Merry in Moose Falls (Moose Falls #1)

Prologue

CHARLIE

THE WORST DAY EVER

B reathe, Charlie. Breathe.

I drag my shirt collar away from my neck, needing relief from the sweltering hell of summer heat. Figures my best friend would get married on the hottest day in Moose Falls, Maine.

The park where they are getting married transformed overnight, it seems. A large, hardwood floor takes up the entire area under the tent. Round tables, with ten chairs seating guests dressed to the nines, have bouquets of extravagant flowers that I couldn’t name reaching toward the twinkling lights that hang down. A DJ is playing a lively tune as I sip my drink and watch everyone in front of me from my spot at the head table.

Aside from the heat, it’s the perfect day for a wedding. The perfect opportunity to show Brooks how much I support him as he marries the woman he loves.

The perfect day .

Maybe if I keep telling myself that, it will make the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach go away.

It doesn’t get any better when the DJ calls everyone’s attention to start the speeches.

Breathe, Charlie. Breathe. You can do this.

“You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, Dee.”

I snort around the wine I’m sipping on, getting an elbow to the side from Brooks. Delia and Britney have known each other for two years. Is it really that hard to remember? Brooks and I have known each other since third grade when his family moved to town.

And I’ve been in love with him since sixth grade when I realized what my feelings meant.

I really need something stronger than wine to get through the rest of this night. I hate how close they’re sitting. The way they’re touching. The way they move together.

When he told me he was planning on proposing, I congratulated him and then went home to cry. I knew I’d never have him, but it didn’t make the pain any easier.

If only I could find someone. Maybe that would help ease the sting I’m feeling as I force myself to sit still and listen to the maid of honor wax poetically about how Delia knew Brooks was the one.

I recall him saying something like this to me when he first told me about her. When you know, you know . I know the feeling. It hit me when I knew Brooks was the one for me.

Clapping brings me back to reality. Being in love with your straight best friend? The worst.

“Now let’s hear from the best man, Charlie Palmer.”

Gulping down the rest of my wine, I grab the mic from Britney and stand.

Breathe, Charlie, breathe.

Delia’s arm is wrapped around Brooks, her thumb stroking his shoulder. I shouldn’t notice these things, but I do .

I hate that I do.

I clear my throat and glance down at my best friend who is staring up at me with a huge smile on his face. Turning to face the crowd, I start the speech I’ve had written for weeks.

“I’ve known Brooks since he moved to town in third grade. Our teacher asked me to show him around school, and we’ve been friends ever since. The awkward middle school years…”

“God, those were the worst!” Brooks laughs, everyone joining in.

“I think it was easier for you than me. At least it got easier for me in high school. I always had you at my side. Trying out for the soccer team and failing. Stuttering my way through speech team. Wherever I was, there you were. We were inseparable. The best times of my life always involved you.”

He’s grinning up at me, pride and love shining in his hazel eyes. They’re framed by the expert coif of his auburn hair, and my stomach clenches as I realize I prefer the shaggy mess of his hair to this perfect look today.

Not love for me, mind you. I’ve dreamed of those eyes looking at me like that for years. But it will never happen. I have to push down the feelings I have for Brooks and finish this speech.

I can get drunk and wallow in my feelings after.

“And then we went off to college. Brooks came home that first Thanksgiving and couldn’t stop talking about the girl he met. About how much he loved her and wanted to marry her.”

They’re both smiling at each other now. That dopey, cheesy face of two people who just got married.

The pang in my gut grows deeper. I wish it would swallow me whole.

“Everything was all about Delia. I think I could have told anyone in town Delia’s life story after that break.” I laugh. “I saw the way his face lit up talking about this person. From that moment, I knew she would be a special person in his life. Brooks had never talked about anyone like that.”

Like me. I clear my throat, taking a sip of wine from a new glass that was just dropped off by a passing waiter before continuing.

“If you’ve been around Brooks and Delia at all, you know this is true love. They’ve had some hard times together, but it’s made them stronger. Cemented the bond the two of them have. Their love is the kind of love we all hope to find.”

Grabbing what’s left of my wine, I hold up my glass.

“Please join me in toasting Brooks and Delia. To a love that they deserve and we all hope to have one day.”

“To Brooks and Delia!” the crowd echoes around me as the two of them kiss.

I’m done. All my best man duties are finally done. I can drown my sorrows in the good stuff at the bar and then start the hard work tomorrow. The hard work of trying not to be in love with my best friend.

Brooks stands, pulling me into his strong arms. “I love you, Charlie. Thank you for standing by my side today. You’re my best friend.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d be. I love you, Brooks.”

I hate the way my entire body tenses along with the goose bumps that break out on my skin despite the heat. If only he loved me the way I love him.

Being in love with your best friend is the worst.