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Stacey was glad the rest of the guests had already cleared out; she couldn’t hold up to much more scrutiny right now.
She walked into the sanctuary and took another look around, her heart shattering further. Just last night she and Jake stood up at the altar together rehearsing for today. Jake had laughed and joked with his friends, had looked at her with so much love she thought she’d won, but now looking around she realized he’d just been waiting to hear the results from the draft picks. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to grieve for the last shred of hope she’d lost when Leo walked in without him.
“Stacey,” she heard Rebecca say softly coming out of the office to her left. “I can’t believe he didn’t come.”
Stacey knew she should explain things, but she couldn’t let her know that it was really her fears that had destroyed today, and in a way, it was easier to let her blame, Jake. “It’s okay,” she whispered.
“Oh honey,” she said gathering her in her loving arms. “I just don’t understand.”
Stacey knew the instant Rebecca felt her stiffen and she stepped away from her. The wall she had built up in the past twenty minutes would come crashing down around her if she didn’t. She tried to think of something, anything, to say to ease Rebecca’s guilt but without betraying herself she didn’t know where to begin.
Rebecca came closer and gently placed her hands on her shoulders, “You’ll always be a part of my family, no matter what. If you ever need someone to talk to or somewhere to go, I’ll be here.”
Stacey nodded her head, her heart breaking again as she realized she had just lost a mother for the second time then waited to be completely alone before quickly pulling out the boxes for the decorations they’d stashed in the choir room last night. An hour later she was done, the church showed no signs that a wedding should have taken place other than the boxes of decorations she’d left labeled with instructions in the vestibule, and the flowers she suggested go to the hospital or nursing home.
Taking one last look around to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, she slipped out the back door and made her way to her car. Leo and Rebecca had suggested she leave it at their house so they could keep an eye on it. At the time, it seemed like a good idea but now, it was one last reminder of what she’d given up—forced Jake to choose between.
Two hours later, she was back on campus pulling into a lot on the opposite side as her dorm to avoid questions from her friends, and for the first time in her life, she was thanking the stars that she’d been stuck in the single on their floor. The evening slipped into Sunday and then into Monday. She waited until the floor was clear to make her way over to beg an early final from her professors.
Thankfully, they all knew about Jake’s draft and because of her relationship to him they granted them. By the end of the day on Wednesday, the day they should have been back from their mini honeymoon, she was done and packed. Her little car held everything she had, and she knew she was doing the right thing, the only thing she’d ever done solely for herself.
She was taking the scholarship she’d deferred in order to be with Jake and was going to finish out her degree far from here.
She left Toni a note of explanation regarding her decision and slipped it under her door. She didn’t tell her where she was going, simply that she was, and that she’d write to her once she settled, but she knew she wouldn’t. The moment she drove away would be the last one she’d spend in Georgia, let alone near the east coast. Jake would be in the New England area, and she was headed west. Washington would be a welcoming distraction from her heartache and if she hurried, she’d be able to settle in before the summer session started.
Chapter 1
Stacey laughed as the others watched for the best man to finally get there. “Honestly Em, you’d think the guy would have the decency to show up before the wedding starts.”
“You heard what Miles said, he got delayed by the storm in New York yesterday and his flight was backed up until this morning,” Emma said smiling despite everything happening.
“I can’t believe how calm you are girl. You’re supposed to be getting married in less than fifteen minutes and you’re not even shaking the slightest or worried that the best man’s not going to be here at all,” she said in amazement.
“Well, Miles is here. You’re here. I’m here. Everyone can simply wait until I’m finished getting ready which won’t be until he gets here,” Emma stated as a loud chatter was suddenly heard outside their room. “And if I’m not mistaken that would be now.”
“Well, it’s about time. I’ll go and make sure he’s ready.”
“Stacey, I swear you’re more nervous about this than I am.”
Stacey tried to pretend she hadn’t heard her just as she always did when it came to relationships and especially weddings. She pushed the door open just enough to get a glimpse of the best man and her heart dropped down to her toes.
Quickly she backed up and caught sight of herself in the mirror, she was white as a ghost and there was no way she could let Emma see her like this. No one here knew about her past, sure they knew she had a southern accent which had lightened over the past eight years, but it was still noticeable. They didn’t know exactly where she was from or whom she had known, and they especially didn’t know about her personal romantic history.
Before Emma could say anything to her about her sudden reappearance, the other bridesmaids and a gaggle of Emma’s friends burst into the room all squealing and laughing with joy.
“Did you see who he is?”
“Oh my god, Emma, he’s so gorgeous.”
“Did you know?”
“Emma, he’s, he’s…”
“Holy cow, it’s Jake ‘The Jet’ Warren.”
“Calm down,” Emma said laughing at the group. “What are you talking about?”
“Miles’ best man, it’s Jake ‘The Jet’ Warren,” Lisa the tallest of the bridesmaids said.
