Page 137 of Under Your Scars
It’s Travis and Justin’s wedding day. We’re in California bright and early in the morning. Elena places a quick kiss to my cheek. “I love you, see you soon.”
She gathers her dress bag and I open the door to the venue for her so she can head into the suite where she and her brother will get ready for the day. She’s not technically a bridesmaid, but she’s been tasked with helping the four-year-old flower girl down the aisle.A cousin, if I remember correctly.
Despite having an early flight this morning, Elena is far too energetic for her own good. She’s elated that her brother is getting married, happily exclaiming that she loves weddings, and vows to steal at least fifteen favors.
It warms my stone-cold heart to see her so excited about something. It makes my chest tighten, because I know it means that what she’s gone through hasn’t stolen all her happiness.
I stand in the cool morning breeze and smoke outside of the venue.
“You and my husband are going to kill yourselves with those things.”
I turn around to see Bethany standing behind me with a warm smile on her face, masking something deep inside her that I can only describe as sorrow.
“We do share some bad habits,” I reply with a smirk. She moves to stand next to me, looking out over the lush green hills of the vineyard where the wedding is taking place.
“How’s Elena?” Bethany asks, her face falling slightly. “She never calls anymore.”
I sigh sympathetically. “She has good days and bad days. She told me she feels lonely, which is insane considering how loved she is, but I understand. She doesn’t want anyone to see her as weak.”
“Elena hasn’t been weak a day in her life. She’s got her father’s thick skull. She’ll endure anything if it means that people won’t see her differently.”
I scoff, the backs of my eyes burning. “I think I know that better than anyone. What happened to her is entirely my fault and she somehow thinks she’s done wrong by me.”
I probably shouldn’t have admitted that, but Bethany is a therapist, after all. She’s easy to talk to. She pats me on the shoulder. “I know it’s none of my business, but if I could offer you any advice about Ellie and this family, don’t try and come between her and Elliot. I don’t think you intend to, and I’m not making any accusations, but you and Elliot are so similar in your convictions. If either of you try to make her choose sides, both of you will lose her.”
I stare down at the woman next to me, trying to find any hint of untrustworthiness in her eyes. She has the same deep brown eyes as Elena that make her easy to read. She’s telling the truth.
“What makes you think she’d have to choose sides?” I ask. There’s hesitation in my voice that I’m not trying to mask. Elena means everything to me. If Bethany is saying there’s a chance I could lose her, she has my full attention.
“Because I know. About Thomas.”
My hands fall limp at my sides. “All of it?”
“All of it.”
I blow out the last remnants of smoke in my lungs. “I swear, I didn’t know when I met Elena that our families had a past.”
Bethany shrugs. “If you did or didn’t, it makes no difference to me. What matters is what’s in your heart, Christian. Elliot will take a grudge to the grave, but I have nothing against you. Elena loves you, and I can see in your eyes that you love her too. So long as you keep making her happy, you’re just as much a part of this family as any of us, and Elliot will have to make peace with that someday.”
Bethany rubs my arm once and then steps away to go back into the venue.
“Hey, Bethany?” I laugh nervously. “Need any last-minute help with the decorations? I could use something to do.”
Bethany taps her fingers together mischievously. “Boy, do I!” She pulls me by the arm and into the reception area, where she instructs me to finish hanging string lights.
And then set up the party favor table.
And then set the place cards.
And then the centerpieces.
And then. And then. And then.
I sit uncomfortably in my reserved seat of the ceremony space in the very front row, just two seats between myself and Elliot. I even tried to shake his hand when he came to sit, and he completely ignored me. Pretended he didn’t even see me. Glared right through me like I wasn’t even there.
Since when am I the reasonable one?
I continuously check my watch as if it will make time go faster, and no less than a minute before the ceremony starts, Bethany comes to put me out of my misery by taking a seat between Elliot and me.
