Page 44 of Truth or More Truth
Aunt Star clears her throat. “He talked to me about it.”
“He did?” Leslie asks her aunt with a slight frown.
“Yes. I called him after your mom told me about the breakup, and I got him to open up. He felt guilty talking to me about it instead of to you, but he didn’t want to bother you with yourwedding coming up. And I won’t break his confidence, but I will tell you not to worry. He’ll be okay.”
Tears glisten in Leslie’s eyes. “You sure?”
“Yes.” Aunt Star stands up and claps her hands together. “Now, let’s dry your tears so Beckett can get your makeup finished. It’s almost time!”
The wedding goes off without a hitch. Leslie looks radiant in her dress, which is fashioned after Scarlett O’Hara’s “curtain dress” inGone With the Wind.Our bridesmaid dresses are purple satin and of similar design, though the skirts aren’t nearly as full. I’m thankful for that, as it would be difficult to dance in a skirt as full as Leslie’s, and I fully intend to get my dance on at the reception.
Ash does cry when he says his vows, and he doesn’t seem ashamed by it, which makes me proud of him. Bobby catches my eye a few times throughout the ceremony, and I hold his gaze for longer than would’ve seemed appropriate two days ago but seems normal now.
As we make our way down the aisle after the ceremony, he whispers, “Don’t tell Leslie, but I much prefer the dress you wore last night.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I murmur. “And I can say the same about your clothes. The pastel paisley isn’t doing you any favors.”
His laugh is a low rumble, and when I glance up at him, his dimple is on full display.
“I’m losing the bowtie and cummerbund the second we finish taking pictures.”
“Wise move.”
eighteen
. . .
Ican’t keep my eyes off Melissa as she interacts with the wedding guests while they filter out of the church’s sanctuary. Although her dress is borderline hideous in my opinion, she wears it well. Her brunette waves are pulled up into what Kelli would call an up-do, and my gaze keeps falling to her bare neck. For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to a wedding reception, because it means I’ll be able to get my arms back around Melissa during the wedding party dance. I don’t know who I need to thank for pairing us up, but I’m grateful.
The photos take much longer than I think they should, but the photographer finally finishes up all the different poses Leslie requested, and we head down the street to the Oakville Community Center for the reception dinner and dance. Ash, Leslie, and the bridesmaids pile into cars for the five block trip, but the rest of us guys make the trek on foot, as the sun is out and it’s not overly cold today.
Diego sidles up to me and asks, “You hanging in there? Have you talked to Kelli today?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “I called this morning. There’s no change.”
“I’m sorry, man.”
“Yeah.” I contemplate whether to tell him about the near accident last night.
“You going to answer my first question?” he asks.
I sigh. “I’m OK.”
His eyes search my face. “You don’t seem like it.”
“I know. But I have to be OK. They need me to be.”
“No, they don’t. They may need you to be strong, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have feelings. You don’t have to be OK.”
“Yeah.”
“What else?”
“What else what?” I don’t look at him as we cross a street.
“There’s something else you’re not telling me.”
My gaze cuts to him. “How do you do that?”
