I didn’t even want to know what was out, what was being said.
“Alec,” I said, my voice shaky with emotions.
His eyes met mine, defeated and red-rimmed. He straightened then, his eyes flipping behind me.
Crap. I’d forgotten Austin was here with me. It must have taken him an extra minute to get out of the car.
“What is he doing here?” Ryanne spat out.
Austin held up his hands. “I’m here in peace. I’m sorry, okay?”
He approached the table like he was heading into a pack of wolves … which he kind of was. We Loverly sisters had done some damage in our day.
“You need to leave.” Ryanne slammed her beer on the table and stood.
“Stop. It’s not his fault,” Brooke reminded her.
I erased the space between me and my brother, reaching over to run my fingers through his soft hair, ignoring everyone around me and focusing solely on him. “I’m so sorry, Alec. I know how you must feel and …”
“You knew.” There was so much hurt in his eyes that I almost stumbled backward. “You knew she was cheating on me, and you didn’t tell me.” His face crumpled, and so did my heart, disintegrated in the look he was giving me. “How could you not tell me, Syd?”
Warmth prickled behind my eyes because I should have told him. “I had no proof. I knew you wouldn’t believe me.” Because I had known how much he loved her, how he would undoubtedly pick her over me, over our family. I’d needed proof.
“You should have let me be the one to decide that. I could have asked her … “He shook his head, the brokenness evident in his tone. “I could have found out instead of finding out on the fucking internet.” He stood then, his face a mix of anger and sadness.
“Alec, man …” Austin began.
Alec turned his hurt and angry gaze on Austin. “What are you going to say? You’re sorry? For what? Did you cheat on me?” He blinked into focus, leaning into Austin. “Unless you knew.” His voice was a breathless whisper, but it was as though he’d punched Austin in the face because Austin staggered back. “You knew, didn’t you?” The strength was back in Alec’s voice. “You were the one who set them up. Of course. He’s your best friend.”
Austin’s mouth dropped in shock before he rushed to defend himself. “I didn’t know. I had no idea. I was in denial until I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Liar!” Alec spat out. The pain in his expression gutted me.
I reached for him, feeling so helpless. “Alec …”
“Don’t touch me, Syd. I can’t believe both of you could betray me like this. I … I gotta go.” He peeled himself out of the sister circle and stormed past me, past the long counter with the bowl of nuts and beer bottles, past the patrons, through the doors and outside.
There was light chatter, but my brother’s sudden exit had silenced most of the early dinner crowd. My breathing slowed as I stared at the doors.
Addison stood, but Serena held her back. “Let him go. He needs to cool down.”
Addison wilted back into the chair, and in the next second, Serena took her into her arms, running her fingers through Addy’s long brown locks.
“I just hope he doesn’t do something stupid,” Serena whispered under her breath.
“He won’t.” Addison’s body trembled. “I know him. He won’t, but he’s … he’s hurting pretty bad right now.”
There was no doubt that Addison felt his pain. They were connected on a level that none of us could ever understand. When they had been younger, they could communicate without words. They’d always team up when we played board games and almost always won. Everyone had wanted to be on Alec and Addy’s team.
As Addison cowered into Serena, my heart clenched.
“I can track his phone,” Brooke offered, putting down her beer.
“Don’t do that.” Serena rubbed Addison’s back, consoling her.
“Let’s find Brandy and give her …” Ryanne said.
“What? Are you really going to get in a girl fight? This isn’t high school, Ryanne. Get real.” Brooke stood, slipping her Louis Vuitton over her shoulder. She had saved quite a few paychecks to afford her overpriced purse. “We just need to give him space.” Her eyes slid to Austin, who had been standing awkwardly during all this exchange. “You might want to get out of here. Girl at twelve o’clock just took your pic with her phone. How much do you want to bet she’s posting that on Instagram right about now?”