Three People in the Wedding Room?

Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Chad, always dodged meeting my parents.

But he was playing the role of fiancé with his ex, meeting her relatives.

And they were meeting in the condo I’d gotten ready for us, as our first home!

Little did he know, I was actually a distant cousin of his ex.

Chad pretended not to recognize me, putting his arm around the woman and saying, “I bought this place outright for my future wife.”

Everyone was gushing about how in love they were.

Afraid I’d blow his cover, Chad pulled me aside to warn me:

“I’m just helping a friend avoid pressure from her family, okay? If you mess this up, we’re done.”

I wished him all the best, saying:

“Since my cousin and I have the same taste in houses and men, I ordered a bunch of wedding stuff in bulk that I figured she’d like. It’s a gift.”

Chad finally started to sweat.

…

“It’s crazy how connected my distant relatives and I are. We have condos in the same complex, even the same floor and unit number! I must be seeing things.”

I texted my boyfriend, Chad Miller, bitching about this weird coincidence.

Right after I sent it, my distant cousin, Ashley Davis, and her “fiancé” walked out of the bedroom.

Her relatives cheered, and Ashley snuggled into her “fiancé’s” arms, all lovey-dovey.

I stood there stunned.

My mom nudged me with her elbow, giving me that look of disappointment.

“Look at your cousin, already getting married. And you? Still talking about that imaginary boyfriend of yours. When am I ever gonna meet a real one?”

Mom, you just did.

The guy standing next to another woman, looking at her all adoringly, is my boyfriend, Chad.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say it. My mom would’ve had a heart attack on the spot.

When I walked into the complex, I thought it was wild that my cousin and I were so similar, we’d picked condos in the same complex.

But the further I walked, the weirder it got – same building, same floor, now the same unit.

I had the condo keys safe at my place.

There was no way they’d gotten out.

So I just assumed I was in the wrong building.

But the second Chad walked out, I knew.

It’s always an inside job.

Because we don’t expect our loved ones to hurt us.

Which makes it that much easier for them to stab you where it hurts.

Chad and Ashley, the “happy couple,” were glowing under the praise.

Chad had his arm possessively around Ashley’s waist. He even leaned down to kiss her forehead every so often.

It was like a slow-motion replay in my head, every detail crystal clear.

The bitterness and rage inside me crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I wanted to bolt.

But all I heard were the relatives’ well wishes:

“Ashley is so lucky, she found such a handsome, wealthy man! May they live happily ever after!”

“The fiancé and Ashley are perfect together. I think they’ve been together since college. I’ve seen pictures of them, they’re so in love!”

Those words rooted me to the spot, unable to move.

I remembered Chad had a girlfriend in college named Ashley.

His classmates joked with me about how passionate they were back then, how unforgettable.

Guess it was so unforgettable that they were still hooking up.

And I, his girlfriend, was the fool.

Chad and Ashley greeted the relatives one by one until they finally got to where I was.

Chad’s eyes widened in surprise and guilt, but he quickly hid it, keeping up the happy act.

He pretended not to know me and went to greet someone else, but then he grabbed my mom’s hand.

“Thanks, ma’am. Be sure to eat and drink well later.”

My mom didn’t know he was my boyfriend, and she responded with genuine well wishes and envy.

“You’re such a good kid, that condo is so nice! Ashley is sure to be happy with you.”

Chad didn’t know my mom, either, and he flaunted his generosity as if he were impressing his future in-laws.

“I bought this place outright for my future wife. I don’t want her worrying about mortgage payments down the road.”

“Oh my, aren’t you two just adorable, calling each other ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ already!”

My mom teased, nudging me again, as if saying, “See? This is what you should have!”

But Mom, it’s your daughter who put the down payment on that condo!

The “happy couple” finished meeting everyone and headed to the restaurant for dinner.

I was just about to make an excuse and leave.

But Chad secretly grabbed me, dragging me into a corner.

His sweet smile was gone, and he frowned at me like I was his worst enemy.

“I know what you’re up to, okay? I’m just helping a friend avoid pressure from her family. It’s a good thing, so don’t you mess it up. If you mess this up, we’re done.”

He’s the one in the wrong.

And he was threatening to break up with me without a second thought, as if our relationship was just a card he could play whenever he wanted.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“But that’s our condo! You’re my boyfriend!”

Chad didn’t seem to care.

“I told you, I’m just helping a friend. Her family is all over her about getting married, it’s suffocating her. If it really bothers you, we can sell it and buy a new one. I don’t even like the way it’s decorated.”

The place he said he didn’t even like was the place I bought so we could live there together!

What didn’t he like, the condo or our relationship?

A bitter taste spread in my mouth, and I felt nauseous.

But he didn’t notice. He was looking at his phone and smiling about something someone just texted him.

Then he looked up, said something short, and left.

“I gotta go. Either don’t come to the restaurant or come and don’t cause trouble.”

I stood there and laughed.

How could I leave?

How could I not see you be happy?

When I got to the restaurant, they’d already started eating.

Chad was at a table with the “uncles,” drinking, eating, and chatting.

He always said he hated dealing with relatives, but he looked pretty good at it.

I guess he only said that to me.

Ashley was at the young people’s table, and she’d clearly had a few drinks. Her face was red, and she was talking to the people next to her.

I overheard her say:

“You can’t give a man what he wants too easily. The colder you are to him, the harder he’ll try to win you over. He was all over me in college, it was so annoying.”

Someone asked, “Then he must have something you wanted, or you wouldn’t have kept him around.”

Ashley waved her hand as if it was nothing.

“I wouldn’t want to marry him if he wasn’t making money. And he’s always been super loyal to me. He told me he can’t even touch another woman, even the thought of it is gross.”

Someone didn’t believe her.

Ashley raised her hand, and Chad left his table to ask Ashley if everything was okay.

Ashley shook her head, and he went back to his table.

Ashley shrugged and said she had him trained.

The women at the table applauded.

I took a deep breath and unclenched my fist.

This was the guy I cared about?

Chad and I had been dating for a while, but he never touched me.

He said women were more sensitive, and we’d wait until we were married to have sex.

I thought he was a good guy.

But it was just like Ashley said. He wouldn’t hold my hand because he didn’t want to touch another woman who wasn’t her.

I stood up, raising my glass, and all eyes were on me.

Chad turned pale, staring at me and warning me with his eyes.

I ignored him and said, “I have a few things to say.”

“Even though this is the first time I’ve met my cousin, we’re so similar, we’re practically sisters. We like all the same things. So, I have a bunch of wedding stuff that I think she’ll like. It’s for her. Congrats on your wedding!”

Everyone applauded.

I added, “I’m a germaphobe, and I think I touched something dirty, so I’m going to leave.”

Chad’s face turned from anger to panic.

He took a step, like he was going to explain.

But then one of the “uncles” raised his glass to him, and Chad stopped, smiled, drank the wine, and sat back down.

I shook my head.

I turned and left.

Today was supposed to be a good day for Chad and me – we were meeting my parents.

We’d been together for three years, but he kept putting off meeting my family.

He always had some excuse: he was nervous, he was busy with work, he was sick.

Three months ago, we were supposed to all meet, but he never showed up.

I called and called, but his phone was busy. Finally, he sent a text: “My friend got in a car accident.”

It was such a bad excuse, I knew he was avoiding them.

Chad told me that his parents divorced, so he was scared to get married. He was worried he wouldn’t be a good husband.

I told him he would be.

So I made another excuse for Chad.

“Sorry, I got the time wrong. He had a meeting he couldn’t miss. Maybe next time.”

My parents didn’t believe me, and they thought I made up a boyfriend so I wouldn’t be lonely.

“Even CEOs of major companies can find 15 or 20 minutes to eat. What is your boyfriend, exactly?”

I had no answer.

After three months, Chad finally agreed to meet them.

I didn’t want anything to mess it up, so we agreed this weekend.

But then, yesterday, Chad told me that a friend needed his help.

The meeting was off.

My mom said, “I knew it would be something. You have nothing to do tomorrow, so come to my relatives’ house for dinner. Their daughter is a year younger than you, and she’s getting married. You can see what a real bride looks like.”

Well, she just did.

But her groom was Chad.

So, the important thing Chad had to do was play the role of his ex’s fiancé, in my condo.

Chad could meet her relatives and act like he was getting married.

And I was waiting for a man who wanted another woman.

Making my parents worried.

…

When I got home, I sat on the couch and thought.

I took a picture of Chad and me during happier times, but it felt fake now.

I heard keys in the door.

It was late.

I thought Chad was back.

But it was Ashley. She had my keys.

I wasn’t surprised.

He already gave away my condo.

What was one more set of keys?

She said, “I didn’t know you were here, Rainey.”

It was my place, but Ashley looked surprised to see me, as if I was the one who didn’t belong.

Chad, drunk, hugged her from behind. Ashley laughed, comforted him, and took him into the bedroom.

Ashley told me to move as if she owned the place.

I saw how out of it Chad was and got up.

Ashley walked into my room, got a blanket, and covered Chad. Then she went into the kitchen.

She knew this place.

I felt sick.

I guess Chad had brought her here a lot.

Ashley brought Chad some water.

It was like she was faking being awful on purpose to make me feel bad.

It took a while for Chad to wake up.

He thanked Ashley and told her he was happy she was there. He didn’t even see me.

“Thanks, Ashley.”

“It’s nothing.”

Chad insisted on walking her out. They hugged.

I was just watching.

Then Ashley stepped out, then stepped back in.

“Oh! I wanted to say sorry for using your condo with my boyfriend. I hope you’re not mad?”

She apologized, but she didn’t look or sound sorry. She was smiling as if I was not important.

Before I could speak, Chad said, “Don’t worry. She’s not mad. You did it to make your parents happy, anyway.”

Ashley smiled. “Chad looked lonely when we broke up, and I didn’t know that he wasn’t seeing anyone until recently.”

Chad seemed sad and stared at Ashley, as if he was the hero and the victim.

Chad wouldn’t let me meet his friends.

The two of them stared at each other.

I was getting annoyed.

Finally, Ashley went to leave.

I stopped her.

“Wait!

Since you’re leaving, why don’t you and your fiancé get out of my condo!”

Chad stared at me.

“Rainey, what are you saying?!”