Chapter 16
Gabrielle
An evening wedding in July had been an excellent idea on Lena’s and Jackson’s part. The sun rested lower in the sky, making its descent toward the horizon. Though the air was still warm, the evening breeze kept everyone very comfortable.
The tables had turned out gorgeous. Thank God Brodie had come out to help me decorate.
I never would have been able to get it all done in time without him.
He was turning out to be quite a different guy from what I’d thought he was when I’d first arrived.
The weird part, he didn’t seem to be the big sex hound Lena claimed him to be when I’d first met him last year.
In fact, he’d stayed home every night since I’d been there, and as far as I knew, he’d slept alone.
“The wedding turned out perfect and beautiful, just like a fairy tale,” I told Lena as she sat down at the long table next to me.
Huffing a little after a rather fast dance with Weezer, she brushed a stray curl from her forehead and took a sip of her champagne.
Jackson, Lena, Brodie and I all sat at one long table to eat, and the rest of the guests sat at the twenty other round tables.
Jackson had hired a DJ, telling his bandmates he’d rather have them enjoying the night and celebrating with him, but the band, being the band, insisted on playing a few tunes anyway.
Particularly, for Lena and Jackson’s first dance as a married couple.
They’d also played while Jackson sang Lena’s Song to her during the ceremony.
It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen or heard.
“It was, wasn’t it?” Lena smiled. “I’m so glad you were able to be here. You know, you are the only friend I really have, well, girlfriend, that is.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, and come to think of it … you’re the only ‘real’ friend I have, too.”
“Have you decided what you are going to do about school?”
“Yes. I’m not going. At least not this year. I want to focus on my writing for a while and see what happens with that. Journalism was always my mother’s dream, not mine. And I decided I could finish courses online if I need to, or I could even go back next year if I want.
“So, you’re not even going to go to Chico?”
“Not right now. Maybe next year.”
“Then what are you going to do? I mean where do you plan on living?”
“Somewhere around here, I think. For now. I love the beach, but I can’t afford that right now. So, since you are my only friend, I thought it would be great to live around here.”
“Really? That is so fantastic. I’m so glad.”
“Me, too.”
“Will you need to go back down south to get your stuff?
“No. I didn’t have much, just some clothes that I hardly wore anyway. I told my dorm roommate she could have them.”
“We should be back from our honeymoon in two weeks. If you need a place to stay while you’re looking for an apartment close by, you’re welcome to stay at the house. In fact, I can give you the key and you can stay there while we’re gone, too.”
“What? I couldn’t do that, Lena. I don’t want to impose on you and Jackson. You’re newlyweds. You need your privacy. I’d only be in the way.”
“Well, you can stay there until we get back then. I’ve already cleared it with Jackson. I figured you’d be here at least for a little while until you went home and he’d rather have someone at the house while we’re gone than leave it empty.”
“It’s been empty, of people anyway since you haven’t ‘officially’ moved in yet.” I said, air quoting officially.
“Well, now that the furniture is there, he said it would be great to have someone there while we’re gone.”
“Okay. I guess I can stay and use the next two weeks to look for an apartment so I have one by the time you come back from your honeymoon. Thanks. That will actually help out a lot.”
“Then it’s settled. The key is already on top of the dresser in the guest room at Brodie’s.”
We both turned our heads at the ruckus on the dance floor.
All the guests had made a huge semi-circle.
Jackson stood in the center, and Brodie placed a chair beside him.
“Um … it looks like someone is beckoning to you,” I said as Jackson stood beside the chair, his arm outstretched in a welcoming gesture.
Lena stood and walked out to meet him. She sat and giggled as Jackson undertook the sexy task of slipping the garter off her thigh.
With his back turned toward the huddle of guys cheering and teasing, he tossed it in the air to the next supposed sucker destined to get ‘hitched,’ as they all referred to it.
Brodie stood on the other side of the yard away from the bunch, not partaking in the age-old ritual.
I wondered why he hadn’t, though I suppose I shouldn’t have.
Lena’s accusations about Brodie sleeping around with every woman he’s ever met came back into my mind.
Brodie Beaumont liked variety, and he’d never settle down with just one woman.
After that fun moment, it was Lena’s turn.
All the single women gathered around to catch the special bouquet Lena had ordered especially for tossing, keeping the beautiful bouquet Jackson had given her as a keepsake.
I didn’t join in, though she and the others tried coaxing me out.
I had a beautiful bouquet already. One especially made for me. One that I would cherish forever.
A lady in a dark purple dress with its skirt flowing out at the waistline like an apron caught the bouquet.
All the women “ahhhed” and “ooohed” and huddled around her, congratulating her on her great catch, then she ran up to Lena, practically hugging the life out of her.
I had to laugh, and was so thankful that I’d stayed out of that one.
The music kicked up, and everyone began dancing again.
I stood by one of the large oak trees, sipping my champagne and watching the excitement.
Thinking about how wonderful it was that Brodie had designed my bouquet, and how different he seemed from the guy I had met a year ago.
It seemed surreal walking down the aisle with him after the ceremony with my arm in his; his long, hard body next to mine, guiding me along as I seemed to float on those four-inch heels.
His whispered words to me right before we’d parted, “save a dance for me,” had me smiling at the thought of dancing with him.
Though he didn’t seem the slightest bit interested in that endeavor now, as I watched him across the yard laughing and talking with Doc and some of the other guys.
I wasn’t entirely sure he’d even remember saying it, and thought maybe it had just been one of those casual statements one makes to ease the awkwardness of a situation.
I was jarred out of my thoughts when a deep male voice close to my ear startled me.
“Finally, I’ve caught the beautiful maid of honor alone.”
“Jeff. Uh… hi. You startled me.”
“Sorry, I guess you were deep in thought and didn’t hear me approach.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I smiled and finished the rest of the champagne in the flute.
“You are, you know.”
“What?”
“Beautiful. Probably the most beautiful girl here.”
“The bride is the most beautiful,” I corrected him, knowing all along that his statement was only a ruse to start a conversation with me.
“Most times I would have to agree with you, but not this time.”
“Is that a pick-up line?”
“Could be. You interested?” Jeff gave me a crooked half-smile. He wore a dark blue button down shirt neatly tucked into black slacks. He was dangerously handsome with his blond hair combed completely back, giving his face more of a rugged bad boy look.
“I think you need to do better than that.” I’d been interested. Still was, considering Brodie seemed to be ignoring me ever since we’d parted ways at the altar.
“Aw, gee, miss, forgive me. I’m a little rusty on the ol’ pick-up lines, seeing that I was blindsided by your beauty.” He turned to face me, placing his arm across his stomach, he bowed at the waist. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
I giggled before glancing across the lawn, wishing it were Brodie asking me to dance.
Brodie, who stood with his back facing me still talking with some of the guys from the band.
Brodie, who probably couldn’t care less where I was or what I was doing.
The bouquet had been thoughtful, but most likely just something that had been necessary since he’d been coerced into picking out the flowers.
He’d asked me to save him a dance, but his lack of interest in me now confused me.
I looked up at Jeff and smiled. “Why not?”
“Right this way, then.” Jeff led me out to the middle of the lawn onto to the square hardwood platform they’d rented for dancing.
The floor was already crowded. It was a fast song.
One I didn’t even recognize. I kicked off my shoes so I could keep up.
Dancing in high heels never appealed to me.
The beat was so fast, my legs had trouble keeping time.
I laughed, feeling exhausted, and I’m sure the champagne played a part in my inability to keep my balance, as well.
Jeff grabbed me around the waist just as the music slowed to a soft ballad, and I sighed with relief against him, my heart beating wildly with pleasure.