Page 94 of Bending Under Pressure

Mom has texted me. A few times, it seems.

Mom: Did you get there okay?

Mom: Please let me know you arrived.

Mom: You’re starting to worry me.

I quickly reply to her.

Me: Sorry, I didn’t see the text before the wedding. At the reception now. Her family didn’t even know I existed! I don’t know how long we’ll stay, but I want to stay long enough to see Dad. I can’t believe him.

A minute later, she responds.

Mom: What do you mean they didn’t know you existed? Let me know when y’all leave.

“I’m going to step outside and call my mom real quick, okay?” I say to Keelan.

“Do you want me to come with you? Do you want my jacket?”

“No, stay here with our seats. And yes, please.” He takes it off with ease and holds it so I can slip my arms into the sleeves. It’s too big, but warm from his body. “Thanks.” I lean over to kiss his cheek before making a beeline to a set of white doors that lead to the parking lot. I stop short as soon as I step outside. Across the lot, I can see the entrance to the church. Standing out front is the wedding party, waiting for their grand entrance, I guess. I would’ve thought they would wait in the lobby instead or somewhere else inside where it’s warm.

What makes me freeze though is seeing my dad. Tonya is to his right and Carly on this left. He’s smiling so big; I can easily tell from over here that he’s happy. He glances down at Carly as she says something. He laughs loud enough for it to ring out across the distance. My grandparents are out there with him. Shouldn’t I be there too? I’m still his family. Why didn’t my grandparents tell me? Something cold trickles down my cheek and I wipe at it.

Stupid tear.

I’ve done everything but run into Tonya and Carly’s arms. Why isn’t that enough? Swallowing hard, I turn to find Keelan. I can’t call Mom like this. She’d hear how upset I am and I don’t want to deal with it yet. I return my phone to his pocket and drape his jacket behind my chair since he’s rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” he asks, concern pulling his brows together.

“Yeah, I want to see my dad first.”

He nods and leaves it alone. A few minutes later, the wedding party is introduced. People clap and cheer, but I can’t bring myself to do it. This isn’t a happy day for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the day I officially lose my dad. I hate how he even tried when all he was going to do was go back to the way things have been since the divorce. He got my hopes up for no good reason. It would have been easier to deal with the pain and then move on instead of him making promises he had no intention of keeping. Continuing to get my hopes up and then letting me down was just cruel and I don’t know if I can forgive that.

The meal is served. Chatter is happening all throughout the room with the exception of Keelan and me. I poke at my food until they take it away. I focus on Keelan’s fingers trailing over my shoulder instead of the cake cutting and all the other stupid wedding traditions. Biting the inside of my cheek doesn’t do enough to distract me from seeing my dad dance with Carly when Tonya dances with her father. It’s stupid to keep thinking he’ll come find me eventually. He probably won’t. He probably doesn’t care.

I shouldn’t either.

The area deemed as the dance floor soon fills up as the music alternates from high tempo music to slow songs. Two hours into the reception, two hours of seeing my father go around and talk to people, and I’ve yet to have a conversation with him. But then, as he’s inching his way closer to this side of the room, I decide I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t want to face him and pretend he hasn’t hurt me or explode in fury and cause a scene. I turn in my seat toward Keelan.

The tune is soft and slow right now. It’s the perfect song for me to use being in Keelan’s arms as a distraction. Anything to stop thinking about my dad.

“Will you dance with me?” I ask quietly.

His eyes widen, his brows shooting upward. “Dance? Like dance dance? I don’t dance, Hales,” he finishes in apology.

“It’s easy. You sway in place, that’s it.” He seems skeptical that it’s so easy, and I want to laugh. “You get to hold me close,” I add, hoping that will be enough incentive.

“I don’t know,” he hedges, but that’s better than a no.

“Please? I can’t sit here anymore.”

Keelan takes a steady breath before nodding. “Okay, but just one.”

He stands and holds his hand out. I take it. He leads me to the edge where there are fewer people. As if we will need plenty of room. Keelan swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbling in his throat. He stands in front of me, unmoving. I giggle at his unease and seemingly dumbfounded expression. My arms lift to wrap around his neck. His arms automatically snake around me to hold me closer. I begin to sway as I rest my cheek on my arm to press my face into his neck.

“Thank you for coming with me,” I whisper.

“It doesn’t seem as if I can say no to you.”

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