CH 39 - #autumn
Rhys
TODAY WAS SEPTEMBER 22 nd , the first day of autumn. Riley was originally going to marry Chad on this day, and I wondered if she’d thought about it since waking up this morning at her duplex. Our wedding date was set for the winter solstice, December 21 st .
We decided to have an intimate occasion with our families and closest friends instead of an extravaganza like Riley had been planning with Chad because of him. She never wanted a big to-do. She wanted something simple and meaningful. That included having a traditional wedding cake.
To my relief, she found a wedding dress she loved last weekend but didn’t get it in a store. She got it from her grandmother’s cedar chest and called me afterward to tell me it was a perfect fit. I could hardly wait to see Riley with it on.
I was sure to see her without anything on her sexy body in the next little while since I was almost to her duplex. Before I took her to bed, though, I planned to help her pack the last of her things. We had to finish doing that tonight because the moving company I hired would be at Riley’s first thing in the morning to load all her stuff and then haul it east to our lake house.
I had a surprise waiting for her there. It was something she’d said she would have “one day.” Now, she did. I installed a clawfoot tub in the main bathroom, but that wasn’t my only surprise.
Earlier in the week, I took my mom shopping with me because I needed her help picking out a candelabra, pillar candles, and essential oils for Riley. We got every item, and I also bought a new bottle of Love Story perfume since Riley was almost out of the one she had.
I had just turned onto her street and looked toward her duplex ahead of me on the right when I saw a black BMW parked in the driveway. I knew only one person who drove one: Chad Nolan.
I slowed down and kept looking at the car. Then, I got close enough to see Riley standing in her front yard, holding a box and talking to Chad. She was smiling, and so was he.
I pulled over to the curb and continued watching them. When Chad hugged Riley, I pushed on the gas, furious.
As I pulled into Riley’s driveway, the smile on her face and Chad’s disappeared. They remained frozen when I got out of my truck and began walking toward them with the bouquet of daisies I’d bought on my way here.
“What the hell is going on, Riley? I asked, coming to a stop in front of her.
“Chad brought me the stuff I left at his house.”
“When did you make this arrangement?”
“This morning.”
“Why didn’t you let me know about it?”
Riley shrugged. “I-I just didn’t.”
I looked at Chad. “You need to get the fuck out here.”
“Rhys, I didn’t come here to cause problems. I was only returning Riley’s belongings before she moved. That’s all. We’re friends.”
“Is that so?”
Chad cut his eyes over at Riley.
“Rhys, I should have told you we’re on friendly terms,” she said.
“And how long has that been the case?”
“About a month. Chad and I ran into each other at a Starbucks. I didn’t say anything about it because I didn’t want to upset you, just like with this today. I didn’t think you’d understand.”
“I don’t. Especially after what you went through with that son of a bitch,” I said, pointing at him.
“He’s not that person anymore.”
“Of course he is! What kind of bullshit has he fed you now?”
Riley looked at Chad sympathetically. “I’m sorry, but you need to leave,” she told him.
I held up my hand. “No, you stay. There’s obviously more going on here between you and Riley than friendliness .”
“No, there isn’t! I promise!” Riley cried.
“Your promises hold no weight with me because you hide things. Last year, it was your change of heart about building a life with me. Now, it’s you and your ex-fiancé getting close again. How can you expect me to believe anything you say?”
“Rhys…”
“What were you planning to do? Come back to Cypress Hills and be married to me while keeping Chad on the side?”
“No!”
I shook my head. “I can’t do this, and I won’t. Riley, you future-faked me once before, and you broke me in two. Now, it’s my turn to break you. We’re over. Lose my goddamn number, and don’t ever darken my doorway again.”
I threw the bouquet of daisies on the ground at Riley’s feet, turned around, and walked back to my truck, leaving the disastrous scene as fast as possible. It wasn’t until I reached the city of Terrell that I let my anger rage.
I pounded my steering wheel while screaming, and then I punched my stereo and broke it, injuring my hand in the process. I had to pull off I-20 because of the bleeding and wrapped my hand in a towel that I’d put in my backseat for the next time Riley and I had sex in Black Betty.
Still parked on the side of the service road, I leaned my head back against my seat and closed my eyes as my sadness consumed me.