I wake up at 11am, realizing that I'm supposed to meet Ryan at our café in one hour. Gosh, I'm late, and that's an understatement. I guess I'll skip breakfast, and have no time for a shower. Plus, where's Paige?

Lately, she's been barking orders at her wedding planning team on the phone. Today, it isn't the case. I suppose she's already left. If I weren't in a rush, I'd admire this moment of peace and savor it until the very last second.

I get dressed, wear my favorite cologne and leave the house, checking that I have my phone and wallet. Thank God they're already with me. I can't afford to waste any more time. I can't be late, not on such an important occurrence.

***

Ryan is already waiting for me at the entrance of Gold Buck, our to-go café. He looks classy, yet extravagant at the same time. Typical of him. He shoves his expensive watch on my face, for which I expect him to scold me for not being on time.

When I realize it's 12pm sharp, however, I sigh out of relief. My brisk walk experience has helped me—or, better said, it has saved my ass. Ryan gives me a cold glare. "You're lucky, dude. Now, let's go in, okay?" His hard stare softens when he takes his seat at table 27.

There, to my shock, I find Paige. Since when has she hung out with him? Have they become good friends? Does he know her supposed fiancé? They both have a lot of explaining to do for the sake of my sanity.

"Come on, take a seat." Paige's invitation apparently sounds gentle; I, on the other hand, think she has ulterior motives to be here and want to find out now. She doesn't know, but I have good reasons to believe her marriage might be a dupe.

First of all, she invited me without ever telling me her fiancé's name, let even introducing him. She has never hinted at a surprise either, which means that she might be marrying someone suspicious.

Plus, she has left me out of decisions involving the event and threatened to pull me out of the invitation list multiple times over minor disagreements. If this isn't a red flag, then what classifies as one? Either she tells me the truth as it is, or she's toast.

I sit in front of her, but don't look at her. Instead, I turn my gaze to Ryan. After all, we were supposed to hang out together, just the two of us, with no third party involved. "So, Ryan, what brought us here?" I ask in an expectant tone.

He doesn't answer straight away. Paige rubs her hands against each other. What does it mean? Is her groom to be acquainted to Ryan? Are they friends? I really need to know. I may sound paranoid, but I can't trust my sister, especially after yesterday's tirade over my presence at the wedding.

I insist. "Come on, stop acting mysterious. You told me it'd be something serious. And why is Paige here? Is there anything you're keeping from me?" I eye my friend in a suspicious manner, but he just shrugs. I don't know how to interpret this. I want the truth, that's it.

"Eddie, please. I have no reason to hide anything from you. Come one, we're best friends, right?" His response doesn't convince me in the slightest. He's acting like he's keeping such a damning secret that, if let out, can ruin everything. Well, if he wants to maintain my trust, he has to talk. It's now or never.

"So?"

"Well, I'm getting married." This is surprising. Ryan has never struck me as someone who'd settle down by his own will. He's always had a carefree love life up to this point. What, or better who, made him change his mind? It's time to find out, I guess.

I think Paige has a role in this turning point of his. For some reason, I can see her playing matchmaker with him and pushing the right buttons to help him find the love of his life. I eye her, hoping to confirm my theory. However, she doesn't answer.

What was supposed to be a nice hangout with my best friend and my sister is turning into a painful nightmare. Their silence is devastating, crippling. Questions roam in my mind with no chance of an answer. Negative thoughts turn my aura dark. Can't Ryan and Paige be honest?

"Okay, this is getting out of hand. I know you're both stressed for good reasons, but I need answers. I need to know more about your big days. Are you going to keep me in the dark? If so, for how longer?" My instinctive reaction leaves them displeased. Maybe I could've held my tongue, but at the same time I feel like a pressure cooker on the verge of exploding.

Paige snaps at me. "Always the spoilsport, Eddie! I shouldn't have given you another chance. Now, what are you insinuating, that I'm making everything up for attentions?" I've never even said that! Why is she putting words in my mouth? She really wants me to look bad in front of Ryan.

Fortunately, the latter intervenes. "Come on, Paige, calm down. He has a point. We should've come clear earlier." What? They've been keeping this secret together, but didn't bother telling me anything. For real? If I can't know whom they're marrying, then how am I supposed to support them?

This living nightmare takes an even more horrifying turn when both Paige and Ryan show off identical rings. It can't be a coincidence. They're definitely planning to get married on the same day, so that I'll be forced to choose. Well, not that I have a choice, since Paige doesn't seem to want me around anymore.

Is she hell bent on tearing me apart from Ryan? What game is she playing? It's not funny, she should know. So, why can't she give me a break? I take a deep breath. Since we're at breaking point, why not make it meaningful?

"Ryan, Paige, I don't know what the fuck you're thinking. If this is a game, it'd better stop because I'm running out of patience." Although I try to hide it, my voice shakes. I'm broken inside. I have a huge burden on my shoulders I can't get rid of.

Ryan replies in a flat tone, much to my disdain. "Fine. You want answers. Here they are. Paige and I are getting married. Time for you to accept it, Eddie. I'm not your exclusive property, and Paige isn't either. So, suck it up or fuck off."

"Really? So this is, Ryan." I clap my hands, but in a sarcastic manner. I want these two fuckers out of my sight now. "You've just thrown our friendship in the trash over my sister. I could've accepted it, but you didn't tell me straight away and then you choose to act high and mighty by mocking me."

"Me, me, me, me. Have some shame, Eddie. It's not always about you." His condescending tone is getting on my nerves. If we weren't in a public place, I'd gladly punch his face and then slap Paige's face for her stupidity.

I've had enough of them. Not only do they betray me, they also make fun of my emotions. I've just lost the last tiny bit of respect for them. Behind the masks hide two conceited, arrogant and manipulative jerks. I don't need their bullshit in my life anymore.

"Fuck off, traitors."