Chapter 45 Garrick
Garrick
Gold, white and blue balloons strung up all over the place bombard me when I walk into the watch party.
An archway is erected at the entrance, and I feel like I’m going to prom.
All I need is a corsage. The Beeloved logo hangs high above the large screen that will air the finale as it goes live on YouTube.
I wasn’t expecting so many people to show up, but the modest event room at the hotel is jam-packed. None of the contestants are here, though. That makes me breathe slightly easier.
I keep my hands shoved into my suit pants pockets, holding my head high and my smile bright.
I’m excited and I’m also ready to throw up.
The nonstop churning in my stomach since last night when I implemented my plan – or at least the beginnings of it – has decided to stay.
It’s early evening, and I haven’t eaten more than a handful of nuts and a protein shake Ivor forced me to drink this morning.
‘How does my hair look?’ I smooth out the back that keeps popping out. I’ve never had an issue, but today, of all days, it would be just as unruly as I am.
‘Here, let me try.’ Aldrich spits on his hand and tries to wet it down.
I expertly dodge him. ‘Gross, dude. The last thing I want is to smell like your breath as I attempt to win back my dream girl.’
‘Are you ready for this?’ Tristian says next to me, Imogen hooked on his arm.
Imogen answers before I can. ‘I am so ready for this. I mean, nothing will top my romantic gesture. But this is going to be spectacular. I’ll make sure to get a good video for the socials.’
‘Well, at least I didn’t have to commit a scandal beforehand,’ I joke. It makes me slightly less shaky.
‘Night’s still young.’ She winks before pulling Tristian away.
Tristian quickly adds before he’s out of earshot, ‘You got this, G. If not, I’ll swing the car around back and be your getaway driver.’
I throw him a fist bump. ‘Thanks, T.’
‘If this goes right,’ Tyrone says, fixing his bow tie. His plaid green-and-red suit is putting my navy one to shame. ‘I’d like you to give me the credit in the epilogue, OK?’
My typical witty response slides into place, but I am too nervous to formulate the sentence. So, I go with a simple nod.
‘She’s going to forgive you, G. She has to.’ Tyrone gives me a pep talk before heading in the same direction as Tristian to take their seats to watch the finale.
I grab a water from the snack table, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. I nearly drop the bottle with my sweaty palms.
‘You look so grown up.’ Aunt Maria gathers me into a hug. I try to keep my sweat from ruining her silk dress. ‘I swear it was just yesterday you and Tristian were swaddled in my arms. The perfect little cherub cheeks – so pinchable.’
I blush as she releases the embrace sooner than I’d like. ‘Some would argue I still have those rosy cheeks.’
Aunt Maria smiles, pinching them gently. ‘Best of luck tonight, Garrick. I should have known you’d have a final trick up your sleeve.’
‘That’s why I’m your favorite.’ I wink.
She shakes her head, lips pressed together to hide her grin. ‘You certainly are my favorite troublemaker.’ With one last hug, she leaves me and sits with the rest of the family.
‘Can we get a selfie?’ someone says behind me. I turn to see a few girls my age in evening gowns, with pins that say ‘Be My Beeloved’. I’m used to people asking for selfies, but it’s usually the knight they’re seeking, not Garrick Walton.
‘Uh, yeah, of course.’ I don’t know how the crowd will react when they see what I have in store …
When they realize they aren’t going to get the storybook ending they thought.
I squeeze in to get a picture. They giggle and run off, and I am left smiling at the people shuffling in as the clock ticks closer to the start.
I tug at the collar of my dress shirt, the buttons trying to strangle me.
I’m wearing a suit for the first time since Mom’s funeral – not the same one; I threw that away – but a nice navy blue one with knight head cufflinks and a tie clip that Ms Ripley gifted me.
I yank at my sleeves, readjusting myself for the hundredth time.
‘Here,’ Dad says, motioning toward me. ‘Let me fix your tie. It looks like you did it with your eyes closed.’
‘Aldrich did it,’ I say, not paying attention. I’m too busy trying to see if Juliet showed up. She could be hiding in the crowd, though whenever she’s in a room, it’s like a beacon calling me – I always find her.
‘I’ll make sure to check his next.’ Dad pulls at the fabric until it’s right.
‘Thanks, Dad.’ I give him a tight smile.
‘You did well, my boy. Really. I know we don’t always seem like we’ve got much faith in you, but you have your mother’s passion. I see it behind your eyes, just like her. I know when you find the thing that sparks it, you’ll be unstoppable.’
I glance up at him, throat thick. ‘I wish she was here.’
He smiles softly. ‘Me too. But I’m sure she’s got the best seat in the house, looking down on us.’
‘I’ll try not to trip on the finish line.’
‘If you do, just make sure you fall over it.’ He pats me on the shoulder before walking to his seat.
As the screen lights up with the countdown for the finale, I’m ushered away to stand off to the side, out of sight, behind a backstage curtain.
I still haven’t spotted Juliet, and I’m worried she might not even show up.
Melika and Nathan were supposed to persuade her to come, but she might not if she really hates me.
I stay backstage as the episode starts. Just as the lights dim, I spot her – Juliet, front and center.
OK, it’s up to me now. Watching myself on the big screen would usually be more pleasurable, but I can’t think straight.
My hands are sweaty as I wait for my cue.
The noise of the show seems to muffle, and I’m afraid I’ll miss the moment I’ve been waiting for.
But twenty minutes later, we reach the final part of the episode, and on-screen Garrick is about to say who he’s picked as his Beeloved when the screen goes black.
All right, Garrick, it’s now or never.