Your phone signaled a text message just as you were about to walk into the building. Grabbing at any delay you could, you pulled it from your clutch, stopping just outside the doors.
JL: Harry's havin a movie night, ye up fer it?
YN: Can't, about to go to a wedding I don't want to be at. Wish I could though.
JL: Why are ye goin if ye don' wanna be there?
YN: Bride is my cousin, I have to go, but my ex is the best man.
JL: The fucklump wi' the kid? The one who ghosted ye?"
YN: That's the jackass.
JL: Jesus, that sucks. Where is this shindig, maybe ye can sneak away early and come over."
YN: At the lake. I doubt I'll make it over. Tell everyone I'm sorry. I should go in, ceremony is about to start.
JL: Call me if ye need anything.
You put your phone on silent and took a deep breath, wishing that any one of your friends was here instead of you being alone. But no, you had to be stubborn, preferring to go stag rather than with an obvious pity date. Fuck you really were an idiot sometimes.
Fiddling with your dress the whole ceremony, you were aware of your ex's eyes on you. You could have shot your friend Lisa for picking the damn thing out for you. Dresses were not your usual wardrobe choice, least of all flowy, romantic numbers with no backs.
"Show that prick what he's missed out on." she had cooed earlier that day as she finished your makeup.
That was the problem, you thought, as the day went through its stages. He had winked at you in a way that made your stomach churn. And your family had noticed, every comment being about you showing off for an ungrateful fuckstick you loathed. You would have been better off staying invisible.
At least Jack would have teased you about suddenly being a girl, before handing you a beer and leaving you alone.
Alone and wishing he was the one winking at you in some private joke, and then touching you, and then...
You shook your head, that kind of thinking would do no good. Jack was your friend, nothing more.
Two drinks into the reception your phone vibrated again.
JL: How's it goin?
YN: I may drink myself into oblivion, or hurl. Jury's still out.
JL: Tha' bad? Is he givin ye grief?
YN: NO, I mean he winked at me which was enough to make my skin crawl. My family is being a bit...wearying.
There was a tap on your shoulder as you read his reply, causing you to jump, dropping your phone. Your ex picked it up and you shoved it aside without finishing.
JL: I cannae blame him so much fer winkin at ye, tha dress is stunnin.
You never even saw Jack standing near you at the bar.
"Well you look sexy. If you were trying to rile me up you succeeded."
"Fuck off, I didn't wear it to impress you."
"Could have fooled me, you know I always liked when you showed off those tits. Could have got one that showed off your ass too though."
God, how had you never seen what a dirtbag he was until after it was all done between you.
"You always were crass. Besides what do you know about my ass? You didn't touch me below the waist the entire time I knew you."
You were oblivious to Jack choking on his beer just out of sight.
"Why do you have to be like that babe? We had a good time."
"You had a good time, I just faked one. Every time."
His eyes narrowed.
"Sweetheart, you aren't exactly a prize specimen to be throwing away opportunities."
