Gage ground his teeth. His jaw was ticking. He snapped his head to me and yelled, “What the fuck? I gave you what you wanted so you would be happy. You told me you wanted to be with me, only me. I agreed. I wanted you to be happy. Do you know how many girls I told no because I had made a promise to you?”
“Wow! Seriously, that’s all you can say? You’re not even going to try and stop me from leaving?”
“What the hell do you want, Annie? I could tell you I can’t breathe without you, but that would be a lie. I don’t need someone to breathe. I could tell you I would die without you, but that would be a lie. I will keep on livin’ long after you’re gone. I could profess my undying love but again, fuckin’ lie. I don’t love you. I can’t love you. I won’t love you. Not the way you want me to.”
Jumping to my feet, I took off walking down the beach toward Gage’s house. “Fuck you Gage Tucker. I am done with this back and forth shit. When you figure out what you want, talk to me. Maybe I will forgive you. Until then, screw you.”
I needed to pack my stuff and go. I was done with his games. My heart and my head couldn’t take anymore. Walking into his house, I shut the door and ran up the stairs to his room. I had my stuff packed and in my car before Gage walked into the house. I saw him coming through the back door as I was shutting the front door, tossing my key onto the entry table just before the door closed. I didn’t wait to see if Gage was going to come after me. I got in my car and drove away. Leaving my heart behind.
Pulling into the driveway of my small two bedroom condo I shut my car off. Gabe was still gone. I had time to unpack and get my shit together. My son didn’t need to see me a mess.
Walking into my bedroom I saw the picture of Gage and I from his first game as a Saint. He was covered in sweat and looked amazing.
I lost it.
“You have to go. You already RSVP’d that you would be there. I need you to be there. I don’t want to sit by myself watching Trent’s friends get married. I mean the few times I have been around them they seem pretty cool but boo! Don’t make me go alone. Pretty please?” Leigha was practically begging at this point.
Flopping down on my bed I let my breath out. “I can’t be around him. I love Sadie and I don’t want to hurt her but I don’t want drama to ensue at her wedding.”
Leigha stood her ground. “Damn you hard headed woman. Get off your damn ass, get a sexy little dress on and let’s go. This isn’t about you and Gage. This is for Tyler and Sadie. Ignore dumbass and have fun. Maybe you can meet some hot football player and make Gage cray jelly. But you need to get your ass ready and to the wedding to do that. Now let’s go!”
Rolling my eyes I shoved off my bed and to my feet. “Will you shut the hell up? I’m getting ready. Now go away.”
“Yay! I can’t go anywhere. Who else is going to make you look bangable? Oh, I know, you should wear that light yellow gown you got for that awards show you are supposed to go to with Gage. It fits you perfect. It’s long and flowy and makes you look like a beach angel. Totally hot.”
Groaning, I said sarcastically, “What’s wrong with what I have on?” Looking down at my over-sized tee shirt and sweatpants, I smirked.
Leigha stuck her tongue out before turning on her heel and walking to my closet. Flinging the door back she rummaged through my clothes. “Ah! Here it is. It’s even more gorgeous than I remember. It will get all the guys attention.”
“Whatever. I don’t want attention. I just want to go say congrats to Sadie and Ty then leave.”
“Oh don’t worry sweetie. I will have you leaving, just not by yourself. Some big, ripped, manly football player will be taking your hot little ass home tonight.”
Yanking the dress from Leigha I stomped into the bathroom to get changed.
After changing I let her attempt to tame my hair. She pinned it to the side with my natural curls laying over my shoulder. It was simple but looked good.
“Let’s make those beautiful blues shine,” Leigha said as she pulled my makeup bag out from under the bathroom sink. “Sit. I got this covered. Just close your eyes and when you open them you will look like a magical fairy princess.”
“What the hell? Did a unicorn shit in your yogurt this morning? Everything coming out of your mouth is covered in glitter and sparkles.”
She huffed. “No. I’m just happy. Not everyone has gone weeks without sex.”
Good point.
Twenty minutes later Leigha stepped away from me, a huge smile on her face. “I knew my best friend was a hot mama but damn girl. You are gorgeous.”
Spinning on the toilet seat to look in the mirror, my jaw dropped. “Wow.”
Giggling, she said, “Yeah. I know. Now let’s go so we aren’t late.”
Of course, Sadie and Tyler’s wedding was on the beach. The beach directly behind Gage’s bar. The bar I haven’t stepped foot in since I walked away from Gage that day on the beach. Leigha found a parking spot in the lot and pulled her car in. “Ready Freddy?”
Damn. I really needed to find a new best friend. She was perkier than her perfect perky boobs.
Opening my door, I said, “Sure. Let’s get this over with.”
Letting my eyes roam, I was instantly looking for Gage. Not seeing him in the crowd of people made a little knot form in my stomach. As much as I hated to say it, I was hoping to see him.
Lacing her arm through mine, Leigha softly said, “He’s here. I’m sure he’s locked away with Tyler somewhere. Sadie didn’t want Tyler to see her before the wedding. Relax.”
…And that’s why I wouldn’t find a new best friend. She knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.
I smiled. Without saying anything I led us to a row of white folding chairs a few rows from the front. On the seat waiting for all the guest was a small glass vase filled with sand and seashells. Etched on the glass was this verse which had me fighting my tears.
LOVE.
Love is Patient.
Love is Kind.
It does not envy.
It does not boast.
It is not proud.
It is not rude.
It is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil.
Love rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects.
Love always trusts.
Love always hopes.
Love always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
“Hmm.” Leigha was smiling from the seat beside me.
“What?”
“Just thinking how ironic that little verse is. That’s all.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I slouched down in the chair and kicked at the sand. “I really need a new best friend.” Leigha stuck her bottom lip out like she was Gabe begging for a new toy. “That lip shit doesn’t work with Gabe, it sure as hell isn’t going to work with you.” She stuck her tongue out before opening the program she grabbed on our way in.
Soft music started playing. Looking back I saw Tyler walking up the isle with the pastor. Tyler looked happy. Making the mistake of looking back again, I saw Gage walking two older ladies down the aisle. The woman on his left looked identical to Sadie. You could tell the woman on his right was related to Tyler, though the resemblance wasn’t as close as Sadie and her mom. He started laughing when Sadie’s mom whispered something to him. His eyes scanned the crowd. He found me. Once our eyes locked he never took them off of me. Even turning his head back once he was passed me to keep his eyes locked with mine.
I wanted to look away. I wanted to, but I didn’t. I stood when I heard the bridal march play, but never looked at Sadie. I couldn’t. Gage had all my attention.