Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,374

was being groomed for the position from a young age. No matter how good my grades were, my dad would never have been happy. He always wanted a son, but instead he got me. I guess he saw this as his chance to finally have the son he always wanted.

“God, what the fuck is wrong with me? Most people would jump to have what I do.”

I drop my elbows on my legs and run my fingers through my hair.

She rubs my back. “There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. You should be happy, no matter what your parents think.”

I sit up and look at her. “I can’t even remember a time when I was truly happy. People say money brings happiness, so what’s wrong with me that I can’t be happy?”

Her arms circle around me as she pulls me to her, and I hug her back, needing the comfort of a friend more than I realized. “Sofia, you made the right decision. If I were in your shoes, I don’t know if I would’ve had the strength to walk away.”

I lean out of her arms and wipe a few errant tears. I’m a horrible person. I have no tears for Thomas and what we had; our relationship fizzled out years ago.

“I’m not brave, Maya. If I were, I would’ve walked away a long time ago, not on my wedding day.” I wince for the first time, thinking about what happened after I ran. “How bad was it?”

“Eh… your dad made jokes about brides always arriving late and on their own time. After the wedding planner couldn’t find you, she came into the church and whispered to your dad. He spoke with Thomas and then announced that, ‘unfortunately, there won't be a wedding today.’” She shrugs, her eyes full of sympathy. “You know what your dad is like. Thomas too. They're all about how could you embarrass them. They bombarded me with questions, but I didn’t know what was going on. I wish you had confided in me, Sofia. You know I would have been your getaway driver.” She laughs.

I squeeze her leg. “Of course you would have. I honestly didn't know I was going to run until the last minute.”

“So what did happen when you ran? Where did you go?”

“I just ran. I made it to the main road, and within a few minutes, Jett had pulled over on his bike. He made me throw the train so it wouldn't get caught, and he took off.

“I lucked out, Maya. He could have dumped me anywhere, but he pulled into a Target lot, paid for a change of clothes, then took me for a ride before stopping at a diner. And the food was ah-mazing. Then we came back here for a beer. We ended up at a bar, maybe a biker bar? But it was so liberating to pretend to be normal for a night. No paparazzi waiting outside, just me having a great time.” When I look back to my friend, her cheeks are lifting, her pearly whites showing.

“I’m happy to see you smile a genuine smile that's reaching your eyes.”

I can’t help the smile that hasn’t left my face since leaving the church.

“What’s the deal with Jett?”

My cheeks heat up, and I look away from her.

“You didn’t? Oh my God!” She gasps, her fingers covering her mouth. “You go, girl.” She laughs, playfully hitting my shoulder.

“I’m such a slut. I’ve never… I was drunk… and it was so…”

Maya’s eyes light up like a greedy devil. “How many guys have you slept with?” She counts on her fingers. "Jett was number two, right?"

I nod. “Maya, I slept with guy number two on what was supposed to be my wedding day. I mean, granted, it's been months since I’ve been touched by a man, maybe even a year. But that’s no excuse.”

“So what? That doesn't make you a slut. From what you’ve said, you and Thomas were over a long time ago. You were overdue to have some fun.”

“What am I going to do? Oh God, I didn’t even think. Am I trending?”

She grimaces, but then tries to hide it. “A little. But since when have you cared what they're saying?”

“Uh… my dad is going to kill me. If I use my card, he’s going to know. And I can’t stay with you, because no doubt he’ll have someone watching your place.”

Maya looks around. “Do you think Jett will let you stay here for a few days? I mean, it’s no