“No, you’re not,” he replied gently. “And that’s okay. I understand you’re sorry for hurting me by breaking my bond, but you did the right thing. I know my actions were hurting Kallie, and I needed a wake-up call, because I wasn’t thinking about her and what she needed. I see now that you didn’t do this to hurt me, but to help her, and I’m glad you did.”
His voice dropped as he added, “Kallie’s much happier now, and I’m getting the help I need, so it’s better for both of us. I know it’ll take time, but I think I’m finally on the right track. Being borderline isn’t easy, but at least I can have terms and an understanding now on what’s going on with me. I have you to thank for that, because if you hadn’t forced me to face reality, I’d still have my head in the sand.”
I still felt pretty guilty. “I care about you. But I understand if you don’t want to talk to me anymore.”
“No. I still need you,” Marcus said abruptly. “I know I’ve been a jackass lately, and you haven’t been great either, but you’re still my best friend.”
My heart stalled in shock. I didn’t think I’d ever hear Marcus say that again. I thought for sure he’d want nothing to do with me after I broke his bond, even though I missed him.
“I need you too, Marcus,” I admitted, choking up. “You’re one of the most important people in my life. I consider you a brother.”
“Wearebrothers,” Marcus said. “If you need anything from me, all you have to do is ask. I really do mean that.”
I paused briefly. “Actually, there is one thing… I’m going to propose to Ava properly, today. You’ve been through everything with us, and I couldn’t get married to her again without you. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here. I was really hoping you could be my best man.”
Marcus sounded confused. “Why would you want to pickmeafter the way I’ve treated you these past couple of weeks?”
“Because I don’t care about all that. You’ve been there for me when I didn’t know who else to turn to. I can’t just forget about how much that meant to me.”
“You want me to be your best man, but I’m not thebest,” Marcus argued.
He might be taking this too literal, but I needed to make him see he was the friend I needed the most.
“Yes, you are,” I said. “You’re the best at making me laugh when I’m down, and the best at accepting people for all their flaws. You’re the best at seeing the world in a way no one else can. You’re the best at listening, and you play the harp like no one’s business.”
“Yeah. That night in the chapel was pretty special, wasn’t it?” he admitted sheepishly.
“You’re the best at aiming spitballs at the back of Professor Jobe’s head— no one could hit him square every time except you. You’re the best at making cat costumes for Rishi. That taco costume was to die for. You’re the best male cheerleader the Institute ever had.”
“I was the only one,” he stated flatly.
I ignored his comment. “You make the best sonnets about my balls.”
“That actually wasn’t a sonnet,” he corrected.
“And…” I said finally. “You’re the best at being my best friend.”
I could hear the smile in his voice. “Fair enough. I am a pretty good friend, aren’t I? But you know what, Charlie? It’s not hard to be a good friend to a guy like you.”
I didn’t think I could have a friend get as close to me as Marty had been, but Marcus blew all my expectations away. I’d never had a friend be there for me like he was. And it was pretty awesome that he was in my life.
Marcus reached out to hug me, and I let him. I even hugged him back. I wasn’t the best at this kind of thing, but I was getting better, and not having Marcus around had affected me more than I wanted to admit. I wanted him to know he was important to me, and I was glad to have him at my side. Because him not being there had been pretty empty.
“Of course I’m going to be your best man,” Marcus said, and he clapped me on the back. “Now go ask Ava to marry you.”
He pulled out of the hug and pushed me playfully back in the direction of the table. I started over there, relieved this whole argument with Marcus was over. I hoped we could all get to a good place again, as a group… but I guess that was up to Kallie.
When I got back to the table, I took Ava’s hand. “We have one more place to go today. Are you ready?”
“Yes. But where are we going?” she asked.
I did my best to keep the grin off my face. “It’s a surprise. Eddie, can you call the car around?”
“Absolutely, master!” Eddie nearly screeched. “After all, next is the main event of the day!”
“The main event?” Ava asked curiously.
“Eddie, shush,” I snapped. He thankfully shut his mouth.
