25. No Promises – Shayne Ward
Skye – 18 years; Shay30 years
The happy part about falling in love is when everything happens just the way you want it to. The sad part is when you fall in love and it’s unrequited or in my case forbidden.
I stared at the mirror as I patted my wet face with a towel then put it down and blew out a raspberry. Since the announcement and returning from those hours Shay and I had spent beside the lake, I forced myself to change. It was the only way I could keep going without breaking down and declaring my love for him. There were times I imagined us eloping this town where everyone knew us, to go start our own life. But those dreams were shattered with his impending marriage. Besides, he didn’t know how I felt about him, so it wouldn’t work anyway.
Shaking my head, I stripped off my pjs and replaced them with white shorts and a neon green tank that seemed to bring out the highlights in my blonde locks.
“What’s the use,” I grumbled. “Who’s going to notice. It’s not like you have a boyfriend.” I rolled my eyes and flopped backward on the bed.
At their pre-wedding dinner, a week ago, I’d stupidly tried to make Shay jealous by coming on to Sam’s brother, Daniel. But either Shay didn’t notice, chose not to or maybe he figured it was time I got a boyfriend. Although, when I took Daniel’s hand and led him down to my hideout, I could’ve sworn Shay’s smiling expression turned to rage and he looked ready to kill someone. He was chatting to Ryleigh at that precise moment, and I figured she’d angered him. On my return, though, his behavior said otherwise. His look was so intense, it was like he could see right into my soul and the love I held for him.
“Aargh!” I turned and screamed into my pillow then vaulted off the bed. It was time to take my future in hand and move on.
“Morning, Angel.” Dad and Shay were sitting at the breakfast island when I walked in.
“Morning, Dad.” I kissed his brow then grabbed myself a plate of scrambled eggs, a slice of toast and slid into the stool opposite him.
“Morning, Blue.” Shay put his phone to the side and gave me one of his delicious smiles.
“Morning,” my reply was boringly polite.
God, when had we become strangers that even a good morning sounded like a chore. I missed us. I remembered the time he told me why he called me Blue. At age four, it was such a big thing for me. Pride bloomed in my chest after and for the next week I went around telling everyone I met, why he called me Blue. Today, I hated that I’d tarnished our special bond by falling in love with him.
Dad rising to get more coffee, brought me out of my recollections, reminding me what I needed to do. “Dad, I decided I’m taking that job we discussed. The one on the cruise ship.”
Shay’s head snapped up from pushing his eggs around his plate. “You’re doing what?” Brow ridged in a deep frown, he stared at me.
I munched on my toast for a moment before swallowing. “Going to work on a cruise ship.”
“I don’t understand.” He accepted the coffee Dad held out to him. “What about college?” He looked miffed, a response I’d expected from Dad when I first told him my plan a few days after Shay’s marriage announcement.
“She wants a gap year, son.” Dad picked up the morning paper and slid back into his seat.
“What’s the big deal?” I mumbled, catching the remnants of the orange juice I’d just sipped, with the tip of my tongue. I snagged Shay’s quick drop of his eyes following the trail over my bottom lip before he looked up again, his stare unreadable. “You’re marrying in a week then off on your honeymoon. Dad heads out on a six-month shoot after the wedding. So, there’s no reason for me to stay here alone.” I shrugged.
Shay chewed his bottom lip, his expression thoughtful. “What about Grandma coming to stay with you while we’re gone?”
I rolled my eyes the same time Dad lowered the paper. “You know she hates me,” I grumbled.
“Maybe you two just need to spend more time together.” I might be wrong, but Shay sounded like he was clinging to some stupid ideal that would prevent me leaving.
Or maybe that’s just your hopeful imagination again.
“I wouldn’t advise it, son,” Dad intervened just as Shay was about to say more. “Your grandmother isn’t an option. The last thing I want is for Skye to be miserable while we’re gone.” There was a distinct finality to his words, almost warning Shay not to push it before he resumed reading.
His eyes on me, Shay sipped his coffee. Dropping my gaze to the marble counter between us, I chased circular patterns with my fingertip and wondered what was going on in that gorgeous head of his. We were close, but he only allowed me in when he wanted to. Lately though and maybe I was to blame for pulling away, but he seemed unusually distant. Always making excuses to not be in the same room with me or was that just me. I hadn’t labeled it as weird, merely that he had a lot going on with the wedding prep.
