“Are you really making jokes right now?” I cut him off. “That is so like you. Well, I don’t think this is funny. I don’t think any of this is funny.”
“Harper.”
“No,” I shake my head as I rush over to the glass door.
“Harper, wait. Where are you–”
“Don’t follow me.”
He stops just long enough for me to get outside. It’s not raining anymore, thank God. In fact, the night is clear. It’s cool, but warm enough that I’m not cold. I am shaking, though. Shaking from the anger, frustration, and confusion of all of it.
I run across the patio, around the pool that is as still as glass, and down the wooden stairs that lead to the beach. My feet hit the cool, white sand, and I sprint towards the water. I want to run, to bolt towards the edge of the world because I’m so angry I could scream. I’m tempted to simply cry out into the universe, but I’m afraid if I do that Ash will think something is really wrong and come out here. Right now, I need to be alone.
None of this makes sense. Why would he crash my wedding if Jaylen knew nothing about it? I know he’s a man, and men are pig-headed and prideful, but why is he here, really? It was my wedding day, for crying out loud!
But more than that.
If Daniel loves me the way he claims to, why can’t I get in touch with him? Our entire relationship has been elaborate dates, luxury gifts, showing me off at his restaurants, and compliments about how sexy and smart I am. So why hasn’t he texted me, called me, orcome looking for me? I don’t understand. The only thing I can think of is maybe he’s been threatened or blackmailed.
Jaylen.
That has to be it. Even though Ash denies it and claims Jaylen had nothing to do with it, that doesn’t add up. Because why else would Asher go to such lengths to see to it that I don’t marry Daniel?
As I stare out at the horizon to the line where sea meets sky, I feel small, but not in an insignificant way.
My parents never reached for better opportunities. They were small town kids who got into small town things and ended up in small town trouble. Drugs. Alcohol. After having Jaylen and managing to get him to young adulthood, they repeated the pattern and had me. Except by the time I entered the picture, they were pretty much over college tries. If it hadn’t been for Jaylen, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
He was a big brother in every sense of the word, feeding me, watching out for me, and making sure I went to school and did well. He also made sure I understood that if I wasn’t careful, if I gave in to peer pressure and hormones, I would end up like them. A destiny that felt more like a life sentence and a living hell.
He wasn’t the only one around.
Asher was there too.
Quiet. Witty. A dry sense of humor that he used to get under my skin. He drove me crazy in my younger years, but as I got older, he felt less like a big brother. His teasing felt likesomething else. Something sparked and curious. Something I wasn’t allowed to touch or even think about.
So I didn’t.
I’ve spent the last eight years of my life not thinking about it.
But right now, I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t really, really hard right now.
I can’t bring myself to go back to bed with him. As I make my way up the patio stairs, I can see his silhouette on the bed, sitting on the edge. I’m sure he feels bad, but he kind of deserves this. After all, he’s the one who brought me here with no explanation other than saying he doesn’t think Daniel and I are right for each other.
Needless to say, I opt for the couch tonight. I don’t even feel like making him sleep there because that would mean talking to him, and that’s just not something I am in the mood to do.
I wake up the next morning, not because the sun is shining in my eyes or the smell of breakfast coming from the kitchen, but to the sound of grunting.
I scramble to a sitting position as my eyes pop fully open. “What are you…what do you think you are doing?” I demand.
“Burpees. What’s it look like?” he asks, and I clutch the blanket. He’s in shorts; tight, short-shorts and nothing else save for running shoes and a layer of glistening sweat, making his abs shimmer in the morning light.
“I just thought…you sounded like…”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he grunts again as he lunges across the floor.
“Can you…can you not?” I ask, and Ash looks over at me with a half smirk and wild eyes.
“Let me guess, this is bothering you too? You seem to be very easily bothered.”
