Love Me Back (38 page)

“No, we should have already left.  This is Lindsey’s day, she doesn’t need the stress of us being late.”  My mom bosses to me. Once I am making my way upstairs I hear her talk to Ian.  “Now Ian, Mitch will bring you to the church, is that ok?”

“Of course Mrs. Basso.”  Ian agrees.

“Great, I can’t believe my son is going to become a husband today.  How exciting.”  Her voice raising a couple pitches.

A half hour later my mom and I walk through the salon doors.  It is the only beauty shop in town so Lindsey and her bridal party are the only clients this morning.  I sense after us there will be some guests coming in as well. 

Caroline and three other bridesmaids are already getting their hair thrown up in different hairdos.  Lindsey’s blond hair is in a mess of large curlers and she sits in front of the make-up stand. 

“I swear Maddy late again, you are lucky it’s my wedding day and nothing will get me mad today.”  Lindsey happily speaks while the lady puts foundation across her face.

“Sorry Linds.”  I genuinely say going over to give her a quick hug around her shoulders from the back.

“It’s ok.  Like I said nothing will get me down today.  I will be Mrs. Jack Jennings in a few hours.”  She smiles and the make-up lady tells her not to until she is finished. 

“And my sister.”  I chime in.

“And my daughter.”  My mom adds. 

“I can’t wait.”  Lindsey smiles but immediately stops smirking up to us that she doesn’t want to get yelled at again by the make-up lady.

An hour later I am sitting in the chair while Diana, the owner puts my hair up in a tight ponytail and curls small pieces of my brown hair tucking them under.  When it is all done I have about thirty bobbie pins and a can of hairspray in my hair but it looks absolutely gorgeous.

When I get to the make-up station I am the last girl to finish while Lindsey’s hair is finishing up.  I should have known Caroline would pick a time when no one is around and I am locked into a position to confront me.

“So, you told me he was available?” She brings a chair up next to me and Bridgett, the girl applying my make-up peeks through the corner of her eyes at her.

“He is.”  I respond looking at her through the mirror.  To be honest she is stunning.  Her red hair is pulled in a bunch of twists and turns pinned tight and then it flows into large curls as it hangs down in a cascade of waves.  Her plum eyeliner and mascara makes her green eyes stand out.  I can’t remember which color dress she is wearing but I imagine none of the guys will be able to take their eyes off of her. 

“Listen, I know what you are doing Madeline.  You can’t have them both.”  She snickers at me.

“Not that it is any of your business but I don’t have either one of them.  They are both single and available.”  I snap back making Bridgett stop applying my eyeliner.

“That’s not what Gabe says.  He told me he is seeing someone and I see the way he is always looking at you and last night…” she continues to go on and I really don’t want this to escalate.  I have already caught Lindsey peeking our way a couple times.

“Caroline, if Gabe is seeing someone then I didn’t know about it.  I apologize for misspeaking but last night was just my brother’s friend looking out for someone he views as a sister.”  I calmly speak back to her trying to make her go away.

“Keep telling yourself that Maddy.  I honestly don’t know what is so damn special about you.  Those boys might be single but they definitely aren’t available.”  She turns on her heels stomping away from me.

“What was that all about?”  Bridgett whispers to me after she leaves.

“She wants Gabe Basso.”  I give away.

“Ohh…well can’t blame her there.  Before he moved away he was Belcrest’s most eligible, to Trent of course.”  Bridgett smiles up to me signaling she knows all about the Basso brothers and me.  

I grin at her through the mirror and then close my eyes allowing her access to my eyelids.  One more day and I will back in my safe haven New York.

When the limo takes us to the church, we file in through a back door, as Doug makes sure Jack is securely hidden in the Sunday school room.  I find my emerald green dress hanging among the rainbow of others so I grab it and make my way to the changing room.  My mom and I have to be down for pictures and then make our way back up here for pictures with Lindsey.  I have a feeling by the end of the day my feet are going to need a massage. 
Gabe gave the best foot massages.

I hear the boys laughing and joking as my heels click down the steps.  I stop at the end of the stairway my hand on the railing.  Closing my eyes I take a deep breath telling myself again I can do this.  Jack and Lindsey, I rant to myself over and over again.  Like taking a plunge into a cold pool my feet hit the floor and turn the corner.  Those blue eyes find me immediately as though he was waiting for me. 

Gabe is the most handsome man in casual clothes but in a tuxedo he is downright breathtaking.  I see his vest is yellow which means he won’t be standing up with me.  I twinge at the thought of him dancing with someone else. 

“Hey Maddy.”  Trent comes along side of me breaking my gaze from Gabe.

“Hey Trent.  How are you feeling?”  I turn my lips up in a grin.

“Better after about a gallon of water.” He smiles back to me.

“That’s good.  I guess I better get going to the pictures.”  I step away seeing my mom posing with Jack.

“Yeah…don’t want to delay the ceremony.”  His hands are in his pockets as he rolls back on his heels.

“See you later.”  I say making note that his vest is orange.  I should have known Jack and Lindsey would know not to stand me up with Gabe or Trent.

“Maddy.”  Trent calls out to me after my back is turned.

I turn around questioning what he wants.

“You look beautiful.  Save me a dance, ok?”  He raises his eyebrows in question.

“Of course.”  I answer.

Twenty minutes later we are done with our side of the family photos.  The groomsmen are sitting around the pews waiting for their turn.  A smile forms on my face watching the three Basso brothers joking around like they used to reconfirms to me that I made the right choice. I find Gabe’s eye on me every so often but he never approaches me and when my eyes meet his he turns away. 

My stomach seems to be in a constant ache feeling like I could throw up at any time.  I need this day to be over and quick.  I am happy to report back to Lindsey’s peaceful bride room.  The girls are scrambling to get their dresses and shoes on when Lindsey steps out in her Princess gown. All the ohhhs and ahhhs from everyone in the room make her slightly blush.  She is strikingly beautiful. 

During the pictures Lindsey’s smile never falters.  Her genuine anticipation of marrying my brother is evident to anyone around.  I am not a true believer in marriage but my gut confirms that Jack and Lindsey are the lucky few to find the one they will spend the rest of their life loving.  Suddenly I am filled with envy.

The bridal party leads the way for Lindsey down the steps to the ceremony.  We double check making sure no one is lingering in the foyer with Lindsey hiding by the staircase so no one can see her through the windows. 

The music starts and the groomsmen walk up lining the door waiting for their color-coordinated bridesmaid.  Lindsey’s cousin steps up to Trent matching his orange vest and a small blond that is Lindsey’s high school friend slides along Gabe’s side in yellow sliding her arm through his I see him smile down at her in turn my face frowns.  Finally walking to the second from the back of the line I see my match and to say I am disappointed is an understatement. 

“Man do I owe Jack.  May I escort you Ms. Jennings?”  Shawn Edwards offers me his arm.

“What did I do to my brother to deserve this?”  I joke.  Lindsey and Jack matched me with the right person.  Conversation wouldn’t be an issue with Shawn and it wouldn’t cause any drama.

“You must have done something really awesome.”  Shawn winks at me.  The entire bridal party stares at us informing us we need to stop talking.  I’m not immune to the fact Trent and Gabe faces stayed turned my way longer than the others.

“Seriously, I just don’t get it.”  Caroline sneers behind us.  Since she is the maid of honor she is walking down the aisle herself. 

“What?”  Shawn turns to her seriously asking.

“What is so fucking great about her?”  She nods her head my way. 

Shawn looks over at me shocked that she would say that and then I remember why I secretly love him.  “Because she’s fucking awesome as hell and has a sweet little body to boot.”   He turns around winking at me from the corner of his eye.  My smile is automatic back to him as my hero from the evil red head.

Soon all the couples start their march down the aisle and it’s mine and Shawn’s turn.  “Let’s do this.”  Shawn squeezes my hand through this arm with his free hand and we both look at each other nodding our heads.

I walk down the aisle seeing friends and family to the right of Shawn.  I return their smiles then glance up at Jack.  His lips are spread open wide from side to side.  I don’t know if I have ever seen him this happy.  He winks at me with a smirk across his lips.  As though my eyes deceive me they land on Trent who is also smiling over to me and then they drift to Gabe who holds a blank stare at me.  His eyes are distant and remote.  Although they are staring in my direction there are no feelings being portrayed.  I can’t stop myself from looking at him as I make my way to the other bridesmaids but his eyes leave mine as Caroline saunters down the aisle.                 

The ceremony is beautiful going off without a hitch.  When the pastor announces Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Jennings everyone claps standing up applauding the happily married couple.  I link my arm with Shawn’s descending from the church.  We stand in the receiving line while the guests file out.  My family members hug me telling me how beautiful I look and they can’t wait to catch up with me at the reception.  My smile is a reflex filled with no real emotion.  I have less than 24 hours before I am back in New York far away from Belcrest and the Basso brothers.

“Honey, you look stunning.”  Ian wraps his arms around me pulling me close.  “Try to enjoy yourself.  Your fake smile isn’t fooling me.”  He whispers in my ear.

Before I can respond he is already onto Shawn shaking his hand.

The receiving line ends, we do a fake exit while everyone throws birdseed from fake roses at Jack and Lindsey with them running to the limo to drive them around the block.  Everyone files out except for immediate family and the wedding party. 

Mackenna and Bryan are setting up for the formal church shots so I make my way in sitting in a pew by them.  They are bickering back and forth mostly regarding Kenna doing too much and Bryan should be lifting the equipment.  So, I remain silent sulking in my own love problems. 

Finally Jack and Lindsey come back from their faux departure.  Mackenna hustles everyone inside demanding us in certain positions pointing her finger at some and snapping her fingers at others.  Some of the people roll their eyes at her but she gets us done and out of the church before the time limit. 

“Little Ross sure can dictate.”  Shawn comes up to me as I exit the church.

“Yeah, she’s always had that bossy side.” 

“I have seen it firsthand.  My little brother never had a shot.  He follows her around like a damn puppy dog.”  He shakes his head back and forth.

“She is pregnant.”  I excuse her.

“I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying I couldn’t handle it.”  He holds up his hands in defense.

The wedding party files in the limos and I am upset and relieved at the same time when I see Gabe and Trent hop in the other one.   Trent is saying something to Gabe and Gabe is shaking his head up and down in agreement and then they get into the other one.  It could have been my imagination but Shawn looks my way at the exact moment and his eyes seem sorrowful. 

Two glasses of champagne later we pull up to the reception hall.  The trip wasn’t that bad, Shawn had the limo laughing for the entire trip finally distracting my mind from Gabe.  Shawn puts his hand out for mine helping me out of the limo.  I see Gabe and Trent doing to the same for their partners from the limo ahead of ours.  I cringe seeing Gabe walking with that woman.  I wish it were me.  Twenty-three hours I tell myself.

Chapter 27 – Present Day Reception

During the cocktail hour, I stay close to Ian when Shawn isn’t around.  I had to thank Shawn; he is trying his best to keep my spirits lifted.  If my heart didn’t belong to someone else, he would make a great partner.  Ian keeps leaving me talking to Trent and Gabe.  He eventually releases Bryan from Kenna’s assistant job before she kills him, making me solely by myself.

Trent smiles over at me a few times but he is enjoying the time with his family and friends.  Gabe however, never glances towards me standing along with Trent not joining in on the conversations much. 

When the dinner bells rings the guest file into the large room.  It is decorated in white tablecloths with white napkins. Each table has a rainbow of roses in the center of each table with small votive candles around the vase.  Every table has a different color sash tied to the chairs going along with her rainbow wedding theme.  The little tulle packages are placed in front of each guest’s seat. 

I walk along the head table trying to find where I am seated.  I see instead of girls on one side, boys on the other they have it according to couples.  Shawn and I are seated next to each other but a nervous feeling flows through me when I see Gabe’s name next to mine.   Something must have slipped through Lindsey’s careful planning to put me next to him for the entire meal.

Taking my seat I see Shawn step up to the platform making a beeline for me.   He files into the seat next to me wrapping his arm around the back of my chair.  The rest of the wedding party joins the table but the seat to my left remains empty.  Just as I think he must have already noticed the arrangements and he isn’t going to show I see him walking across the room.  I haven’t seen him smile once today except in the pictures.  His shoulders are slumped over and he stares at the ground walking towards us.  He finally emerges next to me and I hear him sigh before he pulls his chair out taking a seat.  He glances down at Trent who is staring at us and then puts his head back down.  He remains silent saying nothing to me.