I feel like an asshole.
“See you later,” she says.
“I can’t wait.”
Yet another lie comes tumbling out.
She heads inside, and I pull away from the curb and let out a long breath through my nose, then groan, low and rough, the kind of sound that comes from somewhere deeper than my chest.
I’m the biggest asshole on this island.
I call Flint on my hands-free as I pull away.
“What’s up? Is everything okay? Is Ridge alright? I just got to my apartment not so long ago.”
“I know. Everything is on track. How was your flight?” I ask.
“Quick and uneventful. You sound…uptight.”
“I do not,” I growl.
“What’s up?”
“Why does something have to be up? Why can’t I just call to check in on you?”
“What are we? Five? You sure as shit do not need to check in with me. What is going on?” He knows me far too well.
“I need a favor.”
He chuckles. “What do you need?”
“Please can you fetch Brook from the Seaview Hotel on your way to the chapel later?”
“Why can’t you fetch her?” he asks.
“I need to help Ridge get ready for his big day and drive him to the church,” I tell Flint, who starts laughing.
“What?” I ask, feeling annoyed.
“You’re kidding me, right?Youneed to helpRidgeget ready?”
“Yes.”
He laughs some more. “Bullshit! We agreed to meet at the chapel at two-thirty; since when did things change? I would understand you giving him a ride, but helping him get ready? Not a chance. What the fuck is going on? You’d better be straight with me, or I’m not fetching Brook. Actually, what am I saying? I’m not fetching her. She’syourdate, Magma.”
“She kissed me.”
“You poor thing.”
“She invited me up to her hotel room,” I tell him, wincing at how I sound.
He laughs some more.
“Look, forget I called you.”
“Wait!” he says.
“No. Fuck you!” I snarl.
