her and let her have a voice? Heck, next thing I know, I’ll hear she’s fallen for Luke. He’d be happy to boss her around for the rest of his life.
That is if he could stay with someone for the rest of his life. Heaven help him. Heaven helpme. Heaven help us all.
It comes to my attention that the guys are still talking about this potential date. "Which one of you will be with Jessica, and which one will be with Nellie?" Braxton asks.
Luke shrugs. "I've already had my turn with both of them. Which one do you want?"
I blink as he stares at me from across the table. "Neither."
"Hey now,” Luke says disapprovingly. “A deal’s a deal, brother. You can't back out on me now. You can't turn back into Mr. Hurting Heart."
"I didn't say I'm not going. You asked me which one Iwanted, and I answered honestly. Jessica is not my type, and Nellie…” I shake my head, assuming I don't have to elaborate.
