Ch. 16 A Blast from the Past
The bonfire is lit, casting a warm glow across Keith's backyard. Strangely, it reminds me of that one night in Radcliffe with Celeste.
I shake my head to prevent thoughts of her from taking hold.
Talking with Keith, Legend and Kenneth is always fun. Even though we're talking about work, the tension in my shoulders eases.
The more we talk, the more determined I am to get into the entertainment industry. Wellness and entertainment are avenues that Ingram Tech has not explored so far.
It's time to expand our vision.
I want to create something that will make filming easier, better, safer. Something AI based.
After the success we saw with Mindhav3n, I really am convinced we can create something fun and useful.
I agree with Legend, though, that having one professional version and one for the general populace will make a world of difference.
I inhale deeply, the scent of Keith's backyard filling my lungs while Legend turns on his husband. I'm glad he isn't glaring daggers at me with those green orbs of his.
Suddenly, the gate creaks. We all turn towards the new arrival.
It must be Ella's other bridesmaid, a friend she said—someone who's been helping her at JB Tech.
The woman stepping in is slender. She looks up with a smile, and—
Everything stops.
Her face glows with the soft light of the bonfire—one eye blue, the other brown.
The last time we met collides with the present, carrying the weight of everything we lived in between.
All my muscles lock in place and my lips tighten.
The image of the innocent cross-eyed girl wars with the memory of her ruthless expression as she coldly acknowledged her willingness to destroy me.
Blue-brown eyes, smiling and open, move over the crowd, before landing on me.
I know the moment she's seen me, because her whole body freezes. Her gaze widens in shock, before icing over—just like that time in Hartley's office. Her lips tighten and her back straightens.
My pulse pounds in my veins as my muscles strain to overcome their bounds.
Is she a threat to everything I've built? Or something even more dangerous?
—------------------
The backyard is warm. A bonfire is crackling away in the middle, and people are milling about around it. I spot Ella right away, standing just a bit farther.
Legend, Kenneth, Keith, Frany, and another man who looks like a slightly younger version of Keith.
They all turn around as I enter the gate, a creaking sound announcing my arrival. I smile at them all until my eyes land on a particularly blue pair.
Electric Blue. And so dangerous.
Marcus Holden.
My whole body freezes. All the years between high school and now fall by the wayside. His cool gaze burns into me.
Seconds pass and silence descends. Marcus's eyes stay locked on me—unreadable—body coiled.
We stare at each other in silence.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Sweat beads on my back before I straighten it, expression tight. I paid my dues.
And I'm here for Ella.
Right. Ella—my friend. The bride.
I paste a smile on my face again and turn to her.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!"
I walk towards her, completely ignoring everyone else.
Ella hugs me warmly, and my pounding pulse settles a little.
Legend walks over with Kenneth and Keith and they hug me too.
Ella turns to Frany who waves at me and mini-Keith. "You already know Frany. This is Keith's youngest brother, Kyle. Kyle, this is Celeste."
Kyle looks at me with interest, almost like he knows something I don't.
Ella eventually turns to the last member of the party who hasn't moved from his place in all this time.
"Celeste, this is Marcus. Marcus— Celeste."
I nod and murmur a polite, "Nice to meet you." Marcus refuses to respond.
I turn away and join Frany and Kyle. Legend and Ella join us, and Kenneth brings over some beers.
We chat about wedding prep and honeymoon plans—Kyle coming up with one outrageous idea after another.
Legend's ideas make Kyle's propositions feel tame, and Ella ruthlessly shunting them aside smooths the awkwardness enough that I vow to ignore Marcus for the rest of my time here.
If he thinks he can run me away with rudeness, he's forgotten who Celeste Shaw is.
—----------------
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I start. I pull my eyes away from Celeste and turn to Keith.
"She shouldn't be here." The words slip out—colder than I thought they would be.
"Brother, you need to chill out." His voice is low, like he's afraid of being overheard.
"She's a really good friend of Ella's and Ella is really happy to have her here."
I take a step towards her. "Fine. There's something I need to know—let me just—"
Keith's gaze sharpens. "Not today, you don't. Marcus, whatever it is between you two—let it go for now. The wedding is tomorrow, and Ella will get the wedding she deserves. No one is going to mess with anything. You hear me?"
Not even you. I hear the words left unspoken. "Loud and clear, boss."
My lips twist in a semblance of a smile. I know how much this wedding means to both of them. I also know Keith will wipe me from the universe if I make Ella cry for any reason.
Keith studies my eyes for nearly a minute before his lips lift in a relieved smile.
"Thanks."
I nod in acceptance. I'll let this wedding pass.
I need to know what's brewing. The ice in her expression has my chest freezing in an unfamiliar cold.
How could she have found her way to my family?
My thoughts run rampant while my feelings harden under their weight.
I observe from the sidelines as she laughs with Frany and Kyle. Her smile is easy—and it settles in my gut like lead.
I take a step to join them, but think better of it when I find Keith's eyes trained on me.
Just a few hours until the wedding is done. I'll have my answers then.
I'll never let anything happen to any of them.
—--------------
The wedding day dawns bright and beautiful. The energy at the venue is controlled chaos at its finest. Frany is handling the caterers, decorators and wait staff like she's weaving a symphony.
Legend is setting up the dress reveal. Kyle is helping Frany, though it looks like it's more hindering than anything else.
Ella enters just behind me.
If there is one way to describe Ella today, it's that she shines. Her eyes speak volumes of the love and anticipation she holds for this day.
As she gets ready, quietly confident in herself, her man and the universe, something shifts in me.
Should I dare name it?
When she sees the gown Legend and I worked so hard on, her face lights up.
Her fingers gently run over the crystals, pearls, and lace. Her eyes sparkle with the joy she feels.
Suddenly, fifteen days of fabric glue, sewing lessons and complicated fittings—so her dress would remain a surprise—feel completely worth it.
Her hair is soft as I braid it. She's beautiful.
A love like this is rare to find. Electric blue eyes flash in my mind, and I shove the image far away—out of reach.
Legend and I help her into her gown and when it's time for shoes, she pulls out her red sneakers.
Legend bemoans the choice—it doesn't match the rest of her outfit at all—but gives in quickly enough.
We just want Ella to feel beautiful, happy, and loved. It doesn't really matter what she wears.
We head out of the bridal suite, and I hand her the bouquet.
I smooth my dress, a Legend original in blue that he let me borrow—for free.
We walk towards Keith and the groomsmen. Keith's eyes are so full of love my heart melts. My sight drifts to Marcus.
His gaze is fixed on Keith and Ella—so warm. I catch him nodding towards others, acknowledging them in the pews.
It's a warmth that seems reserved for everyone else but me.
I thought I too might get to be a recipient—for a short time—before my mistake ruined everything.
The hollowness I carry in my chest makes itself known. I shut the door on it before it claws its way out.
For my own sanity, it's best if my feet stay planted firmly in the present.
The vows are beautiful. My eyes sting with unshed tears.
When they exchange rings, Keith's eyes say it all.
Involuntarily, my gaze slides to Marcus, to find him staring at me.
What does he see when he looks at me? A lost connection? A threat? Or worse, trash?
His eyes are unreadable, and he looks away the moment our eyes meet.
It hurts. Even after all these years, Marcus's animosity hurts something fierce.
—------------------
The church looks beautiful as we make our way to the altar. The whites and greens create an aura of purity that takes my breath away.
Every person here is present for one reason only—they love Keith and Ella, and wish them only continued happiness.
I turn to Keith and ask quietly, "Ready?"
His eyes are glued to Ella, so full of love as he replies, "So ready. I can barely wait."
My gaze slides to Celeste again. She looks stunning. Her blue gown brings out her blue eye—just like her prom dress. I don't think she realizes how much of a presence she has.
I catch Garett, Keith's partner from Genesis, staring at Celeste in open-mouthed awe. My jaw clenches, and I have to work to relax myself. I have to remind myself that I have no claim here.
I try not to gawk, but it's like she's a magnet that keeps drawing my vision.
A familiar void settles in my chest.
The vows continue.
Throughout the ceremony, Celeste looks so happy for Ella and Keith, I let myself forget our history.
I miss dad. He would've loved knowing them. Unbidden, the thought I've struggled to keep at bay pushes forward—what if I'd made different choices?
The void deepens.
What might a different life look like? Would dad still be with us?
I snipe that thought before it takes root.
Her eyes are soft, a lost look in them—like she too is feeling the weight of bad choices and lost opportunities—and my fingers twitch with the desire to console her.
I look away. I don't want to see this side of her. The soft Celeste. The vulnerable Celeste.
The Celeste that makes me want to put my guard down.
The past catches up to me in that breath. The memory of cold words spoken in hateful disdain wash over me.
When I let my guard down—I lose what matters.
Once the rings have been exchanged, Keith leans over to kiss his bride, and then refuses to stop.
Everybody whoops, cheers and applauds, and even I can't help but laugh at their antics.
When they're together, it's like the world ceases to exist for them.
Like how it was when I was around Celeste.
I flinch like I've been slapped.
It's best to not let my mind wander.
It's finally time to clear the stage for the bouquet throwing. I join the groomsmen to the side and Frany and Celeste take their place.
I can't help but notice how excited Celeste looks.
Does she have someone waiting in the wings perhaps?
I don't really get a chance to examine that thought—but I can't ignore the sting I feel— because somehow, the bouquet is flying through the air—at me?
My hands move reflexively and pick it out of the air. Everybody applauds and laughs while my gaze shifts to Celeste.
There's something in her eyes—hope, pain... something more? Even as I study her, a door shuts—closing her from the world—before I can read them further. She turns beet-red as our eyes meet and glances away.
Ella grins mischievously, and I swallow nervously. Was this deliberate?
What is she playing at?
Suddenly, Keith lifts his bride and is hurrying out of the venue. Everybody delights in their antics, but the bouquet sits heavy in my hands.
My fingers tighten on the stems, and I stand there for a long second.
What does that mean—for me?