Page 12 of This Much Is True
“She got married today. Everyone in the world knows that. Even I’m not dense enough to believe that one. Now, do you have anything you actually want to say? Or can I go back to texting Tabitha a sob story that I’m making on the fly because I don’t want to bartend tonight, but I’m also incapable of telling herno?”
I work my neck back and forth. Somehow, sharing this with Gavin—even though he’s being a dick about it—relieves some of the energy bubbling in my stomach.
“Luke?”
“Have you checked the news in the last hour or so? I mean, I haven’t, but I imagine you won’t be able to turn on the television or go online without seeing a headline about Laina Kelley being a runaway bride.”
He pauses. The sound changes like he’s put me on speakerphone. Another few beats pass before he gasps. “You’re shitting me.”
“Believe it or not, this is one thing I wouldn’t joke about.”
“Okay, let me get this straight. Laina came all the way from Los Angeles with half of Hollywood in tow to get married to the biggest star of our generation. But she bails at the last minute and has gonemissing in action,according to the media. And somehow, she winds up inyourhouse?”
“You got it.”
He’s silent for a few moments, and I can picture him scrolling through his phone to check the headlines.
“Tell me you didn’t do anything to cause this,” he says warily. “Because a ton of shit is floating around online already with all kinds of speculation.”
“The fact you think I would break up a wedding is insulting.But, the fact that you think I’m capable of convincing Laina not to marry Tom Waverly …” I’m smug. “Very flattering. Thank you.”
The sound bobbles again. This time, the roar of his engine cuts through the line, then ceases before he returns.
“Just got home,” he says, a door screeching in the background. “Now, fill me in. What the hell is going on? Have you been talking to her? Have you seen her lately—besides now, obviously? How have you been able to keep this from me?”
I laugh. “I haven’t.”
“You haven’t what?”
“I haven’t been talking to her. I haven’t seen her. I haven’t kept shit from you. Cotton called me this morning to shoe one of his horses. Did that, came home, and found Laina sitting on the couch in her wedding gown.”
“What did she say?”
“She hasn’t said much, but I haven’t pushed her. I asked why she walked out once, and she gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look, so I changed the subject. It’s not really important now.”
“No, you’re right. Is she okay?”
I take a deep breath and try to settle the whisper of anxiety breezing around my insides.
Gavin’s question and vague insinuation make sense. After all, he knows her. They were once close, too. Our whole family was close to Laina. She might be fun-loving and spontaneous, but she’s not the kind of person to leave her fiancé at the altar. Something big must have happened. I just hope that big event was realizing she wasn’t happy and not something … darker.
My shoulders tense as I push the thought out of my mind. For now.
“She seems fine,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “A little frazzled. But, you know, if she wasn’t sitting in this giant wedding dress, it could’ve easily just been a normal afternoon.” I laugh at the bizarreness of it all. “Well, as normal as finding your ex-girlfriend who’s now a huge pop star in your house on her wedding day.”
I pace again, unable to stand still.
“Hey, Luke. Areyouokay?”
“Of course, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Gavin’s voice lowers. “Because the one who got away is suddenly back, and I know you weren’t expecting it.”
I sigh and stop moving, my heart pounding. I’m not sure what to say. He'll know I'm lying if I try to say it’s no big deal. But how do I answer that?
Laina is, without a doubt, the love of my fucking life.
She’s unlike any woman I’ve met—a perfect ten in every way. She’s gorgeous and beautiful, talented and hilarious. Sweet but a spitfire. Predictable yet mischievous. Laina is headstrong and determined, too, but none of those qualities are what I love most about her.
