As we got closer to the start time, the patio got quieter. After calling Miles for the fourteenth time, I texted, “Where are you, man? At least let us know you’re okay.” As soon as it said delivered, I sent, “Your mom is really worried. Ryder is still missing, and now you? Just fucking call me, man.”
Mr. Beckett said, “We’re officially late. The church is packed, and there’s no groom. Someone will have to tell the bride. Any takers?”
“No chance, Mr. B, sorry,” Tyler said.
Jason said, “I’ll do it.”
My phone buzzed. I almost ignored it. My hand shook, and I was about to announce that I’d gotten a message from Miles. But I read it first.
“I’m not coming. Weddings off. Come to Ryder’s.”
I read it twice, then three times. My heart raced, and I laughed through unshed tears. We’d gotten through to him. And Ryder was okay? Or Miles was there waiting for him? I didn’t know.
I couldn’t think of a response, thumbs frozen above the screen, but only for a second. Then blistering clarity rang through the noise, and I knew what I had to do.
First, I replied to Miles, “Are you with him? Is he okay? Does Bree know?”
Then I said, “I’ll tell her.”
Jason shook his head. “No, man, it’s okay. I’ll go. She’ll freak out when she sees—”
“No.” I held up my phone. “I was the best man. It’s my duty.”
The six of them leaned in to read it. “Fuckyes!” Mr. Beckett said and high-fived Tyler. Mrs. Beckett hugged Lena, Connor’s mouth hung open, and Jason slouched, fluttering his eyes.
“What now?” Jason sounded like he’d just sat on the couch after a long day. “Finn, you go tell her. Do you want me to tell the priest, and he can tell the guests?”
Mr. Beckett said, “Yes, please. Diane and I need to make some phone calls. We can meet back at our place.”
Jason nodded. I pulled in as much air as my lungs would allow. “Okay, wish me luck.”
“Oh, I’msocoming with you,” Lena said. “I’ll keep my mouth shut, but there’s no way I’m missing this.”
No one stopped her, and we walked back into the building. The petty child inside me couldn’t wait to deliver the news. He wanted to run down there and say something like, “You got dumped, you disgusting bigot!” But I was a mature adult and wouldn’t stoop to her level. The devastation of being left at the altar would be enough.
I got a message heading down the side stairwell from Miles that read, “He’s fine. I’m with him now. I don’t know what she knows, and I don’t care. Fuck her, man. Seriously. I’ve been crying for hours. She ruined my fucking life.”
Ryder was okay. Miles was hurt and reeling, but he saved himself at the last minute. Fuck Bree was right. My stomach fluttered. It had only been a little over a day since I saw Ryder, but knowing that I would again soon reminded me of the rainbow joy I’d felt the day before.
The basement had transformed in the fifteen minutes since we had left it. Not so much the furniture, or walls, or floor, but the mood. For so much dusty pink, it was very dark.
“I already fucking TOLD you, Alissa. GOD! Why are you all acting so fucking STUPID today?!” Bree’s voice bouncedoff the wood paneling. “Where’s Bell? WHERE THE FUCK IS BELL!? I need to PEE!”
Bell looked worse than she did the night before, dragging herself off one of the blue chairs to attend her sister. “The bathroom is upstairs. Someone might see you.”
“That’s not my problem, it’s yours! Make sure Idon’t.” Bree shook her head. “You know what? Forget it. I’ll do it myself. Like I always do. Now I know why Mom calls you a mistake.”
No one had noticed us. It was a big, open room, and we were standing right there. I guess when you’re attending Bree, she isn’t the center of attention, but gravity.
“Should we…?” I looked at Lena.
Lena had her phone out and was recording as inconspicuously as she could. “Huh?”
I chuckled. “Never mind.”
Nut up or shut up, right? “Hey Bree, can we talk?” I said, approaching her orbiting, fidgeting, unsettled bridesmaids.
Her eyes landed on me. “What. The. FUCK. Are youwearing!?”
