Empire High Betrayal (Empire High #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,71
homecoming float when I was serenading you.”
I laughed. “Really? Brett and Jason? There aren’t two other people you want to ask? Two more important people in your life?”
“Nah. Can’t think of anyone.”
Come on. “Actually, I want two more, I think. So you’ll need to choose two more too.”
“I’ll ask Jeff and Mike too then.”
What? Who even are these people? I set the notebook down. “Two more.”
“Brooklyn…”
“You have to make up with the Hunters, Matt. They’re your best friends. Not Brett and whoever.”
“Brett, Jason, Jeff, and Mike didn’t kiss you though. And they don’t think I’m a liar.”
“You can’t have a wedding without your best friends by your side.”
“The last time I checked, the only person I really need there is my girl.”
Darn him and his stupid charming smile. “You’re really not going to try to make things right with them?”
“I’ve apologized to James a dozen times, Brooklyn. For something that I didn’t even do. I tried to make things right. I don’t know what else I could have done. You’re making it seem like I don’t care, but this is on them. I didn’t cut them out of my life. They cut me and Mason out.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But after all those things you confessed to me about James’ problems…aren’t you ever worried about him?”
“Of course I’m worried about him. But what can I do if he won’t even talk to me?”
That was a fair point.
“It’s really sweet that you care about this, Brooklyn. But I’m done caring. I just want to know you have my back. That you believe I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Well, technically he did do something wrong. He should have told James what happened right away. But I got why Matt kept it a secret. He was trying to protect James, not hurt him. Matt was a good person. And I needed to stop worrying about the Hunters and start focusing on the man right in front of me. Marriage meant sticking up for each other.
As soon as I had a minute, I’d text Rob and tell him the prank was off. I wouldn’t talk to Rob or James again until they made things right with the Caldwells. It wasn’t really my fault that they weren’t friends anymore. I was done meddling. I just wanted to be happy with Matt.
And I didn’t need revenge against Isabella anymore. I didn’t need to worry about fitting in. Because I already found my place. Right here.
I snuggled into Matt’s side. “I do believe you. And I’ll always have your back. Now that you mention it, I think I do just want one bridesmaid. So maybe just Mason for you then?”
“Sounds good to me.” He kissed the side of my forehead.
I felt so comfortable and safe in Matt’s arms. And for some reason it reminded me about how uncomfortable I was with my new family. I had no idea how we were going to have a happy wedding when our families hated each other.
“Matt, why did you tell your mom I was staying with you because I didn’t want to live with my dad?”
“Because I knew it was an easy way to make her say yes.”
I laughed. “You’re very good at getting what you want.”
He didn’t respond. He just lifted up my notebook to look at some of our wedding ideas.
“But it was easy to make her say yes because your parents hate my dad, right?”
He set the notebook back down on my lap. “I don’t know if I’d say hate. They just don’t see eye to eye on how to run a business.”
“And that’s why they had a falling out?” I asked. “Is that all you know?”
“My dad doesn’t exactly loop me in on his business decisions.”
I knew this was a sore subject for him. He wanted nothing more than to take over the family business one day, but his father wouldn’t even entertain the idea.
I sat up so I could face Matt. “I heard this rumor and I don’t know if it’s true.” There was no way I was going to mention Miller. “And I know I should just ask my dad, but he’s so evasive when I ask him questions. So I just need you to tell me if it’s true.” I swallowed hard. “Is my dad a mobster?”
Matt laughed. “I don’t think so. He just…” his voice trailed off. “All I really know is that he does some shady stuff with his business. And my parents wanted no part in it. But a lot of