against the stall door.
I couldn’t possibly have heard that right.
Garrin’s only marrying me because his dad is holding prom night over his head? He doesn’t really love me. All of this is a ruse.
I squeeze my eyes shut and the first tear escapes.
God, I’m such a moron for thinking he actually cared for me. That cruel Garrin Stone had a soft side? You’re so fucking stupid, Isla. You allowed him to play you.
I wrap my arms around myself as the pain in my chest amplifies, radiating out until it encompasses my entire body.
My mind replays all the tender moments we shared, how supportive he’s been since my father’s death, and his sweet proposal. His very quick sweet proposal. It all makes me want to scream. But first I need to get out of here.
I suck back my tears and wipe under my eyes, checking myself briefly in the mirror to make sure I look like the happy bride-to-be. Then I make my way into the party room, spotting Everly speaking to a woman.
I approach them, pasting on a smile. “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” I grip Everly’s arm, ignoring the other woman.
“Uh… yeah. Sure.” She turns to the woman she was talking to. “Sorry.”
I lead her off to the side of the room. “I need to get out of here.”
She frowns. “Is everything okay?”
“No.” I shake my head, feeling my eyes well with tears. “Can you tell my mom that I’m not feeling well and take me to your place? Don’t tell Garrin.”
She looks perplexed for a second, but then she realizes that Garrin must have done something and sympathy etches her features, almost like she’s been waiting for this moment. That it was never if but more of a when Garrin would mess up thought in her brain. “Yeah, of course. Give me a minute. Why don’t you meet me by the doors?”
I nod and exit.
I’m waiting there for a minute or so when footsteps fall behind me. I turn with relief, expecting to see Everly, but it’s Garrin walking down the hall toward me.
“Hey, what’s going on? Someone said they thought they saw you leave the room upset. Is it about your dad?” He approaches to put his arms around me, but I push him away. His forehead wrinkles.
“Get away from me!” I can’t hold my hurt or devastation in any longer.
He holds his hands up and tilts his head. “Isla, what’s going on?”
“You don’t need to pretend anymore.”
He pushes a hand through his thick hair. “Pretend? What are you talking about?”
I step up to him and stab him with my finger in his chest. “You sure you don’t know what I’m talking about?”
He grabs the wrist of my hand that’s jabbing his chest, and his eyes could cut lasers.
“No, I don’t.”
I yank my wrist out of his grip. “I’m talking about the fact that your dad is forcing you to marry me!” I put forcing in air quotes so it’s clear I overhead it. He won’t be able to use some weak excuse that whoever told me is wrong.
He stares at me in shock, the color draining from his face.
“That’s right, I know. I overheard everything you two were talking about.” I rip my wrist from his hand and step back.
“Isla, it’s not what—”
“Hey, you two. What’s going on?” Everly walks out from behind Garrin, looking between the two of us.
“Just get me out of here.” I turn to the door.
She takes my hand and leads me out the door, but Garrin follows behind. The warm night air is a nice relief.
“Wait, you have to listen to me!”
“Leave me alone!” The tears well up in my eyes.
He gets a hold of my wrist and spins me around. “No, I won’t—”
Everly whirls around and blocks him with a hand to his chest. “You need to leave. If she wants to talk to you, she’ll let you know.”
I turn back around with my arms around myself. Everly places a hand on my back and leads me to her car. I sink into the passenger seat and the tears fall like waterfalls.
I just want to pretend that this whole day—hell, these last few months—never happened.
44
Chapter Forty-four
Garrin
I want to drown myself in alcohol at this point, but I still need to keep a clear head. After Isla left the engagement party so abruptly, I made excuses for her, saying she wasn’t feeling well, and I ended up back here at the Titans’ Den with the guys, trying