“Of course, that’s why I gave her the warning.”
Adam finally breaks and elbows Billy. “Yes, we love her. Why?”
“Because you two are going to be her heroes and you’ll have me to thank for it. Follow me and get your checkbooks out.”
eighteen
FRANCESCA
Four days until Wedding Day
Britt knows something. So does Farrah and CJ. Now I know how my brother feels when we keep shit from him.
“Your ‘woe is me’ face is not going to get you anywhere so you might as well just get over yourself.”
Britt. She’s such a bitch.
But she’s my bitch.
“I don’t know why I can’t know anything. My wedding day is four days away and I have no hall!” I slam my hands down onto the dining room table we are all sitting at, making our glasses rattle.
“Listen, the boys have it figured it out. You have to relax and trust them. Trust us, we’re going to take good care of you.”
I’m watching her through slitted eyes. Then I swing mine to Farrah and CJ who are actively avoiding me. “I bet I could break one of them.” I nod towards the girls who are busy wrapping favors and tying ribbons and doing everything but making eye contact with me.
“Francesca! Don’t ruin your surprise! I get it, girl, I do. You had an expectation, a very specific expectation that isn’t happening now. I would be spiraling too. But my brother is doing something for you that is going to blow you away. Now, I can’t say more than that, but trust me when I say, he won.” She’s got this shit eating grin stretched across her face.
Both girls mimic her. “Oh yea, you’re going to be giving blow jobs for the rest of your life. It’s not going to just be on holidays or birthdays. I’m talking daily.”
I laugh because they are just so ridiculous, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If it weren’t for them, these last two and a half weeks leading up to our day would have pushed me over the edge. It still almost did, despite having them here with me.
I know I’ve been out of my mind obsessive about this day, and everyone is sick of my shit. I don’t know where this sudden urge to be perfect came from. And look where it all got me anyway? No venue. No food. No cake. The control I thought had is gone and is now in the hands of my soon to be husband. I’ve officially been tapped out.
I need to take this for what it is. A learning moment. This is just what my mom was trying to relay to me. Things aren’t always going to be peaches and cream. If this doesn’t break us, then we can get through anything.
nineteen
FRANCESCA
Vows
Ivow to not say you smell like the locker room when you come home from practice
I vow to not serve pizza four nights a week.
I vow to frustrate you yet challenge you. Maybe let you win an argument now and again
twenty
JACKSON
Idon’t know how we’re keeping this quiet and out of view, but we are. Maybe the town knows not to tip Chess off. Maybe they’re just as blown away as I am by the help that has come our way.
When word got out the venue we chose was the one that went up in flames, I got calls left and right from everyone in town wanting to help. Mrs. Baker from the diner offered to handle all the catering. Mrs. Thompson who owns the bakery Sweet Sugarplums, is making our cake.
But my football team has been the biggest showstopper. I shouldn’t be surprised that they’re coming to my rescue. It hasn’t been the first time.
That rescue saved my life and gave me the best thing that ever happened to me. It opened my eyes to what is really important and that everything I needed and wanted? Well, it was already staring me in the face. I just needed to open my eyes to see it and open my heart to allow it to happen for me.
