“So do you. I’ve always wished I was more petite so I can pull off those cute dresses, but alas, I am as tall as a giraffe.” her eyes sparkle, her joy palpable.
I laugh because she is absolutely perfect.
“You may be almost six feet tall, but you’re stunning.” Brax had told me she was a runway model and had moved to the US to further her career.
“Brax okay?” She looks over at the O’Hare’s.
I shake my head looking over to where he sits at the bar. “The O’Hares were pretty brutal.”
She frowns. “I told Bryce not to invite them. I mean, it’s bound to get awkward after everything.” I want to ask her what she means, but the emcee announces that we should take our seats. I take mine, looking around for Brax. He staggers over to me fifteen minutes into the speeches. He pulls me close to him, making a show of kissing my neck.
“Stop that Brax.” I say angrily. “I’m not here for you to stick it to the O’Hare’s. I look their way and they’re sitting stiff in their seats.
“Come on, sweet thing. You know you like it.” He whispers in my ear, but his behavior is making me livid.
When the toasts are over from Nadia’s family, I am so grateful that Brax takes the stage. If only to get away from him for a few minutes. He’s unsteady and looks around the room obviously disorientated.
“So, the last engagement party I went to was my own, believe it or not.” He lets out a snort. “And we all know how that turned out.” He laughs, but no-one else does.
Bryce walks toward him, trying to take the mic from him. They struggle and Bryce finally gives up and stands aside, his stance tense.
“Bryce has decided to settle down, despite my warnings against it. I mean, why not just fuck around the way I do. They’re just gonna fuck you over when they leave, right? Right?” He asks the crowd. When no-one responds, his gaze settles on me for a second. There is realization in his gaze, or I like to think that.
He drops the mic and walks out of the tent. I hear my heart pounding in my ears. Hearing that was painful. Is that what I was? Him fucking around?
“Honey, he’s just drunk.” His mother takes a seat beside me, offering me a tissue. I hadn’t even realized I was crying. “Brax, has never been good at dealing with his feelings.”
“I need some air.” I tell her, standing and making my way outside.
I find Brax sitting on the shore, a bottle of Jack in his hands. He brings it to his lips, and I notice that half of it is gone. How much can a person drink before they realize that it’s killing them, turning them into monsters.
“Great show you put on back there.” I say, looking out at the water.
“They needed the entertainment.” he slurs.
“He’s your brother, Braxton. The least you could have done is be there for him without getting shitfaced.”
He looks up at me then back toward the water.
“Look, I know that was tough in there, that it is hard being here, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a prick to everyone.
“Oh, you know, do you? You know what it’s like to lose a part of your fucking soul? Then have the whole fucking world blame you for it. No, you wouldn’t because you hate your family and that is the biggest of your problems.”
I know he’s drunk, but his words sting, like a punch right in my gut.
“Does that feel good, Brax? Taking it all out on me, make you feel any better?” I turn around and make my way back to the tent. This is the last time I’ll let Braxton Hayes break my heart.
