Friday Night Brides (20 page)

Halfway across the yard, Dylan caught up to her and was the one to spin her around this time. “Dammit, Ella!” he snapped. “Wait!”

“For what?” she demanded. “For you to tell me I’m being crazy and need to keep it down? For you to tell me I’m wrong for being upset? For you to tell me how I’m not the woman you thought I was and you don’t love me anymore?” Tears welled in her eyes and it was all she could do to will them not to fall. She pulled out of his grasp and crossed her arms across her chest. “Go ahead and say it!”

Dylan raked a hand through his hair. “Say what? What the hell is it you think I’m gonna say?”

“Pretty much everything I just said!” she cried. “Dammit, are you even listening to me at all?”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Things are getting a little out of hand here and I’m not really enjoying being the entertainment for the neighbors. Can we…can we please just not do this right now?”

She had begged.

She had cried.

She had screamed to be heard.

Feeling defeated, her shoulders sagged and Ella took a single step away from him. “No.”

“No?”

She shook her head. “I think it’s my turn to leave. And you can take your time thinking all this through and figuring out when is the perfect time for us to have a conversation, but it won’t matter.”

“Ella…”

She held up a hand to stop him. “I came here tonight to fight for you. For us. And all you can think about is how it looks to others.”

Dylan held out his arms helplessly. “What am I supposed to do?”

“You were supposed to fight for me too,” she said sadly and turned and walked away.

****

“That doesn’t look good,” Angie said quietly, watching Ella and Dylan in the middle of the yard.

“No, it doesn’t,” Becca agreed.

“Is it me or does this seem completely bizarre?” Hailey asked.

“It’s bizarre,” Angie said. “Those two have been like Ken and Barbie since day one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dylan without a smile on his face.”

“He’s certainly not smiling now,” Hailey said.

“Nope. Definitely not,” Becca said. “What are we going to do when she comes back to the car? I hate that we’re sitting here witnessing this.”

“Me too,” Hailey said sadly. “Maybe we should have left. It would have forced them to at least be in the car together so Dylan could drive her home.”

“We could leave now,” Angie suggested.

“For crying out loud, Ange, she’s walking this way!” Becca hissed. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What? It would be even better timing to force them to drive together!”

“Just…just stop,” Hailey said. “We need to be strong for Ella and just let her vent or cry or whatever it is she needs to do.”

“What if she wants us to bring her home and leave? Do we do that?” Becca asked.

“I’m not leaving her until I know she’s okay,” Hailey said.

“Me too,” Angie said.

“Me too,” Becca agreed.

Nine

Judith James was running around her backyard overseeing the proper setup and placement of the extra tables and chairs she had rented for this party. She knew everyone was doing their jobs and had everything under control, but it just wasn’t in her nature to sit back and do nothing. As she moved around her mind wandered to the food they were going to be serving, the music they were going to play and if the weather was going to continue to cooperate.

After her fifth trek around the yard, she stopped and smiled.

It was all coming along beautifully.

That’s when she allowed herself to simply stop and sit. Across the yard, Hailey was setting up centerpieces for the tables. Becca was working with Max to set up a photo booth. Angie and Sean were stringing twinkly lights around the deck. And Ella had gone and stocked the pool house with extra towels for anyone who felt like going for a swim. Everything was in its place but something still felt…off.

Looking over her shoulder she caught sight of Ella coming out of the pool house. The normally cheery one of the group looked incredibly sad. Judith had heard all about the big break up from Hailey but she had secretly hoped her daughter was wrong—or at the very least, exaggerating.

The thought made her chuckle because her daughter prided herself on never being wrong.

Deciding she needed a little info for herself, Judith stood as Ella approached. “How’s the pool house look? Ready for guests?”

Ella gave her a small smile. “Yup. And I put out all of the extra baskets of goodies you had in the boxes. It’s a great idea to have those extra bottles of sunscreen, sunglasses and goggles. You managed to think of everything.”

“Well, I know we don’t often do big parties here at the house, but I like to think I know how to cover all bases,” Judith chuckled.

“Everyone’s so excited you’re doing this,” Ella said. “And the timing is perfect. The weather is supposed to be beautiful today.”

“As if Mother Nature could stop me.”

Ella laughed but it felt a little forced. Looking around the yard, she said, “I guess I’ll go and see who needs some help. Maybe Hailey could use a hand with the centerpieces.”

“Actually,” Judith began, “if you wouldn’t mind, I could use your help inside.”

“Oh…okay. Sure.”

They walked back into the main house and Judith led Ella past the kitchen and dining room where the catering staff was working and back to her home office. Once they were inside, she shut the door and motioned for Ella to have a seat.

Ella looked at Judith with confusion. “I…I don’t understand. What do we need to do in here?”

Judith took a seat behind her desk and looked at Ella with a sad smile. “How are you doing, Ella? Truthfully.”

Her shoulders sagged as she sighed. “I’d like to say I’m okay, but I’d be lying.”

“You don’t have to lie to anyone, Ella. We all know how tough relationships can be and there’s nothing wrong with letting people know you’re hurting.”

Ella studied her hands that were folded in her lap and nodded.

“I was surprised you came to the show last night. I appreciated it, of course, but I would have completely understood if you weren’t up for it.”

“Believe it or not, it was good for me. I’ve been cooped up in the house pretty much wallowing in my own misery. So going out last night and being around everyone really helped.”

“I’m glad,” Judith replied. “I know it couldn’t have been easy for you.”

Ella shrugged. “It’s something I’m going to have to get used to.” She paused. “Which reminds me, we’ll need to cancel my dress order. I…I know I’ll lose my deposit and all that and I’m fine with it, but I don’t think I could handle having it come and knowing I won’t…you know…”

Reaching across the desk, Judith held her hand out for one of Ella’s and when Ella did the same, they simply sat in companionable silence for a minute. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, Ella. But…are you sure about this? Are you really sure things aren’t going to work themselves out?”

“I don’t think so,” Ella said quietly, gently pulling her hand back. She looked up at Judith. “You know, in these last couple of months I learned a lot. I learned that I was letting people walk all over me and that I let people tell me it was okay for that to happen. Dylan was one of them. He never liked to make waves and basically, I’m the same way.”

“Ella, there’s a difference between not wanting to make waves and people taking advantage of you or…walking all over you like you said. You’re allowed to tell people how you feel and if they can’t handle it, it’s their problem, not yours.”

“I see that now. I really do. I look at Hailey and Becca and Angie and see how they all do that and I’ve also seen how sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.” Her eyes began to well with tears and she immediately swiped them away. “It just stinks that for me, it didn’t.”

“Yeah, some people just don’t take kindly to hearing other people’s opinions and feelings,” Judith sighed and then stopped to think of how that applied in her own life. She looked at Ella and then cleared her throat. “Maybe Dylan just needs a little time to get used to the new you.”

Ella shook her head. “We’ve been together for so long, Mrs. J, that if he can’t grow with me or evolve with me, then I can’t do it. I can’t be expected to be the same girl I was at fourteen as I am today. It’s not fair. And for him to think it—or want it—is just wrong.”

“Is there anything I can do for you, Ella? Anything to help you during this time? It breaks my heart to see you hurting like this.”

A sad smile played at Ella’s lips. “Thanks but…I’m going to get through this. I really am. It may just take a while.”

Judith stood and came around the desk and pulled Ella to her feet and hugged her. “You’re like one of my own, Ella. You know that. And if you ever need someone to talk to,” she pulled back and smiled, “someone who isn’t one of the girls, you can always come to me.”

“Thanks, Mrs. J. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”

With one arm wrapped around Ella’s shoulders, Judith led her out of the office and back toward the yard. “Now come on, we’ve got a party to go to!”

****

The party was in full swing when Hailey found a quiet corner to sit down with a glass of white wine and simply breathe. Since she had arrived at her parents’ house that morning, she had been on the move helping to get everything set up and ready.

“Mind if I join you?”

She had to wonder how a man that size could sneak up on a person and yet it seemed a specialty of Jack’s. Without a word she motioned to the chair next to her.

“Your mom certainly knows how to throw a party,” he said conversationally before taking a drink from the beer bottle he had in his hand.

“Years of practice,” Hailey said, letting her head fall back and refusing to let his proximity bother her. It wasn’t the first time she was seeing him since their sexcapade the previous weekend—he had been in the show last night—but Hailey had kept her distance and made sure she was constantly busy.

Until now.

“It shows,” he agreed and made himself comfortable. “I heard about Ella and Dylan. Is she doing okay?”

Her heart skipped at beat at his thoughtfulness. Still without looking at him she replied, “I think she’s putting up a good front, but I know she’s struggling.”

“How could she not? It just seems odd seeing her at a function without Dylan. He’s a nice guy. Maybe they’ll work it out.”

Hailey’s smile was a little wistful. “I think they will. It’s their first real fight.”

Jack choked on his drink. “Excuse me?”

Nodding, Hailey opened her eyes and looked over at him and chuckled. “It’s true. The two of them have never had a fight. It was almost sickening at times, but now it’s just…sad.”

He nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. Fighting is a necessity in any relationship.”

She looked at him quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“You know…it serves several purposes. No two people can agree on everything. It’s just not possible. You need to disagree and maybe fight about things to get to know each other. How else would you know that someone doesn’t like…say…the thermostat being set below seventy degrees?”

Twisting in her seat, she faced him. “Well first of all, you could ask. And second of all…who would fight over a thermostat setting? That’s ridiculous.”

“And yet here we are arguing about it,” he teased and winked.

“We’re not…” Hailey let out a small groan of frustration. “Personally, I don’t think arguing is necessary but it is natural.”

“Disagree.”

She glared at him. “Of course you do.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me why?”

In a million years she would never confess that she was enjoying this crazy conversation, but she was. With a dramatic sigh she said, “Okay. Why?”

Jack leaned in a little closer to her. Close enough that she could smell his cologne and feel the heat coming off of his body. “It’s necessary for great make-up sex.”

Hailey swallowed hard. Her mouth opened to say something, but she couldn’t make any words come out. Images of the two of them from the previous weekend flashed through her mind.

Jack peeling off her panties.

Jack tugging on her hair so he’d have better access to her throat.

Jack’s hands and mouth…everywhere.

She swallowed hard again and saw the knowing smirk on his face. Doing her best to compose herself, she shifted to put a little more space between them. “I don’t think make-up sex is a good enough reason to fight.”

“Then obviously you haven’t had great make-up sex,” he countered.

Feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks, she came up with a way to put him in his place and get her back on even ground. She shrugged carelessly. “If a man is really a good lover, he shouldn’t need the excuse of make-up sex to make things good. He should be able to prove it at any time.”

Jack’s eyes went wide right before he laughed out loud. “Is that right?”

Hailey nodded. “Absolutely. It shouldn’t take getting angry and yelling and screaming at each other to make for great sex. Maybe some people need that, but it should never be a necessity for it.”

Jack looked like he was about to say something and then thought better of it. He stood up and finished his beer. “I’m going to grab a burger,” he said. “You want one?”

Actually, Hailey was starving but wasn’t sure if she was ready to sit and share a meal with Jack—just the two of them. Then she laughed at the absurdity of it. They were at a barbecue with fifty other people. It was hardly an intimate dinner for two. And besides, she was curious to see if there was maybe something more to Jack that she hadn’t allowed herself to see.

Smiling, she stood. “I do,” she said. “Why don’t you grab us a couple of burgers and I’ll get us a couple of sides and salads and we can meet back here.”

Jack smiled so brightly, so sincerely, that Hailey almost tripped over herself.

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, his voice rich and deep against her cheek as he leaned in and placed a soft kiss there before walking away.

Hailey watched him go for a minute before making her way over to one of the many food stations her mother had set up.

“So…” Angie said as she sidled up to her, “someone was looking all cozy over there. Are you going to give that sexy bastard another chance?”

“Would you be quiet?!” Hailey hissed.

Angie looked around. “What? No one’s even paying attention to us,” she said as she began putting salads on a plate. “What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is…no one knows about last weekend so I’m trying to…”

“Pretend it didn’t happen? Um…yeah. No.”

Hailey looked up at her sharply. “And why not?”

“Because it
did
happen and Jack’s a nice guy and if you’d get that stick out of your ass for a few minutes you might actually see that.”

Unsure of what to say, Hailey moved along and made progress on her own plates of food. When she reached the end of the table, she turned back to Angie. “For your information, we’re eating together. So there.”

“Wow…you really showed me,” Angie murmured, stepping around her to get to the next table of food.

“Now what?” Hailey sighed.

“Don’t make it like you’re throwing the poor guy a bone. Why can’t you just admit you like him and you want to spend time with him?”

Good question. Taking a minute to herself, Hailey took a couple of scoops of potato salad and then some of the tortellini with pesto before answering. “Because I’m still not sure if I should,” she said quietly.

When they got to the end of the table, Angie turned and faced her. “Sean and I are going to join you two.”

“What?” Hailey asked, feeling confused.

“We’ll all eat together and then later on you and I will talk about how I see things between the two of you.”

On the surface it sounded like a good plan but Angie had a way of embarrassing the crap out of people when she wanted to and Hailey just wasn’t up for it right now. “I don’t know, Ange…”

“I promise not to mention that I know about last weekend and I promise I won’t say anything about you being a snob.” Her expression was sincere and she was smiling broadly—probably because she knew exactly what was going on in Hailey’s mind. “Come on. It will be fun. Plus, I think Becca and Max sneaked off to do it in the pool house and Ella’s moping around and I’d really like Sean to hang out with at least one of my friends today.”

Deciding to throw caution to the wind, Hailey nodded. “Okay. But I’m telling you now, one snarky comment about last weekend or anything close to it and I will totally start blabbing all of your secrets to Sean.”

Angie laughed out loud. “You could try but trust me, the man doesn’t scare easily.”

“Great,” Hailey mumbled.

“And I have a feeling Jack doesn’t either.”

****

“If Judith ever sells this house, I’m offering to buy this pool house,” Max said breathlessly against Becca’s throat. She chuckled. “I’m serious. This place is beginning to hold some of my hottest memories.”

They were in the changing room—with the door locked—with Becca’s legs still locked around his bare waist. “I can’t believe we actually got away with this,” she said quietly. “I was afraid someone was going to come in and knock on the door or something.”