Then a voice behind me sends a shiver down my spine. “Trussed up, belly flopping chicken, that’s a new one. Come on, Cas, give us a show.”
Nate Peterson walks into view, every bit the opposite of what I go for. He isn’t polished or prim; he doesn’t have perfectly coifed hair or smooth hands. He’s loud and unapologetic, his hair is wrapped in a bun on top of his head, and his hands are marred and rough with manual work. His top is off, and unlike his brother Rafe, he has only the P and eternity symbol on his chest, which they all have.
He turns and looks at me, his eyes narrowing like they always do, but not in the way that makes me think he hates me; it’s more assessing. Everything seems to quieten when he’s around. I don’t hear the mindless chatter of everyone around us; it’salmost as if the world falls away when he’s near, and for the past year, he’s been an unexpected source of strength and friendship for me.
Archie breaks whatever spell is around us when he speed runs, cannonballing into the pool wearing a pink flamingo floaty around his waist. Emmy squeals as water splashes; Ethan doesn’t even bother looking up from his newspaper; Cas barks with laughter; and Rafe high-fives Archie in the pool, but Nate, well, Nate shakes his head at his brother's antics and moves his sun lounger closer to mine.
Emmy cocks her brow at me, and I roll my eyes. She dramatically stretches her arms out and slaps her hands on her knees before saying. “Right, best get in the pool.” I find myself chuckling,really subtle, Emmy.So British.
Nate spreads out, arms behind his head and a smile on his face, and yes, I stare because it’s very hard not to. Ever since I met Nate, there’s been something about him that captivates me. He both infuriates and intrigues me; he’s like no one I’ve ever met before. Nate Peterson is the kind of man who will call you out on your bullshit, but also back you up if you need it. He pushes buttons, but he’s also very attentive, and the love he has for his family is my favourite thing about him. He’s also very much off limits.
“Take a picture, Shortcake, it lasts longer.” The side of his mouth lifts into a smirk, and my face heats as I quickly look away.
Muttering. “You wish.” I give myself a mental slap. Eyes forward, Hayleigh. This is not the time to think about men.
Instead, I focus on the pool where Archie tries to convince Rafe that he’s strong enough to dive underwater with the floaty around his waist, but all that happens is he flips and somehow ends up with his legs in the air and his head underwater. I stifle a giggle.
“Do you like Archie’s floaty?” Nate’s deep timbre rushes through me, and I have to close my eyes. I don’t respond, but I nod.
“He bought it off the internet a few weeks ago, well, he bought a yellow one, but I got the flamingo one and swapped it out before we left.” He sounds so proud of himself, and I can’t help but laugh at their antics; they’re always pulling pranks on each other.
Not wanting to seem rude, I shake off the impact his voice has on me and say. “I don’t think your prank worked. He looks like he’s having too much fun with the flamingo.”
He turns his head, eyebrows waggling. “Oh, that’s not the whole prank, just wait till you see what I have in store when Cas and Emmy leave.”
My smile immediately fades because the thought of my best friend leaving is almost too much, so I paste it back on and clear my throat. “Well, I can’t wait to see it. I need to…erm.” I shake my head and snatch up my things before leaving the pool area; my eyes sting, as I will myself not burst into tears. Not until I’m safe in my room.
Only twenty more steps to the lift, I can make it. The familiar surge of sadness rises again, but this time I can’t stop it. It fills me up from the inside before spilling over my lashes. I swipe my hands over my cheeks, trying and failing to mop up the tears. I’m happy for my best friend, I truly am, but I’m also sad and selfish for wanting her to stay here.So pathetic and lonely.
Great, now my brain has something to say to me.
Punching the button for the lift, it slowly descends while all around me, people go about their day with a carefree smile and a laugh, and all the while, my face hurts from holding my smile up all morning. A hand gently grabs hold of my arm and spins me round, and Nate’s worried face fills mine.
“Did I say something wrong?” Great, now friendly Nate makes me feel like utter shit for running off.
I shrug out of his hold before wiping my tears again and fake laughing. “Sorry, no, it’s just tiredness, that’s all. I’m fine.” I nod my head incessantly as if that’s going to convince him of my fineness, thankful when the doors ping open, but I don’t dare look up as the doors close. I don’t want to see another pitying look.
Pushing open the door to my room, I stop and listen, and like always, I’m greeted with nothing. No one tells you that when your relationship ends, you essentially grieve for what you’ve lost, which sounds silly because no one died. Yet that doesn’t stop me from drowning in the quietness. It hurts to know I planned my life around a carefully crafted lie from a master manipulator, and somehow, although I did nothing wrong, I’m the one who’s left in a pile of ruins and ash that has to learn to be on her own. Only I don’t know how to be alone, but I do know how to sleep and to sleep well. Forget wallowing, that can wait until I’ve had a nap.
**********
It’s my wedding day.
I’m wearing the beautiful dress I picked out, the only time I’ve ever seen my mother cry tears of joy. She likes Pete, or at least she likes his family's status; whatever the reason, I’m okay to marry him.
My father doesn’t walk me down the aisle; he doesn’t believe in it, so I walk alone, but everywhere I look, people are sad or whispering. Why are they doing that? Why aren’t they happy for me? Then I hear them.
“She drove him to it.”
“I heard she was frigid in bed, so he had no choice.”
“She should’ve known what he was doing, how could she not know?”
“She probably told him to do it for the attention; she’s never been good enough.”
Then I see him. Pete Winters. Only he isn’t my Pete; he isn’t smiling. He’s standing at the altar, rope in his hands, and he’s mouthing something to me…
I startle awake when someone bangs at my door, but I don’t get up right away. My heart is galloping, and I can’t bring myself to move. What if that’s him?You’re in a different country, silly, and he’s locked away.Emmy shouts my name, so I roll to the side and drag myself out of bed and over to the door.
