by Allie Able
“Thank you,” I say with a smile.
“You’re welcome.”
I look at Summer and Lexie, to see they both have the same look on their faces. They look in Nick’s direction, before looking back at me. I have to wonder how much of that they saw. Luckily Zack is oblivious as he carries on a conversation with Grant. Summer gives me a sad smile and Lexie bugs her eyes out at me. I shake my head and look back up at Zack. I’m not doing this right now. I just hope Nick keeps his distance for the rest of the night.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Nick
I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE CAME here with that dick! She knew I would be here, but she still came with him. I finish off my drink and walk to the bar. We are going to have to sit down to eat soon and I already know we are all sitting at the same table. Fuck! I know I made a mistake, but I don’t know how to fix it and it’s driving me crazy.
“Hey, big bro,” Lexie says, as she slides up next to me at the bar.
“Hey, Lexie,” I say, glancing over at her.
“How’s the leg? I noticed you limping a little.”
“Its fine,” I say harshly, while taking a gulp of my beer.
“Woah. I was just asking.” She holds both of her hands up the air in surrender.
I run my hand through my hair and shake my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It really is fine though.”
She nods her head and studies me. “Okay,” she finally concedes.
The bartender refills her wine and she thanks him, before turning to me again. “So, I’m guessing you’ve seen Katie. I kind of noticed the stare off a minute ago.”
“Yeah, I saw her,” I mumble.
“Hmm…” she hums.
“What was that?” I ask.
“Well, I’m wondering why you’re still standing over here, if you’ve already seen her standing over there?” she asks, inclining her head towards where Katie is standing with Zack.
I glance over and see that Zack has his free hand on the small of her back again and it takes everything I have in me not to go over there and rip it off. I look back at Lexie and shake my head. “And what would I do over there, congratulate them on their developing relationship?” I ask, sarcastically.
She bumps my arm with her elbow, almost spilling my beer all over me and the bar.
“How about you stop feeling sorry for yourself and go get your girl back.”
“She won’t give me the time of day, Lex,” I sigh.
“You fucked up, Nick, big time. You’re going to have to work for it.”
I don’t respond, but I do turn and look at Katie. Why does she have to be so beautiful? I know every dip and curve of her body. I know she has a freckle on her hipbone and a birthmark on her ass. I know how she sighs when I kiss her and I know how she moans when she’s coming. I have memorized everything about her. I wonder does Zack know those things too?
I immediately shake away that thought, because just thinking about it makes me want to go over there and do bodily harm.
“Okay, the look you have on your face right now is not good. Slow your roll, big chief. This is Summer and Grant’s rehearsal dinner and you cannot make a scene. Besides that, it would embarrass the shit out of Katie,” Lexie hisses.
“I’m not going to do anything to make a scene.”
She looks at me skeptically, but accepts my answer with a nod. “Have you seen the seating arrangement for tonight?”
“Yeah, I glanced at it briefly. It looks like I’m sitting opposite the happy couple.”
“Yeah, and I’m sitting beside you. So help me God, Nick, one cross word to that sweet girl and I will put a fork in your leg.”
I pull my eyes away from Katie and look down at my little sister. What starts out as a little chuckle turns into a full belly laugh when I get a look at her facial expression. When I finally get my laughter under control, I look back down at her.
“You would do me bodily harm?” I ask, still smiling.
She lays her hand and my arm and gives me a squeeze. “I miss your laugh,” she says softly.
“Lex—”
She holds her hand up and cuts me off. “And to answer your question, Yes I would, so be nice. Come on, they are seating us now.”
I look towards our designated table and I can see that Katie and Zack have already sat down. I turn towards the bartender and order another beer, as I quickly drink what’s left in my glass.
“Jesus! Let’s not add alcoholic to the list of problems you’ve got going on, okay?”
I roll my eyes and grab my new drink. As I follow Lexie to the table, I try my hardest not to limp, but my prosthetic is rubbing against my leg. I don’t look up as we approach the table. I don’t want to know if Katie is looking at me.
Grant’s booming voice comes over the microphone and all eyes turn his way.
“Summer and I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. If it was up to me we would have run off to Vegas months ago, but she wanted a proper wedding.”
We all laugh, as Summer elbows him in the ribs, but she laughs along with everyone else. He bends down and kisses the side of her head before continuing. “We didn’t have much of a rehearsal, since there are only going to be two people in our wedding party, but my parents insisted on throwing a rehearsal dinner,” he chuckles and I look over at his mom, Jill, to see that she is rolling her eyes at her son. “So eat, drink and be merry, because tomorrow I finally get to marry this beautiful woman. Thanks everyone.”
He sets the mic down and everyone applauds while they make their way to the table. Grant helps Summer sit down and scoots her chair forward before sitting beside her.
“Summer your face is as red as a tomato,” Lexie says, with a laugh.
Summer covers her cheeks with both hands and laughs. “I can’t help it.”
Grant leans down and whispers something in her ear and I swear she blushes even deeper. He pulls back and looks at her face with a chuckle, before kissing her forehead. I feel like we are all invading on a private moment, so I advert my gaze. My eyes instinctively find Katie, but she is looking over at Zack, while he says something in a low voice. My fist clench in my lap. God, I really fucking hate this guy.
Like he can hear my thoughts, Zack looks over at me with a smile. “Hey, Nick.”
I give him a tight smile and nod. “Hey, man.” My eyes go back to Katie. “Hey, Katie.”
“Nick,” she says with a forced smile. She picks up her wine glass and takes a drink, as our salad plates are served.
I wonder if she is remembering our first date here? I wonder is she remembers how we talked for hours, but it only felt like minutes or if she remembers me taking her to bed later that night? On that thought I have to shift in my chair and discreetly readjust myself. How fucked up is that? We are sitting at dinner with our close friends and my sister, while she is here with another man, but yet I’m still getting turned on just thinking about the first time I had her.
I pick up my salad fork and we all start eating. This is going to be a long dinner.
We all make small talk through the rest of our meal. I know everything was delicious, but I barely tasted it. I kept stealing glances at Katie and every once in awhile I would notice her doing the same. It had to have been the most uncomfortable meal for me, but it didn’t seem awkward for anyone else, which I’m thankful for.
When dinner is over, Grant and Summer stand up to go mingle with the rest of their guests and Zack excuses himself to the restroom, leaving me sitting with just Lexie and Katie. The table is completely silent. Katie is drinking her wine, like she will find treasure at the bottom of the glass and Lexie is looking back and forth between us, like she’s waiting for the fireworks to blow. Finally, I can’t take it anymore.
“I miss you so much,” I say, leaning across the table towards her.
“Well, this isn’t awkward at all,” Lexie mumbles.
We both ignore her and Katie stares daggers at me with her eyes.
“Do
not tell me you miss me when it’s your fault I’m gone, Nick,” she hisses through clenched teeth.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. We stare at each other in silence. I know she’s right, but I don’t know how to explain my actions and now definitely isn’t the time to try.
Lexie scoots her chair back and stands up, while clearing her throat. “I’m just going to go get more wine,” she mutters, while walking away.
“You have to know that I was only trying to protect you, but I made a mistake Katie,” I whisper, leaning as close as I can get to her, without climbing onto to the table.
“You’ve already said that,” she says.
“So what do you want to do, Katie? Do you want us to ignore each other and for me to pretend like you don’t exist? I can’t do that and I have a feeling you can’t either. We both know its not supposed to end like this.”
“Its not supposed to end like this, you’re right, but it did and that’s all on you. I’m not the one that pushed you away.”
“No, but you are right now.”
She lowers her voice to just above a whisper and leans closer to me. “Do you know how many times I held my daughter while she cried because of you? Do you, Nick? Do you know how many tears I’ve shed because of you? With all of the smiles you brought me when we were together, I never thought that you could cause me so many tears.”
I feel like she’s just stabbed me in the heart. “Katie, please listen to me,” I beg.
“No, this isn’t the time or the place, Nick. I am trying my damnedest to move on, you need to do the same,” she says, as she starts to stand.
“Katie, please,” I say. I try to stand with her, but I move too quickly and pain shoots up through my leg. My hands come down hard on top of the table, making the plates and glasses shake.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, while I squeeze my eyes closed. When I finally get control of the pain, I look back at Katie and see that she is looking at me with a pained expression.
I look behind her and see that Zack is approaching. He presses his hand against her back and looks down at her, before looking back over at me.
“You alright, man?”
I clench my teeth together and nod my head. “I’m fine.”
Katie’s eyes are still trained on me, but Zack starts talking to her and she quickly blinks her eyes and looks away.
“You ready to go?” he asks.
“Yeah,” she says softly.
With one final look in my direction, she goes to tell everyone bye. Lexie walks over to me and pats my arm. “You alright?” she asks.
“Fucking peachy, Lexie,” I mumble, as I watch them walk out the door.
I leave a short time later, but I replay Katie’s words in my head for the rest of the night. I knew I had hurt them, I just didn’t realize how bad. Would they be happier if I just left them alone. Maybe Katie is moving on. Am I selfish enough to stop her? The answer to that is an immediate yes. I am that fucking selfish. I can’t imagine my life without Katie and Abbi in it and I don’t want to. I know I can make them happy. I may not be able to do all of the things I use to do, since I lost my leg, but I can try. I made a horrible fucking mistake. If she gives me one more chance I swear on my life, I will never hurt them again. I just have to somehow convince her that I’m worth it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Katie
ON SATURDAY MORNING, I SIT in my sun room and watch the sunrise. The forecast isn’t showing any sign of rain and I’m so thankful. I know Summer was worried, since they are having an outdoor wedding and reception, but hopefully the weather man is right and we won’t have any surprises. I don’t think I slept a wink last night. After Zack dropped me off at home, I went to bed and tossed and turned thinking about Nick. I hated to see him in so much pain when he stood up last night. I kept replaying his words over and over in my head, trying to make sense of them. What was he trying to protect me from? I don’t understand. I think Zack could tell I was upset, when we left dinner because, when he walked me to my door, he didn’t try to kiss me and I couldn’t have been more relieved. My relief told me that I’m not ready to move on with another man, no matter how hard I try, and I plan on telling him that after the wedding tonight.
When the sun has finally risen high in the sky and I’ve had my three cups of coffee, I stand up and stretch my arms above my head. Today is going to be a long day. I’ve got to be at Summer and Grant’s house at 10:00 am, to help set up the decorations, and then Summer wants me and Lexie to get ready with her at her house. The wedding starts at 5:00 pm, on the beach in front of their house, with the reception to follow.
I make my way to my bedroom and I make sure I have my dress, shoes and all of the makeup and hair stuff I will need to get dressed already packed in my bag. Once that’s done, I throw on a pair of yoga pants and an over sized t-shirt. I grab all of my stuff and make my way out to my car.
On the short drive over to Summer’s house, I call my mom and check on Abbi. They are taking her to some sort of watermelon festival in my hometown today and I smile knowing Abbi will love it.
When I pull into Summer’s driveway, I notice there are already a few cars parked along the driveway. I grab my bag and my dress and make my way up the front steps. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mrs. Clara sitting on her porch and I wave.
“Hey, Mrs. Clara,” I say, loud enough for her to hear me.
“Hey, sweet girl. I’ll be over there shortly,” she says, holding up a cup of coffee.
“Take your time. I’ll see you in a little bit,” I smile.
Grant and Summer couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor. That sweet old lady has lived in that house since it was built. I’ve met her a few times at the parties Summer has thrown, but I also know her from the clinic. She brought her cat Belle to me, a few months ago, for her annual shots.
I knock on the door and a flustered Summer answers it a second later.
“You’re here,” she breaths.
“Well, yeah. You told me to be here at 10:00 am. Am I late?” I ask, as I look down at my watch.
“No, You’re ten minutes early. Thank God,” she says, as she pulls me inside.
“What’s going on?” I ask, looking around their living room, expecting it to look like a war zone, but it doesn’t. From what I can tell all of the decorations are organized and ready to be put up.
“There’s so much to do,” she says, while flapping her hands in the air.
This is so unlike Summer and it takes everything in me not to laugh in her face. Her dog, Duke, picks that moment to walk into the living room. I bend down and pet his large head. I can remember when Summer adopted him. I was shocked that this sweet, softly spoken woman wanted this huge mastiff.
“I think your mom is going a little crazy, buddy.”
“I am not,” Summer protests.
“Yeah, you are, but it’s your wedding day, so you get a free pass,” Lexie says, walking into the living room, miraculously holding three champagne glasses filled with what looks like mimosa’s.
“Here drink this. It will calm your crazy ass down,” she jokes, shoving one of the glasses at Summer, before walking over and handing me one.
I laugh and thank her.
“Where is Grant?” I ask.
“He said he had to go take care of something,” she says with a wave of her hand, “He’ll hang all the lights outside later this afternoon.”
I nod my head and sip on my drink, while we listen to Summer tell us where all of the decorations go.
Later that afternoon, I am almost done tying the ribbons onto the chairs and I look down at my watch. It’s 1:00 pm and we all need to start getting ready soon. The girl Lexie hired to do all our hair and makeup should be here any minute. I look over at Summer and Lexie and I’m relieved to see they are almost done as well. Movement up on the porch catches my attention and I look that way to see Nick walking outside. I knew he would be coming to help, but I haven’t seen him all day. Part of me ho
ped I wouldn’t have to face him until the wedding. I want to hate him, but it’s hard. I don’t understand his reasoning for ending our relationship and I’m not sure I ever will. You don’t destroy someone you’re suppose to love.
“Summer, the girl from the salon is here,” he says, loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the ocean.
Summer gives him a thumbs up and then he turns to look at me. I can’t completely make out his facial expression from this far away, but his stare unnerves me. I quickly look away and pretend like I can’t see him standing up there.
Real mature, Katie.
I sigh to myself as I collect the leftover ribbons and walk over to where Summer and Lexie are finishing up.
“Are you almost done?” I ask.
“Yep. This is the last one,” Summer says, while tying the bow.
We all make our way to the house and I’m relieved to see that Nick has disappeared. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, as I follow Summer to her bedroom.
“You know, I’m not in the wedding party. I didn’t have to get my hair professionally done,” I mumble as the hairstylist, Chelsea, curls another section of my hair.
“No, but you helped decorate,” Summer says.
I looked over at her to see that she has some type of gunky looking mask on her face.
“What in the hell is on your face?” I laugh.
“Lexie made me do it,” she says with a roll of her eyes.
“Are you walking down the isle like that? Because you have like an hour before show-time.”
She squeals and her panicked eyes meet Lexie’s. “Get it off! I still have to get ready.” She does that weird hand flapping thing again and this time I do laugh.
“Quit freaking the bride out,” Lexie says with a stern look, but I can see her lips twitching at the corners.
There is a knock on the bedroom door and Lexie goes to answer it. She opens it just a crack and I can hear Nick’s deep voice coming through the other side.