Reality Ever After

by Checketts, Cami

  Josh was interested in her. Crew was only interested in working at the farm and getting through medical school. Sydney groaned, massaging her throbbing temples with her hands. That wasn’t fair. Crew loved her and she knew it. Maybe she should talk to that therapist her mom raved about. She was having a breakdown.

  She sighed and stood. Might as well face Josh and get this over with. She walked from the locker room but didn’t see him anywhere. She was out in the warm summer evening before the voice stopped her in her tracks.

  “Sydney.”

  Why did he have to say it like that?

  “Please, Sydney, hear me out.”

  He was right beside her now, she resumed her hurried pace. He matched her stride for stride.

  “You like me. You look for me and flirt with me every chance you get.”

  “I…”

  “And when you kissed me, you didn’t tell Crew.”

  Sydney hated thinking about that night. She slowed her pace and involuntarily touched her empty stomach. “I’m just a nice person.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that,” Josh said. “I think you like me. Will you at least give me a chance? Spend some time with me. We could go to dinner.”

  “Not hungry.”

  “A late movie?”

  “I have to teach early in the morning.”

  “Coffee?”

  “Don’t like it.”

  She couldn’t fault him for trying. He was as persistent as a telemarketer.

  “Hmm, how about ice cream?”

  Sydney paused on that one, actually considering the offer. She loved ice cream. No! She loved ice cream with Crew, not with Josh.

  “I can’t.” Sydney glanced at his handsome face. “I’m sorry, Josh, I can’t.”

  “Why not?” His voice was tinged with frustration.

  “Because I’m engaged.”

  They finally reached her car. Sydney vowed she’d park closer to the gym next time if it required circling the parking lot ten times. She inserted the key into the lock, her trembling fingers hindering her progress. Josh’s hand engulfed her own, steadying her fingers, helping her turn the key. She shivered from his touch and nearness, like it was December instead of June. He released her hand and opened the door for her. As he placed the keys in her hand, his fingers brushed hers.

  “Thanks,” Sydney managed, forcing herself not to look at him.

  She could feel his breath on her neck, he was too close. His hand covered her lower back, pressing, hoping. Her head swiveled in his direction before she could command it to stop. Her eyes locked into the depths of his dark, penetrating gaze. She couldn’t force herself to look away.

  Seizing the moment, Josh pulled her into his arms. He tilted her chin up, maintaining eye contact as he lowered his head toward hers. Sydney felt her body press against his in anticipation.

  He smiled briefly before covering the rest of the distance. His mouth was warm against hers and he really knew how to kiss.

  The roar of a vehicle coming up next to them pulled them apart. A door popped open and then slammed shut as Sydney jerked away from the embrace. Size twelve hiking boots stormed in their direction.

  Crew grabbed Josh’s arm, spinning him around. A solid jab to the nose sent Josh reeling backward.

  “Stay away from my fiancé!”

  “Crew! What are you doing?”

  “What am I doing? What are you doing? I would never have imagined you would cheat on me, but then you send me this stupid letter.” He pulled a crumpled envelope out of his pocket and shook it. “And I came here to find you, and you’re kissing him!”

  “I, um, he kissed me.” It was weak and she knew it. Why had she let Josh kiss her? The kiss was nothing like the joy and love she felt when Crew kissed her.

  Crew shook his head. “I’m done, Syd. I love you more than I ever dreamed I could love someone, but I can’t live like this. You said you needed time. I thought you were healing from the baby, but you were with him.” He gestured to Josh who was holding his nose and glaring at them. Crew held up his hands and backed toward his Jeep. “I can’t take it anymore.”

  He jumped into his Jeep, jammed it into gear, and spun away before Sydney could even react.

  Chapter Nine

  Days went by in a blur. Crew wouldn’t respond to her texts or phone calls. She went to his house several times, but his Jeep wasn’t in the driveway and his parents eyed her suspiciously and claimed they didn’t know where he was. She kept replaying the last time she’d seen him in her mind. She still had no idea what letter he had in his hand and she had no idea how to fix things.

  Their wedding day dawned bright and beautiful. Sydney went through the normal routine. Dance class in the morning. Snow Shack in the afternoon. Hide in her ceramics shed and try to avoid her parents after that. She went for a long run in the heat of the early evening, hoping she’d get heat exhaustion and keel over.

  That night she lay in bed and broke. Sobs shook her body.

  Granny floated above her, murmuring the appropriate words of comfort, but not offering a lot of help. Sydney needed someone to hold her and make it all better.

  “Ah, love,” Granny murmured. “Sometimes things can just get messy.”

  Sydney hugged her pillow to her chest, the tears still streaking down her face, but her body gradually shuddering less. “I just love him so much, Granny. I wish I could go back and tell Crew he’s the one I’ll always love. I wish I could make this right.”

  Granny smiled broadly. “Now that’s what I like to hear. Go to sleep, love. It will be better tomorrow.”

  She drifted off to sleep, not really trusting Granny, but wishing with all her heart it could be true.

  Chapter Ten

  Syd awoke to find herself walking swiftly from the gym to her car. Josh was beside her and she had on the same clothes she’d worn before. Her car was in the same place and the sun lowering toward the western mountains. It seemed surreal, like a dream, but not.

  “I think you like me,” Josh said.

  Syd did a double-take as he repeated the words that had led to Crew discovering them kissing last time.

  “Will you at least give me a chance? Spend some time with me. We could go to dinner.”

  “Not hungry.” Sydney said automatically. She pinched her arm and it hurt. She was awake. What in the world was going on?

  “A late movie?”

  “I have to teach early in the morning.”

  “Coffee?”

  “Don’t like it.” It was the worst deja-vu ever because she knew exactly what was coming, but for some awful reason she seemed to be spouting the same answers. Granny appeared, giving her an encouraging smile, in the windshield of a Yukon. Syd suddenly realized this was real. This was happening all over again. Why would Granny send her back in time if she was going to make the same mistakes? She wanted to scream and run away, but someone had set her on auto-pilot.

  “Hmm, how about ice cream?”

  “I can’t.” Sydney glanced at his handsome face. “I’m sorry Josh, I can’t.”

  “Why not?” His voice was tinged with frustration.

  “Because I’m engaged.”

  They finally reached her car. She inserted the key into the lock and her fingers trembled worse than the last time she lived this. Had she really gone back in the past?

  Josh’s hand engulfed her own, steadying her fingers, helping her turn the key. She shivered. How was she going to change this if everything was happening the exact same? He released her hand, opening the door for her. As he placed the keys in her hand, his fingers brushed hers.

  “Thanks,” Sydney muttered, studying the pavement for some kind of answers. She pressed her lips together.

  She could feel his breath on her neck, he was too close. His hand on her back tried to bring her closer. Her head swiveled in his direction and anger swelled at his expectant gaze. She wouldn’t allow him to kiss her. She wouldn’t betray Crew again. She jerked free from Josh and scurried
away.

  “Don’t touch me. I love Crew.”

  She loved Crew so much, this guy meant nothing to her, and she had been able to choose differently than last time. Bless Granny, maybe this could work.

  At that enlightening moment the roar of a vehicle could be heard. A door popped open and then slammed. Size twelve hiking boots stormed in their direction.

  “Crew!” she cried out happily. He was here. She could tell him how much she loved him.

  He didn’t even look at her, but grabbed Josh’s arm and spun him around. A solid jab to the nose sent Josh reeling backward.

  “Stay away from my fiancé!”

  “Crew, no!” Sydney tugged on his arm. “What are you doing?”

  “What am I doing?” Crew screamed at her. “What are you doing? I would never have imagined you would cheat on me, but then you send me that stupid letter and I came here to find you, and you’re kissing him!”

  “I wasn’t kissing him.”

  “She wasn’t kissing me,” Josh interjected, holding his nose.

  “Shut up!” Crew yelled at Josh. “I don’t want to hear anything from you.”

  “I flirted with Sydney, but she didn’t do anything wrong,” Josh said.

  “You lying piece of trash!” Crew’s broad shoulders heaved.

  “This isn’t his fault,” Sydney interjected.

  “I don’t want to hear it from you either.” Crew flung at her, his eyes burning with incrimination. “How long have you been with him? I thought you just needed some time—” Crew’s voice broke.

  “Listen to me.” Josh placed a hand on Crew’s arm.

  Crew flung the hand off.

  Josh held up his hands. “I don’t want to fight you. Why don’t you grow up and listen for a minute?”

  Crew didn’t respond. He stood rigid, unbending.

  “I hit on Sydney,” Josh admitted. “She never returned my interest. Every time I made a move, she refused me. You don’t even realize how lucky you are. Goodbye, Sydney.” Josh walked away.

  “Bye,” she murmured, turning quickly to Crew. This wasn’t a perfect scenario, but it was better than last time when Crew had already left.

  Crew pulled her to him and captured her mouth with his own, kissing all cares away. He pulled back abruptly, looking into her eyes. His intense look frightened Sydney. He was angry. No angry wasn’t strong enough. He was furious.

  “You can’t really believe this?”

  “I...I...” Sydney stuttered. Believe what?

  “What kind of bull is this?” He jerked an envelope from his pocket. “How could you write this? You can’t believe any of it is true.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He pulled a short note from the envelope. The handwriting was close to her own.

  Dear Crew,

  I’m sorry, but we both need some time. Even though you don’t want to admit it, you asked me to marry you for the baby. You don’t need to fulfill that commitment now. My parents have convinced me to postpone the wedding at least a year. Please don’t ask me about it, it’s too hard. I know you love me too much to make me feel bad about this.

  Love,

  Sydney

  She crumpled the note in her hand. “My mother.”

  “Your mom wrote this?” He brushed a hand through his hair. “Oh, Syd. So you don’t think…”

  Sydney stared up into his handsome face, blurred by her tears. She loved him so much.

  “No, but do you…” She shook her head. “Maybe you’d be better off without me. Without all this drama.” Sydney prayed he’d tell her how wrong she was.

  “What have I ever done to make you think I didn’t want you?”

  “You didn’t do anything, but if you were only marrying me for the baby…” She scrubbed at the wetness on her face with her palm.

  “How many times am I going to have to tell you that I want to marry you because I love you?”

  “Maybe a hundred more.” Sydney swallowed.

  Crew’s features softened. He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Oh, Syd, I’ll tell you a hundred times every day. You can wake me up any time in the night and I’ll tell you. Just marry me,” his voice broke and he quietly added. “Please.”

  “Yes.” Sydney launched herself at him, trying to reassure him by her kiss that she was his. “I love you.”

  “Oh, Syd.”

  Crew smothered her with his mouth. She thought of coming up for air, but decided she'd rather die this way.

  Chapter Eleven

  The weather on her wedding day was just as beautiful the second time around, but the events of the day were a million times better.

  Granny flittered around the room as Sydney adjusted her veil. Her mother may have refused to help her with the wedding, but she was getting married anyway. Her dad was giving her away in their beautiful backyard. A preacher and some close friends and family would be there. And best of all, she was marrying Crew.

  “Oh, love, you are gorgeous. Oh, I wish I could hug you,” Granny squealed like a teenager.

  “Thanks.” Syd dabbed at the corner of her eye. “Don’t make me mess up this makeup.”

  Granny laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “So, are you like my fairy godmother or something?”

  “Ha! Cinderella wasn’t real love. I’m your guardian angel.” She grinned. “And there are a lot of things I’m not supposed to do, but if you ask in just the right way.” She winked. “I can make miracles happen.”

  Sydney laughed, but sobered quickly. Some things were clicking into place that she had to understand. “Did you make it so I couldn’t tell Crew I wanted to marry him that day in the garden?”

  Granny scowled. “I was under instructions on that one. They wanted you to know for sure that Crew was the right one. I had to let some things play out and alter a few things so you wouldn’t second guess marrying him.”

  It made sense, even if it made her mad. She had no doubts now and what if she’d married Crew and someday been hit on by someone like Josh and wondered then. “So you do approve of me marrying Crew?”

  “You are a bit young, but you’re making the right choice.” She smiled. “I couldn’t be more pleased.”

  “And this is my happily ever after.” Sydney glanced into the mirror and smiled.

  “You two are going to be so happy, but it’s still reality, love. It’s going to be a struggle, getting through school, starting a family, but your love will see you through. When you have that baby girl, will you name her Mabel?”

  “Granny, I love you, but not that much.”

  Her guardian angel chuckled. “Yeah, I thought that might be pushing it. Maybe her middle name.”

  A knock came at the door. Granny blew her a kiss. “I’ll be cheering for you, love.” Then she disappeared.

  Sydney pulled open the door. Her dad looked tall and stately in his tuxedo. He smiled sadly at her and offered his arm. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

  They walked slowly down the hallway and the front staircase. Sydney felt like a princess.

  “Sure I can’t talk you out of this?”

  “Daddy,” she warned.

  He half-laughed. “I had to try.” He swallowed then continued in a rough voice, “I spent most of the night praying. And…you’re doing the right thing. Even if it is rough on your mother and me.”

  Sydney stopped and hugged him tight. The tears came, and she didn’t care about her makeup. “You don’t know how much that means to me, Daddy.”

  “I love you, my girl.”

  “I love you.”

  “And your mom is going to struggle, but she’s looking beautiful seated in the front row. She wants to support you, even if it’s hard.”

  Sydney squeezed his arm. “Thank you.”

  They walked out the back doors and slowly made their way across the patio. Music softly drifted across the yard. The wedding party stood and turned to look at her. Sydney smiled at people as she passed, but then she caught a
glimpse of Crew. He stood so tall and exquisitely handsome. The warmth of his gaze seared through her.

  They reached his side and she heard the preacher ask who gave her away and her dad’s soft rumble saying he did. She gave her dad a kiss on the cheek and returned her mom’s smile before her dad placed her hand in Crew’s. Her future husband gave her that grin that melted her, his hand in hers a perfect fit. She knew Granny had helped her greatest wish come true and even though reality would be tough, together they could do anything. She was going to have her happily ever after and more. She was going to be with Crew.

  Read an excerpt from Cami’s exciting novel

  Dead Running

  I inched down another stair, hoping the soft creaks wouldn’t give me away to whoever was arguing in my living room. My dad was visiting me this week, gathering medical supplies for another one of his projects. I’d been gracious and allowed him to host his meetings in my living room. The support from the medical community in our little corner of Northern Utah was actually impressive, but did one of the doctors have to show up in the middle of the night?

  I was in that luscious almost-asleep phase when I heard the banging on my front door and crawled out of bed. Irritation turned to fear as I listened to the conversation. The man threatening Dad wasn’t one of his supporters.

  “You interfered with the wrong shipment this time.”

  “Shipment?” Dad asked. “These are human beings, not some profit margin.”

  I reached the bottom step and peeked around the wall. My dad stood near the fireplace with a mixture of shock and revulsion on his sunburned face.

  Just inside the front door, a man peeked out from the shadow of a hooded sweatshirt. He yanked out a wicked-looking blade. I covered my mouth to stifle the scream. My stomach knotted. My legs felt like ice. I didn’t know if I could move, let alone help.