***
I’m calmer once the plane takes off. Only a bit, though. The pain is there, throbbing like a raw wound. My chest feels hollow. I’m pretty sure Blair ripped my heart out and took it with her.
During the flight, I have time to decode her note, hunting for the reason she chose to leave today.
It doesn’t take long before a disturbing idea pops into my head... something triggered her decision.
It makes sense because she was perfectly happy this morning. All pretty smiles, kisses, and a few breathless orgasms. After worrying for days, she was finally looking forward to the wedding, though obsessing over my brothers’ reaction.
It was cute how nervous she was, rethinking her dress choice twenty times over, keen to make a good impression.
This morning, she woke up happy, saying she’d follow my lead, and believed what I told her:they’ll accept this faster than you think.
I’m not naïve enough to have thought they wouldn’t react. I expected explosive emotions, yelling, probably a right hook from Nico, but I know my family. I know my brothers.
We’ve been through enough over the years. There are seven of us, so life’s never boring, but regardless of what happens, we stick together when it matters. Always loyal, trusting the process, and giving each other the benefit of the doubt.
I knew they’d come around once they realized how much Blair meant to me—how much she still means to me. It would have taken a while, but it would happen.
I pep-talked myself all week to the point where I was actually buzzed about seeing their faces when I’d arrive with Blair on my arm.
That’s why I didn’t tell them who I’m bringing.
Wasbringing...
There is nothing you can do that would make us turn our backs on you.
Nico’s words casually popped into my head ten times a day, making the prospect of showing off my girl less daunting.
They won’t turn on me.
Wouldn’tturn on me if B was still mine.
I’d been expecting surprised looks, annoyance laced with confusion and angry curiosity. They’d find the first opportunity for us all to sit alone. With two bottles of vodka and enough answers, they’d stop growling. And then... they’d either forgive and accept or take time out to mull it over.
What’s most bizarre is that Mia’s reaction worried me least. Again, I had time to imagine every possible scenario, but not one I could conjure ended with anything other than her smile. She loves me. Probably more than my brothers do.
She wants to see me happy. I know she does, so I also know she’d talk through the past with Blair.
Circling back to the point, despite Blair’s initial worries, she was genuinely excited about the wedding and meeting my family. We had sex right before we left for the airport. She told me she loves me more than once today, and nothing else she’s said or done triggered my suspicions.
Nothing hinted something might be wrong.
She’s a good actress, but I don’t think she was playing me. Something happened while I was getting coffee. Whether a realization hit her or something else entirely, her decision was abrupt.
Too fucking abrupt, and now I regret not running after her. I should have. If I’d caught her outside the airport, maybe she’d be the one sitting beside me.
But I wasn’t thinking straight. It didn’t even cross my mind to catch a later flight, or even drive to the venue.
I wish I could skip tonight’s rehearsal dinner and follow Blair to demand an explanation. Help her deal with whatever’s happening.
I can’t because Conor will drop on one knee after dinner, and thanks to catching a later flight, I’m not sure we’ll make it before he asks Vivienne the question.
It was only when my stand-in date turned up, after I waited over an hour and a half at the airport, that shesuggested we catch the next flight and I realized it was an option. By then, it was too late to go after Blair. I’d be risking not making the rehearsal dinner at all.
We’re already set to miss most of it as we’re running three hours behind.
Selfishly, I hope Colt tells Conor I’m running late, and he’ll hold off until I get there because I don’t want to miss the moment. Four of my brothers are already engaged or married. I haven’t witnessed any of them pop the question. I doubt I’ll get to see Colt propose, so this is my only chance to share this with one of my brothers.
