The Engagement Party Fiasco

The day of the engagement party, my fiancé, Emily, ditched me – in front of everyone – for her male bestie.

I grabbed the mic and just said, “Hey, everyone, consider this my promotion party. Enjoy the food and drinks!”

Later, Emily wanted a do-over engagement party. My response? A wedding invitation. “No engagement, but you’re welcome to come to the actual wedding.”

...

“Look, Chris, I’m so sorry. Something’s come up with Matt, and I gotta go.”

Emily tossed me the keys, trying to explain.

I’d just finished getting into my suit, ready to work the room. For a second, I thought I’d misheard her.

“Emily, do you know what today is?”

Our engagement party.

My entire family, some who’d flown in, were waiting. Her parents were sitting at the head table for crying out loud.

And she’s telling me she has to run off to see Matt?

Seriously?

Her eyes were wide, full of this urgency.

“It’s not a big deal, we can do the engagement party later, right? But Matt’s freaking out; something could really be wrong!”

I stepped in front of the door, locking eyes with her. “What if I told you Matt was perfectly fine?”

Emily exploded. “Chris, what is wrong with you? Matt’s been there for you, and this is just an engagement party! Are you really that jealous that he might need me?”

Here we go again.

Matt was always trying to sabotage my relationship, and somehow, I was the one with the problem.

It’s always been that way.

Matt could do anything to me, but if I so much as mentioned it, I was the bad guy, the jealous one, the guy who couldn't stand to see Matt get ahead.

I closed my eyes, took a breath, and stepped aside. Emily bolted.

The door slammed against the wall when she pulled it open, shaking me out of my daze.

The DJ was tapping on the door, asking if we were ready to roll.

I stood there, stunned, for a few seconds. Then I answered.

“Yeah, um, today’s engagement party is cancelled.”

I gave him the bad news and told him I had other plans.

Emily didn’t want him in the first place, she said a guy shouldn't be a wedding host, but I hired him anyway. She was pissed but he was good. I didn’t care.

He came up with a new plan in a flash.

Everyone was waiting in the banquet hall. I sucked in a breath, stepped onto the stage, and picked up the mic.

“So, turns out this is my promotion party. Have a great time, everyone!”

The room buzzed. My parents and Emily’s looked up at me, dumbfounded.

I didn’t explain. I handed the mic back to the DJ, and he quickly calmed everyone down. Aside from a few confused glances, nobody brought up the engagement party.

After everyone left, I brought Emily’s parents and mine home.

I pulled out the wedding rings I bought with Emily and gave them to her parents.

“Mr. and Mrs. Davis, it wasn't meant to be, and the rings should probably go back to you. I hope Emily finds someone who really deserves her.”

They tried to refuse, saying they’d have a talk with Emily.

I pulled out my phone, opened Matt's Instagram. His newe...