They look happy and as if I’m not already the worst fucking friend in the world, I’m hit with a wave of jealousy too.
“You removed my access to your place?” Is the first thing Caiden says when he sees me.
I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, I removed everyone.”
He narrows his eyes, but doesn’t say anything. Jamie and Caiden follow me into the lounge.
“Did we have plans today?” I ask, trying for nonchalant but failing miserably as my voice wobbles.
“No. But you haven’t answered my calls or texts in a few days. I was worried.”
“Sorry.” I wring my hands in front of me. “I’ve been busy.”
It’s Jamie who speaks next.
“Are you moving?” I follow the line of his sight to the boxes piled against the wall.
Blowing out a breath, I spin on my heels until I’m facing both of them.
Tears burn at the backs of my eyes and I blink them away.
“Yes.”
“But you love this place,” Caiden replies.
I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to lie to their faces. It was somewhat easier to lie to my best friend over the phone. Now he’s looking at me with gentle blue questioning eyes and I know I can’t do it.
“I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to not ask any questions, okay?”
Concern crosses Caiden’s features and he takes a step closer to me.
“What’s wrong? And don’t say you’re fine ‘cause I can see you’re not.” Digging in my back pocket, I pull out one of the crumpled invitations and hand it over to him. His eyes widen and he looks up at me, concern replaced with confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m getting married.”
Caiden hands the invitation to Jamie and he gives me an equally confused look.
“I can see that,” Caiden says. “But who is Floyd, and why? Look, I know you said you and Oliver were only hooking up, but I never believed you, and now this? What the fuck is going on?”
The mention of Oliver has my heart squeezing to the point I need to rub at the physical burn in my chest.
“I can’t tell you. Please, babe, please just accept it.”
“Darius, this is ridiculous! And no, I won’t fucking accept it.”
“Caiden,” Jamie says, his hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder. He looks between the two of us.
“No! I’m sorry, but you’re telling me you’re marrying some guy I’ve never heard you mention before and you want me to accept it? Not ask questions?”
The tears I’d been holding back escape, and I brush them away hurriedly with the back of my hand.
Caiden is pulling me into a hug within seconds and I lose the battle, the tears falling harder and faster than I can bat them away.
“Remember what a pain you were when I was all in my feelings about Jamie? You listened to me and were the best mate I could have asked for. Let me be the same for you. Talk to me, D.”
“I love him,” I cry, burying my head into Caiden’s black hoodie.
“This Floyd guy?”
