Chapter 20 Rodriguez
RODRIGUEZ
Owen’s suite is three floors down from ours. When I knock I can already hear voices and laughter inside.
One of the guys opens the door. “Rodriguez! Get in here, man.”
Owen’s standing by the window looking slightly panicked. “Oh thank god, another groomsman. I was outnumbered.”
“By what?”
“By these idiots trying to get me drunk before noon.”
“That’s literally the point,” one of the guys says, handing Owen a mimosa. “You’re getting married in six hours. You’re supposed to be drunk.”
“I’m supposed to be coherent.”
“You can be both.”
I grab a mimosa because it seems rude not to and pull out my phone to check the time.
Fifty-three unread messages in the Puckaneers group chat.
What the hell.
I open it and scroll to the top.
PUCKANEERS CHAOS
Dex
ALMARDON JUST TOLD US
Brody
RODRIGUEZ IS AT A WEDDING
Luca
In TORONTO
Dex
With the FIGURE SKATER
Brody
The one who’s been rejecting him for MONTHS
Luca
I need details immediately
Anderson
Can someone explain what’s happening
Dex
Rodriguez flew to Toronto for a wedding
Brody
With a girl
Luca
THE girl
Anderson
The one from the rink?
Dex
YES
Brody
Almardon SPILL
I scroll through the other messages. Almardon caved. Told them everything. Of course he did.
Almardon
I didn’t want to tell you guys
But you keep asking where he is
He’s at a wedding in Toronto with Juliette
Her sister’s wedding
He’s FAKE DATING her
Dex
I’M SORRY WHAT
Brody
FAKE DATING???
Luca
This is the best day of my life
More messages keep coming. I scroll to the bottom.
Dex
Rodriguez you better be reading this
Brody
RESPOND IMMEDIATELY
Luca
We need photographic evidence
Dex
Send pics of you in a suit
Brody
Send pics of the girlfriend
Luca
Are you ACTUALLY fake dating or is that code
Anderson
Can someone explain fake dating to me
Dex
It’s when you pretend to date someone but you’re actually into them
Brody
So just dating
Dex
But with more steps
Brody
I thought we taught you how to commit Rodriguez
I shouldn’t find this funny. I should be annoyed. But I’m grinning.
“What’s so funny?” Owen asks.
“My teammates are idiots.”
I type out a response.
You guys are unbelievable
The responses are immediate.
Dex
HE LIVES
Brody
DETAILS NOW
Luca
How’s the fake dating going
Dex
Is it still fake
Brody
Have you kissed her
Luca
Have you done more than kiss her
Anderson
Guys maybe give him some privacy
Dex
Absolutely not
Brody
We need ALL the details
I’m typing a response when Owen calls out, “Okay, Garrett just texted. He’s running late.”
Perfect. A few more minutes without having to deal with him.
The guys start getting ready. Shaving, ironing shirts, debating tie knots. I hang my suit on the bathroom door and button my shirt slowly.
My phone buzzes again.
Almardon
Sorry man. They wouldn’t stop asking.
It’s fine. They were going to find out eventually.
Almardon
How’s it going?
Good. Great actually.
Almardon
That’s suspiciously positive
I told her I’m all in
Almardon
...
And?
She’s getting there. I can tell.
Almardon
You’re insane
Probably
Someone hands me a whiskey. “Here. We’re doing a toast.”
“It’s 10:30 in the morning.”
“It’s a wedding day. Rules don’t apply.”
Fair enough.
We toast to Owen. Then to marriage. Then to love. The whiskey burns going down.
Dex
Almardon why are you in a private chat
Brody
What’s happening in there
Luca
ALMARDON SHARE WITH THE CLASS
Dex
If Rodriguez said something important I’m going to lose it
Brody
Wait what did he say
Luca
ALMARDON
Almardon
I’m not saying anything
Dex
THAT MEANS SOMETHING HAPPENED
Brody
OH MY GOD
Luca
Our boy is all grown up
I pocket my phone because this is getting stupid.
At almost eleven, Garrett arrives. He looks like shit. Red eyes, rumpled clothes, like he didn’t sleep.
“Sorry,” he says, not sounding sorry. “Overslept.”
“No problem,” Owen says. “We’re just getting started. Want a drink?”
“Yeah.”
Garrett grabs a whiskey and drains it in one go. Okay then.
I stay on the edges. Being charming when someone talks to me. Being helpful when someone needs something. Watching Garrett drink steadily by the window.
Dex
Okay but seriously how’s it going
Brody
Yeah we need actual updates
Luca
Are you surviving Canadian weddings
Anderson
Tell them about the rehearsal dinner
Dex
THERE WAS A REHEARSAL DINNER?
Brody
What happened
Nothing happened. Everything’s fine.
Dex
That’s a lie
Brody
What aren’t you telling us
Luca
Did something happen with the ex
How do you know about the ex
Almardon
I may have mentioned that too
ALMARDON
Brody
he told us EVERYTHING
Almardon
They broke me
“Alright, bar time!” Owen announces.
I check my phone one more time before we leave.
Dex
So the ex is at the wedding
Brody
That’s got to be awkward
Luca
Is he the best man
Almardon
Yeah he’s Owen’s BEST FRIEND
Dex
Oh that’s TERRIBLE
Brody
Rodriguez how are you handling this
Luca
Are you okay
Anderson
Give the man some space
Dex
No we need to make sure he’s okay
Brody
Rodriguez check in
I’m fine. Heading to the bar with the groomsmen. Talk later.
I pocket my phone and follow everyone out.
The hotel bar is on the main floor, tucked off the lobby. Our section is in the back with its own tables, separated from the main bar by a half-wall and some plants.
There are already appetizers set up and a bartender dedicated to our group.
I’m on my second beer when my phone buzzes.
Dex
Wait are you drinking already
Brody
It’s 11 AM
Luca
Wedding rules
Dex
Fair
Brody
Send a pic of the bar
Luca
Send a pic of YOU at the bar
Anderson
Are you guys ever not annoying
Dex
No
I take a quick selfie with a beer, the groomsmen in the background, and send it.
Dex
YOU’RE IN A SUIT
Brody
LOOK AT HIM
Luca
Very fancy
Dex
Is the girlfriend there
Brody
We need pics of the girlfriend
Luca
Don’t be creepy
Dex
I’m not being creepy I’m being supportive
She’s getting ready with the bridal party. And no I’m not sending you pics of her.
Brody
Rude
Dex
We just want to see if she’s as pretty as you said
Almardon
She is. I’ve seen her.
Brody
WHEN DID YOU SEE HER
Almardon
Luca
You STALKED her Instagram?
Almardon
Research
Brody
Cap you there? Ask Marnie.
Roman
Marnie confirms. She said Rodriguez did good. Called her “an absolute smoke show”
Brody
SMOKE SHOW
Dex
RODRIGUEZ. How did you manage that my man.
I’m grinning at my phone when someone starts another story.
Garrett’s been quiet this whole time. Just drinking. He’s on his fourth whiskey. Maybe fifth. The ice keeps rattling in his glass.
“Garrett, you good?” Owen asks.
“Fine.”
“You sure?”
“I said I’m fine.”
Dex
Okay but real talk
How are you ACTUALLY doing
Brody
Yeah we’re joking around but
Luca
Are you okay being there with her ex
Anderson
That can’t be easy
I’m good. Really. It’s been great.
Almardon
Even with the ex there?
Even with that.
Dex
Okay but if you need us to fly to Toronto and kick his ass
Brody
We absolutely will
Anderson
We’ve got your back
Thanks guys. I’m good. Promise.
“So Rodriguez.” Garrett’s voice cuts through the noise. “How long have you and Jules been together?”
The table goes quiet.
I pocket my phone slowly. “A while.”
“A while. That’s specific.” He takes another drink. “You know, it’s funny. Jules and I were together for three years and she never looked at me the way she looks at you.”
“Garrett—” Owen starts.
“No, it’s fine. I’m just making an observation.” He’s looking right at me now. “She was always so serious with me. So focused on her skating, her plans. But with you? She’s different.”
“Maybe that’s because I’m not you,” I say.
Someone makes a sound that might be a laugh.
Garrett’s face hardens. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means maybe she’s different because she’s with someone who actually appreciates her.”
“I appreciated her.”
“Did you? Because you cheated on her and got engaged to someone else right after breaking up. That doesn’t sound like appreciation.”
“You don’t know anything about our relationship.”
“I know enough.”
“You know what she tells you. Her version. The one where she’s perfect and I’m the villain.
” He’s getting louder. “But you weren’t there.
You didn’t see how she was. Always putting skating first, always too tired, always stressed.
Do you know how hard it is to be with someone who cares more about ice than they do about you? ”
My hands curl into fists. “That’s not—”
“It’s true. And you’re going to figure it out soon enough. Once the novelty wears off and you realize she’s never going to put you first.”
“Stop while you’re ahead, man.”
“What?”
“I said shut the fuck up.” I stand and my chair scrapes back. “You don’t get to talk about her like that.”
“I’m telling you the truth.” He stands too, swaying slightly. “She’s cold. She’s—”
“She’s perfect.” The words come out hard. “She’s perfect exactly as she is. And if you were too fucking stupid to see that, that’s your problem.”
Garrett laughs. “Oh, she’s really done a number on you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Because she’s going to break your heart. That’s what she does. She lets you think you’re special and then one day you realize you’re just in the way.”
I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket but I ignore it.
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I? How long have you been together? A month? Two?” He’s grinning now, drunk and mean. “It’s been like three weeks, hasn’t it? You flew across the country for her. You caught feelings. And now you’re standing here defending her like you actually know her.”
People at the main bar are looking over now.
“I do know her.”
“You know what she shows you. The version she performs.” He takes a step closer. “But you haven’t seen the real her yet.”
My phone’s going crazy. Probably the team checking in, possibly even Juliette who got my last ominous text about Garrett before I had to focus on this shit. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid. But Garrett’s still talking.
“She’s texting you, isn’t she?” Garrett sees my phone lighting up through my pocket. “She always needs constant reassurance. Always needs to know where you are. It’s exhausting. Good luck with that. Because she’s just using you to make me jealous anyway. Once this wedding is over—”
I don’t remember deciding to move.
One second I’m standing there. The next I’ve grabbed Garrett by his shirt and shoved him backward.
He stumbles, catches himself on a table. Glasses rattle.
“Say one more word about her,” I say quietly. “One more fucking word.”
“Or what?” He pushes off the table, gets in my face. “You going to hit me?”
I pull back and swing.
My fist connects with his face. There’s a crunch and then blood. Pain explodes across my knuckles, sharp and immediate, but the satisfaction of finally shutting him up makes it worth it.
He gets me back, catches me in the jaw, and my head snaps to the side.
Then we’re on the ground. I get another hit in before he lands one on my ribs.
Someone’s yelling. The bartender, other guests, the sounds blur together.
“Stop! Both of you!”
Hands pull me off. Two of the groomsmen dragging me backward. Owen’s trying to get Garrett up, talking fast.
“What the fuck!” Owen is yelling. “What the fuck!”
I’m breathing hard. My hand is throbbing. There’s blood on my shirt, his or mine, I don’t know.
Hotel security appears. Two guys in suits.
“What’s going on here?”
“Nothing,” Owen tries. “Just a misunderstanding—”
“Sir, we have witnesses. Someone called us.” The security guard looks at me and Garrett. “You two. Come with us.”
“It’s my friend’s wedding,” Garrett says, blood running from his nose. “I can’t—”
“Should have thought of that before.”
They separate us. One guard takes Garrett. The other takes me.
“Wait here.”
I sit in a chair in the lobby. People are staring.
I pull my phone out with my good hand. My right hand is swelling already, knuckles split and bleeding.
Thirty-two new messages in the group chat.
And three texts from Juliette that make my stomach drop.
Juliette
Rodriguez?
Everything okay?
Rodriguez seriously are you okay?
Before I can respond, the security guard comes back. “We have to call the police. It’s hotel policy. They’ll want statements from both of you.”
They make us wait in separate corners of the lobby for what feels like forever but is probably only ten minutes before the cops show up.
My head is pounding. My ribs hurt with every breath. My knuckles are bleeding onto my pants.
I ruined everything. Got in a fight on her sister’s wedding day because I couldn’t control myself.
There’s no way I can explain this to her over text right now.
The cop pulls out a notepad and clicks his pen.
“Alright. Let’s start with your name.”