I thought my best friend, Lucas, and I were like brothers—sharing college adventures and heartbreak talks. But his wedding invite, excluding my girlfriend, revealed a truth that ended our bond. Lounging with my girlfriend, Claire, I opened Lucas’s wedding invite, a moment we’d anticipated for months. Claire leaned in, smiling. “What’s the date?” I scanned the card—location, time, dress code—but froze. My name was solo, no “and Claire,” no plus-one. “That’s strange,” I said. Claire laughed. “Maybe his fiancée, Ava, missed my name?” It seemed likely. Claire, my partner of three years, was woven into our group, helping Lucas choose Ava’s ring and co-planning his bachelor party.
I texted Lucas: Invite’s missing Claire’s name. Error? His reply lagged, the typing bubble taunting. Then: Not an error. Let’s talk. My heart raced. That evening, I cornered a groomsman. “What’s up?” I asked. He paled. “They didn’t tell you?” he whispered. Dread hit me. I found Lucas at the venue, joking with Ava. “Talk. Now,” I said, pulling him aside. “Why’s Claire the only one not invited?” Lucas rubbed his neck, avoiding my gaze. Ava strutted over, arms crossed. “It’s because of Jenna,” she said smugly. “She’s got a thing for you and would lose it if Claire showed.” I stared. “Jenna? The bridesmaid?” Ava nodded. “She’s struggling, and we didn’t want a scene.”
Nausea hit. “You snubbed my girlfriend of three years for a bridesmaid’s crush?” Lucas muttered, “It’s just one night, man. Keeps things smooth.” I scoffed. “Smooth? This is disrespectful!” Ava sighed. “Don’t overreact. Tell Claire to skip it.” My anger flared. “You want me to pretend I’m single for Jenna’s delusion?” I asked. Lucas looked down, but Ava snapped, “It’s one day. Get over it.” I shook my head. “I’m done,” I said. “With the wedding and you.” Lucas panicked, but I left. At home, I spilled everything to Claire. She exhaled, stunned. “All this for some jealous bridesmaid?” she said, smirking. “Jenna’s pathetic, needing a wedding planned around her crush.”
Claire grabbed my hand. “I’m glad you chose us.” I kissed her palm, no second thoughts. Karma hit hard. At the wedding, Jenna snapped, yelling about fake love, flipping a costly food spread. She screamed at Ava, “I should be the bride!” and smashed frosting at her. The cake fell, chaos erupted, and police took Jenna away. A groomsman texted: You escaped a disaster. Claire laughed. “Think Lucas sees uninviting me was a mistake?” I grinned. “He’s paying for it now.”
