Page 136 of Slapshot Bride

Every word I have in me dies in my throat because there’s nothing to say to that.

“She got out of six years relationship with a bastard, Easton. She’s not ready for another. She’s ready to figure out who she is, and she can’t do that in the same house with you…” He stops. “She doesn’t belong in your world. She’ll never fit. She’s not cut out for you, f-for…”

My jaw aches. His words sting.

“And I know you think you love her, but you don’t. Easton, you’re not ready. First, you keep her under your roof. The proximity makes people feel things. And she’s in a fragile place. These feelings are normal. But then you continue to hide the Maya situation from her. That’s not the kind of scandal she wants to face right now. Not while still trying to cleanly get away from Preston. You know I’m right, Easton.”

“Mason, I promise it’s not like that. I…”

But he cuts me off again.

“I don’t want to hear it, Easton.” His voice is cold, and I know he’s made his final decision. But his next words gut me. “If you’re truly my friend and you value this friendship, you’ll let her go. End it. Never speak to her again, let her heal and fully pursue the life she deserves, on her own terms.”

The words are at the tip of my tongue. The love confession.

I love her. It’s not the same. It’s never been the same, not for one hour of it.

But I can’t say it. He’s made his final decision.

The silence stretches. I can’t find the words to say what he wants. But I know he’s waiting for an answer.

And as if the universe is punishing me for my old sins, my eyes suddenly land on her.

Riley, at the foot of the stairs, hair a beautiful mess, a yawn escaping her lips, and sleepy eyes staring at me.

“Say something,” Mason urges.

“E-Easton…” Riley calls, moving towards me.

Lord. I’m in trouble, and I know it.

I can’t push her away. And I can’t speak to her like I want. Not now. Not when Mason is on the call, waiting for a response.

“What do you want me to say?” I ask weakly, lowering myself onto the couch to avoid losing my balance.

“She’s there.” It’s not a question. He knows. He heard her voice. I don’t respond.

“Tell me that you’ll end it.” His voice hardens. “The fake thing. The arrangement. Whatever the two of you are calling it this week. End it, and let her stand on her own…”

Riley moves closer and stares down at me. There’s a small frown on her face. I place a finger on my lips to signal to her to stay quiet. Her frown deepens, but she says nothing.

“It’s for the best, man. You’re my best friend, but not at the expense of my sister. End it.”

I close my eyes.

“Okay.”

He’s quiet for a long moment.

“I’m not the bad guy here, Easton. I love you both, but this is for the best.”

He hangs up.

I drop the phone, and Riley finally speaks.

“W-who’s that?” For the first time since I’ve been with this woman, I see the doubt in her eyes.

She didn’t have this look when she told Mason it was fake. But now… now she looks at me like she’s one thread away from unraveling. From breaking down, and I can’t help it.