Page 112 of Deliverance

She looks stunned for a moment before she shakes her head.

“You want me to shut the fuck up, Maggie? Fine. Done. I’m out of here.”

Her heels click against the marble floors as she makes her way to the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Wherever you aren’t! You think I’m such a terrible person, that I’m making it all about me? No problem, issue removed. I’m gone.”

“Holy fucking shit! You are a child!” I shout as I follow her. “Just take some goddamn responsibility for once in your life and admit that you’re being an asshole.”

“No!” she shouts. “You’re the asshole. I don’t need this. I deserve better.”

She shoves through the door, letting it slam behind her as she does. My blood is fucking boiling. I pace back and forth aggressively before feeling the need to scream. My eyes scramble around the hallway before I find the coat check closet. Barging in, I cover my mouth with my hands as I let out a deep, guttural scream. I scream until my throat goes hoarse, until I can’t anymore. I scream until every ounce of frustration is spent.

Fuck her. I’m glad she’s leaving. She was going to ruin today one way or another, might as well get it out of the way.

When I open my eyes, I’m shocked to see that I’m not alone in here. Bridgette is staring at me with wide eyes and parted lips.

“Are you okay?” she asks gently.

“I’m fine!” I snap a little too harshly before I close my eyes, blow out a breath, and try again. “I’m fine. I’m sorry. I just needed a moment.”

Bridgette nods but doesn’t say anything, which I appreciate because I just need a few more seconds to collect myself. When I feel better, I nod to myself and look at her again. I notice a glass of champagne in her hand. She’s staring at it longingly before her eyes come to mine.

“I haven’t drank it. I’m not going to, I was just…”

“Thinking about it?” I hedge.

Shame washes over her face as she nods. I’m not one to judge, and I won’t start now, but Bridgette has done so well. She’s been working on her sobriety and her mental health has improved in the wake of it. I’d hate to see that go down the drain. In fact, I won’t allow it.

Carefully, I grab the glass from her. She doesn’t fight me, doesn’t resist. Just lets me take it as I bend down, setting it on the ground against the wall.

“Why are you in the closet?” I ask as I stand up.

She frowns. “Is that like a gay joke?”

A choked laugh comes out of nowhere, ripping through my throat.

“No, but it’s a missed opportunity.”

She gives me a small smile, like she was trying to make me laugh before she answers.

“I just needed a moment to…breathe.”

“Same,” I say with a nod.

“I heard.” She grimaces.

Of course, she did. I’m sure the whole goddamn wedding heard. Shaking my head, I blow out another heavy breath.

“I don’t know what to do with her, I just…fuck.”

Bridgette pulls me in for a hug, comfortingly rubbing my back as I tuck my chin into her neck and return her embrace. It’s strange at first. I haven’t hugged her in so long. Physical contact with her has been virtually nonexistent, for good reason. As if my body recognizes her instantly, it practically hums to life, my fingertips tingling as they wrap around her. I feel her body react as well, or maybe it’s just her mind. Either way, when I pull back slightly, I see her baby blue eyes drowning with lust.

“I won’t make the first move again, Maggie. You’ll have to come to me,” she whispers.

My own words being echoed back all this time later shakes something loose inside me. Something I’ve tried to repress. Something I’ve tried to convince myself wasn’t nearly as special or magical as I remember. I know now that I was full of fucking shit.