Broken Promises (20 page)

“Mari, you’re overdramatic. She’s smiled, and it was a gag gift.” He stops talking when he has the top of the box unsealed. The container is about as high as his waist, and square. He flips back the lid and only sees white packaging peanuts. He laughs, sifting through them. He suddenly pulls his hand out, swearing. There’s a gash on his palm, a thin line of blood.

“I sliced my hand. What the hell is in there? A chainsaw?” Derrick cradles his palm and squeezes it to stop the bleeding.

Katie looks pale, and the corners of her mouth are falling further. “I should go.” She grabs her coat and heads toward the door.

Derrick stops her before I can. “No, don’t leave. This was my fault. Stick around.”

Katie glances over at me, uneasy. Her chest rises and falls a little too quickly, and I wonder what she’s done, what’s in that box. Katie nods and puts her jacket down.

Trystan clears his throat. “Why don’t you cut it open? The box is really heavy anyway. We can pick up the Styrofoam after. And Katie always gets kickass presents. I can’t wait to see what it is.”

“She does. I love these.” I hold the stone up and smile at her.

Katie smiles back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Derrick pulls a knife out of his pocket and opens the blade. He carefully cuts the box and dances around it like a kid on Christmas morning. When the front two seams are cut, he holds the panel of the box in place. “All right, everyone ready for the big reveal?”

I clap and whistle. Trystan does the same, as Katie sits there quietly with an expression on her face that makes me nervous.

“Here we go!” Derrick drops the front of the box and the packaging peanuts flow out. Behind the cascade of plastic snow, there’s a shiny black thing with flecks of red—and the same phrase: η ψυχή μου είναι η ψυχή σου

Derrick’s face pinches as he kneels down to look at it. “What the fuck, Katie? Was it a buy one get one free sale?”

Trystan is looking over Derrick’s shoulder. “It’s a bloodstone, asshole. It’s not cheap.”

Derrick ignores Trystan and makes a face at me. I’m in awe and reach out to touch it. “Why did it cut Derrick’s hand?”

Katie swallows hard after watching me for a moment. “There’s a small knife in there. I heard about this tradition where you take a bloodstone, and the bride and groom both put a drop of blood on it. It’s like a talisman, and I added the engraving because, well, I assumed it was important.”

Derrick turns around and stares at her. “Why would you think that had anything to do with me?”

“Since when is your marriage just about you?” Katie makes a face, and I can tell she’s out of patience. “It should mean something to you because it’s important to Mari. It means so much to her she had it engraved on your wedding band. Why are you acting like such an asshole?”

He shakes his head and grips the sides with his hands. He’s yelling at her. “We didn’t pick out bands yet. What the hell are you talking about?”

“I saw it. Mari keeps it in her pocket. Oh my God, I’m sorry—I thought he knew.” Katie’s big eyes meet mine, and she has no idea what she’s done.

But Trystan knows. He figures it out quickly and speaks before I can tell the truth. “Katie, it’s okay. Derrick, Mari has your ring in her pocket. It’s been there for a while now. I guess she didn’t show you yet.”

I mouth Trystan’s name in a silent plea. He can’t do this. That ring was his. He can’t give it away.

Derrick softens and walks over to me. His head tips down and he catches my eye. “Really? You already have my wedding band? Can I see it?”

I pull Trystan’s ring out of my pocket and show it to him. Derrick takes it and sees the inscription. He smiles softly. “I had no idea you did this. It makes Katie’s weird presents make sense, a little bit.”

“They’re sentimental, asshole, not weird.” Katie is really upset. She walks over to me and apologizes. “I didn’t know he didn’t see it yet. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” I comfort my friend and stand next to my fiancé, watching my ex from across the room.

That ring was a promise that I would always be there for him. I shouldn’t have kept it. I should have given it back to him that night. Now Derrick thinks I bought it for him.

CHAPTER 33

MARI

I
’m at Katie’s apartment for the night. After we finished cleaning up at Dad’s, I took the little rocks and left the bloodstone behind. I want to tell her what happened, that the verse was something for Trystan, but she feels bad enough as it is.

Katie is folded into a ball in the chair again. She has her knees tucked under her chin, and she’s staring at me. “Did you know that for the first three months of a relationship, both parties fake who they are, one hundred percent?”

I’m on the couch. We’re eating popcorn and watching an old black and white Audrey Hepburn movie. I glance over at Katie. “I think I’ve heard that.”

“So you know at six months you start seeing parts of the person and at nine months, their full personality comes through—that around nine months you can actually see who the person really is. You know that already.” She rests her head on her knees and looks back at young Audrey with super long hair. “I love this movie.”

Roman Holiday was her debut film. It’s a great story, one of my favorites. “Me too. And yeah, I know that it takes time to get to know someone. Where are you going with this?”

Katie smacks her lips together a few times and then her face scrunches up. “I find it fascinating he hadn’t noticed your attachment to that verse. It’s equally strange the man claims not to even have a soul—those are made up—while his fiancée is convinced he’s her soul mate. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“No, I really don’t. Katie, let’s just watch the movie.” I shove another fistful of popcorn into my mouth, but I can feel her green eyes tearing a hole in my face. I groan and grab the remote. I press pause and yell at her. “What? What do you want me to say?”

“That the ring was for someone else. That you wrote that little poem for someone else, someone who likes old stuff, someone who appreciates poems, someone that would think Greek and rocks are cool! Someone that would understand why I spent a fortune buying you a big ass bloodstone!” She drops her feet to the floor and jumps up. Katie pads over to the couch and sits down hard next to me. “That ring was Trystan’s, wasn’t it?”

I’m going to be sick. “No.”

“You might as well tell me the truth because I’ll find out anyway.” Katie glares at me until I look at her. “I’m not doing this to be mean, Mari. I promise. It’s just that I know you and the man that I saw tonight isn’t the Derrick you fell in love with. That was an asshole frat boy who has no appreciation of sentiment, art, or anything. Trystan said Derrick wanted to have your engagement party catered by Hickory Farms! What the fuck, Mari? You seriously want to spend the rest of your life uncovering more of those types of gems?”

“Katie, he’s just nervous. Everyone gets nervous before a wedding.”

She opens her mouth, snaps it shut, licks her lips and shakes her head. “No. You know what? That’s bullshit. Seth and I weren’t nervous. I wanted to unbury who he was and learn things about him that I didn’t know. I wanted to find out how the real Seth was, and the more I found, the more I loved him. Sometimes the opposite occurs and as the dating façade is chipped away, you realize you don’t want to know the person underneath. That’s not bad. It just means you guys weren’t meant to be together.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I love Derrick.” I get up and storm into the kitchen. I don’t want to have this conversation, and if she pushes me toward Trystan, I’m going to bite her head off.

She follows me in her fluffy socks, nearly skating after me on the floor. “I didn’t say you didn’t. I just want you to consider what you saw, and what he said. Like with the wedding—are you really going to elope? I thought you wanted the dress and the church? I thought you wanted to walk down the aisle to Pachelbel. When did you change your mind?” She’s leaning against the counter as I dig through the cabinets looking for something I don’t need.

“It doesn't matter. It’s a party, and you know as well as I do that I hate being the center of attention. We talked about it, and I agree with him. We should elope.” I’m saying these things like I believe them. I come out from behind the cabinet door to find Katie with her arms folded over her chest and a frown on her face.

“When were you planning on telling me that I wasn’t invited? That you didn’t need a maid of honor? That there was no wedding?” She lifts her hands palms up. “Listen, I don’t want to fight with you, but you shouldn’t have to throw away your dreams, and the things you want because they don’t line up.”

“I didn’t! We’re having a big ass engagement party, the way I wanted and so, I thought it would be a dick move to insist on a huge wedding, especially since I don’t really want one. It’s not worth fighting over. I can still wear a white dress and my dad will be there—”

Her gaze meets mine, and I feel the weight between us. “But I won’t be there. I’m your best friend and I’m going to miss the most important day of your life because he wanted it to be family only and you said yes. And that’s okay, if I freakin’ believed it was what you wanted, but I don’t!” She throws up her hands over her head and storms away.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! I’m not you!” I follow her into the living room.

Katie stops before her bedroom door and turns around, breathing fire. “No, you’re not. You gave up on your dreams and walked away from your friends, but who am I to judge? Maybe I don’t know you that well after all.” She walks into her room and slams the door.

CHAPTER 34

MARI

I
want to fight back and tell her she’s wrong. It’s like she flipped the crazy switch and I can’t turn it off. The only thing to do is prove her wrong. She isn’t right about this. I grab my keys and coat, and head to Derrick’s house.

When I get there, I pull up to the duplex and notice his brother’s car and a car I don’t recognize. I get out and rush up the walkway. I ring the bell and when Derrick opens the door, I throw myself into his arms. I take his face in my hands and kiss him hard. He’s all too happy for the PDA and kisses me back, despite the protesting coming from behind us. Breathless, I pull away and ask, “Can I stay here tonight?”

“Yeah, baby. Anything you need.” Derrick puts his hand on the small of my back and walks me inside. His brother is there along with a woman I’ve never seen before.

She smiles at me warmly. “Is this Mari?” She said my name right, so they must have been talking about me.

I nod and extend my hand. “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“This is my mom. I invited her here for the engagement party.” Derrick puts his arm around his mother and kisses her on the cheek.

She’s about five-foot-six with reddish brown hair and big blue eyes. I see the resemblance between her and her sons. When she smiles, the corners of her lips pull up in the same way, and I can make out a shallow dimple behind the lines etched in her skin by time.

She swats away my hand and throws her arms around me. “You’re going to be my daughter-in-law! I think we’re past a handshake.” She kisses the side of my face and then steps back. “Let me look at you. Oh, you’re so beautiful. Derrick’s descriptions didn’t do you justice.” She smiles at me as she holds onto my shoulders. The woman has a killer grip.

I smile awkwardly and look at my fiancé. “Why haven't I seen a picture of her before?”

She releases me. “Oh, I don’t like pictures. I’m sure he has a few that he snuck, but there’s nothing formal. Not even a family picture. I always look like I’m having a colonoscopy.” She makes a face, and I laugh loudly.

Jared groans and covers his face. “Mom, you can’t talk about your colon with someone you just met. Mari will think you’re mental.”

She laughs it off. “If you can’t find the humor in life, you’re doing it wrong.” She swats a hand at her son and asks me, “Would you like some dinner? We were about to sit down.”

“Yes, thank you. Can I help you with anything?” I feel a little awkward, like I intruded on a family event to which I wasn’t invited. I tuck my hair behind my ear—old nervous habit—and force a smile. I hope it looks serene. When I’m nervous, my mouth pulls into weird expressions, and adding a smile just makes it more noticeable.

“I’ve got it covered. I’m sure you had a long day at work. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Derrick has told me so much about you.” The corners of her eyes wrinkle when she smiles. Her face is slim, and her skin has a weathered look. There’s something about her lips and the way they curve that makes me feel welcome. She seems sincerely glad to see me.

“I hope what he told you matches what you find.”

She waves a hand at me. There are no rings on her fingers. I wondered if she’d taken it off. Derrick said she never really got over his father. He died in a car wreck, and she'd brought up her two sons alone. “Oh, I’m sure it’ll be great. Sit and tell me about your job. It must be exciting. Did you always want to work in an emergency room?”

I pull out a kitchen chair and sit while his mom walks over to the counter and resumes chopping vegetables. I don’t want to explain Trystan or that little detour from my otherwise perfectly planned life, so I hedge. “It’s not really exciting, but it does keep me on my toes. I like a challenge. I’ve wanted to help people since I was a kid, and this has been a really great way to do it. Coming to the ER isn’t something anyone plans for and lots of life decisions are made there. It’s a turning point for many people, and I try to help in any way possible.”

“You sound like Derrick when he was a little boy. He’d come home from school with a new thought every week on what he wanted to do with his life, but it always revolved around helping people.” She looks over at her son, who is standing in the doorway. His arms are folded across his chest, and his body is stiff, tense.

“Awh, cute baby Derrick must have been adorable.”

“Oh, he was. He had great big ears and chubby cheeks.” She stops chopping and turns around. “I’ll pull out the baby books later, and you can look through some pictures.”