Wasted

Chapter 40

Chapter Forty

Taylor

" Y ou look beautiful," Bailey swooned, crossing her hands over her heart.

As I smoothed my dress, my eyes caught on the delicate lace cuffs. Forcing a smile, my gaze trailed over the white lace dress that felt like overkill for a second wedding, even if the first one was a private wedding in the courthouse, wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

"Stop it," Bailey scolded me.

My gaze lifted, meeting hers through the mirror. "What?"

"Stop thinking you don't deserve this." Her hands curled around my upper arms, and she smiled. "You do deserve this. This. Is your first marriage."

I shook my head. "No one sitting out there knows that."

"Nobody sitting out there cares."

I knew she was right, but a small part of me just wanted to grab Cole and disappear to Vegas for a long weekend to get married. Still, the other part wanted to marry my soulmate in front of the entire town of Bridgewater so everyone could see just how in love we were with each other.

A knock sounded on the door, drawing our attention to the closed door. The door eased open, and my chest tightened when Cole's mom stepped through. My eyes widened, and my lips parted as I spun around, making sure the mirror wasn't playing tricks on me.

"Today is not the day, Mom," Bailey warned, stepping in front of me like she was going to protect me from the war that was about to happen. "You should just turn around and walk out. Go home, and we can have a family discussion later."

Mrs. Montgomery's gaze shifted past Bailey to me, and her lips lifted slightly. "You look beautiful, Taylor."

A tightness gripped my chest, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. Don't read too much into this, I told myself, even as a flicker of hope threatened to ignite. I wasn't sure I could handle her rejection today. Not today.

"Mom," Bailey said, drawing Mrs. Montgomery's attention back to her. "Please just go."

She swallowed hard. "I just need a minute with Taylor, please."

"Absolutely not." Bailey crossed her arms over her chest as she shook her head profusely. "Today is not the day."

"I know." She sighed. "I'm here to apologize. I don't want to cause any problems."

"It's okay, Bay," I said. "I'll be okay."

Bailey's eyes searched my face, her brow furrowed with concern. She chewed her lower lip for a moment before asking, “Are you sure?” I nodded. She turned back to her mother. "If you cause any issues today, we will all disown you."

Mrs. Montgomery smiled softly. "I'm not here to cause any problems."

"I'll be right outside," Bailey said as she strolled to the door. "Shout if you need me."

As the door slammed shut, I felt my spine straighten involuntarily. My jaw clenched, and I lifted my gaze to meet Mrs. Montgomery's, willing my voice not to waver. I studied Mrs. Montgomery's face, searching for signs of anger and disappointment I'd grown accustomed to, but it wasn’t there. Still, I wasn't completely convinced that Cole's mother had magically forgiven me when, just a few days ago, she hated me. "We should make this quick. I'm getting married in a few minutes."

Sucking in a deep breath, she slowly exhaled. "I'm sorry for everything I said to you. I still don't understand everything, but Kylie came to visit me, and she told me everything." My eyes widened. "In a very colorful language, she told me to grow up and put me in my place."

"So you know about Caleb and me?"

Mrs. Montgomery's eyes softened. "Kylie explained about Caleb. How you married him so Cole could follow his dreams, and how Caleb did it to protect her. You both believed you were doing what was right for the person you actually loved."

"I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Oddly, I respect what you did. I respect that you chose Cole's happiness over yours."

"So you’re okay with me marrying Cole today?"

"You know," she said, her gaze distant, "Cole's dad and I were high school sweethearts, just like you two. He dreamed of moving to Florida, becoming a NASCAR driver." She paused, swallowing hard."

"What stopped him?"

She raised a shoulder, tilting her head toward it as her eyes filled with tears. "Me." She swallowed hard as she swiped away a tear that fell. "I was terrified of leaving Bridgewater. My roots, my dreams were here. So he stayed. For me. He's happy, but sometimes I wonder..." She trailed off, but she didn’t need to finish; I knew what she meant.

"At least he doesn’t resent you."

She smiled. "No, but it could have easily gone that way. He was happy watching me accomplish my dreams, but I know there was always a small part of him that wondered what it would be like if he'd followed his dreams." She cleared her throat. "So I guess I respect what you did for Cole." My eyes filled with tears. "So, if I'm still invited, I would love to stay at the wedding."

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I nodded. "Of course."

"I think... maybe we could talk more sometime. When things are less... hectic." I nodded. She reached forward, jerking a tissue from the box on the table beside her, and handed it to me. "Don't cry, dear; you'll ruin your makeup."

"Thank you," I sniffled. "Thank you for coming and trying to understand."

"Come on, let's get you married before your husband disowns me."

Ten minutes later, the church doors creaked open, and a wave of faces turned towards me. The violins blared, and the wedding march filled, but all I could hear was the thundering of my own heart. With each step down the aisle, the blur of faces sharpened until I could see only one - Cole's, his eyes shining as he watched me approach, his face spreading into the biggest grin. He was so incredibly handsome in his black suit and boots. Stopping at the end of the aisle, my chest swelled with happiness as I took Cole’s hand and walked up the few steps to the altar to marry my best friend, my soulmate, in the wedding venue I'd only ever dreamed about.

As I stood there, Cole's hand warm in mine, a memory floated to the surface. Suddenly, I was back in that dingy bar, Mr. Robinson's voice ringing in my ears. The contrast between then and now hit me, and I felt my lips curve upward. As Cole slipped the ring onto my finger, I thought back to what he’d said; 'It would take a miracle to save this land.' I met Cole's eyes, saw the love shining there, and smiled. Mr. Robinson had been right about one thing - it did take a miracle. And that miracle's name was Cole Montgomery.