“For whit? From the texts, I’m the one that should be sorry. I didnae know we left on such bad terms. I would never think of ye as an easy lay or a one-time thing. Please tell me ye dinnae think that or I will get back on a plane tonight. Fuck the club.” He’s breathing heavily when he finishes.
“I know you have to be there. I think my friends were just trying to tease you.” I’m acting cool, but I really just want to beg him to drop everything and run back to me. I knew I should never have let him back in.
“I dinnae think so. I think they were telling me tae either step up or fuck off. I dinnae know how tae make it any clearer. I like ye, Claire. I’d like tae be with ye every chance I have, but I cannae just leave LA right now. Please tell me ye understand that. I need tae hear ye say ye still want tae be with me until I can figure this oot.”
I feel a tear slide down my cheek. I don’t know what to say. The chances of us surviving this relationship is slim. He’s too beautiful, too popular and too far away, but for tonight, I can agree with him.
“Okay, Alex.”
“Okay?” I hear a deep sigh on the other end. “Go back tae yer friends but make sure ye have a ride home, yeah? Text me so I know ye got home safe. Bye,mo ghaol.”
“Bye,” I say, disconnecting the phone. When I return to the living room, everyone turns to look at me with concern written on their faces.
“How much trouble are you in?” Lily asks. “I hate to scare you, but I think he is more invested in this than you give him credit for. You deserve someone amazing. Don’t count him out yet. Tim said he doesn’t really go out much anymore. He said he definitely has never become fixated on hunting down someone he just met once.” I nod as she hugs me.
Shortly we all say our goodbyes. I get a ride back to campus with Izzy, who drives my car back for me. Grayson is there waiting for us in his old truck when we pull up.
“I think Lily is right this time. You’ve never believed you deserve a man who will love you just for you. I wish you could see yourself like we see you. You have everything to offer, Claire. Don’t give up yet, he might just surprise you,” Izzy says, giving me a hug.
I wave to Grayson as he holds open the door for Izzy. I watch as he leans over her, gently giving her a kiss before hooking her seat belt. They met when we bought him at a charity auction for Izzy’s birthday. In a few short weeks, they will be married with a baby on the way. I’ve never seen Izzy happier. If I can just grab a small piece of that happiness, I’ll be content.
Claire: I just walked into my apartment. I got a ride home. Shocker, there’s no noise coming from the other bedroom!I text Alex as I get ready for bed. His response is almost immediate.
Alex: I’m glad you made it home safe. Also glad my speech on proximity abstinence had the desired effect. Get some sleep. I’ll call tomorrow when I have a chance.I smile to myself. We’ll see how long he lasts before getting bored.
* * *
The next week is a whirlwind as I finish the few finals I have before campus empties. I am fortunate because I live in graduate housing so I can stay over Christmas vacation. The idea of going home for another grizzly holiday with my family makes me shiver.
Maggie and I decide, since we’re both alone this Christmas, to spend it together. Apparently Colin, her boyfriend, has to go on a mandatory family vacation to Aspen for the holiday. Since Colin is Lily’s brother, it will give me a much-needed break from relationship drama while she grills him about Maggie the whole vacation. I always thought Colin was the best-looking man I had ever seen, until Alex showed up.
Alex calls every evening to check in. I miss him more than I thought I would. The club owners decided to bring in everyone before Christmas to get the medical and publicity stuff done. He sent me some fun pictures they took screwing around for the camera. I hope I can figure out how to see a game this year. I’ve only seen him play on TV. I think it would be so much more exciting live.
After Christmas was stored away for next year, the wedding swooped in with a tornado of activity. We opted not to get totally drunk at the bachelorette party. With the wedding just two days away, we didn’t have the next day to lie around recovering. Besides, the bride is pregnant.
Finally the day has arrived.
“Okay, Izzy, how are you feeling? Not going to blow chunks halfway down the aisle are you?” Lily asks as we finish buttoning up Izzy’s dress in the dressing room at the back of the church.
“I hope not. That would certainly make it a day to remember, but not in a good way!” Izzy laughs. She looks amazing in the simple wedding dress she chose with the help of Mrs. Rhett. I’m almost positive Grayson will pass out when he sees her.
“How do you manage to be so calm? You should be a nervous wreck.” Dia adds, “Of course, I wasn’t. But then again, I don’t remember our wedding,” she says, laughing. None of us could remember their wedding, and we were all there.
Marcus and Dia make quite the pair since he is a six-foot-seven former basketball player to her five-foot-two cheerleader physique. They make a fascinating combination of opposites attracting.
“I look at it like this. It’s already a shotgun wedding and my dad has a pretty big shotgun to get this done.” We laugh as Izzy finishes checking everything in the mirror.
“Colin just texted me,” Maggie says, beaming at her phone. “He says we better get this wedding started. Grayson looks like he might pass out. I want to see this. I didn’t think anything rattled Grayson!”
“Well, we wouldn’t want the groom to pass out before later tonight,” Lily says, grinning at Izzy. “Are we ready? Mom will be out there to make sure we all start correctly. Your dad is waiting right outside the sanctuary for you, Iz. Sophia, stave off the tears until after pictures, okay?”
Sophia is Izzy’s eighteen-year-old sister. She is the spitting image of Izzy, both gorgeous, reflecting their mother’s Hispanic looks. She nods at Lily, carefully dabbing at her eyes before we file out of the dressing room.
The music changes when I start down the aisle. Grayson does look a little ill around the edges. I watch as Colin leans over to whisper something to him. He takes a deep breath so a little of the color returns to his cheeks.
When Izzy starts down the aisle, everyone stands to turn toward her. She has the biggest smile on her face I’ve ever seen. Looking back at Grayson, I have to laugh seeing his mouth open as he stares at her. It is probably the only time I’ve seen him not totally in control of himself.
When the actual ceremony begins, I tune it out. I cheer with everyone else as they head back down the aisle after the ceremony. Turning, I take Marcus’ arm before walking back up the aisle.
