She’s smiling. But it’s pained.
The tears she keeps wiping away aren’t for this love.
They’re for the love she just found—and can’t keep.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
The pastor’s words snap me back to my own body, just in time to feel my chest cave in. My heart nearly combusts as I watch my father kiss the new Mrs. Dawson.
Emily doesn’t look my way. Not once.
We take an obnoxious amount of family pictures by the beach. Her hand grazes mine only once, briefly, and it’s cold. Empty.
After our parents finish their “first dance,” I retreat to the balcony with a bottle of vodka.
“Hey, man.” Matt steps out to join me. “You do know your parole officer is here, right?”
“I’m highly aware of that.”
“You don’t think he’ll try to give you a test or anything?”
“Doubt it, since I’m not driving anywhere tonight.” I take a swig from the bottle. He sits next to me.
“How long has it been going on?” he asks.
“Ever since I was released,” I say. “He checks on me a lot more than legally necessary, but I doubt he’ll hold today against me. He’s here to meet celebrities.”
“I’m talking about the relationship between you and your stepsister.”
“What?” I turn to face him.
“It’s obvious as hell,” he says. “I mean, maybe not to anyone who doesn’t know you like I do, but…”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I say. “I think she’s breaking up with me.”
“How do you know?”
I know her better than she knows herself.I chase the thought with vodka.
“Ask me about something else, anything else…”
27A
COLE
Ireturn to my suite around midnight, long after the guests have toasted their final well-wishes.
As I remove my shoes, I spot a turquoise envelope under my door. I assume it’s yet another event invitation for this never-ending weekend, but thePlease read meis in Emily’s curly handwriting.
I hesitate before opening it, pulling out my phone instead.
You know I don’t like surprises, Emily.
What’s in this envelope?
Just read it.
Come over and read it to me in my bed…
