by Lisa Sommers
Oh God. Play it cool. If they knew what I just did with Cal, they’d both be pissed at me. Especially, since we just made that pact not too long ago. “I’m sorry, I stepped out front to make a phone call.” They both seem to buy the story as they continue to tell me why they were so anxious to find me.
“So, we kind of seen Cal take off out of here and watched as his tires squealed their way down the driveway. He didn’t seem too happy.” Shit, why did I say I was out front? “Didn’t you see him since you were out front?” Oh crap.
I shake my head no as I take a sip of my freshly made margarita. Did he just leave? Is he just as upset about what we just did? I remain quiet because I honestly don’t know what to say to them.
“Anyways, he was missing for a bit and Shane was looking for him and couldn’t find him. Then all of a sudden we saw him bolt out the front door so fast and the look on his face,” they both look at each other, “he didn’t look happy about something. I wonder what happened.”
“I don’t know. Like I said, I was making a phone call.” I need to get out of here. I am in no mood to be hanging out listening to everyone talking about wedding plans. “Listen, I’m not feeling very well, I think I am going to say my goodbyes and go home.”
Sonny immediately puts her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. “Oh, babe, are you okay?”
I nod my head. “Yeah, I just haven’t been sleeping well lately. I think I’m just a bit worn out is all.”
“Want me to drive you home?” I look over to Kelly, who is well on her way to becoming Jenny. “No. No, I’ll be fine. I have my car here, anyway. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” I put down the full margarita that I have and Kelly immediately picks it up and finishes it. I shake my head because I know all too well where this is heading.
After saying goodnight to Derek and Chelsea and Shane and Alli, I grab my purse and head to my car. I completely bypassed Johnny since he had an open invite to the party anyways. Besides, he seemed to have his hands full with Selina.
I sit in my car for a few minutes with my forehead leaning against the steering wheel. “I can’t believe I just had sex with Cal, again. What is wrong with me?” A few tears trickle down my cheek. “I am such an idiot.”
Nearly three weeks have passed and I have managed to avoid seeing Cal despite my friend, Chelsea, trying to plan an evening with everyone to discuss last minute wedding plans.
Now, the whole gang is on board flight 757. “Yes, I’d like to order a round of mimosa’s for all eleven of us.” Derek waves his hand over everybody sitting in first class. The flight attendant gladly accepts his request and makes her way to the front of the airline to fix our drinks.
I am sitting as far away from Cal as I possibly can so that I don’t get distracted. I have no intention in becoming a member of the Mile-High Club this weekend. I just need to make it through the next few days and I’ll be good.
I can feel his stare on me and it makes me nervous. “Sonny, mind switching seats with me?” My sister and I are sitting next to one another and Rob, from the San Diego Sun Devils, is sitting across from me. I know they’ve had their eyes on one another lately and ever since Alli and Shane’s announcement party they’ve been talking nearly every day. “This way you’ll get to chat more with Rob.”
“Oh sure. Thanks, Sis.” She agrees. She gives me googly eyes and it makes me sick. Well, maybe not sick. I guess I’m happy for her. He is more her speed than anyone else I can think of.
“You’re welcome.” We switch seats and now I am neatly nestled in the far back corner of first class against the window. There is no way for Cal to get close to me or better yet, me get close to him. Clearly, I am the weak one. No more though. I am so done with him.
The mimosas have all been disbursed and we are waiting on Derek to return from somewhere to make a toast. Where the heck did he go? This plane isn’t that large for someone to get lost.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise this early Friday morning for you all,” The flight attendant makes an announcement that catches everyone’s attention. “We have a very special couple here on this plane that will be getting hitched this weekend and the groom has a few words that he would like to say to his beautiful bride.” As Derek suddenly appears from nowhere, the flight attendant shamelessly looks him up and down as she hands him the microphone. People are so stupid.
Derek takes the mic and he quickly realizes he cannot walk around with it as it is permanently attached to the receiver. His displeasure quickly dissipates once he looks into Chelsea’s eyes. “Baby, I can see that you look worried, but you have no reason to be. I promise I won’t be singing to you.” All the passengers laugh at his comment and I notice from the corner of my eye that Cal is looking in my direction from over the seats. “I just wanted to let you and everyone else know that even though we have not known each other for very long I know that this is the surest thing that I have ever done in my life.” I can hear the ooo’s and ahh’s being said from the rear of the plane. “You, by far, have exceeded everything that I never knew I wanted, I needed, in life.” Every one of us in first class are now standing except for Chelsea and I think that is because Derek has rendered her immobile. Leaving her knees weak and her cheeks wet. I watch Alli reach into her purse, pull out a few tissues and gives them to Chelsea. “I only wish that I can be the man that you need me to be.” I hear Shane and Cal joke with him about something but I can’t quite make out what they are saying. “I will make you one promise though. I swear on my life that I will do anything it takes to make you happy. I will make every day special for you and guarantee that you, and only you, hold the key to my heart. Baby, I am the luckiest guy alive and I have you to thank for that.” I think he probably has more to say but his tears have clouded his own eyes and the lump in his throat has left him speechless.
Derek hands the microphone back to the flight attendant and makes his way over to the love of his life. Chelsea finally rises to the occasion, grabs Derek’s cheeks and pulls him into her. The catcall yells from numerous passengers does nothing to stop the happy couple.
“Get a room.” Someone from the rear of the plane hollers.
Derek pulls back slightly and tells the gentleman, “Trust me, buddy. I would if I could.”
I am busy watching my friends when I notice everyone around me has already taken a seat. Except for Cal. His gaze is set right on mine. I quickly divert my eyes into another direction and retreat back to my seat in the corner. By the window. Where it’s nice and quiet. Sonny is busy talking to Rob but they are being super quiet. It almost makes me wonder what they are talking about. Almost, but a quick nap is calling my name.
I know this is not a quick flight, but how are we here already? “The temperature is ninety-four degrees in Las Vegas. On behalf of myself and the crew, we hope you’ll enjoy your stay and thank you again for flying American Airlines. We hope to service you again in the future.”
I stretch my legs and reach over to my sister and pat her leg. She was never big on flying but she did pretty well today. Maybe having Rob here with her helped.
“You already can’t keep your hands off of me.” I nearly jump out of my seat when I hear his voice.
“What are you doing here?” I ask the one guy that seems to be the one male on the face of this planet that really gets on my nerves lately.
“I asked to trade seats with Sonny.” How could she do this to me? I scream inside my head.
I look over to see why she wouldn’t want to be sitting next to Rob. I thought things were going well.
“Don’t worry, I had an extra seat next to me up there,” he gestures to where he was sitting. “Her and Rob are sitting together.”
That bitch! Doesn’t she know I am a weak individual? Does she not remember the pact we made a few weeks ago? Why did she betray me? I think up every excuse under the sun so that blame doesn’t lie directly on me. I guess it’s not really her fault I can’t control my urges when it comes to Cal.
Da
mn him!
We all manage to get checked into our hotel at the Wynn when everyone begins to express just how hungry they are.
“I’m starving,” Kelly’s dramatic display of starvation makes me laugh. She truly is someone that I can count on to make me laugh. “I can totally eat anything in sight right about now.” She rests her elbow on my shoulder and leans her forehead against my arm.
“Anything?” I turn my head so quickly that I nearly crack heads with Kelly. Cal is eyeing her chest as if they had flashing lights and tassels on them. That disgusting bastard.
“Almost, baby.” She responds to his gross flirtation with her sexy voice.
“Kelly!” I smack her arm because she knows that we made that damn pact to stay away from Cal.
“Right, right. The pact.” She whispers so that only I can hear her.
“Let’s just go eat.” I say in annoyance to the rest of the group.
Kelly, Sonny and I are sharing a suite together and Rob and Cal are directly across the hall from us. All the couples have their own rooms one floor up. “Let’s all meet in the lobby in thirty minutes and we’ll figure out a place to eat. Sound good?” Alli says as she and Shane make their way to the elevators.
“Works for me.”
The day has been busy with making sure everything is set for my brother and Chelsea’s ceremony this evening. Bob and Judith are going to be the ones to give them both away which would absolutely kill my parents if they ever found out. We love them and believe in everything that they stand for, but living that life just isn’t something that ever sunk in with us.
“Now remember, in no way, shape or form, are you to breath a word of this to mom and dad.” I think my brother might be getting cold feet when it comes to how they are going about getting married.
“I get it. Besides, the small ceremony that you promised them in a couple of months will be fine. They’ll get over it.” I assure him.
“I doubt that, but I have to tell you, sis,” Derek looks away from me and over to his bride with nothing but adoration in his vision. “there isn’t a thing that I would change. I love this woman more than anything or anyone. Today couldn’t come soon enough.” His words bring tears to my eyes. “I mean, if she wanted to get married on the moon, I would have done anything to make that happen. Anything.” I rub the palm of my hand along my brother’s shoulder blades and offer him a loving smile. I am so happy for him.
He continues to stare at Chelsea as if she walks on water. I leave him to himself because I refuse to pop that little bubble that brings him joy. He deserves to be happy. Maybe one day I will want that. Probably not, but maybe.
“Ok everyone,” Alli grabs our attention, “as matron of honor, it is my job to make sure this runs smoothly.” Alli’s OCD is taking over now. “Boys, you can get ready in Cal’s suite and girls, let’s use mine. At exactly six o’clock we are to meet at the little chapel that we talked about. If anyone is late you will not be invited to my wedding. That is all.” Alli jokes but in reality, she’s not kidding one bit.
“You look gorgeous,” Chelsea is dressed in a thigh length cream-colored lace dress. “My brother is a lucky guy.”
Chelsea looks at me through the mirror she is standing in front of. “Do you really think so?” Is she kidding?
“Chels, do you have any idea what you mean to him? I have never seen him this happy.” Tears begin to form in her eyes but I don’t finish because for some reason I am an emotional mess. “The way he talks about you and the way he looks at you is with nothing but complete adoration. He will do anything to make you understand how much he loves you.”
“Dude, you seriously need to stop talking,” Alli and Judith run to Chelsea’s side. One grabbing tissues to pat the tears rolling down her cheek and the other reaching for the makeup to touch up the black streaks that I caused. “Why are you making her cry?” They chastise me.
Oh my God, what is wrong with me? “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” Chelsea shakes her head but is unable to speak. “Sweetie, I didn’t mean it. I was just . . .”
“Why are you crying now?” Sonny asks.
I have no idea. “I don’t know. I think I’m just happy.” What has come over me?
Chelsea turns around and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you,” She’s thanking me for ruining her makeup? “I’ve been so scared that I can’t make him happy.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ok, this is not how I planned for this evening to go. “You are the only one who has ever made him happy.”
“Summer!” My sister berates me. “Stop it! Let’s change the subject. Let’s talk about . . . I don’t know . . . puppies, chickens, laundry. Anything! Anything besides making Chelsea cry on her wedding day.” She’s right.
“Chickens.” I nod my head. “Did you know that I have always wanted a pet chicken?”
Alli looks at me in disbelief. “She’s not kidding. She begged our parents for years to get a chicken.” Sonny assures them.
“Did they ever get you one?” Chelsea asks through tears.
I look down to my feet. “No, they never did.”
The room is quiet right before Chelsea busts out in the biggest fit of laughter.
“What?” I look up at her. “I always wanted one.”
“I’m sorry. I really am, but you have to admit that is damn funny.”
“Well, I’m glad I made you laugh while I am eternally crushed.” I’m kidding, but I really did want that chicken.
The rest of the girls are giggling right along with Chelsea and for some reason I am getting very emotional about this goddamned chicken I never got. I seriously have issues.
We arrive at the wedding chapel twenty minutes early and low and behold, the guys are already here. Walking up to my brother, I wrap my arms around him and give him a big squeeze. “You just couldn’t wait, could you?” I know him well enough to know that he’s probably been ready for over an hour.
“Is it that obvious?” He asks. “Never mind. You don’t need to answer that. How is she?” Chelsea and Alli are in a small dressing room just off the lobby until the ceremony starts. She didn’t want Derek to see her in her dress until she is walking down the aisle.
“She’s stunning.” I simply respond.
“Figures, right?” His voice is barely above a whisper as I watch him twist and shred a paper napkin in his fingers.
“Sorry, big brother, but she will always outshine you.” I pat his back. “She loves you so much and believe it or not, she’s nervous,”
He cuts me off. “She’s nervous about marrying me?”
“Let me finish!” Geez, “she’s nervous about her not being the one to make you happy for the rest of your lives.”
“Are you kidding me?” He flashes me a puzzled look.
“I know, right?” He shakes his head in agreement. “You know something, big brother? I knew the moment I met Chelsea, she was the one for you.” He looks down at me in wonder. “She may have been going through her own issues, but I saw the look in her eyes whenever she looked at you. I saw the look you gave her when she’d reach out and touch your arm. I noticed every single embrace, kiss, look and love you both had in your hearts for one another.” Derek wraps an arm around my shoulder and leans his head on top of mine. “You two are made for one another and I cannot be any more thrilled for anyone right now than the two of you.” I feel a drop of wetness land on my shoulder.
He’s crying.
I reach up and lay my hand on his arm. “I love you both.” I tell him.
“Dude, are you serious?” Sonny walks over and places her hands on her hips. “Now you’re making him cry? What is with you today?”
“Wait, you made Chelsea cry, too?” Derek pulls back from our embrace and looks down at me. Great, here we go again. This whole wedding stuff is really getting to me. I’m not normally this emotional.
“Not on purpose,” crap. “I was just . . .” I don’t know what to say. “Oh to hell with it . . . chickens!” I say and quickl
y turn around only to run into Cal. More specifically, Cal’s chest.
“Chickens?” I overhear Derek ask.
“Don’t ask.” My sister tells him.
Cal leans his head down and whispers in my ear. “You look stunning,” His soft hands grip the sides of my shoulders. “Want to meet in the coat room closet after this?”
“You’re a pig.” I press my hands on his crisp white dress shirt and it takes everything in me to push against his chest to get away from him, but I do. For that brief moment, I wanted to slide my hands around his waist and pull him closer to me. Have his own hands grip me tight and push me against a wall. Feeling the touch of his lips on my neck, my jaw and then my mouth. Shit, I need to lock myself in the dressing room and never come out.
“Babe, are you ok?” Alli asks me as I lean my back up against the inside of the dressing room door.
“Yeah, I will be.” I wave them off and make my way over to Chelsea. “Are you about ready to become my sister-in-law?”
“More than ready. Let’s get this thing on!” She is all amped up and ready to get this thing going.
“Alrighty then. I’ll go let them know to get started.” Right before I turn the door handle I pray to God that Cal is not directly on the other side of this door. Twisting slowly, I pull the door open and peer around the corner. The coast is clear.
I walk down the short hall and give a thumbs up to the lady in charge of this wedding chapel and she does the same back to me.
The girls and I are in a small precession line as we enter the chapel room one by one. We are each paired up with one of the guys and it’s just my luck that I am matched up with Cal. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as he slowly slides his hand in between my elbow and waist to walk me down the aisle. His fingers tickle my side making me jump. As if time seems to come to a halt, I feel him slowly glide his fingers down my forearm until they finally meet my hand. His fingers lace with mine.