No Regrets (Live Today #2) (12 page)

“I’m actually getting married.” I whisper. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine getting married. I mean, when I was little, I used to dream about it, but as time passed, I always thought it was meant to be for everyone else. I guess the dream faded.”

“You have gone through so much Jenna. You all have. That’s what’s brought all of you together. Spending time with you guys, it’s completely obvious that each of you need each other in different ways. Your dreams never go away, Jenna. But, they may alter as we grow older. I mean, look at me.” She smiles. “I always dreamt that I would be living in New York being successful and starring in a Broadway Musical. I always imagined myself being single and loving it. Instead, here I am living with my parents and falling so hard for someone, that within a matter of weeks, my dream has shifted.”

“You really love my brother, don’t you?” I’m not sure how I feel about this. I know Brennan deserves to be happy. I want him to be happy. I always imagined us being together forever. He’s been my rock for as long as I could remember. I’m not sure I’m ready to share him just yet.

“I’ve never been a true believer of love at first sight. Not like Gabe, who said the moment he saw you, he fell so hard that there was no coming back from it.” I smile and blush. I remember that day well. “And by the look on your face, you fell for him too.” She steps around me so we are facing each other.

“So when you guys came to visit and I met your family, something changed…” Her eyes are glowing and her entire face lights up. “So yeah, even though I’ve not said it to him yet, I actually think I do love your brother.” My chest swells with love for both my brother and Ashley. I pull her into a tight hug. “Jenna, are you okay with Brennan and I being together?” She asks, pulling back.

“I love Brennan more than life itself. All I’ve ever wanted was for him to be happy. I want him to be loved. I know he loves you. No one has ever caused a reaction like you have in him. I won’t lie and say that it bothers me a little that I have to share him with someone, but you are wonderful.” She blushes. “I don’t doubt the love you have for each other. And being you’ll be my sister in law in just a few short hours, I’m pretty sure I know how to find you if you hurt him.” I finish. Raising an eyebrow at her, we both end up in a fit of giggles.

“Hurting your brother is the last thing I would ever do. Hell, I think I’d walk into fire for him. For all of you for that matter.” We hug once more before she pulls away. “C’mon, we still have a lot to do before you officially become my sister.” After we found a dress for Ashley, we made our way to the salon for a morning of pampering. We’ve both had a complete makeover from head to toe, including a full body massage, compliments of my father.

She finishes with her manicure before me, so I ask her to verify what time we are all supposed to meet at the chapel. Her phone died, so she asks to use mine. Hmm, I haven’t checked it since the guys made it to dads. I’m not even sure it has life to it, but I let her know it’s in my bag.

“Uh, Jenna?” Ashley’s voice is shaky.

“What is it?” I trail my eyes from the stylist that put my fingers under the drying machine. I’ve chosen a deep burgundy color that will match my top perfectly.

“When was the last time you’ve checked your phone?”

“Not since you guys made it to Florida. Why?”

“Well,” she walks up to me and before she shows me the screen, she says. “You’ve got a handful of texts from some Justin guy, whoever he is. But maybe you want to look at this.” She holds the phone in front of me and my heart stops instantly. It’s a picture of Justin and me in a dark club. I don’t remember ever having a picture taken of us together, and it’s obviously not the club I met him at in Washington.

“Jenna, what’s going on?” She asks. I take the phone in my hand and scroll the texts.

I saw you in Vegas. Small world don’t you think? Then I saw your man walking into a wedding chapel. Bad idea. Has he seen these?

I’m speechless. I scroll through the photos of us together. We aren’t really doing anything wrong, but I literally don’t remember meeting him before Washington. Then I take a good look at the last text picture. “Oh God.” I gasp.

“Jenna?” Ashley asks again, but I ignore her, sitting frozen staring at the phone.

Pictures, tons of pictures. Pictures of me at The Underground the night of the accident. Justin was there? It’s a picture of him and I on the dance floor and he’s standing behind me. His arms are wrapped around my waist and one of his hands is down my pants and his tongue running up my neck. I look oblivious as to what’s going on. One of my hands is in the air and one is holding my drink. But what’s got me boggled is the person standing beside Justin. She looks so familiar. I swear I have seen her before. What’s in her hand? Her hand, which is hovering over my drink is a pill. Then another text pops up and I open it. It’s us again, it’s Justin in the same position, and this girl with her hands holding the glass to my lips encouraging me to drink it all.

“That’s it, I’m calling Gabe.” She states, but I remain frozen. As soon as she finishes her sentence, the doors to the salon are pushed open so hard, it frightens us both breaking me free from my thoughts. Brennan and Gabe both come running in. Tears begin to fall from my eyes when I see the look on Gabe’s face. But it’s Brennan that speaks first.

“What the hell is going on Jenna?” He asks. I stand and walk over to Gabe, but Brennan takes me by the shoulders and forces me to face him. “He got a text from Justin.” I stand lifeless staring at Gabe. No doubt the blood has emptied from my face. His eyes are bloodshot.

“I thought you were done with Justin.” Gabe whispers.

“Wha…” Shaking my head. “Wait a minute. What did he say?” I ask. He shakes his head and holds his phone to me. I take it and scroll through his texts. Justin tells him he knows we’re in Vegas, and that he should speak to me before doing anything irrational. Then I scroll down and see the same picture that I got. The one with his hands all over me. “Gabe.”

“No, don’t” he says. “When did you do this? When you were gone at the spa?”

“What? No.” I’m shocked he would even think that. “I… I went away because I was scared of my feelings for you. I woke up with you the night before I left.”

“I know that Jenna, but did you go to him to try and forget me while you were gone?” His voice is angry. I look down at his phone. There’s only the one photo of me.

“Um, excuse me.” The salon manager says. “If I could ask you to follow me, I can take you to the back room and perhaps you can discuss this in private.”

“No need.” Gabe says. “We’re done here.” He turns and storms off, throwing the door open with great force. I follow him out.

“Gabe stop!” I yell after him, but he doesn’t stop. When I reach him on the sidewalk, I grab his arm and force him to look at me. “Don’t do this. I can explain.”

“Explain what Jenna?” He yells. “The fact that there’s a photo of you with someone that’s definitely not me! Look at it Jenna! LOOK! You only just met him when we moved. So when did you do this?” His body is shaking. “WHEN?”

              “I really can’t believe you would think so little of me.” I’m suddenly slapped with courage, dropping my hold on him. The fact that he has doubted me, even after everything we’ve gone through angers me beyond belief. I take my phone and shove it at his chest. He grabs it as I take a step back. “One, I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. Either you trust me whole heartedly or you don’t Gabe. Two, I did nothing with that man. NOTHING!” I’m hollering so much, everyone has stopped to watch the scene. Brennan and Ashley have made their way outside to watch the show.

              “Brennan, can you call dad and tell him we’re leaving. NOW” He says nothing, but my eyes remain on Gabe. He looks down at the phone and I can see anger growing on his face. “For your information Gabriel Gonzales, those photos are from The Underground. Taken the night of the accident, you asshole. I cannot believe you doubted me so quickly.”

              “What?” He and Brennan ask in unison.

              “Look at the photos Brennan.” I tear my phone from Gabe and show Brennan the photo that has the mystery girl, who looks like him, with a pill in her hand. “I recognized the background. You should have too. But you know me well enough to know that I wouldn’t do that in public with anyone.” I face Gabe. “Anyone.” I spit.

“Oh fuck.” Brennan says, scrolling through the pictures. “Who’s that girl?” he questions, noticing the resemblance too.

“I have no clue, that’s beside the point.”

“How did Justin know we were in Vegas?” Gabe asks.

“How the hell do I know?” I snap. “I haven’t spoken to him since the night before I went home with you.”

“Angel.” His voice is softer. “I’m sorry. This is all, just so confusing. First Matty calls…”

“Matty?” I ask. “What about him?” Gabe looks to Brennan, then back to me again. “What’s going on?”

“Someone has been following you.” Brennan says. “Not in the creepy way, but there’s photos of you and Gabe on the beach. There’s a close up of him giving you the ring.” He sighs. “There’s even a recent one of you two holding hands coming off of the plane here.” I gasp.

“What?” I turn to Brennan, but he shrugs. “God, first all the paparazzi from the accident, now this?” My hands are shaking. “Then maybe that’s how he figured out where we were?”

“They all think you’re here to get hitched.”

“Well, that was the plan wasn’t it?” I reply. Gabe drops his head. “What? You have second thoughts now that you doubt me?”

“I… no of course… I don’t know what I’m thinking Jenna.” He answers honestly. “All I know is that I love you, but looking at those pictures...” He takes a deep breath. “I just want to make sure this is what you want.”

“Oh my God Gabe, are you serious right now?” I can’t believe this is happening.

“Don’t Jenna.” He points to me. “It’s obvious you met him before Washington.” He takes an angry step toward me. “You partied with him in LA.” Something inside me snaps. I stand firmly in front of him before going off.

“I was fucking high Gabriel.” Pointing my finger into his chest. “God, I was high with Stacy before we even went into that club and you knew this.” I find myself shoving him. He takes a solid step back. “You know what happens when I take too many drugs. You know I forget where I’m at or what I’m doing.” Brennan grabs my shoulders and pulls me back to his chest, keeping me from charging Gabe. Tears are pouring down my face when I try to remember that night. “The fact that you don’t believe me hurts worse than you keeping that God awful secret about LG from me. Once I realized someone slipped Ecstasy in my drink, what did I do Gabe? WHAT DID I DO?”

“You called Bren.” His voice is full of sorrow, but I’m too mad to care.

“I called Brennan and then what?”

“You asked for me, because my phone was dead.” He drops his head. Ashley stands behind him and rests her hands on his shoulders for support. Good, he will need it.

“I asked for you. Why Gabriel? Why did I ask for you?” He remains silent. “I asked for you because
You
hold my heart, God dammit. Before I even knew it, you had my heart since the day we met. And who did I want to see when I finally woke up?” I see a tear falling from his eye. “Who?” I demand an answer.

“Me.”

“And here we are, on the day that’s supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. But instead, you doubt me and you doubt my love for you. Robert asked if I was ready. So did Brennan. Without hesitation, I told them both that you are who I want. You are who I want to spend the rest of my life with. But I guess the real question is, are you ready?”

“Angel, that’s not fair. You know I’m ready. I love you with everything I have in me.”

“But not enough to trust me. I need you to not doubt me or my love for you.” I cry. “I don’t remember that night.” I look down at my phone. “I only recognize what I was wearing that night, and the background of the club. That’s all I can do to remember that night. But Gabe, I do know this, I believe in my heart that the moment I found out what they did, I left immediately and called you guys. Because I knew something was wrong. And so help me, if I ever see Justin again, he will regret ever meeting me.” I take Brennan’s hand in mine and squeeze it. “Brennan, let’s go.”

“I… I’ll see you back at the airport.” He says to Ashley. She nods in response before pulling Gabe in her arms.

Gabe

“Gabe they’re waiting on us.” Ashley urges. “We have to get on the plane.”

“I can’t.” I continue to pace in front of the double doors that lead down the jet way. “I feel like shit. I shouldn’t have ever questioned her. I should have trusted her from the get go. I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to sit on a plane with.”

“I know you trust her Gabriel, she does too. She was in complete shock when she saw those pictures. I was there to see the confusion on her face when I showed them to her. Your love for each other doesn’t shut off that quickly, you know this.” She grabs hold of my arm. “We need to get going though. They are waiting for us.” She says again.

“You saw the pictures?” She nods. “You must think I’m an asshole for questioning her.”

“Well, it didn’t take me looking at those pictures to know how much of an asshole you are Gabe.” She laughs softly. “I’ve known that since we were kids.” I begin to chuckle.

“Thanks Ash.” I pull her into my arms. “I guess it’s time to grovel.” She reaches up and pats my cheek. “Love you sis.”

“How about you just say you’re sorry?” She encourages. I nod, take her hand and we begin making our way toward the plane.

As we step in, the space gets suddenly cold. The tension is disturbing. I look around for her, but she’s nowhere in sight. Brennan’s sitting at the back of the plane, shaking his knee. It’s a nervous habit of his. Once he sees us, the tension on his face eases.

“Where’s Jenna?” I ask. Ashley walks past me and sits beside him taking his hand in hers. He leans in and kisses her cheek.

“She’s laying down in the back bedroom.” He reaches and takes her other hand and kisses her fingers before looking over to me. “I think you should leave her alone, at least until we are in the air.”

“She doesn’t like takeoffs or landing Brennan. You know that.” I argue making my way toward the back room. He suddenly stands.

“Then I suggest you wait until the doors are closed. She’s pretty fucking pissed off at you right now. And because I love you two too much to lose either one of you, I’m trying to help you out man and keep you from getting thrown off.” I take a deep breath and nod before sitting on the opposite side of them. Robert walks out of the cockpit and makes his way toward us.

“Gabe.” He nods before turning toward Brennan. “Son.” Brennan nods toward him before he turns back to me. “I… I’m sorry things didn’t turn out the way you wanted them to. She’s… well, she’s hard headed, I suggest giving her some time. But don’t give up on her.” He pats my shoulder in a supportive manor.

“I would never give up on her. Good or bad, she’s the center of my world.”

“Anyways, I just wanted to let you know we should be leaving in a few minutes. I’m just waiting on my taxi time.” Brennan and I both thank him before he returns to the front of the plane. He makes it half way back when his phone chimes in his pocket. Once he’s opened it up to answer it, his body tenses and he stops immediately. He turns to look at Brennan but then turns away to the cabin door.

“Hmm. That was odd.” Ashley says, also noticing the change in demeanor in Robert. “Wonder what that was about.”

“Who knows with him?” Brennan says before turning to me. “Gabe look,” his voice is now serious. Oh well, here it comes. “We both know she has no memory of that night. The only reason she knows where those pictures came from is because she remembers what she was wearing and she recognized part of the background. Since I never went to The Underground, I can’t say anything looks familiar. And I couldn’t tell you what she wore yesterday.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls her phone out. “I understand your doubts with Justin. Honestly, I can’t stand the little prick, but it doesn’t matter what I think. We have to trust Jenna.” He passes me her phone and I begin to look at the pictures.

“This is what she was wearing that night.” I whisper before swiping to the next photo. It’s obvious she was high. You can tell just by looking at her face. I scroll to the last one and notice one of the neon lights in the background. “She’s right. It’s The Underground.”

“You sure?” Brennan asks.

“Positive.” I show him the picture. “The Underground is the only club that I know of that has that neon.” He looks at it carefully then nods.

“That girl.” He mentions. “Does she look familiar to you?” I turn the phone back to me as he asks. “I swear I’ve seen her before, but can’t put my finger on it.” Robert makes his way back into the cabin and walks straight to us.

“I hope you don’t mind but.” He stares at Brennan. “But we will have some company on the way back.”

“It’s your plane dad.” Brennan shrugs.

“No son, it’s our plane.” Robert corrects. “Everything we have has been divided up equally. That was one thing that your mother and I made clear of before she passed.” He looks back down to his phone. “Anyways, our guests shall arrive in a few minutes and then we will take off. I have a co-pilot with me today. I’m hoping we all can have a chat later?”

Dumfounded, Brennan looks back up to his father. “Uh, sure. I guess.” He says. Robert nods and turns back to the cockpit.

Brennan slides himself down so his head is resting on my sister’s lap. Her fingers immediately begin running through his rat nest he calls hair. “I’m exhausted. Let me know when we get there.” He yawns, closing his eyes.

“I can’t take this anymore.” I stand and head straight to Jenna.

“Just leave him.” I can hear Ashley telling Brennan. “Its best they get this over with now. Otherwise it will be a long flight for all of us.” Once I make it to the door, I take a deep breath before getting enough courage to grab the nob and turn it. I crack it open, not knowing if she is sleeping or not. I don’t want to wake her if she is.

“You could have knocked you know.” She says before I can even get a peek in. I open the door all the way. She’s sitting on the center of the bed, her back leaning on the headrest with her knees pulled up. Her chin resting on top of her knees. She glares at me before rolling her eyes and looking down.

“I… I wasn’t sure if you were sleeping or not.” I say before stepping in and closing the door behind me. Leaning against the door, still not sure if I’m welcome yet or not. “Can we talk?”

“What do you want Gabriel?” Oh shit. When Jenna says my name in that tone, I know I’m in deep shit. Her eyes remain down. This distance is killing me. I take a step toward her but stop immediately. Her eyes shoot to mine, she knows I’m waiting for permission. She rolls them then nods. There may be hope for me yet. Carefully, I make my way to the bed and climb on to the center and sit Indian style at her feet.

“Angel, I’m so sorry.” The words come out before I even realize it. Her eyes shoot up to me and a tear falls down her face.

“You should be.” She snaps. I can’t take this tension anymore. I rest my hands on hers. “That really hurt, Gabe.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I really don’t have an excuse for my behavior.” She huffs a small laugh. “So, does that mean you forgive me?”

“No.” She answers honestly. “It means you’re an asshole and I’ve known for a long time that you can’t control your behavior.” Her beautiful blue eyes meet mine. “You have a lot of begging to make me forgive you on my wedding day.”

“For the record, it’s my wedding day too.” I can’t keep the sarcasm from my voice. She rolls her eyes again at me. I can’t help but to pull at her hands and force her on my lap. “What do I have to do to make it up to you?” I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. She sighs deeply and rests her head on my chest.

“For starters, you have to start trusting me more.” Her finger trails up and down my arm.

“I know.” I kiss her head again. “I do trust you Jenna. With all my heart. That picture totally took me by surprise.” She nods. “I have no clue what that ass has against us being together, but I promise you, I won’t let anything happen to us again. I love you Jenna. Heart, body and soul, my entire being belongs to you.”

“I love you too.” She shifts on my lap and straddles me. “Please believe me when I say I had no idea what happened that night.” Her fingers make their way around my neck. She slowly plays with my hair. Her favorite thing to do. “I was way too far gone before we even got to the club. You know that.”

“I know you used before she picked you up that night. I only assumed you used some more before you went clubbing.” She nods in agreement. “The doc said your counts were so high, that you should have been dead.” I shiver remembering that God awful night. “That girl that put the pill in your drink, do you know her?” She shakes her head immediately.

“No. But I feel like I should. Not just because she drugged me, but she looks so familiar.”

“Yeah, that’s what Brennan says too.” I rest my head on hers. “I know you wouldn’t do anything with anyone. I truly am sorry Angel.” She nods against me. “I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I know I fucked up and doubted you without even giving you a chance. But I can guarantee one thing though.”

“What?” she whispers, her eyes are closed as she listens to me.

“Even though it didn’t happen today, and it may not happen tomorrow. I can guarantee you it will happen as soon as it can. I am going to marry you Jenna Lynn Munson. And there’s nothing anyone can do to get in the way us doing so. I want to do this the right way. I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you have everything you want in life. Because my life isn’t complete until yours is. I love you so fucking much Jenna, it hurts.”

Tears stream down her face. She scoots herself closer to me, our lips are so close. “I love you too Gabriel. We’ve gone through so much, and so recently too. I’m not sure what more could happen to us. The one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for you. The day you walked into my kitchen with your Doc Martin shoes and those faded ripped up jeans, I knew it was you all along.” She blushes. I can’t help but smile. Kissing her swiftly.

“You remember what I was wearing?”

“I remember everything about that moment, like it was yesterday. That’s the day you took the key to my heart.” The knot in my throat seems to have gotten bigger. I take her face in my hands and gently press my lips against hers. “I love you Gabriel.” She whispers against my lips before pressing them against mine again.

The overhead speakers sound off. It’s Robert. “We will be leaving in five minutes. Please buckle up until we are up in the air.”

Jenna and I aren’t ready to join the rest. I let her know that her father is planning on having some company going back with us, so we choose to buckle up on the couch that sits on the corner of the room. I hold her in my arms as the plane begins to taxi and I decide to sing a song to her as we go into the air. I do whatever I can to get her mind off of take offs. She absolutely hates going up and coming down from a plane. The cabin is quiet. I’m assuming Brennan fell asleep on my sister. Once we’re cleared to move around, we remain in each other’s arms on the couch just talking until we both fall asleep…

~~~

“Brennan Don’t” Ashley yells waking both Jenna and myself. “GABRIEL!” She yells. “HELP ME!” I’m up on my feet and out of the room before she can finish yelling.

“What the hell Ash…” Then I see it. Brennan is kneeling over someone. His fist is pulled back and before I have a moment to react, he’s thrown a punch. I run over quickly and pull him up. “Bren man, what the…” Oh shit. “What the fuck?” I yell and charge the body that’s scurrying away from us. “You fucking prick!” I lunge at him.

“Gabe Stop.” Jenna says running toward me. I land my fist to the side of his face before Jenna takes hold of it keeping me from swinging again. “GABE!” She screams. I stop immediately and look straight into her eyes.

“You fucking prick. I’ll kill you for what you’ve done to her.” Brennan yells. Ashley’s pulling him back with all her might. Suddenly, as if she seeing him for the first time, Jenna gasps. We all stop and stare.

“Justin?” She asks, pulling her hands over her mouth. “What? Why?” She asks.

“Jenna…I’m…” He says before she charges him. Her shoulder rams into his chest knocking them both down. She’s cursing more than I’ve ever heard her before.

“You fucking asshole.” She yells. “Why? Why did you do this to me?” She’s crying pounding on his chest frantically. All he can do is cover his face and protect himself as we all stand there frozen. Robert opens the door to the cockpit to see what’s going on. He swears a few choice words of his own before running and grabbing Jenna by her waist and pulling her off of Justin.

“What the hell is going on here?” He yells bringing Jenna to me. She’s shaking in her skin. I pull her into my arms to try to calm her. “I won’t ask again.” He demands in a fatherly tone.

“Why don’t you explain why he’s on the plane with us?” Brennan points to Justin and his crew.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about son. Do you want to tell me why I had to pull Jenna off of him though?”

“You seriously don’t fucking know who he is?” Jenna cries. Robert takes a step toward us and pulls Jenna into his arms.

“Princess, if I knew this was going to happen, then I wouldn’t have brought him on. No I have no clue who he is.” Just then, I pull out Jenna’s phone from my pocket and show him the pictures at the same time the front bathroom door opens and the girl in the picture steps out.