Advice from a Jilted Bride

by Rayne, Piper

  I frown. “Is it bad that…”

  I lay awake at night thinking about Wyatt. I make excuses to walk by the front desk to see him every day at work. On my day off this week, I kept the volume low on my stereo just so I could hear him come home. Am I fixating on him to avoid dealing with the Jeff fall out or are these feelings real?

  “Is what bad?” Holly interrupts us from behind. She’s in a cute pair of shorts and a t-shirt with flip-flops.

  “Someone’s grown used to our Alaskan summer,” I say.

  She smiles. “Yeah, now if I could only get the tan I used to in Florida.” She sits down on the concrete step between our chairs.

  Holly’s only been in Lake Starlight a year and a part of the Bailey clan for roughly the same, but she fits so well, I don’t quite remember us without her.

  “Does this have something to do with Lake Starlight’s new hot bachelor, Wyatt Moore?”

  Juno laughs, positioning herself to clearly see me.

  “How do you know about Wyatt Moore?” I ask.

  “Well, I read that he was the alibi for Rome and Denver and there was a picture of you two sitting down by the lake last week.” She shoots me a ‘sue me, I read Buzz Wheel on the regular’ look.

  “For someone who doesn’t like to be in the gossip blog, you sure enjoy reading it,” I tease.

  She laughs. “I know. It’s horrible, but I am the high school principal and I need to make sure the kids respect me.”

  “Then stop screwing in Austin’s Jeep behind Lucky’s,” Juno pipes up.

  Holly’s face reddens. “It was our year anniversary! We were reliving the memory of the night we met.”

  Juno and I both laugh.

  “I missed the Buzz Wheel thing. I don’t want to read anything about Jeff and I really don’t want to read about what a loser everyone thinks I am.”

  Holly grabs my hand at the same time as Juno. “You are not a loser, and no one thinks that.”

  “In fact.” Holly looks to Juno. They don’t have to communicate verbally to know they’re on the same page. “People think Wyatt Moore might be your prince.”

  “I just want it out there right now that I was the one who called it.” Juno raises her hand like she’s the girl in the front row at school. “As soon as you hit him in the head with that book, I knew.”

  “You’re both wrong. He doesn’t want a relationship and even if I did, it’s way too soon after Jeff, not to mention I basically work for him. But…”

  “You kind of like him?” Holly asks, already assured of my answer.

  “Like who?” Savannah surprises us all from behind. Her hair is thrown up in a ponytail and she has her running clothes on. “I just beat my best pace for a mile.” She smiles and the three of us stare at her like she’s an alien. “I’d been off and couldn’t figure out why.” She’s still talking while we’re thinking you couldn’t pay us to run let alone have a set time we run a mile in. “How about some woo hoo Savannahs?”

  “Woo hoo, Savannah!” we all say in unison.

  “You need to get laid,” Juno says.

  “Sit down. Do you need water?” Holly slides over and Savannah sits down next to her on the curb.

  “Nah. That was a warm-up.” She bends forward and picks up one of my bottles. “This is sooo cute Brookie. Wyatt did this?”

  “With my input, but he hooked me up with the designer. She did a great job at branding.”

  “Love the name,” Holly comments.

  “Now I just need them to sell.”

  “They will.” Juno smiles over at me. “Maybe I should open a booth for my matchmaking business. I mean there are so many people who still need to find their person.” Her eyes set on Savannah.

  Savannah flips her off. Her usual response when a family member razzes her about either her temper or love life.

  “Let’s get back on the Wyatt topic,” Holly urges.

  “We’re talking about Wyatt?” Savannah asks, her gaze on me.

  “Because Brooklyn wants to tie him to her bedposts but she’s afraid people will think less of her,” Juno fills everyone in like she’s a mind reader.

  Ever since that night at the lake something has shifted. I could’ve sworn he wanted to kiss me. And I wanted to kiss him.

  “I do not,” I lie because I’m not going to admit to the fact that I’ve been able to fall for someone only months after being left at the altar. It feels wrong somehow.

  “You so do. I saw it all over your face the other night.” Juno points at me in accusation.

  “She has a point. When he lied to be Rome and Denver’s alibi a million hearts floated out of your eyes,” Savannah says.

  “I missed out on the fun.” Holly pretends to pout although I’m sure she and Austin were having some fun of their own. Instinctively I glance to her left hand. No engagement ring yet.

  “You didn’t really. These two got tattoos.” Savannah thumbs in both mine and Juno’s direction.

  “You did?” Holly asks. “Let me see.”

  I slide over in the chair and push my tank top over so she can see my shoulder. Juno holds up her ankle to show off the same tattoo.

  “You guys got the same one?” The sweet smile on Holly’s face tells me what she thinks of that.

  “Yeah. Rome got this black bird on him with the saying, ‘I will carry you with me. ‘Til I see you again.’ for our parents.”

  Holly smiles, the one I’m used to when the topic of my parents come up. Like all anyone remembers is they died too young. True but they left handprints and footprints all over this town and in our hearts. I try to remember that every time I get down about not having them anymore.

  “What about you?” Holly shoulder knocks Savannah who is lost somewhere in her head because she falls into Juno’s chair and looks to us like she doesn’t know what we’re talking about.

  “I’m not one for tattoos,” she mumbles.

  I stare out at the street, a light sprinkling of customers starting to make their way through the booths.

  “Well, I told my mom I’d pick her up after her breakfast shift and we’d shop together.” Holly stands. “So, I’ll see you all in a little bit.” She pats my shoulder. “You got this and…” She leans down so she’s face level with me. “There’s no time limit on grieving one relationship before starting another. Don’t stress about time frame. Life is way too short. That being said I think it’s great that you’re feeling something for someone else, just take it slow. One day at a time.”

  I smile and pat her hand on my arm. “You’re the best. Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  She says goodbye to Juno and Savannah, and we watch her walk toward Lard Have Mercy.

  “And Holly?” Juno calls out, making her turn around. “Maybe relive those memories with the Jeep parked outside of the house. You know, just a suggestion.”

  Holly’s face reddens as people glance in her direction now. “Here’s a little something Savannah taught me.” She holds up one hand to block her flipping off Juno with the other hand.

  We all laugh, and she spins around toward the cafe.

  “Way to take the sweetness out of her,” I say to Savannah.

  She laughs. “She’ll always be sweet.”

  I’m on the same page as Savannah because Holly doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.

  “I heard what she told you and her advice is solid, Brook. Don’t overthink anything. Not that any of us have a ton of experience on love, but just because Jeff was an asshole doesn’t mean Wyatt is. Regardless of what anyone says, love doesn’t just come when the timing is right. If that were the case, Holly would’ve met Austin years before she did. I’m not saying you love Wyatt or anything, but if you like him, explore it. That’s all.”

  Juno clears her throat and I look away from Savannah to find a woman with her young daughter at my table. She shoots me an apologetic look.

  “Hi, I’m Brooklyn,” I say with a smile. “That one you’re holding is our lavender oil to he
lp you sleep.”

  That’s pretty much how the rest of my afternoon goes. Introducing myself to those I don’t recognize, explaining all the different oils and the benefits of each. Wyatt had a good point when he told me to stick to only four to start off. I decided on Soothe, Energize, Sleep, and Cleanse. I’ve included them in a four pack as well as individually. I doubted his keep it simple plan at first, but he was right.

  By the time five o’clock comes and everyone around me is putting their booths away, I’ve sold a good number. A number I’m proud of.

  “Wait!” Grandma Dori runs, or goes as fast as she can down Main Street, waving money in her hand.

  “Grandma,” I sigh with a smile as she approaches.

  “What’s up G’ma?” Juno says, putting the merchandise that didn’t sell into a box.

  “I’m buying everything you have left,” Grandma says.

  My shoulders falter and I shoot her a look to say, ‘you’re not.’

  “I am, Brookie. I want to support my granddaughter and all the ladies down at the center want some. I’m going to be their supplier.”

  “Watch who you say that in front of,” Juno says.

  “Oh Juno, get your mind off the wacky tobaccy.” She waves her off with her hand.

  I sneak a peek at Juno whose eyes are rolled so far into the back of her head I’m afraid they won’t find their way back.

  “Are you still smoking that crap? Where’s Colton, he’s usually five steps away from you. I still say he’s a bad influence.”

  “One time, Grandma. You caught me one time.”

  “You and Colton,” Grandma clarifies, and I stay out of the conversation because the longer this goes on, the more likely Grandma will forget what she came here for.

  “We were experimenting,” Juno says exasperatedly.

  “In your tree house. What else did you experiment with?”

  “Don’t worry, Grandma, I haven’t killed all my brain cells.” Juno pats her hand and continues to pack up the bottles.

  “So you say.”

  “I’m taking this to the car,” Juno grumbles and leaves.

  “Wait! I said I wanted to buy it all.”

  So much for her forgetting. Juno stops and looks at me.

  “Really Grandma, I’m gonna sell online too. It’s fine.”

  “What do we have here?” Rome grabs the box from Juno’s hands, picking out a bottle and tossing it to Denver.

  He opens the bottle and smells. “Oh, I think I’m already feeling tired.” Denver pretends to fall asleep.

  “You guys really are a bunch of dumbasses.” Juno snags the bottle back.

  “I’m buying that, Denver and I don’t need your grubby hands all over it.”

  He kisses Grandma’s cheek. “You say the sweetest things.”

  She disregards his comment, pushing the money into my palm.

  “Boys, put this in my car. It’s around the corner.” She tosses the keys up and Rome snatches them mid-air.

  “Whatever you want, G’ma D.”

  “You all stink. Where were you?” she asks with her nose scrunched up.

  It’s then that I wonder where Wyatt is. I look down the sidewalk and see him walking with Liam and Austin. He’s telling them some story and they can’t stop laughing. Oh God, what is he telling them? Please nothing about me.

  “We were axe throwing. Turns out the city boy has an arm.” Denver opens up a cookie that he bought from I have no idea where and takes a bite, his eyes on me the entire time.

  I look away.

  “You took Wyatt with you?” Grandma asks, a smile forming on her lips.

  “You know us, we include everyone.” Denver shrugs.

  “It was probably a thank you for saving your ass from the Sheriff,” Grandma says, patting Denver’s cheek. “Good job by the way.”

  I shake my head.

  “If I wouldn’t break my hip, I’d done it myself.”

  “I know,” Denver says to her.

  “So, how did it go?” Wyatt says, looking down at the table. “You sold a lot.” He should know, he helped me label and fill the bottles.

  “Rome has an entire box.” I nod to my brother in explanation.

  Wyatt looks over this shoulder. “I still say it was a total success.”

  I smile up at him willing my stomach to stop flipping and flopping like a fish on a dock.

  “Holly wants everyone over to the house in celebration tonight,” Austin announces.

  “Dinner’s tomorrow,” Grandma says.

  “Yeah, but she wants to have a bonfire so, all your asses will be there.” He points around at the group of us.

  “Great,” I mumble.

  “You too, Wyatt. And Juno, Colton went home to shower so go surprise him and tell him to come, too.”

  Juno makes an annoyed face.

  “Fuck, I’d love it if some chick came to tell me something while I was in the shower and she just pushed past the curtain and my back was turned as her hands slid around me and her wet body pressed to mine as her hands continued until they— OUCH!” Denver holds the back of his head.

  “Children,” Grandma says, looking around. “Not to mention, you can’t talk like that in front of me, it’s disrespectful.”

  “I have a feeling you and Grandpa were kinky back in the day.” Denver waggles his eyebrows.

  She decides to ignore him, pressing her money into my palm again. “Give me the goods, Brooklyn.”

  “What’s the deal?” Wyatt asks.

  “She wants to buy the rest of my products but…”

  Wyatt takes her money and hands her the box. “Brooklyn thanks you.” He smiles.

  “I knew I liked you.” She turns. “Rome. Box. Car. Now.” She turns her attention to Austin. “I’ll be there. What should I bring?”

  Austin laughs. “Just you.”

  “Good answer.”

  Austin’s phone rings. “Okay. See you all in one hour.” He points and we all grumble, but it’s not like I had any other plans tonight.

  “You’ll come?” I ask Wyatt.

  He pats a few drops of the eucalyptus oil on his temples. “Sure.”

  There goes my stomach again, not listening to my brain’s instructions.

  Twenty-Two

  Wyatt

  Brooklyn directs me to Austin and Holly’s house. It’s definitely in a more rural section of town with a long driveway through a row of woods on either side.

  “This is where I grew up. Except for college, I lived here all my life.”

  We round a bend and the house comes into view. It’s a large home with a three-car garage, all dark wood and high beams. Basically, what you’d imagine an Alaskan house to look like—almost like a gigantic log cabin.

  “With Sedona and Phoenix away, it’s just Austin and Holly here now.”

  I nod, parking my sedan next to Austin’s Jeep. I loved riding in that to the axe throwing excursion they took me on earlier.

  “Did you have fun today?” Brooklyn asks, stepping out of my car.

  I round the back to grab the beer I bought while Brooklyn was still getting ready. “Surprisingly, I did. Definitely out of my comfort zone, but your brothers are hilarious.”

  “Not everyone is on the same page as you with that.” She glances over her shoulder on the way up the stairs to the front door.

  Her hair is down and curled into little ringlets that make me want to wind them around my finger and tug her toward me until she falls into my arms. The sundress she’s wearing with her jean jacket shows off her long, toned legs. When she answered her apartment door, I wanted to step in and lock the door so we could have our own private party.

  That exact thought is what’s making me think twice about her coming to the wedding with me. It’s bad enough she thinks I’m just the new manager and I’ll have to tell her I’m the owner’s son, but I’m also going to have to tell her that I’m not staying in Lake Starlight permanently. I know that I eventually have to come clean, but the selfish pa
rt of me says to just enjoy this a little longer. Besides, we’re just friends, not lovers.

  “It feels so weird to ring the doorbell, but this is Holly’s house now.” She smiles as we wait for someone to answer.

  Austin opens the door and a large dog springs out, jumping up at us.

  “MYLES!” Austin and Brooklyn scream.

  The dog jumps up on me, and I have no hands to stop it with the two cases of beer I’m holding.

  “Myles, no,” Austin says, stepping out onto the porch, tugging at his collar.

  Obviously not hard enough because the dog seems intent on sniffing my crotch. This is why I’ve never really been a dog person. This is always so uncomfortable, and I don’t ever want to be in Austin’s position.

  “Myles,” Brooklyn says, her eyes transfixed on what’s happening.

  I’m sure Austin doesn’t really want to reach between my legs, so I try to slide my legs to one side then the other.

  “I swear I just showered,” I say trying to make a joke of it.

  “I know. I’m sorry. He does this,” Austin says, exasperated.

  “TREAT, MYLES!” Holly yells from somewhere in the house.

  The dog stops, looks up to me then he jets past Austin into the house to find Holly.

  “Fucking dog. He’s caused me nothing but trouble. Did you hear what he did?” Austin asks us as he holds the door open.

  Brooklyn hangs up her jean jacket on the coat rack, revealing her bare shoulders. Is she trying to make me endure this party with a constant hard-on? Leave the jacket on, woman.

  “It might get cold tonight outside,” I offer.

  She glances to her side at me, her eyebrows furrowing. “I’ll get it when we go outside. I’m going to help Holly.” She leaves me alone with Austin.

  “Obviously she’s not into my news.” Austin takes a case of beer from me. “Myles knocked up some dog who lives a mile away. Turns out the family is moving so they came knocking on our door one night and Holly said, we’ll keep the dog.”

  “Oh My God!” Brooklyn screams from farther in the house.