Tuesday (Timeless Series #2) (26 page)

He covered his face again then slowly lowered his hands. He released a deep sigh before he spoke. “I cheated on Marie.”

What?

Holy shit.

Did he really just say that?

I stared at him blankly because I couldn’t believe it. He was head-over-heels for Marie. Why would he sneak around? “You cheated on her?”

He closed his eyes in shame. “Yeah.”

I leaned back in the chair and rested my chin on my knuckles, unable to believe this. This was the last thing I expected him to say.

“I can’t marry her. I don’t deserve her.”

I wish I could say otherwise but I couldn’t. A lot of things were forgivable but cheating wasn’t one of them. And I knew Marie wouldn’t turn her cheek and let it slide. I would judge her if she did. “You should have said something to her before…not waited until your wedding day.”

“I know.” He rubbed his temple. “I thought I could just forget about it and move on but…the guilt has been killing me. I hate myself, Hawke. I really do. I wish I could take it back.”

I do too.

“I’m not marrying her. I’m not going to even speak to her…because I don’t deserve to.”

This was how it ended? The couple I believed in most called it quits? Axel, a man I thought was madly in love, betrayed the one person he cared most about. It actually broke my heart a little bit. “What happened? Were you drunk?” That was the only scenario I could think of.

“Yeah…really drunk.”

It didn’t justify his behavior but at least it was better than him purposely having an affair. I didn’t know what to say so I sat there in silence.

Axel continued to rub his temple.

“Did you sleep with her just one time?”

“Sleep with her?” he asked. “I didn’t sleep with her.”

Both of my eyebrows shot up. “Come again?”

“I didn’t sleep with her.” He rested his hands on the desk.

“Then what did you do?”

“We made out for a few minutes. Then I realized how stupid I was being and I left.”

This changed everything. “So, you just kissed someone?”

“What do you mean
just
kissed someone?” he asked. “Cheating is cheating.”

“What else happened?” I asked. “When did this go down?”

“About two years ago.”

This was getting even more confusing. “Two years ago?”

“Yeah, it was when Marie and I were first getting together. We got into a bad fight and I stormed off and went to a bar. I was pissed at Marie so I did something really stupid.”

This changed everything. “When you guys first got together? Didn’t that take months to happen?”

“Yeah. We weren’t in a relationship but we were still seeing each other…I still fucked up.”

“Axel, hold on. You didn’t cheat on her.”

“I made out with some chick that wasn’t her,” he said with a deadpan voice. “Yes, it was cheating.”

“But she wasn’t even your girlfriend.”

“Not officially, no.”

“Then you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I still never told her about it.”

“And you think today is the best day to spill the beans?” I asked incredulously. “Marie wouldn’t leave you for that. It happened two years ago and you weren’t even together yet. You weren’t the same person then as you are now. Axel, it’s irrelevant.”

“Can I really marry her and never tell her?” he asked. “I don’t think I can.”

“You’re just going to ruin the day by telling her.”

“What if I marry her then tell her and she never forgives me?” he asked. “Wouldn’t that be worse?”

“Why tell her at all?” I asked. “She would forgive you if she knew. It’s not even worth talking about. It was so long ago.”

Axel shook his head slightly.

“Axel, don’t run out on Marie because of that. We all know you love her.”

“I do,” he said sadly.

“Then let’s get you ready for the ceremony.”

He didn’t move from his chair.

“Axel, come on.”

He bowed his head. “Hawke, I have to tell her. I don’t want this marriage to be her biggest regret.”

It wasn’t a good idea but it was the only way I could stop him from running. “Okay.”

***

Francesca opened the door wearing her deep purple bridesmaid dress. It was strapless and showed her toned and rounded shoulders. Her brown hair was in a pretty updo. She looked beautiful, to say the least.

She spotted Axel beside me. “Oh, thank god. You found him.”

“He was at the bakery.”

“Thank goodness.” She clutched her heart. “What are you guys doing here? You aren’t even dressed.”

“Is Marie here?” Axel’s voice came out broken.

“Yeah,” Francesca said. “She just put on her dress. Why?”

“I need to talk to her.” The tone of his voice implied it wasn’t good.

Francesca shut the door behind her. “Axel, you aren’t leaving her. You’re just being ridiculous right now—”

“I’m not leaving her,” he said quietly. “But I need to tell her something.”

Francesca turned to me for guidance.

I just nodded.

“Well, you can’t see her,” Francesca said. “She’s already in her gown.”

“I don’t need to see her,” Axel said. “She just needs to be able to hear me.”

“Okay…” Francesca couldn’t hide the panic in her eyes.

“Does she have a changing divider?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Francesca said.

“They can use that.” It was thin enough that they wouldn’t have to yell to be heard, but it was thick enough so they couldn’t see each other.

“Okay. Hold on.” Francesca walked back inside.

I turned to Axel. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

He nodded. “I have to. What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

“I wouldn’t have made out with some girl to begin with.”

He didn’t laugh.

When I thought about it, I knew I would do the same thing. I wouldn’t be able to lie to Francesca. “I would do the same thing.”

Axel didn’t gloat when I agreed with him.

“Okay, she’s ready.” Francesca opened the door and ushered us inside.

Axel slowly approached the tan and white changing divider, his hands in his pockets. He stopped in front of the wood and stared at it even though he couldn’t see Marie.

Francesca and I stayed near the door, able to see and hear everything.

“Axel?” Marie’s voice was full of emotion. Fear hung with every word. “You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said quietly. “I couldn’t let you marry me unless you knew the truth. For what it’s worth, I really do love you. I’ve never loved anyone so much in my entire life. I’m not the same man I used to be. You’ve made me into a better person, a better version of myself I never thought was possible. It’s because of you that I’m so happy. It’s because of you that I’m whole.”

Marie’s voice came out weak. “What is it?”

“I did something stupid. I wish I could take it back.”

Marie’s deep breathing echoed in the room.

“Two years ago, you and I got into that big fight at the house. You told me we shouldn’t see each other anymore, and I agreed…because I couldn’t give you what you deserved. I went out that night and got drunk then kissed some girl. I’m so sorry.”

Marie didn’t say anything for a long time. “Did you sleep with her?”

“No, I just kissed her. It went on for a few minutes before I realized what I was doing and left.”

Marie said nothing.

“Marie, I’m so sorry. I was stupid and reckless. I’ve felt guilty ever since and I knew I needed to tell you before you made a mistake. We both know I don’t deserve you. We both know you’re too good for me. If you don’t want to marry me anymore, I completely understand.” Axel breathed deeply then blinked his eyes like he was trying to fight the incoming tears. He was scared, and I’d never seen him scared before.

“Close your eyes.”

Axel stared at the ground. “What?”

“Close your eyes,” Marie repeated.

Axel continued to stare at nothing before he did as she asked.

“Are your eyes closed?” she whispered.

“Yes,” he answered.

Marie came around the divider, holding up the bottom of her gown. She looked like a princess covered in jewels. Her hair was in big curls, and her make up made her eyes look bigger than they really were.

Axel didn’t open his eyes.

Marie stopped in front of him and stared, emotion written all over her face. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth against his. She gave him a slow kiss, just using her lips.

Francesca didn’t look away like she normally would. She clutched her hands to her chest and tried not to cry.

Axel kissed her back but kept his hands to himself.

Marie pulled away, her arms still around his neck. “There’s no one else I’d rather spend forever with.”

Axel’s shoulders immediately relaxed and he released the breath he was holding. “You forgive me?”

“Axel, there’s nothing to forgive.” Her finger twirled a strand of his hair.

“I don’t agree.”

“It was a long time ago when we both didn’t know what we were doing. What we have now is so much different. I don’t care what you did then. All I care about is the man I know now.”

“Really?” he whispered.

“Really.”

“So, we’re still getting married?”

“I’m not giving you a choice in the matter.”

Axel smiled for the first time. “I love you, Marie. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

“I know you will.”

Axel pulled her into his chest and hugged her, his eyes closed the entire time. “I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle.”

“And I can’t wait to say I do.”

Axel held her for a long time, and the sadness finally drained from his face. He buried himself in her neck while his arms remained locked around her waist. It didn’t seem like he wanted to break their hold. And neither did she.

Francesca sniffed loudly from beside me.

I turned to her and saw tears fall down her cheeks.

She wiped them away quickly and tried to compose herself. “Sorry…they’re just so cute.”

I put my arm around her waist and pulled her against my chest. “I got a little teary-eyed too.”

“Did you really?” she asked.

“No,” I said with a chuckle. “But I almost did.”

Wedding Bells

Francesca

Hawke and I were the last couple to walk down the aisle before Marie. My arm hooked through his as he guided the way. Everyone stared at us, and as I passed Yaya, I saw her wipe her tears away.

Before Hawke released me at the end, he kissed me on the cheek.

I smiled then took my place.

Axel stood with his hands held in front of his waist. His face was indecipherable but his gaze was glued to the entryway where Marie would make her appearance.

The music changed and it was time for Marie to emerge. Wearing the beautiful dress that hardly anyone could afford, she walked down the aisle with her arm tucked under her father’s. She wore a flower headpiece with two ribbons that trailed down the back of her hair. The pink bouquet she held was alive with color.

She held herself with grace as she came closer to Axel. Everyone had their eyes glued on her, unable to believe such a beautiful bride existed.

I turned to Axel to see the expression on his face. Instead, I caught Hawke staring at me. He didn’t look at Marie at all. I managed to look away and see Axel’s face. His eyes were coated with moisture, but the tears didn’t fall. His chest rose with a heavy breath.

I smiled and returned my gaze to Marie.

Her father kissed her on the cheek before he finally let her go. Then she moved to Axel, her eyes just as wet as his.

They hadn’t even begun the ceremony, and I was in tears. Mom would be so proud of Axel for becoming such an honest man. He got me through the hard times, and now he was marrying the perfect woman. Dad would be proud too, and I knew they would both be here if they could.

I took a deep breath and stilled the tears. But like the ocean tide, they came back in full force. I kept my voice down so no one would hear the quiet sobs I made.

And I watched my brother get married.

***

After the dinner and speeches, Marie and Axel had their first dance as husband and wife. We gathered around and watched them move together on the floor. Axel looked into her eyes the entire time like he never wanted to look away. And Marie looked like the happiest girl in the world.

Hawke snaked his arm around my waist. “We saved the day.”

“Yeah, we did.” Axel deserved this moment. If he took off, Marie never would have forgiven him. I wouldn’t have forgiven him either. “Actually, you did. You were the one who talked some sense into him.”

“And if I had failed, you would have been the second line of defense.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “We both put them back together.”

I melted into his side and realized just how happy I was. I’d been happy several times throughout my life, but right now was the climax. My brother was dancing with his wife just feet away, and his new bride happened to be my best friend. And the love of my life, my soul mate, was right next to me. He stared at me just the way he used to, like a man desperately in love. It reminded me of the way Axel looked at Marie, but somehow stronger.

When their song ended, everyone else was invited to the dance floor. It was a slow song, and Hawke grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the center. “May I have this dance?”

“You can have all my dances.”

“Good answer.” He spun me around before he pulled me against his chest. Together, we moved. Hawke stared into my eyes without blinking. Sometimes, he glanced at my lips, and at other times, he looked deep into my eyes. He wanted the whole picture and all the parts at the same time.

Sometimes, I wasn’t sure if my life was real. It was too perfect to comprehend. The two years we’d been apart were unbearable. They were so difficult I couldn’t think straight. But the second we were reunited, all that pain went away. All that was left was joy. He was the missing piece of me, the part of my soul that lived outside my body.

And I knew he felt the same way.

One day, we would get our happily ever after. One day, he would get down on one knee and ask me to spend my life with him. It would be the happiest day of my life, and all other days would pale in comparison. But today was not that day.

Hopefully, it would be soon.