Freeform

by Xavier Neal

  “H-h-how did you decide to do that?” I give the back of my neck a rub. “To just...face the fucked up truth?”

  “A bubbly little blonde walked into my restaurant and turned my whole world upside down,” Adolfo chuckles. “Fate has a fun way of giving you exactly what you need when you need it. The question is my friend, are you willing to take it?”

  I don't think I am....Doesn't feel like this in this case. It feels like I was offered a chance to see Heaven only to be banished to Hell. I needed June. Hell I still need June, yet the never ending havoc my unresolved emotions wreak on my system makes me feel like I'm not meant to have her.

  “Because until you are....until you're ready to trust in Fate, you will never truly be free.” He pulls into the train station parking lot and shifts it to park. “We're here. You all set?”

  I thought I was. But now...now I'm not so sure.

  June

  I try to stop the tears long enough to fix my mascara for the fourth time.

  Waterproof my ass. I have been crying in waves all day and every time I do, I look like someone out of a bad horror movie. It's ridiculous. No, the mascara not the crying. The crying I expected. I made a huge mistake. Several actually. The first crossing the line between work and relationships and of course the next buying into whatever Tucker and I had being an actual relationship. How could I be so stupid? I knew it was going to end. It had too. No matter how much we have in common, not matter how strong the connection or inability to resist the other, we could've never made it work. I'm like the easel, my feet are always on the ground. Painters have no problems coming and going. Using me. I'll always be easy to castaway. No one remembers the easel. Just the artist.

  On a final sniffle, I remove my make up from my clutch once more to readjust. Once I'm finished, I slip out of the bathroom, and back down the hall to party that has been in full motion for almost two hours.

  I look around cautiously before making my first step.

  Hey, I've done a great job avoiding Brandi about the subject since her nephew split. And I've done an even more miraculous job at hiding from her since I arrived. It's like a game from one of those 'I Spy' books except instead of circling the target you run from it.

  “June!” Her voice fills my ears causing me to bump into the edge of the wall.

  “Ou...”

  You couldn't have warned me? You weren't one of those helpful kids, were you? You were the one that spotted it all along and waited for them to fail to get the glory. Well...thanks for that.

  “As clumsy as ever,” she playfully coos.

  “That'll probably never change.”

  “But my nephew sure has,” Brandi's immediate jump to the important topic shifts my weight. “The changes I've seen with you in his life, June are impressive. This is...the longest he's ever stayed here since his father's death. You've had a real impact.”

  Obviously he doesn't agree since he almost left without any sort of goodbye. Correction. He would've left without any sort of goodbye had I not finished up early. Is this an example of Fate at work? Drag me over there to have to look him in the face as he breaks my heart? Gotta say...not liking this Fate thing.

  I struggle to smile.

  “Now where is my wedding gift?”

  “On the table with the others.” My comment is met with a skeptical look. “I found an old handmade vintage wedding frame made out of faded letter paper. It has the word 'Love' inscribed at the bottom. I know Ms. Frost's fondness for such items.”

  “Her son,” impatience waivers her voice. “Where's Brittany's son, June?”

  I press my lips together as I struggle to think of a good answer.

  It doesn't take her any time real time to catch on. “He left, didn't he?”

  Helplessly, I nod.

  “Without warning.”

  I nod again.

  “When?”

  “Two days ago.”

  Her hand flies up to pinch the bridge of her nose. “Of course he did. It was foolish to think anything or anyone could ever keep him here.”

  At least we're in agreement there.

  “I'm sorry, June.” She drops her hand. “For having to fire you as much as you having your heart broken.”

  “Just um....write me a good recommendation, please?”

  Brandi nods at the same time she's joined by her husband. “Of course.”

  Jobless. Boyfriendless. And I'm sure if I don't find somewhere else to work immediately, homeless. Guess I could actually work at the art store for a few months while I wait for something better to become available. God.....I never thought I'd have to fall back to the bottom after seeing a glimpse from the top. Well, can't completely count myself out. What would that teach my sisters? That a broken heart is a good excuse to put your whole life on hold?

  “It's toast time you two,” Brett states. “Come on.”

  “I should probably go,” I whisper and begin to step backwards.

  Brett's look of confusion doesn't stop my action. I spin around to avoid anyone seeing my tears and bump hard enough into someone's frame to be sent backwards to the floor.

  Seriously?

  I shuffle to collect my clutch and it's contents as a familiar voice extends to me. “You have to be more careful, June Bug.”

  Shock drops my jaw. Slowly, I turn to see Tucker's blue eyes beaming at me with a sliver of hope in them.

  I know I should be furious at him. I know I should yell, scream, shout and kick him in the nuts, but honestly? I'm just thankful that he's here and I can keep my job.

  “Hate the idea of having to wait by your bedside at the hospital from a concussion.”

  I refuse the hand he's offering me to take. As soon as I'm on my feet, I state in a low voice, “I thought you left.”

  “Had some unfinished work I needed to tend to. You know how much I hate to leave pieces incomplete.”

  He better be using that as a fucking metaphor or it will be him I poke in the eye with a paintbrush.

  “They're ready for you,” Brett says to him and motions his head towards the front of the room where the couple is gathered.

  Tucker nods to his uncle before whispering to me, “We need to talk when I'm finished.”

  He doesn't leave room for an objection. Quickly he pushes, past us, and makes his way to the stage. Someone hands him a glass of champagne seconds after the music shuts off. All eyes in the room fall onto him.

  “Evening,” Tucker says cheerfully into the microphone. “Many of you know me, for those of you who don't I am Tucker Frost, the bride's only son. I was asked by....David, to give a toast.”

  Oh no.....That's why he threw a tantrum and left to begin with, isn't it?

  “I was reluctant at first.” He pauses to correct himself. “I refused, actually. In my eyes, to stand here and wish them a happy future felt like a betrayal to the man who raised me.”

  Not a good start to a wedding speech....Though a very good explanation for why he bolted. I understand he's still not ready to face his father's death and his mother's growth, but that still doesn't mean I didn't deserve a goodbye. That I didn't deserve to at least feel like I mattered for the small time we were together.

  “The truth is, to not stand here, and toast to a happy future would be the true betrayal. My father was a good man. He would've given anything to make sure my mother was happy even if it meant letting her go to find happiness elsewhere. My mother does deserve happiness. We all do. And David has restored shine to her smile, pep to her step, and a pure joy in her eyes, I never thought I'd see again. For that, today, I say thank you, David, and request that as you join our family, you work that hard every day to make sure those things last until death do you part just as my father had.”

  David lifts his glass and states, “You have my word, Tucker.”

  His sweet face forces a slightly sad smile yet he lifts his glass high. “To the happy couple. May love flourish in your marriage from this day forward. Cheers.”

  “Cheers!” T
he room echoes and takes a sip.

  A dumbfounded expression remains on my face.

  What the hell just happened? Did he....publicly apologize to his mother? What....how...who...

  Brett turns to me with a smirk. “Seems like you finally got through to him.”

  Brandi tosses back the last of her champagne. “Glad someone could. One more reality T.V. meltdown from this family and I was going to have to petition no more gatherings for at least two years.”

  I giggle. However, when Tucker's eyes spot me from his position beside his mother, I quickly whisper, “I um...I think I'm gonna go.”

  Brett frowns. “But Tuck-”

  “Let it go,” Brandi hushes him. “Trust me.”

  He furrows his eyebrows again, but remains quiet.

  “I'll see you at the office in the morning.” With a final nod, I begin to make my way around the back of the mansion they rented in hopes of finding a back escape route. Despite the fact my name is being called behind me, I walk faster.

  “June wait!”

  Hitting an unexpected dead end, I make a sharp right and open the first door I can.

  Okay so judging him for running from his problems while I am doing the same thing is not something we should talk about right now. Besides I am just running away from him. Not all of them in general. Though...he really is the only real problem I have at the moment.

  My back hits the door quietly as I silently beg he keeps looking elsewhere.

  “June Bug,” his voice sighs from the other side. “I know you're in there.”

  Sh.....He does not.

  “Can I come in?”

  Don't answer.

  “Can I explain why I'm still here?”

  What did I just say?

  “Can I apologize to your face? You deserve that much even if you aren't willing to hear anything else.”

  I hesitate but eventually turn around and open the door.

  Tucker's hands are braced firmly on the frame and a regretful look is plastered in his eyes. Sweetly he sighs, “It's been hell not waking up to your face every morning. And it's only been two days...”

  His words cause me to yearn for him to move closer, yet I fold my arms across my chest instead. “You made that choice without me.”

  “I did. And that was wrong.” He drops his arms. “I'm sorry, June. I'm sorry for being a coward about all of this. I'm sorry for the picking a fight. I'm sorry for choosing to leave without you. I'm sorry for not even asking you to come. I don't want you to think for a minute, I really wanted to leave you behind, but it felt wrong to ask you to give up your entire life for me when I wasn't willing to give up any of mine for you.”

  So far so good for an apology.

  “You were right when you said, when I had really fallen in love with someone, I'd want them with me. Sharing in the beauty of everything I do. So, I'm asking you June Bailey, will you run away with me?”

  There's a twinge of guilt inside of me that out ranks the joy I know would come. “I have a job to do, Tucker.”

  “And you have a man to love.”

  That's....True.....

  His hands slide around my waist. “Let's meet in the middle. We seem good about being able to do that. Travel with me, see the world, and in between we come back here. We crash in your tiny apartment for a couple months, share time with your family and mine, and then leave again. Start another adventure. Repeat the process.”

  “That does sound...perfect,” my longing returns.

  Can I go? Can I just drop everything and follow him around the country, meeting other artists and experiencing life in a new way? It would be a lie to say these last eight weeks haven't been the most remarkable time of my life, but....can magic like that last? And what about money? Stability? What does that tell my sisters? What? Well, yeah, teaching them the importance of falling in love and following your dreams is important and yeah my mom and dad say I should worry about my own happiness for a bit, but still. Work...

  “I can't,” I deny my hands landing on his chest. “I have to work, Tucker. Not all of us have millions in the bank to let us gallivant around the world.”

  He nods slowly. “And if I paid for your living from my account, anything you needed or wanted, and just took jobs to take care of me, would that change your mind?”

  “No,” another defeated sigh escapes. “I'm not a leech, Tucker. I can't be that irresponsible. That's not who I am.”

  To my surprise he grins widely. “I know. However, I also know, you had a fantastic idea and we're going to tell Aunt Brandi about it right now.”

  “What?” He grabs my hand and begins dragging me back the direction we came.

  “Wait. What!” I try to speak up. “Tucker! What! What are you talking about?”

  The two of us branch off to the right where we arrive in front of patio doors. He points. “We'll meet you out there. Three minutes.”

  “Wh-”

  “Just trust me.”

  Like I trusted him not to walk out on me to begin with?

  I surrender my hands in the air and exit onto the patio section. Flopping down in the chair, I fold my fingers together.

  Even if it were possible, which I don't think it is, could I leave it all behind to be with Tucker? I mean...he's willing to live here with me part time, could I live the life of the unknown for a few months to counter? It feels like Tucker isn't determined to have everything his way. He wants to share. He wants something together. Shouldn't I give him that chance? Shouldn't I give us that chance? Couples fight and people say shit they don't really mean when they're upset. But what he just said? The willingness to live together, to try family life knowing how important I find it, tells me what he said a couple of days ago was the mistake and plans for a future together is still his number one intention.

  Brandi and Tucker come out the patio door together.

  The moment the two of them have settled at the table, Tucker beside me, her across from us, he states, “June has an idea that's she been sitting on for months that would benefit the company.”

  Brandi glances at her nephew with a displeased expression. “You wanna discuss business, now? At your mother's wedding reception? I know you're relationship with her is still touchy but-”

  “I have to be on a train for Georgia at midnight. I want like hell for June Bug to be on that train with me.” He pulls two tickets out of his jacket pocket and puts them on the table. “So yeah. I wanna discuss business now.”

  While my eyes widen, Brandi smirks as if impressed. “Alright. I'm listening.”

  Tucker waves a hand for me to explain. All of sudden pressure like I've never felt before tugs on my vocal chords.

  Uh......This can't be happening.

  His hand falls onto mine and my eyes move to his. “You said you wanted to work. You tell her, she goes for it, and we both get what we want most. You're not invisible, June. You're bright and beautiful and bold. Now be seen.”

  The vote of confidence causes my body to lift upward. I turn to my boss and say, “I think if you included artwork from local artists in the Frost hotels around the globe, you would create a mutually beneficial relationship with communities where the hotels are located. If you agree to purchase and display artwork from the local artists, the hotel chain will have a unique quality at each location, drive tourism to explore the local activities, and build a level of appreciation for driving business to these artists that may have never been seen otherwise.”

  Brandi nods.

  “While you would be driving attention towards the local establishments, they would also be driving praise the company’s direction when asked for recommendations on where to stay.”

  “While I appreciate the idea, it's not exactly practical. In order to do something like that, it would require me to travel or send someone to travel to our various locations.”

  “Send June,” Tucker declares, grabbing his aunt's attention.

  Both of our mouths crack open.

  “Send June to
the cities with the hotels. I'll go with her. Let her find the talent and initiate the contracts. It's a brilliant idea, Aunt Brandi and you know one of things that makes the Frost hotels better than the others is the dedication to innovation.”

  Hearing Tucker quote the company motto takes me off guard.

  I didn't think he knew anything about the company.