No one spoke.
“I figured since I wasn’t bringing a plus one,” I added with a smile, “I could at least bring something else to the table.”
Tyler finally found his voice.
“You said you didn’t want to be involved.”
“I said I wasn’t sure I’d be invited, but you were so generous to let me come tonight.”
I paused.
“And now that I’ve seen how welcome I really am, I’m thinking maybe it’s best if I step away from the whole thing.”
And then I stood up slowly, deliberately, as the tension in the room rose like a tide about to crash.
That’s when Brooke grabbed the papers.
That’s when my mother stood up, too, eyes flashing.
And that’s when Tyler said something that changed everything.
Tyler slammed his hand on the table hard enough that the wine glasses clinkedked and a few people jumped.
“Jason, don’t be dramatic,” he snapped. “You’re really going to pull this over a joke?”
I looked at him genuinely curious.
“A joke? You think that’s what tonight was?”
Brooke tossed the folder back onto the table like it was dirty.
“You’re seriously going to sabotage our wedding just because you’re bitter you’re not part of the inner circle.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“You mean the circle that laughs at me, insults me, and treats me like a stray dog? Someone felt bad for that circle.”
My mother finally spoke, her voice low and sharp.
“This is exactly why we don’t invite you to things, Jason. You always make everything about yourself.”
That one hit me.
Not because it was true, but because it was so incredibly predictable.
The same playbook every time.
I wasn’t supposed to react. I was supposed to take the hit, smile, and come back for more.
When I didn’t, I was the villain.
I kept my voice calm.
“You invited me here to be your punching bag. You just didn’t think I’d swing back.”
My uncle let out a dry laugh.
“He thinks he’s a big shot now just cause he put down a deposit.”
Brooke leaned forward, her tone icy.
“You want a thank you card, Jason? Is that it? Because if you’re doing all this for attention—”
“I’m not,” I cut in. “Trust me, Brooke. I don’t need your attention or your approval.”
I turned to Tyler.
“But you, you’re my brother. You didn’t even tell me you were getting married until after everyone else knew. And then you invite me last minute like I’m an afterthought.”