Page 68 of Hidden Scars

“Yes,” I whisper with a nod and he shoots up, wrapping his arms around me and planting a kiss on my lips.

“I love you.” He slides the ring on my left hand.

“I love you, too.” I stare at my hand, mesmerized by the ring on my finger. In that moment, there is a small sliver of something that makes me pause.

Doubt?

Fear?

I don’t know what it is but I push it aside. It doesn’t matter because I’m going to marry this man. Ryan leans down, capturing my lips in another kiss that makes me forget everything except the feel of his mouth on mine.

* * * *

“What the fuck is that?” Trey seethes when he catches a glimpse of the ring on my left hand. I almost drop my hand before stopping myself.

“What does it look like, Trey?”

He grabs my hand and pulls me into the back room, leaving Bree alone behind the bar during our rush. After shutting the door, he spins around to face me. “You can’t marry him, Em.”

“Why not?” I scowl as he paces back and forth, running his hands through his hair. Why is he so agitated? This is a good thing and I knew Tucker wouldn’t accept it easily but I thought Trey would be more understanding.

“You deserve so much better. I thought that this would fizzle out by now. I never expected you to marry the guy,” he rants, more to himself than me.

“Trey, please, I’m happy. Please be happy for me.”

His eyes widen. “How can I do that?”

“Because I’m happy.”

“Are you?” he asks, studying me closely and tears sting my eyes as I nod. Of course, I’m happy.

“Yes.”

“I’m calling Tucker,” he states, pulling out his phone and dialing. My tears dry up in an instant.

“Please don’t do this.”

He ignores my plea.

After a quick conversation consisting of “Get to the bar now. It’s about Emma”, he hangs up and ushers me out of the back room. As I wipe down the bar and get folks their drinks, I constantly check the door, waiting for the bomb I know is about to go off. Sure enough, twenty minutes after he got the call, Tucker comes marching into the bar. He picks me up and carries me outside with Trey trailing behind us, looking grim. When we get behind the bar, Tucker sets me back on my feet and I slap his chest.

“What are you doing, Tucker?”

He ignores me and reaches for my hand. “Let me see it.” He inspects the ring for a minute before looking back up at me. “You can’t marry him.”

“Guys, please don’t do this. I’m happy.”

Both of them stand firm as they look at me. “He’s not a good guy, Em,” Trey says and Tucker’s head whips around to him.

“What are you talking about?”

Tucker glances over his shoulder and I look at Trey, silently pleading with him not to say anything. He releases a breath and shakes his head.

“He put his hands on her.”

Traitor.

Tears roll down my face as the man who’s been like a brother to me my whole life betrays my trust. Tucker turns wide, angry eyes back to me.