Jayden Skylar Zane Novel Nine Engagements Later, I Let Go

My girlfriend has a boy best friend who's attached to her at the hip.
On what was supposed to be our ninth engagement party, she left me standing alone at the venue.
All because it was the twentieth anniversary of the day she met that guy.
It's just postponing the engagement, it's not the end of the world. Are you that desperate to get married? His new post popped up on my SnapChat feed, the words stinging my eyes.
"Twenty years of friendship, how can some outsider ever compare?"
In the picture, they were hugging under the guise of "best friends," their pose intimate.
I didn't say a word. I just calmly liked the post.
Then, I silently walked out of her life.
Six months later, she called. "I bought that wedding suit you loved. Get back here so we can get married!"
But the reply came from a woman's voice. "My husband is busy researching pregnancy recipes for me. Can I help you?"

1
The day the engagement was called off, I threw the ring in a trash can.
A cab driver by the roadside waved at me, asking where to.
"Just drive," I said. "Anywhere, as long as it's not back to where I started."
When Skylar's call came, I powered off my phone.
It stayed off for three days.
The night sea breeze was soothing, casually lifting the hem of my shirt.
It reminded me of the first time Skylar confessed her feelings to me.
Back then, her face was youthful, the affection spilling from her eyes impossible to hide.
Young and reckless, I dove in headfirst.
I was madly in love with the 20-year-old Skylar.
I willingly moved from the South to an unfamiliar city in the North for her.
I gave up the job I was passionate about, content to be her assistant. That lasted nine years.
Fate has a funny sense of humor. We got engaged nine times too.
And every single time, at the crucial moment, it was called off because of that guy.
His name is Zane. We'd fought over him more times than I could count.
"I've told you, Zane and I are like brothers from another mother! Why are you so insecure?"
"We grew up together, we're as close as family. Does it always have to be something dirty in your eyes?"
"Jayden, do you have any idea how crazy you look when you're jealous? Zane doesn't even hold a grudge about you suspecting us, how much further are you going to take this?!"
Skylar's expression would be dark.
So, after every one of those hysterical arguments,
I would quietly swallow my own intense feelings.
Because I was afraid of losing her, I was always the one begging for peace, lowering myself.
But this time, my heart was eerily calm. I didn't even feel the desire to confront her.
I just wanted to feel the sea breeze. Doing nothing felt more than enough.
It was easy for Skylar to find me.
I'd forgotten the hotel I was staying at was under her name. She could even open my room door without warning.
"Jayden, do you know how childish running away is?"
"That day was the twentieth anniversary of me meeting Zane! I just went to celebrate! Can't I have any other friends besides you?"
Hah. Friends.
Friends who kiss?
I didn't voice that question. I knew she'd argue it was just a game.
It wasn't the first time, anyway.
"There's nothing between Zane and me. Can you stop being jealous and disappearing?"
She looked at me, a worried frown creasing her brow.
"Tell you what, I'll make it up to you with a bigger wedding. I'll even have Zane be your best man. Will that make you happy?"
Her tone was placating.
I didn't respond. Her frown deepened.
"Jayden, if you dare to..."
"Okay." I cut her off before she could finish.
The old me would have argued relentlessly, only to end up being the one at fault, apologizing meekly.
But now, I just offered a faint smile.
Seeing me so compliant, surprise flickered in her eyes.
Then her expression relaxed, and she reached for my hand. "Let's go home."
I coldly pulled my hand back and walked ahead of her.
Skylar was stunned for a few seconds.
No fight? She wasn't used to it.
When I reached her car, I found Zane waiting there too.
"Jayden! Man, finally found you! You have no idea how worried Skylar was!" He laughed, giving Skylar a one-armed hug. "I told you we should've brought Jayden to our anniversary thing! See, he got jealous again. You're in trouble now!"
"Jayden, I apologize on her behalf. Don't be mad. If you're still angry, I'll beat her up for you!"
He playfully aimed a mock punch at Skylar's shoulder, the light touch turning into him draping his arm around her.
"Hitting me there again? You know that's my spot," Skylar raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hey! Don't look at me like that!" He chuckled, his gaze darting to me. "Jayden's watching. Behave. Do you want to make him run away again?"

2
I didn't look at them. I quietly and knowingly took the back seat, not even lifting my eyes.
I used to fight with Skylar a lot over the passenger seat.
Whenever Zane was around, she'd say it was his seat.
Because he got carsick, and only sitting next to Skylar helped.
It made me angry. I couldn't understand.
In Skylar's eyes, that just made me a jealous man.
This time, my silence seemed to throw Skylar off.
As the car started, Zane turned from the front passenger seat to look at me.
"Jayden, you look like you haven't eaten well these past few days. Let me treat you to dinner. Consider it my apology on Skylar's behalf."