Page 99 of Mr. Brightside

I watch as he works a hand onto the nape of her neck, tilting her head up slightly so he can kiss her again.

“I missed you today,” he adds when he finally pulls away.

How those two managed to stay broken up, then live apart for years, has always been baffling to me.

Rhett straightens back up before turning his attention to me. “It’s really good to see you, man. Although I have to admit, I was pissed to find out you were coming to visit us by yourself. Next time, bring that husband of yours with you, okay?”

His comment is obviously in jest. I guess Tori didn’t tell him the actual reason for my last-minute visit. She snaps her head up and gives him a look, then suddenly Rhett’s brows draw together in a grimace.

Ah. There it is.

“I’ll, uh, I’ll leave you to it, then,” he offers hastily, turning on his heel to walk out of the room.

We sit awkwardly for a moment as Rhett takes his leave, although I can hear him unloading the dishwasher in the kitchen a minute later, so I know he didn’t go far.

Tori sighs and turns back to me. “Where were we?”

“I believe you were trying to convince me that Jake Whitely is capable of love,” I jibe.

“Cory…” She smiles sadly at me, and I know this is it. She won’t push it if I’m not open to discussing the possibility of what-if.

And honestly? I don’t think I am. As much as my heart wants to—as much as my soul aches to justify what he did and make a plan for how we could possibly move forward—my brain just won’t allow it. I’ve compromised too many times before.

“I think I just need to be sad,” I admit. “And a little salty. He tried to use that against me, you know. He told me he loved me to try to get me to stay.”

I’ve barely closed my mouth when Rhett pops back into the room. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have been listening. Or butting in now—”

“Everhett,” Tori warns.

“I have to.” His words are barely a whisper as he grimaces apologetically at his wife. When he sets his gaze on me, he’s all business.

“Jake told you he loved you?”

I nod as my face flushes. I’m embarrassed that Rhett overheard my confession. And I’m completely mortified that he’s calling me out on it now.

“Like, he used the three words together, ‘I love you,’ and not as a joke?” he pushes.

“Yes,” I huff out, too uncomfortable to even make eye contact with him now.

“That fucker…”

Rhett turns away from me—thank God—and paces from one side of the living room to the other. He’s got this haughty, put out air about him. I sneak a glance at Tori, who’s eyes are also on her husband. But her expression is calm, almost serene. She tracks his movements, but her vibe is nothing like his right now. He’s an anxious, ticking time bomb wearing a path in the carpet. I have to hold back a laugh when Penny joins him, dancing at his feet as he continues his pacing.

“Is he…?” I mutter to Tori out of the side of my mouth, unsure of what I’m even asking.

She waves a hand nonchalantly in his direction. “He’s fine,” she assures me. “Just let him get there.”

We sit in silence, cross-legged on the couch, as Rhett continues to swirl up a cloud of emotion with his pacing. He pulls out his phone and swipes through it at one point, then shoves it back in his pocket and mutters under his breath.

“Are you sure—”

“Just wait for it,” Tori whispers.

After another minute, he halts.

He strides to where we sit on the couch, squares his shoulders, then brings his hands to his hips. I can feel the intensity of his emotions as he levels me with an unwavering glare. I’m a little scared, if I’m honest. And a little turned on.

“Cory, I know you and I don’t know each other that well. But Jake’s been my best friend since kindergarten. I’ve seen him at his worst… at his lowest… I know everything there is to know about him.”