Page 28 of Reckless Flames

“Ben, no matter what happens, I want you to know...” her voice trailed off, heavy with emotion.

I squeezed her hand, the connection between us a lifeline in the chaos. “I know, Sophie. We’ll get through this together somehow.”

Chapter seventeen

Sophie

The tension in the air was almost tangible as I sat down with my family, the topic of wedding preparations looming over us. The room was filled with a mix of anticipation and stress, a typical backdrop for any family event, but now tinged with the added strain of my recent absence and the complex situation with Ben.

“Madi, I really am sorry about missing the other day,” I started, hoping to cut through the tension with a sincere apology.

She looked at me, her expression a mix of frustration and understanding. “I get that things have been…complicated for you, Soph. But this is my wedding we’re talking about. I need you.”

The guilt was a knot in my stomach. “I know, and I feel terrible about it. I promise I’ll make it up to you. Whatever you need, I’m here now.”

Dad chimed in, his tone more concerned than accusatory. “It's not just the wedding, Sophie. We’ve all noticed you’ve been…distracted lately. Is everything okay with you and Ben?”

The mention of Ben’s name sent a jolt through me, the complex web of emotions and the current situation making it difficult to navigate my response. “Ben’s been great, actually. He’s been a huge support with...everything going on.”

Mum gave me a knowing look, the kind that said she saw right through the façade. “It’s more than that, though, isn’t it? We can all see how close you two have become. We just want to make sure you’re not losing yourself in this...whatever it is.”

The concern in her voice was a stark reminder of the impact my relationship with Ben had on the family dynamics. It wasn’t just about me; my actions reverberated through the family, affecting everyone in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated.

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “I know it might seem like I’m...caught up in all this with Ben, but I haven’t forgotten about what’s important. Family, the wedding... I really want to do as much as I can.”

Madi softened a bit, her earlier irritation giving way to a tired resignation. “We just miss you, Soph. It feels like we’ve hardly seen you since you got back.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Madi’s gaze on me, the room suddenly too small, the air too thick. “Look, I know I’ve been...distant. It’s not an excuse, but everything with the stalker has been overwhelming.”

Madi leaned back, the hardness in her eyes softening slightly. “I get that, Soph. It’s just, you’re here, but it’s like you’re not, you know?”

Her words struck a chord, and I nodded, the guilt gnawing at me. “I do know, and I’m sorry. Truly. I want to make it up to you, to everyone. What can I do?”

There was a pause, a heavy silence that filled the room before Madi finally spoke. “Just be here, with us. Really here. Mom and Dad, they worry, you know? And with the wedding...”

“I will be, Madi. I’m here now, aren’t I?” I tried to lighten the mood, a weak smile on my lips. “What’s next on the wedding prep list? I’m all in.”

Madi’s lips twitched in a reluctant smile, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Well, we could use your eye for some decorations. And maybe don’t turn down Mom’s next dinner invitation?"

I chuckled, the sound a bit hollow but genuine. “Deal. No more missed dinners. And I’ll make sure those decorations are the best this town’s ever seen.”

As we continued to chat, laying out plans for the coming weeks and divvying up tasks, the heaviness that had settled over my heart began to lift. There was laughter, a few shared memories that brought smiles to our faces, and a sense of camaraderie that I’d missed more than I’d realized.

By the time we wrapped up, the list of to-dos for the wedding seemed less daunting, and the rift that had begun to widen between me and my family felt narrower. I stood up, feeling lighter, the resolve to be present, to truly engage with my family, firm in my mind.

“I mean it, Madi. I’m going to be more involved. You won’t have to miss me anymore,” I said.

Madi stood too, her smile warm and genuine. “I’ll hold you to that, Soph. We all will.”

The next day was supposed to be a fun, bonding day—to play with hair and makeup and choose our looks for the wedding. The salon was buzzing with excitement, a flurry of activity centered around Madi and her bridal party. The air was heavy with the scent of hairspray and the sound of laughter, a soundtrack to the joyous chaos of our group. Yet, even in the middle of this whirlof activity, I felt strangely detached, an outsider looking in on a scene I should have been an integral part of.

As I sat in the corner, waiting for my turn, the conversations around me seemed to flow like a river I couldn’t quite wade into. Talk of shared memories, of inside jokes and past adventures, swirled around me, each story a reminder of the distance that had grown between me and the rest of the group.

I tried to insert myself into the dialogue, to laugh along and contribute, but my attempts felt hollow, the connections frayed by my recent preoccupations and the time spent away from these familiar faces.

“It’s going to be such a beautiful wedding,” one of the bridesmaids gushed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Madi beamed, radiant and utterly in her element. “I just want everything to be perfect. It’s all coming together, isn’t it?”

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