Page 30 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

The article was beyond hurtful. I’ve never seen Buzz Wheel be so harsh. Which makes me think the writer might be close to the Bailey clan.

“I kind of hope she’s forgotten it exists. Why do people have to dredge all that shit up again?” I sip my beer.

Easton puts the chicken on the table before clasping his beer between his hands. “Hey, I want to talk to you about it.”

I shake my head. Easton called me that morning after it happened and I hung up on him, then I didn’t talk to him for months. For Christmas, I stayed with my grandparents in New York and my mom and dad came out there. My mom cornered me on Christmas Eve, forcing me to tell her everything that had happened.

Of course, my mom got with Aunt Holly to discuss it, but Easton and I came home that summer and I forgave Easton as long as he agreed to never talk about it again.

“Just let it be. It’s in the past. She’s marrying someone else.”

Easton inhales loudly, downs his beer, and nods. “If that’s what you want.”

I nod but don’t look at him. “It is. Thank you.”

“All right then. Be stubborn.”

“I just don’t want any more details. It’s irrelevant anyway.”

“Because you don’t have feelings for her anymore?”

“Of course I don’t. I’m not a glutton for punishment.”

He coughs out, “Bullshit.”

Irritated, I stand with my beer and step through my patio door to my back deck. It’s getting colder each day, so I’m thankful I’m wearing a thick sweater with my jeans.

After a few moments, Easton joins me on the deck. “I just think this whole thing is crazy. You and Kenzie, man, you guys have a past that wasn’t ever resolved. You can’t help her plan this wedding. What are you going to do after she says I do and flies off to her tropical honeymoon?”

“I’m going to close the door to any future with Kenzie once and for all and actually look for someone I want to spend my life with. Someone I want to marry and have kids with. It’s already been too fucking long.”

“You’re not that old. Give yourself some time to get over her.”

“I am fucking over her!” I shout.

Easton stares at me. “You’re not, man.”

“I’m about done with everyone’s fucking opinion. This is my life and I’m old enough to make choices that affect it. I don’t need your approval, Brin’s approval, or my mom’s. So just forget it and let’s go somewhere.” I walk back inside and chug the rest of my beer.

“Where are we gonna go?” Easton asks. “It’s Sunday night.”

He has a point. Not many places are open on Sunday nights in this small town.

“Fuck.” Feeling defeated, my shoulders sag. “She arrived today. She’s in Lake Starlight.”

He slowly nods and purses his lips as though my outburst makes sense now. “You’ve been in the same city for years.”

A caustic laugh leaves my lips. “It’s different.”

We’re quiet for a few beats before he speaks again. “Shit, I just remembered. My mom is up my ass about having us do career day at the high school. I told her you’d do it, and I roped in Brinley and Van too. But she really wants Kenzie. Said it’s an area she doesn’t have anyone talking about yet. Thinks the kids would love to hear about the world of podcasting.”

Aunt Holly has long been the principal at the local high school.

“I’m sure she’ll run into Kenzie, so she can ask her herself.”

He tilts his head with an expression that says, “Don’t be a fucking idiot.”

“Fine, I’ll talk to her tomorrow when I meet with her,” I say.

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