Page 58 of All Your Lies

With a radiant smile that illuminates her entire face like sunshine, Rosie approaches Vic, her eyes fixated on his, as if none of us exist.

Will Alexa ever look at me that way? Or will she hate me forever?

I glance over at Alexa; a sweet smile plays on her lips, happy tears glistening in her eyes as she watches Rosie walk down the aisle to the gentle strains of the wedding march.

I hand her the pocket square of my suit. “It’s not going to bite you. Although I think you’d like it,” I say, close to her ear.

With narrowed eyes, she snatches the fabric from my grasp, then turns to watch my sister’s final strides to Vic.

“Damn, baby bro, I’m starting to think she’d prefer me over you.”

I whip my head the other way toward my stupid-ass clone.

“Careful, I’ll slit your throat and console Mom at your funeral with a smile on my face.”

His lips tilt into a smirk while keeping his face forward and holding Mom’s hand. The fucker is good at playing the doting son.

As the ceremony unfolds, Alexa allows my hand to rest on her thigh, unaffected by the small circles I trace with my thumb. It’s a small win.

A short time later, I survey the bustling reception, filled with lively conversations and laughter.

I text Jace, who is the DJ for the night, with my song request. He pulls out his phone and rolls his eyes like a child before changing the song.

I rise from my seat and button my suit jacket before stalking toward her. She’s lingering by the bar, conversing with her friend Jenna, to deliberately keep her distance from me.

“Dance with me,” I say, touching her elbow.

“I’m busy with Jenna.”

“Actually, she’s unbusy,” Jenna says as she pushes her back and into me. “You kids have fun.”

“That’s not a word, and I’m going to kill you,” Alexa tells Jenna as I pull her to the dance floor.

Despite her stiffness, I still pull her into my body. Her arms wind around my neck in an awkward embrace, but I don’t allow that to deter me.

“Relax, it’s just a dance,” I say near her ear before I kiss her neck, eliciting a squeak from her.

As we dance under the twinkling lights, the melodies of one song seamlessly blend into another. I feel her body relax as she finally rests her head against my chest.

I choose to savor the moment in silence and not ruin it by speaking. Our conversations used to be filled with laughter, thoughtful exchanges and genuine connection. I miss that.

But the connection we’ve always shared still lingers, like a familiar melody playing softly in the background. My fuckups have caused it to fracture, but I’ll do whatever it takes to mend it. I just need to create more memories like this with her—to remind her how good we are together.

“May I cut in?” Marco asks from behind me.

I’m going to kill him.

“Absolutely the fuck not,” I bark without turning around.

Alexa grows still in my arms and it makes me hate him a little more. He always knows how to ruin a perfect fucking moment.

“It’s fine,” she says, pulling back with a smile and patting my chest as if she’s trying to calm me down.

I grab his arm as he moves between Alexa and me. “If your hands travel anywhere I don’t like, I’ll cut your fingers off with a pair of rusted, dull pliers, then force you to live like that for the rest of your miserable life.”

“Graphic, I dig it. No worries, baby bro,” Marco says before whispering something to Alexa that makes her laugh.

He apparently has a death wish.Why did I decide to wait for his punishment?