To My Future Cheating Husband

VIII. Makes me laugh XX

A V A

Dinner wasn't different from any other night, except instead of eating with my parents, we were eating with Eli and Yara.

And after dinner, the four of us watched a movie together. Well, the three of them did. I was on the laptop trying to finalize paperwork from my workplace and Winnie's wedding.

While they were immersed in the action movie, I focused on the small, dimmed screen in front. To be honest, I never expected myself to be where I am.

Tired and sad.

Maybe I should take this to my room.

No. If I go in there, I'll fall asleep.

Yara's phone buzzes, and she leaves the living room to take it. Moments later, Trevon announces he had to use the bathroom for a dookie.

Then, it was only Eli and me.

While the movie continues to run in the background, Eli glances at me from across the room. "Want a beer?"

"I'm good." I'm already working on low brain power. I don't need alcohol to impair it further.

Eli got up and went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with a few bottles. He sits down beside me and opens one. "What got your attention?"

"Work and Winnie's wedding."

He snorts lightly, "Some might think this is your wedding with this planning."

I shift my attention towards him so I can glare at him. Once I turned my head, I realized the proximity between us. Unlike me, Eli had a relaxed posture on the couch, elbow resting against the edge, head pressed on his palm. Why is he always so close? Does he not know personal space?

"I have to," I responded, "Since the best man didn't pour in any of his blood, sweat, and tears."

His laughter was accompanied by a smile, "Something tells me it's not Winnie who's upset at my lack of support."

"That something isn't wrong." I turn my attention back to the screen.

Eli moves closer, his head barely touches my shoulder before he takes another sip of his drink. "So, tell me, what are we working on?"

I glance at him.

"Better late than never, right?"

"I don't know about we, but I am finalizing the seating schedule."

He places down the bottle, "Let me see."

"No. You're going to ruin it."

Eli claps his hands together before wiggling his fingers in front of me. "Don't you think it's a good idea to run the husband-to-be side by the best man to make sure there's no mistake? After all, I have known Ben for a long time, and I'm not like Trev, who still has trouble identifying his aunt and cousins."

I think running them by the husband-to-be is better. But, considering how Ben has been spending his time consoling Winnie, Eli isn't a bad pick. I asked Ben's family, but each of them had a different reason as to who shouldn't sit with whom.

I gave Eli my laptop. He clears his throat before he checks the seating chart. Steadily, Eli nods his head, his eyes squinting once in a while.

"What do you think?"

"Hm-" He nods again before he looks at me, then returns the screen.

"You don't know any of these people, do you?"

"Not a lick of a clue." He hands the laptop back to me. "Enough about Eli and his endless family. Let's talk about us."

"Us?" What us? There hasn't been a us in a long time. And with Yara present, there won't be an us.