Page 14 of Holiday Plus-One
His statement has me laughing so freely that I have to cover my mouth so that I don’t disturb anyone else. Vic gives me a look, probably wondering who the hell I’m talking to, and Tracie just has a blank look to her.
“You’re not right.” I finally answered.
“Fuck, your laugh is going to be addicting, isn’t it?” Riley asks and I don’t know whether I should answer yes or no.
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm.” Is all he offers me as I hear the bell of the door opening meaning someone just entered the shop.
My eyes go to the sound and Riley is standing there in comfortable clothing but nonetheless, looking sexy as the first time I saw him… which is not too long ago but it feels like I’ve known him all my life.
He hangs up the phone and I just watch him walk over.
“Thought you said you couldn’t make it.” Tracie gets his attention first and naturally, I wouldn’t mind but for some reason, I’m jealous that she’s stealing his attention.
“I wanted to look Valentina in the eye again.” He says honestly and hands me a bouquet of flowers that I didn’t even notice he had. “For you, Miss Myers.”
“You didn’t even try to hide that, did you?” Vic says.
“I’ve never been that type of person, now, why are you guys trying out cakes when you’ve already picked one?”
Both Tracie and Vic look like they’ve been caught doing something I already knew they were doing.
Vic is the first one to speak up.
“Valy…” he calls me. That’s the nickname forI’m guilty and I’m sorry.
“I already knew what you two were doing, Victor.” I shake my head.
“Look, we just thought it would be good and that we could make up for not including you in a lot of the things that we’re doing. We also wanted you to be part of the wedding, even if the wedding is three days away, we just know we fucked up, Valy. Let us make it up.”
My eyes darted from Tracie to Vic and back to Tracie.Was this her idea or was this my brother’s?
“No.”
“No?” Vic repeats.
“No. I can’t do that. You’re doing this out of pity and I’d rather it be genuine. You didn't care to include me before, don’t let it change now.”
“What? Tee, we did. We really did but you just never got back to us.”
“Got back to you?” I ask. “You told me you were getting married via the mail. The damn invitation. We barely talked.”
“You were going through a tough time, Tee, I wasn’t going to just shit on that. I’m not like that, you know I care about you and how you feel always comes first.”
I don’t know what made me more upset, the fact that he said he cared or that how I feel comes first. Hell, even using the fact that I lost Derek as an excuse to not be included, is bullshit.
“No, Victor, you don’t care because if you did, you wouldn’t be marrying the girl that bullied me for four years of High school. I’m not saying she hasn’t changed or hasn’t become a better person, I’m sure she has if she’s with you, but you don’t see it and you never will. The fact that you would even use what happened with Derek as an excuse then try to make it up to me, three days before your wedding, is insane.”
“It’s not an excuse, Tee. And what are you talking about marrying your bully?” He looks at Tracie. “You said you didn't know my sister like that in high school.”
“I, I, I didn’t.”
“You know what, go to hell and stay there, Tracie. Victor, you can follow her if you’d like since I’m an afterthought.”
Without thinking about anyone’s feelings, I stand and take my leave. Unfortunately, I don’t get far down the street as someone softly grabs my wrist.
“Hey, Hey, Valentina, hold on a second.” Riley’s voice puts me to a stop.
