Chapter 2
815 Words
Wade
"Not bad mate, you still scrub up well."
Nate stands behind me, but I can see him in the mirror.
"Charming, and thank you for coming. It makes this bitter pill a bit easier to swallow, with my best mate by my side."
I tell him honestly, wanting him to know I appreciate him dropping everything to be out in the sticks watching me getting married. He's been my best friend since we were 7, we know all each others secrets, including a handshake we both pretend to have forgotten in front of people.
"America's made you soft and sissy."
Nate laughs.
"But I wouldn't have missed you big day, arranged or not."
He adds.
"Any advice, man ? have you done any digging any clue on the girl I have to spend the rest of my life with ?"
If anyone can come through with any information, it's him. That's what makes him such a good lawyer. Nothing gets past Nate.
"Oh man, don't do this. Please"
Nate looks away, and he sits in the seat opposite the bed. He knows something, and he's going to make me work for every bit of information.
"Name your price, anything, it's yours, Nate. Just tell me what you know. Please, I'm dying here."
Nate laughs at me.
"I've only seen you this nervous once."
"Ha, yeah."
I reply dryly, sitting on the bed, reminiscing.
Nate's sister, Ava, was approaching 17, and it was her leavers prom from her GCSE's. She and Penny were going together vowing in a single girls prom night.
The way Ava glided down the steps of my parents' house that led to the main hallway. She was definitely no longer a child, from her delicate jawline to her lagoon blue eyes and the way they sparkled from the shimmer of her pale blue glistening dress. Even that hugged her body. my breath caught in my chest. I was meant to be there for Penny, my little sister, but unless I'm shown a photo, I have no idea how she done her hair or what colour her dress was. But Ava is s vision burnt into my memory. I knew then that I loved her.
"You've got that look again."
Nate intrupts my happy thoughts.
"What look ?"
I snap at my best friend as I stand.
"When you're thinking about her."
Nate gives me a knowing look.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I turn from him and go into the bathroom for one final check of myself.
"You know. Ava ? as in MY sister."
Nate glances at me, barely containing his grin.
I rush out of the bathroom fixated on his boyish grin of knowing.
"What ? what do you know ?"
Nate glances at his watch.
"Never mind, we got to go."
He stands and holds out his hand.
"I'm not holding your hand, dude."
I stare blankly at him.
"Car keys idiot."
Nate shots.
Oh, thank god, I threw him the car keys, we've got a good hour ride to the wedding. I can break him.
The trip was spent in silence, Nate trying his darnest to keep hush.
Just as we reach the peddled driveway of the quint castle my parents hired for my wedding, Nate speaks.
"Speaking of Ava..."
"Is it her ?"
I jump in hardly containing myself.
Nate stops the car around the side into the castle car park and glances at me.
"She's getting married."
I feel all hope drain away from me. Well, I guess I remembered her promise more than she did. It's probably a good thing, knowing I'm about to wait for my fate to walk down the aisle to me. It's time to put childhood promises aside, I have to make this wedding work, if it ends in divorce, the company is forfeited to the board of directs and I'm not prepared to let them old vultures pick apart my family's company.
We step out of the car, and Nate throws me back my car keys.
"Oh and I made you this."
Nate declares, and he throws me another object. I catch in one hand and engraved silver hip flask. I stare across to Nate in appreciation, not knowing how to offer my gratitude.
"Drink quick before your parents see."
I don't even hesitate or stop to smell the darkness for I know we share a love of dark rum. As I start to drain the flask, I remember Nate and stop to offer him some, to which he shakes his own.
"Down the hatch."
I declare as we laugh.
"There you are. Come on you two, your mother's pacing thinking you've jetted off to the US."
My father yells from across the moat.
We round the car and Nate slaps my shoulder.
"Hurry now boys, she's nearly here."
Dad announces. Sharing a knowing look with Nate.
- Writer
