What You Left Behind

by Len Webster

  “I’m not banging Tara! You forget that I just got back from Milan. I had Italian models almost every night while you had your right hand,” Julian retorted.

  I only had drinks with those models, but Rob doesn’t need to know.

  There was a thick silence between them before Alex and Max burst into laughter.

  “He has you there, Rob!” Alex chuckled and patted Rob’s shoulder.

  “Someone want to tell me why you boys are blocking me from Julian?” Her voice broke through their chuckles. Rob and Alex parted, and Clara stepped forward and pulled him in for a long and warm hug.

  “Hi,” he said softly in her ear.

  “I’m so happy you’re here, Julian,” Clara whispered, and Julian hugged her tighter.

  “I’d never want to disappoint you.”

  “You sure do have this problem controlling yourself around my wife, Julian.” Noel’s voice had Julian exaggerating a groan before he let Clara go.

  Once he had stepped back, Julian rolled his eyes at the sight of Noel’s arm around Clara’s waist. He was a tad jealous. But he was extremely happy for them both. Clara gazed up at her husband and smiled. It was at that moment that Julian saw what Noel did when it came to Clara. Her natural beauty and the way she smiled towards Noel had Julian understanding. That smile of hers could make any man weak.

  “Clara, when you get tired of his possessiveness, come find me. I’ll show you a good time.” Julian winked. Noel tensed and the group laughed.

  “You can wish all you like, Moors. She has my last name and my ring. You try and I’ll come after you,” Noel warned.

  Laughing, Clara turned and placed both hands on her husband’s cheeks. “I’m your wife. Now until forever, Nolan.”

  “That’s never going to sound old to me, baby,” Noel said as he kissed Clara.

  Julian gagged, still not used to them actually being a couple. Over Clara’s shoulder, a shimmer of blonde caught his attention. He focused his eyes, and for a minute, he thought he saw those blue eyes that haunted him. Julian blinked once; the sight left him, and the ache returned. Shaking his head, he knew he was seeing things.

  She was never coming back.

  Stepping onto the path, Stevie answered the call and walked towards the gazebo where Noel and Clara had vowed to be man and wife earlier. The picture of her mother’s face was the last thing she wanted to see while celebrating her best friend’s wedding, but Stevie had ignored her mother’s calls for far too long. Leaning on the railing of the bridge, she sighed and held her phone to her ear.

  “Hello, Mum,” she breathed out, bothered.

  “Pardon?” Collette’s French accent was still as strong as Stevie remembered. She knew her mother never liked her speaking English, but Stevie had grown up in Australia and kept her French background a secret.

  Stevie sighed and pursed her lips, knowing what her mother really wanted out of a hello. “Bonjour, Maman.”

  “Oh, Stéphanie. Why do you insist on speaking to me in English? Tu es parisienne, ma chérie,” Collette said.

  You’re Parisian, my dear.

  “Maman, I am as Parisian as a French fry. I live in Melbourne and the only time I use French is when I talk to you or Grand-maman and Grand-papa. Why can’t you speak to me in English? You were the one who left me for Paris and London,” Stevie reminded, aiming for her mother’s guilty conscience.

  “Ma chérie, why must you make things hard for me? Your papa didn’t think taking you back to Paris was good. He wanted to raise you in Australia. Better opportunities for you, no?” Collette asked, using the same excuse every time.

  “I’m at Clara’s wedding. This is not a good time. I have to go.” Stevie pushed off the railing and turned for the golf club.

  Collette was quiet then Stevie heard her take a deep breath. “Come back to Paris, Stéphanie. Grand-maman and Grand-papa miss you. I’m returning in two months, and you said it yourself, there’s nothing there for you in Melbourne now that your friends are married. I can get you a job. Your oncle has connections, too.”

  Stevie chewed her bottom lip. When she found out that Clara would be moving to Boston to be with Noel, Stevie had re-evaluated her life. With Annie and Jarred married, there wasn’t much Melbourne could offer her. In a moment of self-pity, she had called her mother and spoke of her unhappiness.

  “Yes, I know Oncle Patrice can get me a job. But I don’t want to be a photographer or be anywhere near your world. I can’t leave Papa. I can’t leave him like you did. You can all come visit me. Why do I have to go all the way to London and Paris to visit you? I have to go,” Stevie said annoyed and began to walk off the bridge and back towards the reception.

  “Cela pourrait être une excellente opportunité pour toi,” Collette tried to convince.

  This could be an excellent opportunity for you.

  Stevie shook her head. “Papa got me an internship at an advertising company. I can’t let him down.”

  “All right. Just think about it. I’d like you to come home to me and to Paris. Profites bien du mariage. Je t’aime, ma chérie.”

  Enjoy the wedding. I love you, my dear.

  Stevie didn’t respond to her mother’s love and hung up the phone. Every time Collette called, it was always a frustrating play on who could make the other feel guiltier.

  Once Stevie reached the glass doors, she opened them and walked into the main ballroom. Looking around, she was satisfied to see that her quick disappearance had gone unnoticed. She didn’t want anyone to catch her speaking French. Clara had heard her say ‘papa,’ but that was it, and Stevie had shrugged it off. Having Collette as a mother was not a discussion she wanted to have. She didn’t want people to talk about how amazing her mother was when, in reality, Collette had abandoned her.

  Spotting the back of Noel with Clara’s arms wrapped around his neck, she took a step forward only for Liam’s younger sister to stop her. Ally was beautiful; she had that girl next-door appeal to her, and since they met, Stevie became friendly with her. When she’d noticed the looks between Rob and Ally, she knew it would only be a matter of time—well, she had hoped.

  “Stevie, umm... do you have a minute?” Ally asked nervously.

  Looking to her right, Stevie noticed Liam with CeCe and she knew she didn’t have to worry about a bust-up between him and Noel. She nodded, turned away from the ballroom, and walked back outside.

  “What’s up?” Stevie asked as Ally started to fiddle with her fingers.

  “Do you need a roommate? With Clara moving to Boston, I thought you might want a friend around.” Ally gave her an unsure smile.

  “You want to live together?” Stevie raised an eyebrow. Clara still saw Ally as a sister, and Stevie liked her. The situation between Clara and Liam’s failed engagement was water under the bridge for them.

  “Is the socialite ready to leave the big nest and the spotlight?”

  Ally breathed out and crinkled her nose. “I’ve been ready to leave for ages, but it won’t be for a little while. I still have to convince my dad to let me. He’ll only agree if I can show him that I can be something. Knowing him, it would be an ultimatum. And knowing me, it’ll somehow have me working for his investment firm.”

  The glint of determination in Ally’s eyes had been convincing. But for selfish reasons—having a friend and getting her and Rob together—Stevie would agree. “I’m moving into Clara’s old apartment on Sunday. But whenever you’re ready to move, just let me know. I have shotgun Alex’s old room since he’s cleared it. Clara’s old room is free, but I think it’s best we kept that as hers since she’s going to be back and forth when she can,” Stevie explained.

  The slow and excited smile that graced Ally’s face was priceless. “Oh, thank you so much, Stevie! I’m so close to social freedom, but now I just have to convince my dad. And that is going to take a little while.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you.” Stevie winked and walked back into the ballroom.

  “I’m going to go talk to
Liam and get him to help convince our dad… Oh! I think Clara wanted you to meet someone before,” Ally said.

  Meet someone?

  “Thanks,” Stevie said as Ally left her to speak to her brother. Stevie scanned the room to see that Clara and Noel had moved away from the entrance of the ballroom and were now near the wedding cake. She noticed that Max, Rob, and Alex were no longer with the bride and groom. Instead, another guest had joined them, and his back was towards Stevie.

  Weaving past the guests on the dance floor, Stevie watched as Clara laughed and then her eyes met hers. Once Stevie was in short distance from the unidentified guest, Clara stepped aside to see Stevie clearer.

  “Stevie, I’ve been looking for you! Come meet Rob’s brother.” Clara waved. Rob had mentioned his brother only a handful of times but nothing ever in detail. There was a story between the Moors brothers. A story in which Stevie hadn’t felt compelled to ask for.

  Stevie halted her movements just behind the wedding guest and smiled up at Clara. There was a mumble from the unknown male that Stevie didn’t quite hear.

  “Just meet her. She’s my best friend, and she’s lovely and yes, she’s behind you,” Clara argued.

  Stevie knew she’d have to be nice to him since he was Rob’s brother—even though she and Rob weren’t currently on the friendliest of terms. Sweeping her loose blonde curls behind her ear, she smiled as the guest turned to face her.

  The moment his light blue eyes found hers, Stevie lost all ability to breathe. The shock on his face more than likely mirrored hers. The need to flee overtook her, but those eyes of his rendered her motionless. They were dull compared to the life she’d seen in them four years ago. Guilt and pain entered every inch of her heart. Stevie swallowed hard and hoped that maybe he’d forgotten that night all those years ago, that she was just another one of his notches.

  He blinked several times, and she saw it in his eyes.

  Recognition.

  He remembered her.

  “Stephanie?”

  The startled look on her face told him that she remembered him. That flash of recollection had his heart jolting to life. He couldn’t believe the woman who stood in front of him. Her. It was her. The same blue eyes and the same blonde hair.

  My Stephanie.

  She stood frightened. He watched her blink and then swallowed hard. She bit her lip and took a deep breath in. He was stunned. The urge to touch her was consuming. He wanted to feel her skin under his fingertips; he wanted to ensure the sight before him was real. That she was real.

  “Never dye your hair. It’s the first thing I noticed when I laid eyes on you, Blondie.”

  Julian blinked away the memory of her back pressed against his chest as he took in the beauty of her blonde hair. Four years later and her hair colour was still as beautiful as ever. His eyes hadn’t been deceiving him. That glimpse of blonde he saw not too long ago was the woman he fell in love with on that white sand when he was twenty-one.

  The fear that consumed her blue eyes had his jaw clenching. They were no longer joyful or happy. They were guarded, as if she had seen far more than she should have, as if she had experienced more pain than was necessary.

  She straightened her posture and held out her hand. “I’m Stevie. It’s lovely to meet you. Rob has said so much about you.”

  Julian flinched at the sound of his brother’s name. Rob and his Stephanie had chemistry, and Julian clenched his fists at the realisation. She had been in Melbourne all these years. He’d run, and his brother got her.

  His fists squeezed tight at the name she’d called herself. It was off. Wrong and unsuited for her. When she had introduced herself all those years ago, she had said her name with a slight hint of a French accent. Hours after they had first met, she’d spoken softly in French. It was only a sentence, but it had made his heart ache with the need for her. He never forgot that one sentence, and he never forgot about her.

  “Stevie?” he breathed out, confused. He noticed her slight wince, but she composed herself quickly.

  “Wait…what?” he asked, looking at her. It was her. Not one moment together in Thailand had she ever called herself Stevie. Julian noticed that Clara had stepped closer to him. He glanced at her as she looked back and forth between him and Stephanie. “No. Your name’s Stephanie,” he corrected, shaking his head.

  Those blue eyes clouded, and he knew she hadn’t forgotten. Then, Stephanie took a startled step back.

  “Oh, my God,” Clara breathed out.

  Julian watched the shock consume Clara’s face.

  “I’m starving and this cake is not helping… Baby, what’s wrong?” Noel asked as he elbowed Julian out of the way to stand in front of his wife.

  The colour in Clara’s face faded as she put it together. “I… Julian… and…” She focused on Stephanie before her eyes quickly fluttered and then she fainted, Noel just catching his bride in time.

  “Jesus! Clara!” Noel cried as he held her in his arms. Before Julian could process it all, Alex was by his sister’s side.

  “What happened?” Alex frantically asked before he helped Noel carry her to the nearest chair.

  “Come on, baby!” Noel shook her.

  “I’ll go get a wet towel or something,” Alex said and quickly went to the bar.

  “I don’t think she’s eaten today. I haven’t seen her have anything but champagne,” Stephanie said as she crouched next to Clara.

  Noel had his hands in Clara’s as he repeatedly called her name. Julian stood next to him and noticed the fear in Noel’s eyes. He felt guilty for Clara fainting, possibly tarnishing her big day. Looking around, Julian noticed that the wedding had stopped around them as the guests whispered.

  “It’s okay, folks. Fainting bride. It’s just the norm. Get back to your mingling and we’ll have that small finger food crap served to you soon,” Julian announced out loud, drawing attention away from Noel and Clara.

  Noel glanced up at him and smiled. “Thanks, Julian. Do you know what happened? I was just a metre away… I don’t—” Noel paused as he caught Julian staring at Stephanie. Noel had shifted his gaze between them several times before he let his head fall back and sighed. “Son of a… Please don’t make a scene when Clara comes to. Let this be her day… our day. For our sakes, could you have whatever this is later?”

  Julian caught a glimpse of Stephanie’s flinch, but she didn’t look his way. Instead, her eyes focused on her best friend. Before Julian could reply, Alex handed Noel a cold towel. Noel thanked his brother-in-law as he stood up and dabbed his wife’s forehead with it. After a while, Clara began to stir and then she mumbled as her eyes fluttered open.

  “Noel?” Clara asked hazily as she slowly smiled at her husband.

  Noel took the towel off her forehead, handed it to Julian, and set his hands on his wife’s cheeks. “Shit, Clara. You scared the hell out of me!”

  “What hap—” Clara paused, her eyebrows knitted. She stared at Julian and then she shook her head at her maid of honour. “Right in front of me all this time,” she breathed as she began to stand.

  “What’s going on?” Alex asked.

  Noel stood up and helped Clara to her feet. “Never mind, Alex. Mind helping me take Clara to the bridal suite? Give her some air before dinner is served.”

  Alex looked at everyone with a baffled expression on his face before he shrugged and took his sister from Noel.

  “Wait. No!” Clara had fought before Noel whispered in her ear. Sighing, she glared at Stephanie and then at Julian. Then Noel nodded to Alex before he faced him and Stephanie.

  Noel scratched his head, as if to help him understand what had just happened. “You both realise my wife just fainted at the realisation of you two.”

  Julian dropped the wet towel on the chair and raised his eyebrow at Noel. Before he could even speak, Stephanie had cleared her throat and stopped him.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Noel,” she stated.

  Julian gawked at h
er, shocked at her revelation.

  “Don’t need to convince me, Stevie. Take it outside. I love you both, but it’s my wedding, and I really don’t need the drama right now. I just heard that Sarah was around. I’m trying my best to make my wife happy here. Can you both just not stress her out… further?”

  Ignoring Noel, Julian faced Stephanie. Only one name would reveal the truth to whether the woman in front of him was truly his Stephanie.

  “Blondie, it’s been a while.”

  Blondie.

  There was no doubt about it. The man that stood in front of her was the man she had given her virginity to four years prior. That one nickname forced its way back into her heart and made her breathing falter. All her years of running and he’d found her. Her links to Clara and Noel brought Julian sauntering back into her life. So much regret filled her entire body that she looked away.

  In some form, she regretted that night. Regretted that she had walked away. Regretted never saying goodbye and regretted giving a complete stranger that one last ounce of control she had left in her life. Being with Julian all those summers ago, she was in control. She controlled that week; she controlled whom she was and made decisions of her own accord. Giving him her virginity had been one of them. What she couldn’t control were the three words that she’d whispered once he’d broken her hymen.

  “I love you.”

  Stevie closed her eyes and tried to forget about the aftermath of what had happened when she’d left him. She tried to push away from the flashbacks of London and her darker times. The times when she had to be saved. The times she had spent years trying to make amends for. They were the days she wished she’d forget. But coming back home, no amount of alcohol could help her.

  Ignoring Julian, Stevie took in the concern on Noel’s face. In some way, meeting Julian all over again had put a dent in Noel and Clara’s wedding, and for that, she felt guilty. They had both come so far that the idea that she was taking away from their day had her wincing.