Chapter 9 #2
“Fair enough,” Summer nods in agreement. “But everyone else believes you are engaged. Reesa is still wearing the ring.”
I deflate in front of her. She is correct. Despite my best efforts, I have not found a solution to this problem. Summer gets up from her seat and walks around the table to sit beside me, placing an arm around my waist. “It’s a lot, Alex.”
“Yes, it is.” Summer is very kind and caring despite the difficulties she has faced. We often disagree on things, but I can count on her being honest with me, always giving me pause to contemplate.
“You’re going to be okay, Alex. You are going to figure this out. The guys and I are here to help in any way we can. You are family to us,” she says, leaning her head on my shoulder.
I know this, of course, but there really is nothing to tell them.
I have failed to find a solution on my own.
Picking up my taco to eat again, Summer walks back over to her side to do the same.
After we finish eating, we take a walk. “My father called to congratulate me Monday night and asked when the engagement party was going to be.” Somehow, without trying, she always gets me talking about more than I intended.
“What did you say?”
“I said I did not know. I do not want to disappoint him.”
“Are you positive he would be disappointed? You’re assuming he would be, but maybe he’s more concerned about your happiness.” She still does not understand that reputation is everything here.
“My father was quite happy when Reesa and I became a couple,” I reply.
“Okay, but does he know you don’t love her? Does he know that this engagement is just a manipulation by Alicia? If you don’t talk to him, Alex, he’s only getting Alicia’s side of the story.”
Something to consider. When was the last time we really talked?
I try to take care of things here so he does not have to worry about home, since he is so busy with work.
I cannot be completely wrong about this, though.
Reputation is extremely important to our family.
My father and his parents drilled that into me when I was young. “There are expectations, Summer.”
“I know, but if you don’t stand up now, then you’re marrying Reesa. You never planned on being with her after high school.”
“That is true,” I concede. “I do not wish to create strife between my father and Alicia, though.” No one has any idea how hard he works for this family. The least I can do is make it easier for him.
“Alex, I need to be honest with you here. You sound like Reesa.”
That is…unexpected. Reesa and I are complete opposites. “How so?”
“You’re doing everything you can to avoid ruffling feathers. You’re going along with an engagement. An engagement, Alex. That’s huge.”
Is she correct? No, we are nothing alike, although this is the second time she has mentioned me acting like Reesa. Something to ponder later. Yes, an engagement is a big deal, but it is not marriage. We loop back towards the parking lot and the SUV. “Alex?”
“I do not know how to handle this, Summer.”
“Start by deciding what you want. Do you want to be engaged to Reesa now?”
“No.”
“So you need to set the record straight. Tell your father. Print a redaction in the paper. Reesa needs to stop wearing that ring.”
“It will create a scandal for my family.”
“Perhaps, but a scandal is better than marriage, isn’t it?”
“Not in the eyes of many around here.”
“Alex, you are giving Alicia control over your life by doing nothing. Think about that. I want you happy, and you are completely miserable.”
“You have given me a lot to think about, as usual, Summer. Thank you.”
“Welcome. Now, how about you stop avoiding your friends? Everyone is worried sick about you. Do you even know what happened to E?”
“No. Is everything all right?” What could I possibly have missed already? Yes, I have been busy, but I live with E. Surely, he would have told me if something was wrong.
“Not really, no. He’s moving in with his grandparents on Friday. He’ll tell you the rest.”
“I have missed a lot.” I can add being a terrible friend to my list of failures lately.
“Indeed. Talk to your friends, Alex. They need you just like you need them. Why don’t you drop me home, and you can all catch up at your place?”
“Okay, Summer,” I smile. We get into the vehicle, and I drive towards her house. Summer is texting on her phone.
“I told the guys you’ll be coming home to talk after you drop me off.”
As I enter my apartment, the guys are all still sitting around the couch, but I can smell E has made dinner. “Hello everyone.”
“Thank god. Did Sunshine talk sense into you, Alex? Cause I gotta say, man, avoiding us was not cool,” Seb says.
“I am sorry about that. I have been trying to find a solution to this problem.”
Nick shakes his head at me.
“Can you make your own announcement that it was a mistake?” Bay asks.
“It is not that simple. I need to avoid a scandal.”
“It’s better than getting married, Alex,” Bay says. “Talk to your dad and get his advice.”
I nod and then turn to E to ask about what I missed. His grandparents finally laid out all their plans for him. I am not surprised. Unfortunately, E will not change their minds on anything. He does not know them very well.
Summer
That evening, I vent to Zander about Alex and E. He agrees with my position but reminds me that people need to make their own mistakes in order to grow and learn. That’s hard to let your friends do when you know they'll get hurt.