Page 69 of Unraveled

I settled into the chair and was taking out my phone to keep myself busy when someone spoke.

“Hello there.”

I glanced up to see none other than Kellan’s cousin Brandon. “Hello.”

“I’m Brandon. Brother of the bride.”

“I’m Layla. Kellan’s—” I paused and then went for it. “—girlfriend.” The word felt good to say. It felt even better to think about telling him I was ready for it.

“I saw you two earlier on the dance floor. It’s really good to see him so happy.”

Every word rang true and sincere, making me relax my guard. “And I’m a happy girl with him.”

He put his hands in the pockets of his tux and rocked back on his heels. “We used to be close.”

“I know. He told me.” I held his gaze, watching him deflate as he realized I knew the sordid history.

“I’ve apologized a thousand times. This many years later, he still won’t talk to me.”

“Why did you do it?” I didn’t ask with malice or anger, but with a healthy dose of simple curiosity. Honestly, it was a question I often wondered about regarding Chad. What drove someone to cheat?

“You’d think after all this time I’d have a better answer. The truth is I don’t even know. See, I was asleep on the couch. My girlfriend had broken up with me the night before, so I’d drunk a decent amount of whiskey. I woke with Carly on top of me. I wasn’t clear-headed enough to realize what was happening until it was too late. It’s a lame excuse, but I sincerely didn’t act intentionally. And I certainly had nothing to do with her afterward. I hate her about as much as he does for what she did to our friendship and to our future plans. Anyhow, I’m sorry to dump that history on you.” He flashed a sheepish smile. “I promise it wasn’t my intent when I came up to say hello.”

“I’m the one who asked. Your sister’s wedding was lovely.”

He seemed to appreciate the switch of topic. “It was. It’s nice to see them so happy. Hard to believe they’ve been together since high school.”

“Wow, that’s a long time.”

“It is. They went to the same college—” He was cut off by the sound of Kellan’s voice.

“What the hell are you doing?” Angry didn’t even begin to describe how Kellan looked as he strolled up, clearly addressing the question to Brandon.

His cousin immediately flushed. “I was talking to Layla about the wedding.” He threw me a pleading look, probably knowing if I mentioned we’d been talking about his ex, Kellan would absolutely lose it.

Judging by the way he was clenching his fist, I didn’t doubt it. I’d never seen him like this.

“Brandon was saying how Becky and John were high school sweethearts,” I interjected.

He appeared to relax slightly, but his anger wasn’t completely dissipated. “You don’t look at Layla or ever talk to her,” he told his cousin.

I was absolutely stunned to see this side of Kellan. He was acting completely unreasonable. I stood up. “There was no harm in him speaking with me. Especially at a family wedding.” In case he’d forgot where we were.

He finally focused on me, his face pained. “The harm is that you had to spare him a minute when you’re fighting for your life. You shouldn’t have to go through chemo to fight cancer and then waste your time talking with him.”

I sucked in a harsh breath that he’d outed such personal details.

Meanwhile, Brandon blanched. Mission accomplished. Brandon immediately apologized to me. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

Despite my anger, my voice was flat. “Of course you didn’t. It was by design that I didn’t want people knowing. Nice meeting you, Brandon. Take care.”

I turned to Kellan. “I’m ready to go now. Will it be with you or in a cab?”

The fact I was dead serious about leaving without him seemed to snap him out of his angry haze.

But I was so irritated I didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, I started walking toward the entrance, completely embarrassed.

He caught up to me in the parking lot. “Wait. Layla. I’m sorry. He was being a jerk.”