The Wedding Invitation

On the day of our engagement party, my fiance, Jenny, ditched mein front of everyonefor her male best friend, Shane.

I took the mic and stepped onto the stage.

Well, folks, I announced, Looks like this is my promotion party instead. Party's still on! Eat, drink, be merry. My treat.

Later, when Jenny begged me to reschedule the engagement bash, I handed her an invitation instead.

No need for another engagement party, I said, my voice flat. But you're welcome to attend my wedding.

Asher, I'm so sorry! Shane's in trouble. I have to go right now.

Jenny clutched her car keys, her apology sounding frantic. I'd just changed into my suit jacket, ready to start the table rounds. For a second, I thought I'd misheard.

Jenny, I said slowly, the words thick in my throat. Do you have any idea what today is?

Our engagement party.

My entire family had taken time off to be here. Her parents were sitting right there at the head table. And now, Jenny was telling me she had to run to Shane?

Was she out of her damn mind?

Her eyes were wide with panic. I said I'd marry you, didn't I? What more do you want? We can reschedule this stupid party! But Shane might really be hurt!

I took two steps, blocking the doorway, forcing her to meet my gaze. And what if I told you Shane isn't in trouble at all?

Jenny flinched like I'd slapped her.

Asher, have you no heart? Shane grew up with us! It's just a party! Are you really so jealous you can't stand him having one good thing?

There it was again.

Shane was the one trying to wreck my day, yet somehow, I was the petty one, the jealous one.

It was always like this.

Shane could do whatever he wanted to me, but the second I pushed back, it was my problem and insecurity.

I closed my eyes, stepped aside, and Jenny bolted past me.

She shoved the door open so hard it rebounded off the wall and slammed into my shoulder. The sharp pain jolted me awake.

The party coordinator knocked softly. Mr.? Are we ready to start?

I stood frozen for three long seconds. Cancel it, I said, the words tasting like ash. The engagement party is canceled.

I apologized to her and explained my new plan.

Jenny hadn't wanted the coordinator first because she thought a woman couldn't handle the job.

I'd insisted after seeing her portfolio C sharp, professional. Jenny had even argued with me about it, but I didn't back down.

And damn, was I glad I did.

She was good.

Really good.

Within minutes, she had a new plan.

The ballroom buzzed with confused chatter.

I took a deep breath, climbed the stage steps, and grabbed the mic.

Change of plans, everyone!

My voice echoed, too loud in the sudden quiet. Turns out today's a celebration for my promotion! Please, enjoy the food and drinks.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. My parents, Jenny's parents C all looked at me in shock.

I didn't explain and handed the mic back to the coordinator. She worked her magic, swiftly calming the stirred atmosphere. The curious glances still came, but no one mentioned the word engagement' again.

After seeing off the guests, I ushered both sets of parents back to my place.

I went to my room and pulled out the ring box C the one Jenny and I had picked out together. I handed it back to her parents.

Mr. and Mrs., I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.

Guess it wasn't meant to be. This belongs to you now. I hope Jenny finds someone she truly loves.

They refused to accept the ring box and promised to talk sense into her.

I took out my phone, opened Shane's social media.

His latest post screamed at me:

She promised she'd never let go.'

The picture showed two hands intertwined.

One of them, unmistakably, wore my engagement ring.

Jenny's mother gasped, recognizing her daughter's hand instantly and apologizing to me.

Asher, honey, this is Jenny was wrong in this. Please, can you forgive her this once? We're so sorry

I shook my head.

None of this was their fault. I didn't blame them.

Jenny's legs were her own.

Where she wanted to go, no one could stop her.

It's just that I also couldn't brush this off because they apologized.

I'd given Jenny enough chances.

I was done being the understanding one, done being the doormat.

Shane's emergency' was just a cheap trick to yank Jenny's chain.

Every time something important happened with us, Shane had some minor crisis.

And every time, he came out unscathed.

It was his old trick. Using petty, attention-seeking tactics like a jealous woman, yet it worked every single time.

He said he was afraid Jenny wouldn't care about him after marriage, so he needed to test his importance in her heart.

And Jenny kept proving she would. Every. Single. Time.

Fine. If that's what she wanted, she could have him.

I was out.

I woke up early for a run and bought breakfast on the way back. Mom hovered, looking worried.

Asher, honey, she finally said, last night you said it was a promotion party? What did you mean?

I swallowed a bite of my bagel. Mom, remember Mr. Henderson offered me that position running the new Northern division?

The one I turned down? Well, I changed my mind. He's giving me the promotion.

My younger brother, Ben, looked up, confused. But you said it was freezing up there! You swore you'd never go!

Mom nudged a glass of orange juice towards him. I managed a grin. Yeah, well, the offer was too damn good to refuse.

I hadn't wanted to go before because Jenny hated the idea of the distance.

We were getting married and long-distance seemed risky. So I'd chosen her, chosen us.

Now I saw exactly how much that choice was worth.

Walking into Mr. Henderson's office later, I saw the surprise flicker in his eyes.

Having worked with him for years, he knew me wellI never regretted my decisions. This was a first.

Thought you'd made up your mind, he said, leaning back in his chair.

I was just about to start looking for your replacement. Since you changed your tune, the job's yours. When can you start? Need a few days?

No need, I said, squaring my shoulders. I can be there tomorrow.

I cleared my desk, handed everything over to my assistant, and booked a one-way flight for the next morning.

When I landed and turned my phone back on, it blew up.

There were dozens of missed callsmy parents. Ben. Jenny's parents. Ben again.

And I saw an unexpected name: Shane.

His name sat right next to Jenny's in the call log.

Tag-teaming me, probably. Too bad I'd been in the air.

I ignored them all, only calling my parents back. They answered instantly.

Asher! You landed? Did someone pick you up? I heard it's freezing there, bundle up

Ben snatched the phone.

Jenny called the house! She wanted to know where you vanished to. Don't worry, bro, I didn't tell her squat! We should make her sweat, let her learn to cherish you."

I chuckled. I wasn't planning on making her sweat, Ben. Someone that irrelevant doesn't worth the effort.

Silence on the other end. I heard shuffling, then Ben's voice, hesitant. Wait you're serious? You're really done with Jenny?

Yeah, Ben. Done.

I chatted a bit more before hanging up.

Stepping out of the airport, the icy wind hit me like a wall.

A familiar car idled at the curb.

Chloe Sinclair leaned out the driver's window. Need a ride, stranger? she called, a warm smile on her face. I'd texted her my flight info after she insisted on picking me up.

She chattered as she navigated the traffic. Seriously, Asher, what brings you to the frozen tundra? I thought you hated the cold! And where's Jenny? Didn't she come with?

I rubbed my temples. I am here to run the new branch. Jenny's busy with Shane. We're done.

Chloe slammed on the brakes, pulling over sharply. Done? What happened? Her eyes searched mine, wide with concern.

So I told her. The whole damn mess.

The escape act, Shane's manipulative games, the ring on his social media.

Jenny had gotten one thing wrong from the start.

Shane and I were never friends.

From the moment I met him as a kid, something rubbed me the wrong way. Shane was always the fragile one, the one who needed protecting.

At my tenth birthday party, everyone was singing and Jenny vanished. Shane's parents were out so he was scared'. She ran off without even finishing the song.

She came back the next day with a cupcake. Don't be mad! He was all alone! You had everyone else!

She swore I was her number one.

Then, the limited edition Iron Man figure I'd saved for months to buy Jenny showed up at Shane's house.

I'd gotten grounded for the cost, hid the bruises, just to see her face light up.

And there it was, in his hands.

I was just hurt. That thing I'd fought for? She'd just handed it over.

He really loved Iron Man, Jenny had argued later, defensive. He just wanted to borrow it!

No, I'd said, staring her down. That's not what happened, Jenny.

He'd told me she gave it to him. And then he'd accidentally' smashed it right in front of me. I'd grabbed a piece of the base with my name scrawled on it C To Jenny, the biggest dork C Asher'C and ran.

I waited for her explanation. When she finally showed up, it wasn't to apologize.

It was to yell at me for picking on' Shane.

Picking on' Shane?

I'd been baffled.

When did I pick on him?

Jenny had been furious. Stop lying! You went to his house and broke it on purpose! Asher, you're so petty!

Her words stung, but I'd held my ground.

Shane said you gave it to him. And he broke it. I didn't touch it.

Jenny wouldn't believe it. Asher, get a better lie! Shane loved that figure! He packed it so carefully when he borrowed it! Why would he break his own stuff?

You're just jealous, and now you're lying about him!

She'd ripped into me, demanding I apologize to Shane. I'd refused. We'd barely spoken for weeks. Things only thawed when Shane moved away to live with his grandma.

I never thought he'd slither back.

By then, Jenny and I were officially together.

She threw me a birthday party.

Shane tagged along behind her. Happy Birthday, Asher! he'd chirped, all fake sunshine.

My friends had stared, awkward. Jenny introduced him as her brother'. I'd kept my mouth shut, biting back my irritation because of the pleading look Jenny gave me.

Shane hadn't stopped there. He'd pulled out an Iron Man figure C a cheap knockoff C from a box by the door.

Here, Asher! To make up for the one that got broken. Hope you're not still mad. Just want you and Jenny to be happy!

The room had gone ice cold. Jenny and I had both stiffened.

Because of Shane, my birthday party was a disaster.

Things got worse. Shane became a constant shadow. Any time I needed Jenny, Shane would need her for some small favor'.

Jenny always had an excuse: he was lonely, had no friends. She had to go. But I had plenty of friends.

I didn't know how to explain to her that some things are different when done by a friend versus by a girlfriend.

She knew I was insecure, swore I was her priority. To prove it, she planned a trip.

I turned down a major project for it C the kind that meant a promotion, a raise, recognition for years of work.

My boss had been pissed.

You know what this means,? Of course I knew but I chose Jenny.

But that day, she never showed up.

I found out why on Shane's social media.

He posted a picture without any caption.

In the photo, Shane was in swim trunks and Jenny's hand resting low on his hip.

The implication was a punch to the gut.

I holed up in the hotel room I'd booked for us for a day and a night without leaving.

Jenny finally showed up, flustered. Shane had called her just as she was leaving, she explained. He said he was drowning and terrified.

She'd rushed back without calling me. It turned out to be a false alarm. He'd gotten a cramp while learning to swim. He coughed up some water, got scared' and begged her to stay.

I'd listened, numb, wanting to say we're done'.

Jenny had clung to me, begging. She said she was wrong, promised it wouldn't happen again and told me our parents had already set a date for the engagement party.

I'd looked at the ring she held out, a strange thought forming: Maybe once we were engaged, she'd finally choose me?

Like an idiot, I agreed.

And got slapped in the face by reality.

Saying I wasn't hurt at all would be a lie. We'd grown up together but it turned out our history meant nothing next to Shane's drama.

Chloe listened, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. Just as she looked ready to explode, my phone rang. It was Jenny.

Asher! We're getting married! Can't you act like an adult for once?!