Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

WOOD

" I 'm just not going to wear a tie." Noah yanks it from around his neck after his fifth attempt at tying it before taking a sip from the flask he brought up to my room.

I chuckle. He glares while handing me the flask. I take a swig, inhaling sharply as the alcohol burns down my throat.

"It's not that hard. I learned how to do it when I was nine."

"I've never been so delighted that I didn't go to the same preppy schools as you did."

I roll my eyes, and he begrudgingly lifts his chin to allow me to fasten his tie for him. When I'm done, I pat his chest. "The black on black really brings out the skull tattoo on your throat, bro."

"Doesn't it, though? Thanks." He goes into the bathroom, and I go to the dresser to grab my cufflinks.

As I put them on, I study myself in the mirror to make sure the look is impeccable. I went with my navy suit because I thought that would look better with the color of Macy's dress. White shirt, black tie, black shoes, the watch my father gave me as a graduation present.

Something white catches my eye in the reflection of the mirror. A piece of paper bent and crammed behind a table clock on the dresser.

I pick it up. It's an envelope with Macy written on it. It's not sealed. In fact, when it was crumpled, it popped the flap open and the folded paper inside is clearly visible.

I shouldn't look. I know that.

It's not for me. I should put it right back where it was.

But my fingers are already slipping inside and pulling out the contents.

It's a singular piece of lined paper, filled almost entirely with small, precise handwriting, addressed to Macy.

From Spencer.

And I already know this was a terrible mistake.

I shouldn't read it.

He starts off by telling her that these past few weeks apart have been torture. That she can't deny they are meant to be together, and he will do whatever it takes to get her back. Even reconsidering his five-year plan to include marriage, if that's what she wants.

Jesus Christ. Even when he's trying he's still an uptight, narcissistic asshat.

Nowhere does he apologize for anything or even say he loves her.

I put it back in the envelope and return it to its, admittedly, terrible hiding place just as Noah reappears.

After another swig each from his flask, Noah tucks it into the back of his belt, and we head down to the ceremony.

There are freaking swans walking around. Swans.

So many flowers and petals, the whole area smells like my grandma. But, like, in a good way?

Three violinists are playing quietly in the background as everyone takes their seats. The place is packed.

The music stops. There's a cough in the crowd. People turn in their seats as the officiant comes to stand at the altar.

Everyone quiets down except for some whispering. And then the music starts back up, louder and more cheerful as Jake and his parents, along with Bex's mother walk down the aisle. The parents take their seats and Jake stands in his gray suit, rubbing his hands together as he shifts on his feet.

He already looks like he's about to burst into tears.

Just like in rehearsal, Margot and Dane walk down first, arm in arm.

"There she is." Noah beams when Livvy turns the corner with Zayne.

He watches her, mesmerized, with a big grin the whole way down. He even waves at her as she passes us, making her smile grow and her cheeks turn bright pink.

I've never been one to get sentimental or emotional at weddings. They've always only been happy occasions. But it hits me—watching how happy and in love my cousin is—that I want that, too. Desperately.

And the only person I want it with is Macy.

And this is my last night with her.

It feels like there's a lump in my throat connected to multiple knots in my gut.

I look back in hopes—and then she's there, like the answer to a silent wish.

She's glowing—from the sunlight in her hair to her luminous smile and bright eyes. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. And while I love everything about her appearance, it's more than that. It's what shines from within. It's the kind of person she is. It's how she makes everyone around her feel.

She's so stunning and radiant, I almost don't notice Spencer walking next to her. Her hand curved around his forearm.

Her gaze locks with mine, just for a second. My heart starts pounding and everything else melts away. I know what I need to do.

I don't know why I didn't consider it before. We're both single adults. There's nothing standing in the way of me shooting my shot. I'm going to do it. Tonight. After the reception. I'm going to ask her if she wants to try and see where this goes after today. Her and me. For real.

The resolution fills me with warmth and hope.

As I watch her walk down the aisle, I've never felt as sure about something or as scared shitless as I am right now.

She could say no. And that'd be it. No chance for us—the answer to the question I've asked myself over and over when I go to bed at night— what if?

But she could say yes. And for some reason, that thought is even scarier.

The music stops. Everyone stands. Jake is wiping tears away with the back of his hand and we all turn to see Bex.

Except there is no Bex.

It's quiet.

There's a cough in the crowd.

People start shifting on their feet.

And then, finally, Bex appears, standing at the head of the aisle.

She looks as beautiful and perfect as a bride should, in her white dress, opulent bouquet, hair done up. Immaculate. Her father is nowhere to be seen, but that's probably for the best.

My eyes sting. Am I tearing up?

But something isn't quite right.

Bex's face, her smile, it's forced. Her eyes are wide as the violins start up again, playing Pachelbel's Canon.

She begins walking down the aisle and it almost feels fine—except her bouquet is shaking. She looks around, a crease between her brows forming as she gets closer to the altar.

Suddenly, she stops, right at the halfway point and her smile melts away.

"Jake—I'm so sorry." Bex drops her bouquet. It falls to her feet, scattering flower petals.

Jake tilts his head, taking a step toward her and holding out a hand.

And then Bex turns and runs the other direction.

The violins stop.

Everyone is silent, frozen for a fraction of a second before all pandemonium breaks loose.

Guests swirl around, there are gasps.

Through a sea of heads and shoulders I can barely see a bearded man in a black suit take Bex's hand, and they flee out of the garden.

I can't get out of my row, blocked by elderly relatives.

Everyone is talking, yelling, circling aimlessly.

The officiant is now alone at the altar, mouth hanging open. Bex's mother is crying in the front row.

Noah and I finally make it out of the tightly packed rows of chairs. He finds Livvy right away. She's out of breath. "Jake, Macy, and Spencer ran after them. I broke a heel. I don't know where they went."

I don't know what is going on with Bex, but I know I need to get to Macy.

I push past the people crowding the exit and run out of the garden. Guests are wandering around, looking just as lost as I feel. I'm sweating in the sun. I rip off my jacket, not even caring where it falls.

The majority of people seem to be making their way back up toward the house. I jog across the lawn, Noah and Livvy behind me, her mother following, wailing about how embarrassing this all is.

When we get up to the house, Jake's grandfather is lighting up a cigar outside.

Inside, we walk through to the foyer. Saundra is arguing with the caterer.

Other guests are trickling in, talking in hushed and not-so-hushed tones about it all. Staff are running around trying to give people free champagne and oysters Rockefeller.

Zayne and Dane are on some sort of livestream.

"I know you've been lying."

I swing my head at the sound of Spencer's sneering. He and Macy are just outside, the front doors hanging ajar.

"Margot told me everything." He's looming over her and she's looking up with pleading eyes and a pained expression. "It was all a lie. Admit it. Coming here, to my family's house, with my rival? You did it to make me mad. To make me jealous. Well, it worked. I want you back. You win."

I walk toward them as she shakes her head. "That's not what any of this was about. I don't want you back."

He rolls his eyes. "You don't have to lie anymore. It's over."

The foyer is filling up with people.

"I'm not—" Her eyes meet mine for a split second.

His gaze follows hers. "I don't have to ask why you agreed to it, Woodall. Taking advantage of the situation just so you could make me listen to you screwing her?—"

I punch him square in the nose. It knocks him onto his back, and as he falls, blood sprays across Macy's dress and his glasses scatter to the ground in pieces next to him.

There's an uproar. Gasps. Shouting.

Macy is on the ground next to Spencer, her hand on his chest.

His mother comes running over, yelling at security.

Before I know it, two men have me by the arms and are forcefully removing me from the house.

Noah tells them to take their hands off me, yanking one of them away. "This isn't necessary. We'll leave." He looks to Livvy who hurries over. Her mother with her arm across her head looks about to faint.

"Mace?" I look to her with a silent question. A plea.

She doesn't move, her hand still over Spencer protectively. "I think you should leave."