AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Our time is coming, I just know it,” Avery says with a smile. “You look smoking, by the way. We will have to fight eligible bachelors off of you all night.” She says, fanning herself dramatically.
I smile softly. “Thanks for being my date.”
“Only a fool would turn you down.” She laughs, linking her arm in mine and leading me towards the entrance.
We round the corner and enter through the double glass doors that are propped open, welcoming in the guests. The family had a private wedding ceremony outside of town earlier tonight and then invited everyone to join in on the reception downtown. There’s something sweet about the idea of an intimate ceremony with just your family that makes me want that one day, too. That is, if I ever get that far. Hell, at this point, I’m wondering if I’m just meant to be alone.
Stepping into the entryway of the building, we pause at the guest book resting on a wooden pedestal. After signing in, we follow a chalkboard sign with a handwritten message proclaiming ‘This way to happily ever after’.
I roll my eyes and shoot Avery a look. “So cliche.” I mutter.
“Love is supposed to be cliche.” She responds with a shrug. “I think it’s cute.”
“I suppose.” Is all I can respond with.
At least someone around here is getting a happily ever after. If it’s going to be anyone, I’m glad it’s Sierra. It’s certainly not going to be me at this rate. My recent track record is solid proof of that. Ever since Andrew disappeared without so much as a goodbye nearly two months ago, I have avoided men like it’s my full-time job. I think I’ve given up on love, at least for now.
Instead, I’m just focusing on myself, which is exactly what I should have been doing all along. I’ve picked up running, something I always thought I hated, and I do it almost daily. The house is taking shape thanks to YouTube and the help of my father. I’ve been able to make some actual progress in the last few weeks. Who knew I could change out my light fixtures and electrical outlets all by myself? Not me. The house looks better than I ever imagined, and while it’s not my dream house, it finally feels like home. Fawn Creek finally feels like home, too. My time here has really opened my eyes to what I’ve been missing for the last several years. Community, friendship, and a sense of belonging. All of those have been given to me right here.
We follow the carpeted staircase and pause at the second story. Quickly, I open the door to the coat closet next to the bathroom and place my sandals inside. It’s unlikely that anyone else will need to use the coat room tonight since it’s July in Kansas, and I don’t want to carry my shoes all over the place for the rest of the night. Hopefully, I’ll remember to grab them later.
Once I’m done, we proceed to the third floor. We are still early, so Avery and I grab a table in the back of the room before anyone else can claim it. After getting some charcuterie cups to snack on, and ordering the signature drink, a blueberry basil margarita, we meet back at the table to people watch. It’s not long before the room fills with familiar faces.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” The DJ’s voice booms from the speakers across the room. “Please let me introduce to you, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.”
The room fills with applause as Sierra and Cody enter the room and I feel the color drain from my face.
Hayes. Sierra’s new last name is Hayes. As in, Andrew Hayes? Surely, Cody and Andrew aren’t related.
Perhaps it’s just a strange coincidence. I mean, if his brother was marrying my friend, then I surely would have put the pieces together long before now, right? Except, I probably wouldn’t have. My life has been a bit of a blur since the day he left and I’ve done nothing but constantly attempt to distract myself. It hasn’t been lost on me that I’ve been more heartbroken over Andrew than I was over ending my three-year relationship with Elliott.
I think back to the day that I received the wedding invitation. The day Andrew disappeared. I can’t even say for sure what happened to that envelope. It might be buried in a pile of papers in the guest room and hell, it could have gotten thrown away by mistake. I wouldn’t have even known when this event was if Cassidy hadn’t reminded me constantly in the days leading up to the celebration.
I look to Avery. “Are Andrew and Cody related?” I ask, raising a brow.
Her face goes pale. “Well, maybe?” She pauses for a second before turning to me with wide eyes. “I swear, I didn’t know. They are so much younger than us and all I knew was that she was marrying some guy that moved here from Texas.”
Frantically, I scan the room for Andrew. Hoping I’m wrong, or maybe he just didn’t come. But, in my heart I know that family is the most important thing to him. There’s no way he was going to miss being here, even if it means avoiding me and sparing my feelings. The DJ plays the ChaCha Slide, and just as I think maybe he isn’t here after all, I spot him.
When he enters the room, the rest of the world fades away. I can’t see people dancing. I can’t hear the music. Hell, I can’t even remember what I’m doing here. Our eyes meet and I immediately feel my heart fall into my stomach. Now, it’s my turn to run.
* * *
Just as I turn and make a dash for the hallway, I hear him call out to me. The sound of my name on his tongue cuts me deeper than I ever imagined it would. It’s almost enough to make me turn around, but the tears welling in my eyes urge me to keep moving.
I lean against the stairway banister and remove my heels before descending the stairs. Once I reach the second story, I make my way to the coat closet and close the door behind me. By now, the tears have broken free and are running down my face. I use my phone as a flashlight to look for the light switch and then once the room is illuminated; I make my way to the back of the room and take a seat on a bench against the wall. Once I’m situated, I sit back and let the tears fall. One at a time they drip down, starting off slowly, but gradually building up speed as they fall against my thigh and then hit the floor. I grab my phone and set a timer for three minutes.
Hazel always told me it’s okay to cry. It’s good for you to get it out and sometimes you just need it. However, you can’t cry forever. Eventually, you are going to have to get up and deal with whatever made you feel this way. So, you get three minutes to be emotional, and then you have to move on. Dwelling won’t do anything for you, anyhow.
By the time I have one minute left on the timer, my tears are subsiding. My breathing steadies and heart rate is slowing down. My panic attack is ending. I wipe my eyes and turn off the timer, placing the phone next to me on the table once again. And then the doorknob turns.
My eyes move to the door as it slowly opens into the space. There’s nowhere to hide, and my only option is to have an awkward interaction with whoever is on the other side. Never in my wildest dreams would I have assumed that Andrew would make his way into the room.
“There you are,” He says, with a solemn expression on his face. “Hey. What are you doing in here?” He closes the door behind him.
I wipe my eyes and will myself to be strong. No more crying. Now we have to handle this mess. “Go back to the party, Andrew. I’m fine.”
His face drops. “Tyler, just talk to me. Are you okay?”
