His Girl Best Friend Mocked My Calm Act—Unhinged Family Shut Her Novel – TaleReader My dad had been a hellraiser since he was a kid. He used to scream that his fate was his own, and then he fought his way up to become an underground mafia family boss. My mom had a terminal case of Main Character Syndrome. Her motto was simple: anything a woman wants, she gets. And she piled up a fortune to prove it. So go figure. Two crazy people balanced each other out and ended up with me, the most low-maintenance person you’ll ever meet.
Everything was fine until my fiance’s girl best friend came back from abroad. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you. I was his first. But we’re just friends now. Honestly, if I hadn’t left the country to focus on my career…” “Forget it. I shouldn’t even go there. I’m not like you. I’m not the type who makes marriage her whole life goal.” My fiance shot me an apologetic look. “Skyler didn’t mean anything by it. She just doesn’t get why I’d want to settle down this young.” I calmly slid my diamond ring off my finger and set it on the table. “Alright then. Let’s not get married.” My fiance and his girl best friend both froze.
They clearly hadn’t expected me to be so chill about it. Then I changed the subject. “So. How are you planning to explain this to my parents?” See, I can afford to be chill. Because my parents are absolutely unhinged. In a family like mine, staying low-key is the only way to keep things smooth. *** The day Skyler Quinn came back to town, Cole Mitchell’s group chat exploded. [Everyone meet at the usual spot tonight. I hear my bro is engaged. Time for us to vet the future Mrs. Mitchell.] By the time I walked into the private room, it was already packed.
Skyler had slipped her hand under Cole’s shirt. “Damn, two years and you finally grew some abs. Let me count how many.” Cole laughed and tried to dodge her. “Cut it out. You know I’m ticklish there.” Skyler didn’t stop. “I’m just loosening you up. Don’t act like I’m doing something wrong.” Some guy at the table looked up and saw me walk in. “Everyone shut up! The fiancee is here!” Skyler turned and looked me up and down. But her hand was still inside Cole’s shirt. Cole quickly pulled her hand away and stood up to guide me to a seat.
The second I sat down next to him, Skyler elbowed him in the ribs. “Nice work, kid. She’s gorgeous. You didn’t even give us a heads up.” Cole smiled proudly. “I wanted you to see her in person when you got back. So. Does she pass the test?” Skyler took a sip of her drink. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Since when do I get a vote? Don’t drag me into your lovesick nonsense.” Cole’s friends all laughed. Then the laughter died when they realized how awkward the room had gotten. One guy quickly looked at me. “Skyler’s just like that. Don’t take it personally.” Skyler waved him off. “Yeah, that’s just who I am. Don’t overthink it. I’ve never liked hanging out with girls.” “Three women are a drama fest.
Too much gossip. I can’t stand it.” Cole jumped in. “Well, there are only two women here tonight, so we should be fine.” Skyler smacked his arm. “Screw you. I’m nothing like your precious fiancee. Don’t you dare compare me to her.” Cole rubbed his arm and glanced at me awkwardly. When he saw I wasn’t reacting, he relaxed. Skyler was the star of the dinner. She held court the whole time, telling stories about their childhood. She talked loud, gestured big, and slammed the table whenever she got excited.
Cole’s friends played along, raising their glasses and hyping her up. I knew exactly what she was doing. She was pulling the guys to her side and steering the conversation toward things I couldn’t join. But honestly? I didn’t care. I’ve never been one to force myself into a crowd. When Skyler saw that I wasn’t bothered at all, she finished a round of toasts and suddenly turned to me. “Grace, let me tell you something. Since you’re marrying Cole, I think I should come clean.” The room went quiet for a second. Skyler took a sip and said it casually. “Cole lost his virginity to me.” Cole’s face went blank.
He automatically dropped his gaze. Then Skyler laughed. “But that was years ago. We’re just buddies now.” “Honestly, if I hadn’t left the country for my career, things might have… but life’s full of what ifs.” She set her glass down and looked at me. “Forget it. I shouldn’t even bring it up. I’m not like you. I don’t make marriage my goal. My life is the real priority.” Cole quickly looked up at my face. “Skyler didn’t mean it that way. She just doesn’t get why we’re getting married so young.” He turned and glared at her. “Skyler, lay off.” Skyler held up her hands. “What? I’m just being honest. Marriage is supposed to be built on trust. I’m doing you a favor.” But I had already put down my fork. I reached over and slipped the ring off my finger. Then I set it on the table. “Alright then. Let’s call off the wedding.”