Amber was engaged. She had afiancé.
I hadn’t intentionally avoided Amber since our weekend together.
OK, that’s a lie. Maybe I had, although I still don’t want to admit that to myself.
I had tried to convince myself that it wouldn’t be a problem. That I could totally handle seeing her again, and be nothing but friendly with her, just like I had been before.
Then the first time she had come to my house with Laurie, I’d heard her voice in the downstairs hall and practically ran back to my room, hiding like a fool and feigning sleep when Laurie knocked on the door.
The demands of college meant that, as time had gone on, those visits home became less frequent, and when Laurie and Amber were at home at the same time, they spent a lot of time at Mella’s. Whether that was Amber’s idea, and whether she, too, was actively avoiding me, I don’t know. Either way, when they were at my house, I’d lock the door to my office and hide, insisting I was busy working.
Our promise that nothing would change between us had been broken, and I was sure I was the one who’d broken it, because Amber had moved on. In spectacular fashion too. I’d heard about the new boyfriend one evening when Laurie and I were having dinner, and she assured me this one wasserious. I focused too much on thethis one, and my jealous ass wondered how many there had been since me.
Which made me a complete fool, since I’d dated women too. Only a few. And I’d never been able to settle down or commit to any of them. I’d always found a reason to let them go.
But seven months later, Amber was engaged.
I guess this one really was serious.
I shift in my seat as Laurie cackles at the messages from friends that keep pouring in, her phone buzzing almost constantly. I tell myself to get it together. This is Laurie’s night, celebrating her graduation. Whatever stupid, sentimental, old man feelings I have, they’re not important. And while seeing Amber with her fiancé wouldn’t be easy, it was what it was. I’d get over it. This is what I’d wanted for her, right?
Just get over yourself, Rembrook. Be fucking happy for her.
The parking lot of the old country house is full when we pull up, and I recognise a few of the cars. My parents are here, as well as Martin and his family. Amber’s parents are parked right next to Mella’s car, and a man with reddish hair like Amber’s is retrieving two pre-school aged kids from an SUV while a pretty brunette stands beside him with an indulgent smile on her face as the kids fuss.
“That’s Amber’s oldest brother!” Laurie exclaims, and waves to the man and his partner as we pass. They wave back with big smiles, and the kid pauses their fussing to wave back. “Have you met Kieran?”
“No, he’d already moved out when I bought the house.”
“He’s really sweet.” Laurie giggles as she smoothes her dress over her legs. “He gave Ryan hell when he and Amber first started dating, oh my god.” She giggles, and my face flushes as I try to imagine the hell Kieran would give me if he knew what I’d done with his little sister.
Shut the fuck up and stop thinking about that.
I park my car, and get out to help Laurie pick her way across the dirty parking lot. My sister Felicity pulls up as we reach the front door, and Laurie jumps up and down waving. My sister’s son, Jackson, gets out of the car and barrels towards us, scooping Laurie up in his arms,
“We did it, cuz!” He says as Laurie shrieks. He puts Laurie down and ignores my outstretched hand, grabbing me in a bear hug.
I laugh and pat my nephew’s back, and I swear this kid has to be 6’7 at least. “You sure did, Jacks! Congratulations.”
“Head of his class, did I tell you?” My sister calls, her face glowing with pride.
“You told me, at least 60 times.” I finally extract myself from my nephew’s hug, and pat his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Jacks.”
“Thanks, Theo.”
“Comeon!” Laurie tugs on Jackson’s sleeve, and they both run into the house as Felicity takes my arm and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“How many times have you cried?” She asks me, and I laugh.
“Only about seventeen. Since 9am.”
Felicity laughs and shakes her head. “It’s not easy when you only have one, is it?” She leans against my shoulder with a sigh as we walk into the house, following the sound of music and excited chatter. “One minute, they’re a tiny baby in your arms, the next, they’re braving this big world on their own while all we can do is watch.”
“What did mom always say? The days are long-”
“But the years are short,” Felicity finishes for me, and her voice wobbles. “They sure are.”
I pat her hand as we approach the open double doors at the back of the house, which lead out to the enormous yard. The trees are hung with fairy lights that glitter amongst the lush foliage, music wafts through the air, and the entire scene is bathed in the hazy light of early evening. The air is warm and scented with honeysuckle, and people turn to wave as they spot us.
