On my way back to the main hall.

My wife called me.

"My assistant said your car broke down? It's pouring out there, I'll bring you a change of clothes when I head over..."

Hearing the worry in her voice made me smile.

"Whatever you think is best."

"Okay, I have to go, I need to find my speech notes... or else I'm going to be totally lost up there."

"Love you! See you in a bit!"

I was still smiling like an idiot after she hung up.

It wasn't until a classmate called my name that I snapped out of it, he told me the ceremony had been delayed.

He grinned and motioned me over.

"Hurry up, man, they're breaking out the good stuff in here!"

"Nathan brought it back from Europe!"

The moment I walked in, Nathan handed me a glass.

"Have a taste, Liam."

Everyone else was already raving about how special the wine was.

I took a sip and set the glass down.

I'm not much of a wine guy.

Besides, my wife doesn't really like it when I drink.

I thought that would be the end of it.

But Nathan was stuck on me.

He just had to know what I thought of the wine.

I've lived two lives now; I know a setup when I see one.

He was clearly trying to put me on the spot.

When I didn't say anything, a few of the other alumni started in with the cheap shots.

"I guess Liam's palate isn't refined enough to appreciate a fine vintage!"

"I don't know what the administration was thinking, inviting some people. I get inviting the ones who aren't successful but have some social influence, but why invite someone who's got nothing?"

"Hey, don't say that. Back in school, everyone knew Liam and the Dean were practically best friends..."

They were talking in circles, but the message was clear: I didn't belong here.

Nathan just smiled.

"Alright, guys, I didn't mean anything by it... I just wanted to share a drink with an old friend."

He said the words, but his eyes were full of challenge.

I didn't have the energy for his mind games or for schmoozing with this crowd of phonies.

I stepped outside and looked down at the text from my wife.

She said she was going to be a little late.

I sent a voice message back.

"Drive safe!"

I'd barely finished speaking when Jenna appeared in front of me.

"I knew you weren't doing well, but I didn't realize it was this pathetic. You can't even handle a simple glass of wine without getting flustered."

She'd been in there, enjoying the show.

"Nathan and I have already met each other's parents..."

She casually flipped her hair back.

"You know, if you had just come with me to the city after graduation, if you hadn't wasted all that time on your startup, we might have had kids by now."

"But no, you just had to be stubborn!"

"And being stubborn got you completely ostracized..."

I cut her off with a flat, dismissive tone.

"Well, congratulations."

Jenna's face fell.

"What are you congratulating me for?"

"For getting married to Nathan, of course."

My words seemed to infuriate her.

But honestly... I had no idea what she was so angry about.

Jenna stomped her foot, glaring at me.

"You'd better mean that!"

I pressed my lips together and walked past her, heading away from the party.

I never should have come.

This was such a waste of time.

I went upstairs to clear my head for a bit.

When I came back down and re-entered the hall, everyone was staring at me with strange expressions.

I had no idea why.

Until Nathan spoke up.

"It's fine. The wine got smashed, but it's not the end of the world."