"Aunt May doesn't approve of Peter and Mary?"
"What else?"
Hawk shrugged.
That was why, when he'd first seen Aunt May, he hadn't been too worried about Peter's so-called disappearance.
Mary's panic was real.
Aunt May's… not so much.
Not fake, exactly. But compared to Mary—completely in the dark—Aunt May's concern felt less urgent.
From the start, Hawk had suspected Aunt May knew more than she let on.
And again—other people's business? He usually couldn't be bothered.
What if Peter had only "vanished" to stage a surprise for Mary?
That was possible too.
So Hawk had chosen silence.
Now, knowing the truth, it all made sense. Aunt May hadn't told Mary because—just as Mary herself had said—this was Parker family business. And Mary Jane was still an outsider.
"But Mary's Peter's girlfriend!" Gwen insisted.
"True." Hawk nodded, meeting her eyes. "But I'd bet my life Mary's Peter's first girlfriend, not his last. Would you bet yours?"
Gwen froze.
She wanted to back her best friend the way Hawk had backed his brother-in-arms. To say without hesitation that Mary was Peter's forever.
But…
She couldn't.
Because deep down, she knew she couldn't guarantee it.
Peter was good.
Mary was good.
That was true.
But Peter was reserved, grounded, the kind of guy who wore a mask even just to do good deeds.
Mary, by contrast, was bold, glamorous. She danced. She dreamed of Broadway, of performing under the lights.
Two different worlds.
Gwen sighed and shook her head. "Forget it. You're right. It's their business, not ours."
Hawk smiled faintly.
"Figured it out?"
"What do you think?" Gwen rolled her eyes, then narrowed them at him. "Wait a minute—you said 'first' like you don't see them lasting either."
Hawk lifted a shoulder. "First loves usually end in heartbreak."
Gwen arched a brow.
"I'm your first love."
"Uh…" Hawk froze. Her green eyes glinted dangerously. He scrambled: "We're different!"
"Mm-hmm." Gwen kept staring.
Hawk's mind raced.
Then—
He abruptly turned the car around.
Gwen blinked. "Where are we going? Not home?"
"Las Vegas."
"…Why?"
"Marriage licenses at eighteen are legal there." His face was deadly serious.
What else could he do? It was the only way he could patch this hole he'd just dug.
And this—this was exactly why he avoided meddling in other people's drama. Because sometimes, it backfired right onto him.
Like now.
But—
In the end, they didn't go to Vegas.
Not because Hawk backed out.
Because Gwen did.
She worried about the fallout. An enraged George kicking down the door with a shotgun, Helen fuming, the whole family scandalized.
After all, taking without asking was eloping.
And right now, George was already begrudgingly tolerating their engagement. If they ran off to Vegas, he'd blow his top.
And besides—classes started tomorrow.
Most of all?
She hadn't meant it.
She couldn't promise Mary's future with Peter.
But her own? She had no doubt. She had chosen Hawk with her own two hands.
And the fact that Hawk had been ready to leave instantly for Vegas? That was enough.
She would be Mrs. Phoenix.
The only one.
Just—later.
For now, school came first.
…
The next morning—
They rose early, had breakfast, and drove off as usual: Gwen's Corolla in front, Hawk's Audi A8 behind, headed to NYU and Empire University.
After his first class, Hawk left the lecture hall, phone to his ear.
"Hey, Gwen."
"This morning, Felicia's assistant came to excuse Peter from school. Said he's working on a research project with them."
"For how long?"
"A whole semester."
"Seriously?" Hawk hissed through his teeth. "Does Mary know?"
Gwen sighed. "That's what I wanted to tell you. Mary said she broke up with him last night over the phone."
Hawk's brows shot up.
"For real?"
"Yeah." Gwen nodded. "And don't come eat lunch with me today. If Mary sees us together, it'll just hurt more. Bye."
The line clicked dead.
Hawk stared at the phone.
Great. Collateral damage.
Mary and Peter split—so now he had to keep his head down too?
He shook off the thought, stuffed the phone in his pocket, and headed to his next class.
…
That evening—
In the bright kitchen, Gwen tied her golden hair into a ponytail, cooking dinner.
Hawk sat at the counter, idly rolling an onion in his hands, watching his perfect wife-to-be and asking, "So it's over? No chance?"
"Peter said he didn't tell Mary the truth because he didn't want her to worry. He claimed he'd told her he'd be busy."
"He did," Hawk defended. "Mary admitted it herself—she said Peter told her he had things to do, and she didn't call."
Gwen pulled the roast from the oven, knife in hand, and turned to him. "Mary said the real reason wasn't that. It was Aunt May."
Hawk's eyes lit up. He snagged the knife and the roast, slicing as he leaned forward eagerly.
His face said it all: Spill it.
Gwen laughed, wiped her hands, grabbed some greens, and mixed a salad while talking.
"Who do you think Peter values more—Mary, or Aunt May?"
"Aunt May."
"And if they married, and May and Mary clashed—who would Peter side with?"
"Aunt May." Hawk answered instantly.
Ever since Uncle Ben's death—one Peter still blamed on himself—Aunt May had been the most important person in his life.
That was true of every Peter. No matter the version—classic Spider, Amazing Spider, tech Spider—it was always Aunt May first.
Gwen nodded. "Exactly. Mary said the fact that Aunt May hid things shows she never saw Mary as family. So rather than wait for the explosion later, better to part on good terms now. Cleaner for everyone."
Hawk considered, then nodded. "Mary's sharp."
"She knows what she wants," Gwen agreed. "And Peter? He just went along with it. Or maybe he didn't have a choice. Either way, Mary went to the opening-semester dance this afternoon like nothing happened."
Hawk gave a look of respect. "Impressive."
"Drop it now." Gwen caught him slicing the roast into thin strips and stopped him. "Wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
Hawk set the knife down, heading for the sink. "Bet you anything Mary's dating again soon."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Why not bet on your brother Peter instead?"
"Fine by me." Hawk shrugged.
Gwen snorted. "Peter's lucky to have you."
Hawk looked dead serious. "I think so too."
"…" Gwen stared at him, utterly speechless.
But two months later—
When Mary Jane actually did start dating again—
Both Hawk and Gwen were floored.
Especially when they learned who it was.
"Flash Thompson?"
"Flash?"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
…
(End of Chapter)
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