I refuse to leave the kitchen. Instead, I keep myself perched on a barstool, observing the life size barbie invading our family ritual. The way she walks with such pride and confidence on Tyler’s arm like the sweet little accessory she is. Her bleach blonde hair perfectly curled, wearing cute slacks and a knit sweater. The brightness to the brooding, scarred Ken sitting next to her. And she’s responsible for some of those scars. I suppose I am, too. No one is innocent here.
It all makes sense now, why the parents want them together.
I mean look at them.
Meanwhile, I stand here, in the same scrubs I started the day with, the scent of hospital still clinging to me. Bags under my eyes as evidence of a long day. A bun barely managing to keep my seven day old curls at bay.
It isn’t until I see a blurry figure getting closer that Irealized I’ve completely dissociated. When my vision finally clears, Shelby is in front of me, smiling wide as she looks down at me.
Shit.
She places an elbow on the counter, tucking her chin in her hand to obviously show off her gaudy ring right in front of my face.
“So, you’re the famous Sunny?” she says whimsically.
“Ah,” I let out a nervous laugh. “I wouldn’t say famous. But yes, I’m Sunny. You must be the famous Shelby.”
“The one and only.” She smiles and laughs. “I think we met at the brewery event though, right? Back in October?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” I take a sip of my wine.
She pauses for a brief moment, eyeing me up and down, like she’s trying to find a weakness. “So,” she continues as she eats from a bowl of grapes. “Tell me how you measled your way into family dinners after being so new to the group.”
“Um, you know Sam and I just hit it off. She truly is my best friend here.”
Swirling his drink in his hand, Tyler’s head peers up, watching the two of us with his elbows on his knees.
“Tyler has been a great friend too,” I add as I eye him behind Shelby. “He’s the one who actually invited me to family dinners.”
She purses her lips together as she takes in the words. I want her to choke on them.
“Tyler really is the best, isn’t he? I’m so glad we were able to rekindle our relationship. To think, we’re getting married in just a few short months. I’ll be able to have thebestsex of my life for therestof my life.” She leans on the counter, smiling at me. “Don’t you leave in a few months?”
I just blink at her, unwilling to give any reaction since that’s clearly what she’s seeking. “Yeah, my contract at the hospital ends in February.”
“What a shame. Spring weddings in Boston are absolutely gorgeous. It’s too bad you’ll miss it.”
Letting a smile curve across my face, I raise my glass up. “Cheers to you and Tyler. And the best sex you’ve ever had, for life.” I clink my glass with hers.
“Cheers!” she squeals.
TYLER
Shelby will always be the second choice, if you’d even call her a choice, and she knows that. It’s prevalent in the way she tries to stake claim to me. Whether it be keeping a hand on my thigh or rubbing my arm and playing with my hair.
It’s when I don’t reciprocate that her frustration grows. Regardless of the fact my body clearly is repulsed by her, she doesn’t stop.
When I look up, and see wide blue-greens narrowing where Shelby’s hand is too comfortably on my thigh, it takes everything in me not to smile.
She notices.
Clearly she’s pissed off that I broke our promise, but she isn’t necessarily keeping hers either, because running away is not finding a fucking out. She’s learning quickly that I do what I need to do, even if it means promises are broken and feelings get hurt.
I never said I was a good person.
The moment Shelby saw my line of sight and got up from the couch was the moment I knew I fucked up. Even with a desperate grip of her wrist, she somehow managed to slip away towards the one thing my focus is on.
I never got to really meet Sunny, she’d said.
