Page 12 of More Trouble
Lyla’s excitement was contagious. Despite everything that had happened over the past couple of days with her and Maddox, I was happy for them. It was almost like old times, when we all used to hang out together. The only person missing was Willa. A vision of Wes and Scarlett’s wedding entered my head…Scarlett in a gorgeous white dress which flattered her growing baby bump, Wes in a black tux, me, Maddox and Jack in contrasting groomsmen suits, Lyla and Jack’s hot grid girl in bridesmaids’ dresses and Willa, as maid of honor. With her fiancé.Because of course she would have a fiancé. Why wouldn't she? I was the one who would be alone and bitter. And it was all my own fault.
“When do you think the wedding will be?” babbled Lyla. “Do you think they’ll have it before the baby is born? Ohmigod, do you think I’ll get to be a bridesmaid?”
“Why would I know all the answers, Lyla?” The vision I’d had dampened my mood.
She glared at me. “You thought you knew what was best for me and Maddox.”
“And look how it turned out. You got your own way.”
“He’s your best friend, I’m your sister. You should behappyfor us. You should be happy that I’ve found someone who loves me the way Maddox does.”
Lyla absolutely nailed it. She was right. I should be happy for them both and I was. Honestly, I was.
I let out a frustrated sigh. Today really did suck. I would be glad to see the back of it. It didn’t help I felt jealous of Wes and Scarlett. Although I pretended not to care and tried to be content with my love life, their closeness and ultimate trust in each other was what I wanted. Not the constant churn of the dating scene. I was ready to settle down. But I wasn’t ready to settle.
“Iamhappy for you, Lyla. And I am sorry for hitting Maddox and blowing up like I did too. You must know how protective I can be over you. I needed to make sure he was going to treat you right.”
Impulsively, Lyla threw her arms around me. We hadn’t always been the most tactile of siblings, so her sudden rush of emotion threw me.
“He will, Dre. If he doesn’t, I’ll hit him myself.” She laughed as she drew back. “Now shut up and leave me alone. I need my beauty sleep.”
“Night, sis.” I slid off the bed and went to my own room.
It was in darkness and I didn’t bother to switch on the light, choosing instead to lie on my bed and listen to the rain coming down.
While I was so happy for Wes and Scarlett, part of me felt empty. The part of my heart Willa existed in. Even after all these years, I still held a torch for her. Still wanted her. I’d been such an idiot with Jessy and Jenika. Seeing Jessy again today brought it all back. How I’d ruined the best thing to have ever happened to me. Sure, we were young, but so were Wes and Scarlett. Now look how they had turned out. I hoped Willa had heard the news from Scarlett. Maybe she still had the same number and I could message her to find out. It was saved in my phone. I hadn’t been able to delete it. Even if she had, I doubt she would have kept mine. If I contacted her, I guessed I’d come up as an unknown number and she’d delete any message I sent her as soon as she saw it. She probably wouldn’t even read it.
I stared blankly up at the ceiling.
It was a mess I’d made six years ago and now it was coming back to haunt me.
I had no idea how to fix it.
