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he will be getting next time will be his last rights.”
    “Why don’t you move the wedding up and away from here? Somewhere that he can’t find you.”
    Most of the time my cousin is an asshole, but right now he is a fucking genius!
    “That’s it, Nik!” I exclaim, slapping him hard on the back.
    Yanking my cell phone out of my pocket, I begin dialing Kylie, and then it hits me.
    “You know I’m going to need you there right? And Skylar is going to need Kylie there, too. Do you think you two can handle being around each other without killing one another?”
    Blowing out a hard breath, Nik picks up the broken paperweight and begins playing with it in his hand. This is where I expect him to be his cocky, arrogant self, but he isn’t. Instead of giving me one of his witty comebacks, he collapses in the large leather lounger, throws his head back, and stares up at the ceiling.
    “She hates me.”
    “She doesn’t hate you. Well, all right, maybe she does a little, but that girl fucking loves you, Nik. Why can’t you two get your shit together?”
    “I can’t be what she wants me to be. I don’t think I ever can. When she thought she was pregnant, I freaked the hell out on her. I told her I never wanted kids or a family. I didn’t mean it. I was just scared shitless.”
    “So, what now? Are you planning on fucking your way through Austin? Skylar and I saw you with your blonde friend the other night.”
    “Yeah, well, she isn’t anybody. Just someone I needed for a date to something.”
    “Hmm. Fuck buddy, huh?”
    “No, goddamnit! Satisfied? I can’t even think straight without Kylie. None of my equipment works, if you get my drift. I’ve got a serious case of blue balls, man.”
    “Wait, do you mean to tell me, the infamous Nikolas Thorne hasn’t been with a woman in three months now?”
    “No, I haven’t, dipshit! I can’t. I miss her so damn much it hurts.”
    “Then tell her! What is your problem?”
    “She will leave me again, Sebastian. Just like she did before. Every time I get close to someone, they run. I should be used to it by now.”
    “Nik, you made her run. She didn’t want to! You don’t know how many nights I’ve heard her cry on the phone with Skylar. I’m telling you man, you need to get your shit together and fix this before you lose the best thing that ever happened to you!”
    Blowing out a hard breath, he stands, leans back, and then slings the paperweight across the room. The clear glass shatters against the wall, and he clenches his jaw in anger.
    “I can’t. I just fucking can’t!”
    “Well, man up then because you are going to be on an island for a few days with her. It’s either swim with the sharks or deal with your shit.”
    “Fuck me!”
    “Yes, fuck you! Now, get the hell out of here. I have a wedding to plan. Unless, of course, you’d like to speak to the maid of honor?” Putting it on speakerphone, I extend the ringing phone to him.
    He backs away with his hands up in the air.
    “No fucking way! I’m out of here,” he says, making his way to the door.
    Just as he is about to walk out, Kylie’s voice answers and it brings his body to a complete standstill. I watch his shoulders stiffen, his hands clench by his side. He is fighting with himself not to turn around and face me.
    “Hello Kylie, so I have a favor to ask of you,” I say and then she laughs.
    “Whatcha need? This better be something good for my girl!” she jokes.
    Nik’s head drops and his shoulders slump in defeat. Pressing his head into the door facing, he begins lightly hitting it over and over. When he’s done, he turns to face me, his face solemn, throwing up his hand to wave goodbye. Slowly, he closes the door while still hanging on listening to her every word.
    This boy has it so fucking bad for her!
    “I need you to help me plan a wedding.” I say.
    “Um, isn’t your bride doing that already?” Kylie jokes, confused at what I am talking about.
    “I’m thinking we need to