CH 46 - #lastchance
Rhys
Song: “Go Get Her” by Restless Road
WHY IS SHE going to Blossom’s Florist? I thought as I drove by it. I’d just seen Riley, Rachel, and Macie walking toward the entrance, all three smiling.
I took a deep breath and blew it out hard as I continued heading to B&B #7 to prep it for weekend renters. The whole time I was there, I couldn’t stop wondering why Riley went to the florist.
I hadn’t spoken to Macie since that night at Cheers and Beers, when she, Noah, and Riley were there, and I was there with Carrie Brooks. Macie used to be a text or phone call away to let me privately know how Riley was doing or what was going on with her. I used to be able to do that with Rachel, too, but I wasn’t comfortable contacting either of them about Riley now.
Too much time had gone by.
It was too late.
I was too late.
And I was crawling out of my skin from imagining Riley talking to the florist about a bridal bouquet. Did she get back together with Chad?
It was a little past noon when I stopped by the grocery store to grab some more coffee since I was almost out at home. Riley pulled out of the parking lot with her girls as I entered it. She and I made brief eye contact, causing adrenaline to surge through my body and making my heart race.
Once I’d parked and got out of my truck, I glanced around to be sure Riley was gone. She was, so I went inside the store, straight to the coffee aisle. When I saw the empty shelf where my preferred coffee usually was, I threw my arms into the air, exasperated. I was too late for this, as well. Fuck!
After grabbing a substitute box of K-Cups and paying for them, I headed home. As soon as I crossed over the bayou, though, I made a U-turn and began driving to the Martin’s house to see if Riley was there. I had to know if she was marrying Chad.
When I arrived, I saw her silver Camaro and Macie and Rachel’s cars parked in the driveway. Walking toward the front porch, my chest tightened from thinking how badly this confrontation could go. If it did, then it did. At least I’d have my answer about Riley and Chad.
After ringing the doorbell, I saw Mr. Martin coming down the entry hall.
“Hello, Rhys,” he said after opening the door. Then he held out his hand to shake mine.
“Hello, sir.”
“How’ve you been doing?”
“Okay. Yourself?”
“I’m good.”
“I probably shouldn’t have come here, but I need to talk to Riley.”
“Give me just a minute, and I’ll get her for you.”
“Thank you.”
While waiting, I stepped to the edge of the porch and stared at the walkway where Riley and I had stood and talked that Friday night in June after dancing together at Cheers and Beers. The night we agreed to be friends again.
I heard the front door open and turned around. Riley had her emerald eyes on me.
“I’m sorry, but I had to come here,” I said.
She stepped outside on the porch and closed the door behind her. “Why did you, Rhys?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“I saw you and the girls going to Blossom’s Florist earlier. Are you marrying Chad after all?”
She let out a bitter laugh.
“Riley, answer me. I’ve got to know.”
“Why?”
“I just do.”
“So you can say you were right about me fucking around with Chad behind your back?”
“Are you marrying that son of a bitch or not?”
“Go to hell, Rhys! Just go to hell!” Riley screamed, her eyes tearing up.
The front door opened, and Macie and Rachel stepped onto the porch as Riley ran past them back into the house.
“Rhys Silverman, you’ve lost your damn mind,” Macie said, coming up to me.
I pointed in Riley’s direction. “Is she marrying Chad? Is that why y’all went to Blossom’s Florist today?”
“Oh—my—God.”
“Macie, tell me! Someone! You, Rachel?” I said, looking at her.
She just stared at me in disbelief like Macie was still doing. Then, we all looked toward the driveway when we heard a car’s engine crank. It was Riley. She’d exited through the garage to get to her Camaro, and now, she was leaving. Macie, Rachel, and I ran toward her, waving our hands for her to stop, but she sped off anyway, spinning her tires.
“Rhys, you ignorant, stubborn ass!” Macie yelled, shoving me backward. “I’m who’s getting married! That’s why we went to the florist!”
I looked down at the ground and shook my head, feeling nauseous. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Mr. Martin. Mrs. Martin was standing beside him.
“I’m sorry, sir. Ma’am,” I said, getting choked up. “I thought Riley decided to marry Chad. I wanted her to tell me to my face.”
“Rhys…” Mr. Martin began. “Riley isn’t marrying Chad. She’s still wearing the engagement ring you gave her because you’re who she wants and still loves with all her heart.”
I turned around, took a few steps away, and covered my mouth because I couldn’t hold back my tears. Then the Martins, Rachel, and Macie came up to me and hugged me.
After I regained my composure, I looked at them, so embarrassed. “I’ve made such a mess of all of this with Riley,” I told them, shaking my head at myself. “I let my pride and my insecurities blind me.”
“I don’t think you’re blind anymore, Rhys, so what do you want to do?” Mr. Martin asked.
“Marry your eldest daughter, sir.”
“Then go get her.”
I took a deep breath, nodded, and ran to Black Betty parked in front of the Martin’s house. Then I sped off like Riley had done, headed toward Main Street. When I reached it, I didn’t know whether to turn left or right because I didn’t know which direction Riley had gone. My blinker came on by itself a moment later, guiding me to turn right.
Rosalie.