16. Blair
16
Blair
I know I didn’t just make that up in my head. Ford had wanted to kiss me, and if Miles hadn’t walked out at that exact moment, it probably would’ve happened. The opportunity was right there. All I had to do was lean in half an inch closer, and our lips would’ve connected.
The worst and most embarrassing part is, I’d wanted it to happen. Unfortunately, given our shared history, it’s impossible for us to simply have a few random kisses or a casual hookup and expect things to return to normal. Then again, what even is normal when it comes to us? If I thought I was confused back then, it’s a thousand times more confusing now.
I’d avoided things happening between us for so long because of the possibility of jeopardizing our friendship, but I’m no longer sure what exactly I’m trying to preserve anymore. Sure, we’re slowly finding our footing once again, and I’m not completely oblivious—I get that the feelings are mutual, especially since I’ve come to realize that my own feelings never went away. It’s no longer possible to lie to myself about it anymore, but seriously, what kind of future could we realistically have?
It’s not like we can avoid the elephant in the room either. Ford is going through a divorce, and even if he wants to play it off like he’s ready to move on, how can I believe he’s truly ready? I know Ford well enough to understand I wouldn’t be some random rebound to get him through the initial pain, but there’s no denying this would be a little fast, even with our shared history.
It doesn’t help that I already know how everyone in town would see it—I’d once again be the villain in this particular story. The preconceived judgments were easy enough to blow off in high school, and mostly, I didn’t mind taking the heat, but now that we’re grown adults and Ford’s reputation as a well-liked and respected teacher is on the line, I’m no longer comfortable bringing him down with me. I refuse to do that to him.
Fortunately, I managed to persuade Miles to join us tonight, intentionally placing him between Ford and me as we sat at the table. I can’t say Ford seems to be the biggest fan of this arrangement; he was not only silent on the drive over, but he’s currently sitting up straight with his arms folded. There’s always been something about my brother that puts him on edge. While I usually find it mildly amusing, it’s hard not to feel at least a little bit guilty about it.
I deserve to feel bad, and I truly do, but what I really need right now is space. Even the slightest touch sends electric sparks through my body, making it increasingly difficult to keep my thoughts in check whenever he’s around. He’s my friend, or at least I think he is, and I’m determined to keep it that way.
“Okay, team, we need to pick it up. Second place is not an option,” Ronnie motivates with a loud clap. She’s always been the most competitive among us, so honestly, I’m not the least bit surprised.
“Come on now,” Ford says, trying to be the voice of reason. “We’re not doing too bad. We’re only two points behind.”
“And whose fault is that?” she asks, casting a few accusatory glances our way before fixing her gaze on me.
“Ugh, I’m sorry,” I pout, since I was the one who answered our last question incorrectly. Unfortunately, my wrong answer allowed the team in first to gain an extra two points, solidifying their lead.
“In Blair’s defense, none of us knew the answer either,” Ford chimes in, and I toss him a grateful glance.
“Well, then next time, if you aren’t sure, don’t ring the bell,” Ronnie suggests, once again shooting a playful glare in my direction.
“Alright, I think it’s time you rein it in. It’s just a game, and you’re starting to sound a little desperate, and it’s getting embarrassing,” Pete warns his fiancé as he places a hand on her arm and pulls her back into her seat. “People are looking.”
“It’s fine, Pete. We know Ronnie. This is just who she is,” I say, doing my best to wave it all off with a laugh, even if I don’t actually find his reaction all that funny. In fact, if anyone is embarrassing themselves, it’s him.
“Well, it’s a little much, don’t you think, babe?” he asks, turning his attention to his fiancé, clearly trying to get her on his side with this one.
“Maybe a little,” she agrees, glancing down at the table like a child who’s just been scolded by a parent. “I’ll try to relax a little. Like you said, it’s just a game.”
“A game we’re going to win. I’m with Veronica. We got this,” Miles chimes in out of nowhere as he sets his beer down on the table.
Not only has my brother been sitting back without answering a single question, but he’s barely said more than a few words the entire night. Looks like Ford and I aren’t the only ones annoyed with Pete’s constant badgering.
Given my brother’s usual aversion to Ronnie, I’m somewhat taken aback, yet it oddly makes perfect sense. As Bennetts, we’ve had our fair share of being told what we should or shouldn’t be, and even he can only take so much of someone doing that to someone else, even if that someone else happens to be Veronica Prescott.
“Alright, who’s ready for the next question?” the announcer asks into the microphone from their spot behind the bar.
While most of the bar patrons erupt into whistles, cheers, and applause, Ronnie seems to have taken Pete’s words to heart. Instead of being one of the loudest, she sits back and softly claps along.
“Alright, here is our next question: For two points, and like usual, the first team to ring in gets the chance to answer. What Italian luxury sports car manufacturer produces the models Gallardo, Huracán, and Aventador?”
Without hesitation, and almost as soon as the man finishes the question, Miles slams his hand down and rings our team’s bell.
Without waiting to be called on, he answers. “Lamborghini.”
“That’s correct,” the bartender says. “Two points for Team Bridal Brainiacs.”
Our team immediately breaks out into applause as I slap my hand on Miles’ back. “Wow, look at you coming in clutch. I knew we brought you for a reason.”
“Well, it was about cars, and they’re kind of my specialty.” He casually shrugs before grabbing his beer and lifting it to his lips.
“Okay, maybe we really do got this!” I clap this time, figuring if Pete won’t let Ronnie act that way, I’ll have to fill in for her. “We’re all tied up.”
Unfortunately, as the game continues and the last questions are asked, it’s clear Ronnie hasn’t returned to her usual bubbly self. Her lack of enthusiasm doesn’t hinder us, though; in fact, it motivates the rest of us to bring even more energy and win the entire trivia night challenge, if only to prove a point.
Ford reaches behind Miles as we exchange a triumphant high-five, and despite everything—not to mention this not being my brother’s usual scene—even he can’t help but sport a proud grin.
Thankfully, Ronnie seems to be returning to her normal self as we rise from our seats and share a hug. Maybe we can salvage some of the night, and my girl can finally have some fun. If anything, given the stress Pete’s family put us through yesterday, this is more than needed. Hell, she deserves to let loose and be exactly who she is and wants to be.
“I think this deserves another round of drinks and maybe some more wings,” I decide, figuring a celebration is more than warranted after the hard work we all put in—including Miles.
While I’m sure my brother would be happiest if we all went our separate ways and he made his way back home, I can’t help but want to savor this moment and extend the night a little longer, especially as I watch Ronnie transform back into the woman I know and love. Plus, even with the lingering tension between Ford and me, I want to savor this rare opportunity to be with all my favorite people for as long as possible.
“Oh, and you know what else?” Ronnie chimes in, her face lighting up with that gorgeous smile of hers. “We should get some of those mini powdered donut things that you dip in the chocolate.”
I nod vigorously, my mouth already watering. “Hell yeah we should.”
“Are you sure about that, babe?” Pete’s grating voice interrupts, causing my lips to press into a straight line as my hands ball into fists at my sides. I have a sinking feeling I know exactly where this is going, and the irrational urge to slam his face into the table grows by the second.
“Am I sure about what?” Ronnie asks, turning to look back at her fiancé over her shoulder, the tension between them palpable as the rest of us observe in silence, our expressions reflecting a shared sense of annoyance and frustration.
“Oh, come on, you know.” He shrugs with a small laugh, as if this is the most hilarious conversation ever.
“Know what?” I press, fighting every instinct in my body to take a step toward him.
“We all know the stress of wedding planning has been a lot, so it’s no surprise you’ve put on a few pounds these past few months, and I know you’ve been stressed about fitting into your wedding dress so…”
“I saw her in her wedding dress at her fitting the other day and she looked perfect,” I snap. I couldn’t honestly care less about how much my friend does or doesn’t weigh, especially since she’d be able to rock it at any body size, but to have him comment this in front of a group of people, when she looks as stunning as she does, is a fucking joke—and not a funny one.
“I hope you aren’t serious,” Miles cuts in, stunning all of us. “Your fiancé is literally one of the hottest women in this bar right now, and you’re worried about her eating some fucking donuts? You need to get a grip on reality, and fast. In fact, the next round of drinks, wings, and donuts is on me, and you better not say one fucking word to anyone about what they are or aren’t eating.”
Clearly unwilling to engage in further discussion, he abruptly pushes off his stool, the screeching sound of metal against the floor echoing before he heads to the bar to place our order, leaving us all in stunned silence.
“I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” Ronnie finally says, her voice quivering.
“I’ll go with you,” I say, moving to stand as well.
She shakes her head and gestures for me to sit. “I’ll be fine,” she assures me. While I don’t completely believe her, I nod in agreement, reaching out to give her hand a gentle squeeze as she walks away, reluctantly letting go only when our hands must finally separate.
“I’ll be back,” Pete says. While I’m tempted to tell him to go fuck himself and leave her alone, I decide not to insert myself into this one as he makes his way toward the bathroom as well. Plus, he owes her an apology, and that fucker better be on his way to give her one.
“Did I just make a mistake by not following?” I ask, my brows creasing in concern.
“No, I think it’s probably best that they hash this out without an audience,” Ford decides. “I can’t imagine it was all that fun to have Pete talk to her like that in front of her best friends.”
“That’s the problem, though,” I cut in. “If this is how he talks to her in front of her best friends, I don’t even want to imagine the way he talks to her when it’s just the two of them.”
“I’ve wondered and worried about the same thing,” he admits with a sigh.
“So what do we do?”
“What can we do? Are we supposed to tell her that we don’t think she should go through with the wedding? I’m not sure if you remember, but I don’t think that one worked out all that well for you the last time you tried it,” he says, with a teasing undertone.
I shoot him a look, especially since now is not the time. “In my defense, last time was different. I had completely different motives for not wanting that wedding to happen.”
“Well, who knows, maybe she’d actually be smart and listen to you. We both know I should have,” he admits, letting out a large exhale, the full gravity and seriousness of this situation seeming to consume both of us.
“Can we be serious for a minute, though?” I ask. While I get where he’s coming from, I also feel like this is an important conversation to have. “I was being selfish when I asked you not to marry Jenny, but with Ronnie and Pete, it just feels wrong. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. He’s not the guy she’s supposed to marry. He’s just so…icky.”
“Icky?” Miles asks as he plops himself back down between Ford and me.
I try not to panic about what he might’ve overheard, especially since I’ve never opened up to him about my little love confession when Ford got married. Fortunately, he seems to move past that part.
“Yes, icky,” I huff, sitting up straighter and sticking by my word choice.
“When it comes to that dipshit, I think it deserves something a little stronger than ‘icky.’ Seriously, that guy is the biggest narcissistic asshole I’ve ever met in my entire life. What the hell is Veronica thinking?”
“Well, in her defense, you can’t always help who you fall in love with,” Ford says, coming to our friend’s defense as our eyes meet. A peculiar warmth snakes through my body, but when he glances at my brother, I realize he’s not referring to me; he’s likely recalling the memory of falling for Jenny. “I also have to believe that he isn’t always this bad. She couldn’t be that na?ve, right?”
“I would hope so,” I sigh, dreading the idea of him getting even worse over time.
“Hey guys,” Ronnie’s cheery voice greets us just as the drinks and food are brought over to our table by our server. “Sorry about all that,” she further apologizes.
There are red bags under her eyes that suggest she’s been crying, and even though it does look like she’s reapplied her makeup, I can’t help but worry that she’s only putting on a brave facade for our sake.
“No problem,” Ford says,reverting to his usual people-pleaser self as he brushes it off, as everyone busies themselves with getting their fill of food and drinks.
“You okay?” I mouth, trying not to focus on the way that Pete has wrapped his grimy little arm around her shoulder. While I should be happy that things seem fine, I personally want him to be as far away from my best friend as possible.
She nods her head and does her best to send me an encouraging smile, but as her best friend, I can see right through it. However, I also know her well enough to know that now isn’t the time to push. So much for a fun, celebratory night out with my favorite people.