Page 21 of Ours
Ribs approached and it’s his carefree smile that makes me wipe the tears away. He looked uneasy for a minute. But I gave him a smile.
“So you two are moving fast.” Hudson said, taking the cap off his beer. And Ribs is just staring at Lacie, like she is the love of his life.
“Yeah, about that.” Ribs said, and he nervously glanced at Hudson, making Hudson give me a look, like he was about to be proved correctly and she was knocked up or something. “We’re getting married. And Hudson, I want you to be best man.”
I burst out laughing, and Hudson choked on his beer.
“Both of you guys have supported me during the relationship.” Ribs said blinded to the fact that Hudson was taking the news of standing up at the altar terribly. I was smirking so wide, then Lacie turned to me.
“And I want you to be Maid of Honour, Gabriella.” Lacie said to me.
Hudson gives me a smug look, like we were both suffering in the same boat now. And it’s my turn for dread to fill my stomach. I opened my mouth to argue, but the couple looked so happy, and really wanted us to be up there on their special day—I could tell. I think Hudson knew that too, which was why he hadn’t argued.
“We’d be honored.” I finally said and knew I would dread this day fully.
The couple then walked off to tell others the news and Hudson and I shared a look.
He leans forward, on the table, towards me. “Well isn’t that your nightmare wrapped in a bow.” He then takes a drink of his beer.
“How the hell am I meant to plan a bridal party for a woman I don’t know.” I said, and he smirked while nodding his head, and I pointed a finger at him. “This is all your fault.”
“My fault!”
I clicked my tongue, nodding my head. “You encouraged him at the lake that day, do what makes you happy Ribs.” I air quoted him.
“How was I meant to know that his happiness would cause us sorrow?” he snapped back at me.
I groaned. “Speeches. What the fuck do I say about her!”
Hudson’s expression was priceless because he was having the same problem as me, as he thought about speeches. “I don’t even ride for the same charter or chapter with the man!” He leans forward and locked eyes with me. “You got us into this, get us out.”
“Me!”
“You said, we’d be honored.” He air quoted me.
I rolled my eyes. “What was I meant to say?”
“Fuck no, go find someone that knows you?”
“I know Ribs!”
“Well you be his best man. I’ll sit out.” He then pushed himself slightly away from the table, and my hand goes over his, slamming his hand onto the table.
“Don’t you dare go and say no!” I hissed softly at him, but deadly, like a rattlesnake.
“Why should I do it?” He challenged me.
“For me.” I say with no shame. “If you don’t do it. I’ll be paired with someone else, who I have to dance with. So for my sake, and Ribs’s friendship, you’ll do it.”
He groaned, and swiped his hand away from mine, and got up. “I’m getting another beer.”
I held back my smile, that was basically him saying he was going to do it. I saw the women screaming when Lacie told them, and I saw Lacie show the ring, my eyes went down to my bare finger. I guess happy ever after isn’t for me. I was meant to be planning a wedding, instead I was looking at turning the life support off on the man I was meant to walk down the aisle too.
I knew I had to turn the machines off, but I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t ready to let him go.
* * *
I really should getthose clothes off the line, as I looked out the window, seeing the rain clouds getting closer. No. Surely it won’t rain yet. I sighed and rolled over on the bed. I had been struggling to keep my eyes open all day, after staying up so last night. And my eyelids were getting heavier.
