by K. T Fisher
An hour and a half later I feel like I've had enough writing for today, I think I have enough written down for about three songs. Rhys appears with a couple of beers and passes me one on his way to the seat across from me.
"Is it safe to come out now?"
"Yep."
I laugh at the cheeky fucker.
"Good. I need to tell you something."
My eyebrows pull together.
"Why didn't you tell me when I got here?"
He rolls his eyes at me like it's so obvious.
"I had a feeling you wanted to write so I left you to it. You were all moody looking, it's one of your signs."
I laugh again and flip him the finger.
"Say what you gotta say."
His smile disappears and he gets all tense. I stay silent while he takes a big gulp from his beer.
"So I went for my usual jog the other morning and I saw James, he looked shocked to see me. It was about 5am, looked like he was doing the walk of shame."
My smile has now gone and I take my own gulp from my beer.
"No shit. Did you talk?"
What I wanted to say was did he say anything about Kendal? Rhys shakes his head.
"We didn't have the best friendship remember? We just both noticed each other and carried on. It was only at the bottom of the estate."
That close? If he was walking back to his place he must be close, is Kendal close by too?
"I know what your thinking so stop it."
"What are you talking about?"
He raises his eyebrows at me.
"I've known you for fifteen years so I think I know how your mind works. Let me guess, you thought does that mean Kendal is close by aswell, didn't you? Don't lie, I cant tell by your face. You need to try and move on pal, It's been nearly four years since she walked away from you. She's a gorgeous girl, she's probably been snatched up by now and got herself a little family. You need to do the same. Don't get me wrong I loved the girl but I know how it's been for you since she left."
The thought of that devastates me. I know his trying to make me realise I need to forget her but the image of her married and happy with kids of her own hurt like hell. I know I still love her and I can't help it. The thought of her with another man, kissing him and letting him hold her where I did angers me. She's still mine and I don't give a shit. I will see her and I will win her back. I can't live like this anymore, I need Kendal back.
~Kendal~
So me and Tanya are rushing in our cars to Sophie's final dress fitting straight from work. We both finished work at 2:00pm and the appointment is in half an hour and we work twenty minutes away without traffic. With five minutes to go we both snag side by side spaces in the car park down the road from the dress shop. We run out the car park and speed walk down towards the dress makers. When we reach the shop it's not a dress makers at all, it's a freaking posh up market wedding boutique which means money. Oh crap these places make me feel like shit. I cautiously follow Tanya in and were greeted by a lovely elderly woman. She's all bright smiles and giggles, I feel a little more settled but my surroundings are intimidating. The shop is filled with amazingly beautiful dresses everywhere. Spotted here and there are glass cabinets showing bridal jewellery. I don't go near those, I'm scared they will break if I go anywhere near them. Tanya tells the kind lady we're here for Sophie James and she happily shows us the way. This place is a big place, the front is where dresses and accessories are on show and from there we walk further into the building. We walk past two rooms on the right and left of us, the lady tells us they are dressing room where dresses can be tried on with friends and families. Isn't that where we should be going and by the look Tanya just shot me she thinks the same too. At the end we reach white double doors, she knocks and then walks off. Wait, where's she fucking going? One of the white doors is snapped open and a young woman looks down her nose at me and Tanya straight away. Yep, here is the reason why I don't like these shops.
"Kendal! Tan!"
The woman looks shocked and moves aside, yea move bitch. I'm with the bride. When we enter it becomes clear Sophie is a high paying customer because this is not your usual dressing room. I'm used to a little cubicle when I'm trying something new on. The bridal dressing rooms we just past are what I expected from today but this! This is the top dog of luxury. This room is huge, my eyes quickly scan the room in awe. The girls are sat on one of three golden leather sofas on the right hand side of the room. There sat facing the middle where there's a golden platform that is raised slightly from the white wooden flooring. On the left side of the room the whole wall is a mirror and right in front of me, facing the doors where we just entered is a big area is closed off by a golden curtain.
We make our way over to the girls and Sophie stands to give us our hugs. She tells the snot nose woman that me ad Tanya are her other bridesmaids and best friends and she leaves us alone. She appears a couple of minutes later stopping our excited laughter to give us each a glass of champagne then goes to stand in her corner again. So she looked down her nose at me because? A small red head comes out of the golden curtain and smiles at us and asks Sophie if she's ready. We all take our seats and watch Sophie practically skip over to her.
Were all quite, nobody talking because we're all anxious and excited to see Sophie. She hasn't told us any details of her dress so I have no idea what to expect. Only Jessica and Tanya have seen the dress and Sophie made sure they kept there mouths shut. When the curtain moves we all freeze in our seats and hold our breath, well I do anyway. Out walks Sophie who has a beaming smile lighting up all her face, it looks like Sophie floats across the floor to the platform. She stands facing the mirror and I can't believe how amazing she looks, she looks absolutely beautiful. I suddenly feel so emotional. I can see Jessica wiping under her eyes in the reflection of the mirror, I knew she would be the first.
"So girls, do you like it?"
Sophie shifts her body side to side so the dress swishes around. It's an ivory colour, the top is a halter neck style and shows a little cleavage. It looks like it's a smooth satin material and there's sparkling gems spotted around the bodice and halter neck piece. The bottom puffs out but not too much that she wouldn't fit through the door, just right. It's the same material as the halter neck top and doesn't have a lot of sparkle on it but it's looks perfect. Anymore and it would be too much. She has on the same sparkly shoes as ours, which are just peaking out the bottom of her dress. None of us answer, I don't think we can. We look at each other and we all have shiny teary eyes. We're all emotional wrecks. Sophie turns around to face us and as soon as she takes a proper look at our faces she steps down off the little platform. Her arms out wide.
"Oh you guys, come here."
We all put our glasses down and rush over into a crying group hug. We're careful not to get any tears on the dress. After we have all got control over our emotions and wiped away ours tears away on the soft tissues the snot nose woman brought out for us we can all talk again. Maisy is the first.
"You look hot! Reece is not gonna know what to do when he sees you."
Tanya nods in agreement.
"Yea your tits look amazing Soph."
We all laugh and then cry a little bit more. I don't know how where going to be on the big day. Me and Jessica give Sophie more suttle compliments which make Sophie cry and then were all crying again. I dread to think what we're going to be like on the big day.
"Oh girls I have some bad news. The guys have arranged Reece's stag for when we were supposed to be having the meal."
Oh that's a shame, I'm dying to meet him and finally see these friends of his. We all assure her that its fine, we can still have the meal. After all I'm bring Finley so Sophie can meet him before the wedding. I am so scared, I shouldn't have put it off and made excuses every time Sophie wanted to come by. I feel like such a shit person right now.
Chapter 13
A couple of days later I wake up feeling like crap, I'm all sticky and sweaty and my stoma
ch doesn't feel too good I wish I could stay home in bed but I have work and I don't ring in sick, ever. Plus Bianca won't have me or Tanya for three days when we go to Barcelona for Sophie's hen. When Finley jumps on the bed as usual it makes my stomach feel worse. I hold back the sickly feeling and slowly get out of bed. I think Finley must have known something was up because he went soft on me on his daily demands.
When I slowly walk into work I go straight to the staff room. I want quiet which is stupid really because I work in a hair and beauty salon where there's talking women twenty-four-seven and hairdryers blasting. When I walk into the staff room Tanya and Bianca are already there.
"God are you OK Kendal? You look like shit."
No point in telling the truth there Tanya.
"Gee thanks Tan."
Bianca hands me a cup of tea which I decline, I don't think my stomach can handle anything other than water.
"She's right honey, you sure your OK to work today?"
I slowly nod yes.
"I only have basic cuts booked in for today."
After a very slow haircut Bianca demands she will take over my bookings and orders me to go home. Finley's at my mums so I go home and text her to say I'm at home sick.
I wake up shivering to a knocking on my front door. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep on the sofa, I just wanted to lie down while watching some TV. I sleepily stumble to the front door and when I open it I'm greeted by my mum. As soon as she sees me her face fills with motherly concern. She fusses about and cooks a dinner for me and Finley, not that I can eat it. My mums a skinny little thing, shorter than me, I inherited her light brown hair but I obviously have died it but it's my dads bright blue eyes that I have. She shouts that the dinners ready, just like when I was a kid. I walk slowly to the kitchen table and by the time I sit down Finley's already digging in and I wrinkle my nose in disgust. If I eat I know I will be sick. My mum raises her eyebrow at me not touching my food.
"Kendal you need to eat."
"I can't my stomachs churning just looking at it."
She gets up and makes me some toast. No butter and puts it in front of me, she raises that dam eyebrow again. My hands shake as I eat and Finley looks up at me all concern on his little face. My mum makes sure the house is tidy and Finley's is bed before she goes. She did want to take him back to hers but I want Finley with me. As soon as shes out the door I go straight up to bed. I curl up on my side and hold onto my stomach.
When my eyes open again the sun is shining and Finley is sitting on my bed beside me. I smile up at him,
"No jumping today?"
He shakes his head and crawls right up to my side.
"Are you better now mummy?"
Oh bless him, his stopped his daily jumping marathon on my bed because his worried. I am actually feeling better, allot better than yesterday. It was just a twenty-four hour virus thank god.
"I think I am all better honey."
I roll onto my side and wrap my arms around him. He feels hot and his face looks clammy.
"Are you OK baby?"
"My tummy feels sick mummy."
Oh no, now my little boy has what I had yesterday. He suddenly sits up and looks at me worriedly.
"Are you going to be sick?"
He nods his head and I rush up and carry him into the bathroom. I put him down and position him just in time before it all comes out. Finley has never been sick before and this site of him is breaking my heart. I don't like it at all. I would rather have another day like yesterday or worse if it meant Finley wasn't going through this.
"Mummy."
Now that nearly made me cry. His weak voice saying my name. I rub his back to try and sooth him.
"Ssshhh I know baby, mummies here."
When his finished I clean his face and change his pajamas then settle him in his bed. I put Disney Cars on his TV while I go and have a quick shower to wash away the sweat and grime from yesterday. As soon as I'm out I quickly wrap myself in a towel and check on Finley. His fast asleep so I turn down the volume on his film. I don't bother drying my hair, I don't want to wake Finley. So I just chuck on my black leggings and white vest top, the shower has made me feel a hundred times better. Today me and Finley are supposed to be going to Sophies for that meal. Finley's definitely not going and I'm not leaving him. I decide to ring Sophie but I don't want to leave Finley so I stay put in my bedroom.
"Hey honey."
"Hey Sophie. How you feeling? Has Reece left yet?"
I hear her sigh heavily down the phone. That means yes.
"Yes, he left early with the guys. Is it stupid that I miss him already?"
"No, your in love. I would worry if you wasn't missing him."
"True. How are you feeling? When I spoke to Tanya last night she said you were send home from work yesterday."
"Yea that's sort of why I'm ringing. I'm fine now but Finley has caught it. I'm sorry but were not going to be able to come. I really don't want to leave him when his like this."
"Don't be silly honey. I totally understand, you don't need to explain. You help your little boy get better and we can do something when his better."
"Ah thanks Soph, I'm so sorry."
"Kendal stop saying sorry. It's fine. Ring me if you need anything."
When Finley wakes up I take him downstairs and lie him on the sofa and run back upstairs to get his quilt cover. We cuddle on the sofa together for the rest of the day. His sick a couple more times and he manages some biscuits and dry toast. I understand why my mum was being so worrisome yesterday with me. At night I put Finley to bed with me. I get a few texts from my friends who are all at the dinner, some are funny and some are well wishes for Finley. After a little while of non successful attempts of trying to sleep I get my IPad out and plug in my headphones. I search Decoy Jax and listen to his interviews and watch some music videos. I even watch the interviews with Leo, Max and Rhys. I do miss those guys. Then I return to watching Jax and I can't help but feel a need to be held by him. I miss him so fucking much it hurts.
~Jax~
I laugh at the worried look on Rhys face as we sit on the plane. He glares over at me. He really is scared of what we have planned for him, mostly for what Max and Leo have planned but he could show a little faith.
"I'm glad you think this is so funny."
"I'm sorry, but your face looks hilarious."
He sighs and rubs his face.
"There haven't planned anything to get me into trouble have they?"
"Rhys it's a stag due."
I laugh as Rhys groans into his hands. It's not as bad as his making out but it is a stag due at the end of the day.
"If you ever get married you will know what I'm worried about and I will laugh at you."
"Look I made sure they didn't go too over the top but it is your stag, relax and have fun."
He finally sits back and relaxes, Leo hands him a drink.
"Drink up buddy! Were landing soon."
"You gona tell me where your taking me yet?"
"Las Vegas baby!"
Rhys face is a picture. Shocked and then amazed. He looks at Leo, Max, his brother Rex and then me.
"Holy shit guys! This is gona be fucking awesome!"
He starts glugging back his bear and we all follow. The stag due has started.
A private car takes us to the villa. Max found a great place, it's a one floor luxury pad with pool and it even comes with a chef! At least we don't have to cool when were hungover. We each pick our own rooms and meet back in the living room straight away. This means none of us have unpacked, we guys so that isn't a fucking surprise. Rhys is typing away on his phone.
"Hey no contact."
"Sorry, just saying I'm here."
He sounds a little sad. Already missing her.
"Well hurry up because we need to go."
"Where?"
"Well, where going to some casino's."
Just like that his smile is back.
"Fuck yea!"
&nb
sp; We go outside where a limo is waiting, we all jump in and get ready to enjoy a night of gambling and drinking.
*~*~*
BANG BANG BANG
Aw God what is that banging and someone please make it stop! I'm lying face down on my bed. My legs feel stiff so I guess I'm still wearing my jeans. Well that's better than waking up naked next to a girl you don't know. Well it is for me anyway. I'm trying to think back to last night, we spent most of the afternoon in the casino's and when we had enough Leo and Max had arranged the limo to take us to a bar. Sound good but when we walked in we were the only guys there with about twenty of the most beautiful and sexiest women you will see were dancing around waiting for us. Cheeky fuckers didn't tell me about this, I see Rhys panicking beside me. Probably thinking if he even looks he will be in trouble, poor guy. After so many drinks half way through the night I took notice of one girl, I can't remember her name. Her hair was dyed a fire red and she had shocking blue eyes, she was small and cute, big tits. Totally my type, we danced and did a few body shots. At the end we ended up kissing and I could have easily taken her back to our villa but something stopped me and I'm glad. I would have been pissed this morning.