Chapter 2

Alex's phone started ringing. The ringtone was some overly sweet pop song, which honestly surprised me.

Alex had always been such a tough guy. There was no way I'd expect him to use something like that.

He answered, his voice gentle, a tone he never used with me. "Emily?"

Oh, he set that ringtone just for Emily.

"What? Alright, I'll bring it over now." He hung up, grabbed his car keys, and hurried to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he remembered to say something to me. "Emily left her clothes in my car. I'm taking them to her," he said.

I asked, "What clothes?"

Alex's expression suddenly turned awkward, and he stammered, "It's just some regular clothes... Anyway, I'm heading out now."

*****

This weekend, it was Riley's birthday.

I got a call from our friend Blake early in the morning. "You and Alex are coming together, right?"

When I arrived, the place was already full of people, but Alex wasn't there.

Blake glanced behind me and asked, "Where's your husband? Parking the car?"

I said, "He's not my husband anymore."

Blake chuckled, "Not yet, but he will be in a month, right? You two have been together for so many years. That's no small thing. You're almost there, so don't let a fight mess it up. Just hang in there, okay?"

Riley, the oldest among us, had always been something of a guiding figure since we were kids.

"That's right. I've watched you two all these years," she smiled as she said warmly.

"Are you upset because of Emily? I think you might be overthinking it. Alex and Chris were always like brothers. Now that Chris is gone, Alex is just helping Emily out of loyalty. You should trust what you've built together over the years."

Riley had always been gentle and easy to talk to. We'd been close when I was younger, and she'd taught me a lot. But I wasn't a kid anymore.

"Riley, I get it," I replied.

Riley, thinking she'd convinced me, her smile grew even wider. "You've always been such a smart girl. I know you'll understand."

Just then, Alex walked in. "Happy birthday, Riley," he said.

Riley beamed. "Thank you! And you and Olivia are getting married soon. That's exciting!"

But the next second, her smile froze on her face. Emily was right behind Alex, wearing his jacket and holding onto his arm.

She smiled as she handed Riley a gift. "Hi, Riley, I'm Emily. Sorry that we're late. It's totally my fault. I suddenly started my period, and Alex had to run out and buy me some tampons, so it took us a while to get here."

Her tone made everything crystal clear.

Blake was taken aback, giving Alex a nudge and whispering, "Olivia's right here, you know. Why did you bring Emily along?"

Alex shrugged. "Emily's been feeling really low lately. I just can't leave her by herself."

"And what about Olivia?" Blake asked.

Alex glanced at me, completely indifferent. "Don't worry about her."

He led Emily to the couch and made sure she was comfortable before straightening up. "Don't be nervous. These are all my friends. They'll take good care of you."

Emily nestled against his shoulder, her voice soft and gentle. "I only feel safe when you're here."

Everyone here was an old friend, all gathered to celebrate Riley's birthday. Everyone knew that Alex and I were a couple.

Everyone was just awkwardly silent, not knowing how to react to what was happening, especially Blake. He probably still hoped to help patch things up between Alex and me.

I knew he meant well. But in this situation, there was really nothing he could do.

Riley's birthday party went by in painfully awkward silence.

By the end, everyone was just relieved to finally get out of there. Except for Alex and Emily.

Alex held Emily's hand as they walked past me. He said coldly, "I'm taking Emily home. I might not be back tonight, so just grab a cab."

Emily gave Alex a playful smack. "How could you say that? Olivia's your fiancée. You can't just make her take a cab because you're taking me home! Olivia, don't listen to him. Get in the car. I'll make Alex take you home first."

The way she said it, people'd think she was his fiancée, and I was the third wheel here.

I step back, distancing myself from Emily and replied, my voice icy, "No, thanks. My ride just arrived."

A black Maybach rolled up in front of me.

With Alex and Emily watching, I climbed into the Maybach.

A bunch of friends came out, laughing, "Since when did Maybachs start doing Uber?"

Alex's face darkened. He drove a Honda, which was decent enough on its own, but parked next to the Maybach, it looked tiny and outdated.

*****

I'd barely gotten home when Alex walked in. I was surprised. "Weren't you supposed to stay out tonight?"

Alex's face was stormy. "You were hoping I wouldn't come back, weren't you?"

I shot back, "What's your problem?"

"Who was that guy who picked you up today?" Alex demanded.

"My husband," I replied.

Alex burst out laughing. "Ha! I knew it."

I honestly had no clue what he was so smug about.

Alex plopped down on the couch, smirking like he'd just uncovered some big secret. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? Trying to make me jealous, get my attention? Renting a Maybach must've cost you a fortune," he said.

"Now I get why you've been so calm lately. Not arguing, not making a fuss. So this is what you were planning."

I was speechless. "Alright, I get it. Your problem is that you're imagining things."

Alex shot me a look of annoyance. "Just drop these childish games, alright? It's pointless and honestly pretty immature."

"Suit yourself," I replied, not even bothering to argue.

"Olivia, I get that you're upset about the wedding being called off. I know you've always wanted to marry me. But sometimes other things take priority. Emily's still mourning Chris, and right now, she comes first," Alex said.

I couldn't help but ask, "So if Emily never gets over it, does that mean you'll never get married? Is that your plan?"

"How can you be so mean? Can't you just hope Emily moves on for once? She never did anything to you, so why are you so mean to her?" Alex snapped.

I always knew Alex would defend Emily, but this was the first time he'd actually called me mean right to my face.

And it stung even more coming from the man I'd loved for over ten years, the one I'd poured my heart into, the man who was almost my husband. My heart just froze up even more.