Don’t Mind If “I Do” by Everly Ashton

Thirty-One

Almost ten years ago…

Mazzy

“Maybe you should slowdown on the alcohol.”

I look at Ava, though my vision is a bit blurry. “You’re one to talk.”

“I just mean because your mom keeps glancing over.”

I shrug. “I don’t care. I lost the love of my life two days ago and she still forced me to be here tonight, so whatever.” To punctuate my point, I take another large slug of my wine.

Ava’s eyes shine with pity. If she were anyone else, I’d want to deck her, but she’s been there for me ever since Nick showed up at my apartment and called an end to something we hadn’t even started. She’s nursed me through my heartbreak with copious amounts of ice cream, wine, and reality TV the last two days. She even agreed to be my date tonight since Nick was supposed to be on my arm at this particular charity function.

It hurts to even think his name. How in the hell can he believe that what he’s doing is right? There’s nothing right about this.

But, oh no. He’s doing this for my own good.

Jesus, the nerve of him to think he knows better than me what’s best for my life. Did he even think of the pain he’s causing by pulling the rug out from under me?

My fingers clench around my wine glass as I bring it to my lips. I’m so angry with him I could spit. My rage is like lava seeping through my veins, and I want nothing more than to make him feel the same kind of pain I do.

“Evening, everyone.”

The male voice draws my attention from my thoughts. I look to see Nick’s pompous younger brother—who’s the same age as me—has approached my family’s table. I’ve never really gotten along with him, partly based on the fact that he and Nick have never gotten along, to put it mildly.

A seed of an idea sprouts in my brain.

“Maz, what are you doing?” Ava asks as though she can read my thoughts, but I ignore her and walk over to Keith.

“Keith, care to take me for a spin around the dance floor?” I ask, not waiting for him to answer. Instead I grip his hand and drag him after me. His hand in mine feels wrong, but I don’t pull away, thinking of how much Nick would hate this if he saw it.

We reach the dance floor and Keith pulls me into his body, wrapping his arms around me. “You look ravishing as always.”

“Thank you.”

We turn in time to the slow song. Though I don’t like this man—even as a friend—I don’t care. Doing something I know would piss Nick off feels good. Even if he’s not here to witness it.

“I must say I’m surprised you want to dance. You’re usually hanging off a different Ryan.”

I clench my teeth. “I don’t want to talk about your brother.”

He chuckles. “Has that man still not got his head out of his ass and snatched you up yet?”

Keith’s knowing tone pisses me off even more. Nick’s made me look like an idiot. Does everyone know he’s kept me on the sidelines, just waiting until the day he feels like calling me into play?

“Your brother is an idiot.”

“Whatever he’s done, it’s clearly pissed you off.” He tugs me into him. “You know what would really get under his skin?”

“What?” I lean back to see his face better.

His lips fall to mine and… Keith is kissing me, his tongue seeking entry into my mouth. I press my lips shut, not allowing him in at first, but I lose the fight. Nick’s already blown up our relationship. Why shouldn’t I seal our fate?

* * *

Nick

I’m the world’s biggest dumbass.

What the fuck was I thinking?

I wasn’t thinking is the correct answer. It’d been thirty-six hours since I slept and everything about Mazzy and me felt like too much. But now after a good night’s rest, I’ve gained some perspective, and I realize how wrong I was. All I can hope is that she’ll forgive me.

I’ll have to do whatever I can to make it up for her. And I know how I’m going to start.

My mother called earlier today, asking whether I’d be at the fundraising gala tonight. My parents have a table there every year, and Mazzy’s do as well. She and I had planned to go together, though I’m sure she’s not expecting me now.

What better way to show her that I’ll endure functions like this if it means being with her than to show up tonight and surprise her?

I pull my tuxedo from the closet and put it on. It pains me to think that this is probably how she felt the night we were supposed to be together and I didn’t show up.

No matter, we can figure it out. I need to find her and give her a declaration of my love, but this time, I’ll also say how much I’m committed to being with her.

How did I ever think I could deal with watching her marry someone else? It’s always been Mazzy for me. I didn’t know when the moment would be right for us, but the time is now.

I call a car to pick me up, and an hour later, I’m walking into the ballroom after a short argument with the organizer at the door since I didn’t have a ticket. Once I showed my ID, he let me, realizing my family had purchased an entire table.

I spot Ava, Mazzy’s best friend, near the bar. I guess I’m not surprised Mazzy brought her tonight. Mazzy probably expected me to be on her arm this evening.

I have so much to make up for.

I don’t spot Mazzy anywhere, so I make my way over to Ava. “Where’s your date?”

I must startle her because Ava whips around and her eyes widen. Then they narrow. “What makes you think she’d want to see you?”

With a sigh she can’t hear over the orchestra, I push my hand through my hair. “I fucked up. I know. I’m here to make it up to her and beg her forgiveness.”

Her bodyguard expression falls, but I don’t understand why. “Why don’t you wait out in the hall and I’ll grab her and send her your way? There’s so many people in here, I don’t want you to miss her.”

Something’s… off.

My head tilts. “Look, if you don’t think I should get another chance, I understand, but you really should leave that up to Maz.” I scan the crowd.

“No, it’s not that.” Ava tugs on my arm and I look down at her hand in confusion.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Nothing.” But she’s full of shit.

I yank my arm out of her hold and make my way through the crowd, scanning faces. I gaze out over the dance floor, and my body seizes when I finally find her.

In the arms of my brother—my greatest nemesis.

And not just in his arms. Kissing him.

Bile rushes up my throat and I swallow it back down. I spin around as Ava pushes past me and out onto the dance floor. I ignore any of the annoyed glares I get for pushing my way through people.

I have to get out of here. My chest feels as if it’s been carved out and what’s left of my heart is being pressed under my brother’s shoe out on the dance floor.

I push through the gilded double doors onto the street and suck in some fresh air. But only for a moment. I’m a few steps into hailing a cab when I hear my name shouted behind me. I turn to find Mazzy with tears running down her cheeks and fear in her eyes. It’s all I can do not to shake her and ask her what the hell she was thinking. How could she do this to me?

“Maybe I should turn back around so you can pull the knife from my back,” I growl.

Her face crumples. “He kissed me.”

What a lame fucking excuse. “You sure looked pretty into him to me.”

“I’m not, I swear.” She steps into me and clutches my forearms. “I’m just so angry at you. You hurt me so much the other night…”

I narrow my eyes. “You admit you did it to hurt me then?”

She waits a beat but nods.

“You threw yourself at the one person in the world you know would hurt me the most. Even after what happened the other night… it’s me, Maz. How could you want to do that to me?”

Her mouth opens and closes a few times before any words come out. “I don’t know. I was just so mad and hurt.”

I shake my head in disgust. “You two deserve each other.”

I turn back around to hail a cab until I hear my brother’s voice.

“Trouble in paradise?” He chuckles. “What’s wrong? Surely we can work this out like adults, right, Maz?”

I want to throw up hearing him use her nickname. It indicates a level of familiarity with her. And even though I know he doesn’t really know her, fury boils my blood.

“Shut up, Keith,” Mazzy says.

“I’m leaving,” I say, turning toward them.

“Aw, what’s wrong, bro? No need to get upset because she finally figured out who the better brother was.” He puts his arm around Mazzy and pulls her into his side.

She pushes away from him.

I cock my fist back and nail him in the jaw. Keith falls back, sprawled out on the cement.

I whirl and point at Mazzy, whose hands are over her mouth. “Don’t call me. I never want to speak to you again.”

I stalk away, headed who knows where.

Of course, Mazzy does call me and show up at my place too many times to count. But I don’t answer, and I don’t open door.

I already let her do her worst to me. I’d be a fool to let it happen again.