The Fall

Chapter 12

Zoe- Present Day

It had been four days since I last talked to Kamden, and there it was, a little red bubble notification on my messenger app. I stared at it, refusing to open it, the weight of my sister's wedding invitation heavy on my mind all week. Flowers had arrived at my doorstep earlier in the morning, just before I was meeting the girls for our yoga session. Like the previous ones, these were stunning, with no note to provide a clue about the sender. It was driving me nuts, trying to figure out if they were related to my sister or something entirely different.

Jenna, always the voice of reason, suggested that they might be from a secret admirer. A neighbor, a single dad from the school pickup line – I honestly hadn't even considered that possibility. Because you are too focused on your psycho sister, instead of getting laid. You are not wrong.

She was right, though. It was clear that I needed to see my sister, to show my support and have my say. I wanted to give her a chance to apologize, but if she didn't, well, then screw her. With that sentiment in mind, I had RSVP'd to the wedding. I even marked it as "plus one," even though I had no idea who I would take. All I knew was that I couldn't go alone. I need a buffer and an accomplice if I kill anyone. Murder is always a solid backup plan.

Jenna leaned in, her expression earnest. "I'm not gonna press you, but you've told me countless times that you'd plan a vacation for yourself. You encouraged me to go when I felt guilty for taking time away from Ollie. Hell, you watched Oliver for an entire week during my honeymoon, and you watch him once every few months for our couples' weekends. You've even taken my kid with you on vacation, but not once have you ever allowed yourself the same courtesy." Jenna is right. I think I might be using Easton as a bit of an excuse to not go.

“I know,” I sigh. Easton just turned six and I’ve never spent a night away from him. I feel like that is pretty normal but I have been reading a lot about how healthy it is to have time alone. Models healthy self-care habits. You are just saying that because you want to run with a pack and present. Guilty as charged.

“You have never once gone anywhere without him. And seriously, he is resilient and will be totally fine.” Joyce chimes in.

I know those things, I just guess because he only has one parent and I already feel guilty for the amount of time I work, that I don’t know. I feel guilty. Stop.

“If you leave Easton with Brock, Oliver, and me for a weekend, he would be overjoyed. A long sleepover. I think you should go. Maybe find some answers about your sister. Get Kamden to apologize and just have a good time, you don’t have to stay there all three nights, if it's too much, leave. You aren’t 17 anymore. You are a strong, independent woman.”

“What wait, I need to be caught up. I thought we were talking about the wedding. I don’t know this story. Cliffnote version please.” Joyce chimes in.

“Zoe has an evil twin sister. Right before she took off for college she slept with her boyfriend and drained her bank account. Zoe blew that popsicle stand and never saw the town or her sister again. But as you know her sister sent her an invite to the wedding.”

“Yes and now she is getting random flowers, which correspond with the invitation.” Joyce piecing together the timeline.

“Yes. So detective Zo was on the case, she made a f*******: profile as past Zoe to try to find answers and her evil sisters' ex-boyfriend, Kamden reached out to her on f*******: and invited her to a party. I am encouraging her to go.”

“What kind of party?”

“Her old friends from high school throw this big summer kick-off party, it is like a hick town's version of Bonnaroo. Anyway, she got pregnant with Easton the last time she went to one.”

“Oh s**t, is it like an orgy?”Jenna cackles at Joyce’s response.

“It’s not an orgy. It is a festival.” I try to interrupt their giggles but it's worthless, I let the two of them laugh until they snort and both are sighing.

“Is this the first year anyone invited you back?” Joyce asks curiously.

“I mean, I sort of disappeared and changed my name when I left. I’ve never been on social media or had access to those people.”

“Why wouldn’t you want to go? Like are you worried about your sister being there? Or just bad memories of the town.”

“I mean yeah, bad memories. But more so Easton’s father.”

“Do you know if he will be there? Or your sister?”

“I don’t know. I guess I could ask.”

“My vote is you ask Kamden if those two will be in attendance, if not. Go knock boots with some hillbillies. Visit your old stomping grounds.”

“Just because it is Tennessee, doesn’t mean they are all hillbillies.”Jenna hums as she takes another sip of her tea.

“I’m with Joyce, you should go, have fun. If you are uncomfortable. Leave. No one knows Easton exists right, you don’t have to tell anymore. I think the way you’ve been fixated on your sister's wedding invite the past week, you have some questions. If this could help you find answers, you should definitely go.”

With my two besties' support and encouragement, I decided to open the messenger app.

Kamden: I just wanted to say it was really great talking with you last night. Hope you have a great day.

He wrote that the morning after we talked. He seems nice. He isn’t in many of your memories.

He really was more on the outskirts of my life. When we first moved to Aurora Falls, he was one of the first to approach my sister and me. He was the first person there to really extend a kindness our way, he gave us a tour on the first day of school and paid for my lunch. But they quickly got swept up in their romance and I hardly ever interacted with him after that.

Kamden: I thought you said you have the month off? :ghost emoji:

His second message was only 48 hours after we talked. Did I ghost him? Not really, I saw the message and I was just scared. Why? Because you hate wolves, something we should probably talk about. My wolf clears her throat in an accusatory manner.

Kamden: Seriously, I didn’t mean to overstep by inviting you to Solstice.

Oof. Now I got him second-guessing himself and feeling insecure. My bad. He sent that this morning.

Zoe: Do people normally check these things daily? I’ve never done social media before.

Zoe: I wanted to ask about Solstice since you were doing invites. My sister isn’t invited, right?

I see him responding almost immediately and I am thankful that I don’t have to wait, I’m already nervous and I fear this temporary courage spun from my two besties pushing me towards adult alone time is about to evaporate.

Kamden: Nope. I asked my mom about her, she lives in Pennsylvania. But my mom doesn't know anything about her engagement or the guy she is marrying. I did however mention talking to you and that I invited you. She opened her home to you and said she refused to let you sleep in a hotel or tent if you came. Mom is really excited.

Zoe: I am thinking about coming. I just don’t really want any awkward run-ins.

Kamden: Any wolves you want me to cross off the invite list?

Zoe: Is Eero Montague going?

Kamden: No, we only invited that fucker one time.

Zoe: Then yeah, I’ll probably come. I will be flying in, probably into Knoxville. I may take your mom up on the room.

I type that but I know I won’t. The first thing I do is look for flights, then hotels. I book a rental car and plan a trip in thirty minutes. A whole weekend trip away, my first. Summer Solstice this year is actually on Wednesday and my birthday lands on Friday. I am arriving on Friday, hotel check-in is at 4.

“Dude, I’ve never seen you grin like that.” Jenna eyes Joyce, looking for confirmation.

“Zoe is gonna get all the dick.” Joyce sing songs. “Do you wear festival stuff? What's the dress code?”

“It’s Tennessee, cowboy boots and wife beaters.” Jenna teases. I hadn’t thought about that. I need cute outfits. My closet and style have evolved since I was in high school but not by much. I have three looks: mom, nurse, and slut. “I don’t know if I own casual clothes?”

Zoe: So the pack doesn’t care what day of the week solstice actually is on? Do they keep events to the weekend?

Kamden: We still do stuff on the night of solstice but the summer celebration is more about getting together with the community, the mate meet up. Most people do their own private offerings and ceremony the night of. The weekend is just to relax.

Zoe: I could definitely use a weekend to relax.

Kamden: I can help with that. :wink:

“Is it wrong to flirt with my sister’s ex-boyfriend?” I ask, my wolf shouting No! Before I have the sentence fully out.

“No!” Jenna and Joyce echo in tandem.

Joyce jumped to her feet, letting out a squeal of excitement as she practically dragged me along with her. "Girl, let's go to my closet."

Joyce and I were similar in height, but our body types couldn't have been more different. She had more of a pear-shaped figure, while I had a naturally athletic build. My thighs weren't as shapely, and my butt wasn't as full. In a world where fuller derrieres seemed to be the trend, mine was just okay, pretty average. However, I often received compliments from both men and women, who said they'd kill for my figure. I considered myself well-proportioned, with a toned waist and decent curves, not to mention nice breasts. After borrowing a few pieces from Joyce's wardrobe, I headed to pick up Easton from school. It was his last day before summer break, and I couldn't wait to spend more time with my adorable son.

“Momma Momma, is this weekend I camp out with Ollie?” I had talked to Easton about possibly having a sleepover weekend with Oliver. Now, before waiting for confirmation, he is already counting down the days.

“Bubba, one week from today, next Friday,” I say getting him strapped into his car seat. His excitement is contagious as he tells me all the things they have been planning. Tents in the living room, breakfast for dinner, popcorn fight, laser tag, something about bubbles in the sprinkler. I smile while he radiates excitement.