Page 255 of Double or Nothing

I want to scream at him at the top of my lungs.

I try to move, but Mum holds one hand and Christopher the other.

Dad calls for champagne. TOASTS!

Bryce looks towards him. Then Trevor. Then Christopher.

Then he turns and leaves.

“Bryce,” I say. “I need to see Bryce.”

Christopher leans in to me.

“What did you say, darling?”

“I said, I um… I need the bathroom.” I flash the fakest smile of my whole damn life. “Give me a minute will you please, sweetheart?”

He believes my bullshit. His eyes glow.

Pride. Success.

Bryce has already gone when I pull my hand free.

“The champagne is coming, can’t you wait?” Mum asks, but I shake my head.

“I’ll be back. Just a minute.”

I step away and nobody stops me. They’re too happy. Celebrating. Too moved by the romance of it all to notice me at all.

I walk from the marquee, into the drawing room, slowly. Carefully. Then, when I’m sure I’m alone, I run through the hall.

“Bryce?!” My eyes are frantic.

I see him up ahead, walking towards the front door.

“Bryce, wait!”

His eyes are so full of hurt that it knocks the wind from me. I grab his hand and tug him into the fucking broom cupboard, just to get us out of view.

“I had no choice,” I say, trying my best to breathe. “I didn’t know he was going to do that. I didn’t have a clue!”

His jaw grits. Angry.

“You said yes.”

I shake my head.

“No! I nodded. Barely.”

“That doesn’t matter.” He grabs my hand, staring at the diamond like it’s a bond to the devil. “The result is still the same.” The pause is terrible. Petrifying. “I need to go,” he says. “I need to walk, just to clear my head. I just need some… space…”

He tries to leave, but I grip his arm with everything I have.

“Trevor’s dying,” I say. “That’s why Christopher is back, really. His dad’s dying, and he wants to see us married, and he wants to believe everything is going to be ok, and he wants…” My voice stutters. “I couldn’t say no. Not like that. Not knowing he’s only got months to live.” Tears prick my eyes. “I saw how happy it would make him. And I couldn’t…”

Bryce’s eyebrows crease.

“What the hell are you talking about? Trevor Otley dying?”