29. Short Notice

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~Laura's POV~

Edith's wedding was literally just around the corner. It was kind of that moment of panic and scrambling but she was doing extremely well with the pressure. She was a calm person by nature. I couldn't even picture her raising her voice to turn into the bridezilla everyone else was waiting for to appear.

We met up at a laundry/ alteration shop two hours before her engagement party. Talk about last minute items on the checklist.

The bridesmaid dresses were a pretty pale pink. The only thing that needed adjustment was the length. Even with my heels I needed 5 inches taken off. The seamstress was quick and finished pinning all 6 of our dresses within the hour.

"How about a coffee stop before going to the party?" Jamie suggested since Starbucks was literally down the street from the engagement location.

I of course agreed because coffee was my guilty pleasure. Luckily it wasn't that crowded either but there was an elephant in the room that made me cringe the moment I saw him.

Ben was leisurely standing by the back wall waiting for his order. I barely recognized him in his clean cut business suit.

"Hey. What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't make it." Edith hugged her cousin.

Ben sheepishly stared at her like an innocent angel. "I know. I didn't think I'd make it either. My flight landed last night. I checked out the firm this morning and my boss let me leave early."

Ooh yeah. I forgot he was a lawyer. No wonder; he was a natural liar. That occupation suited him.

"Did you have to kiss his ass? Ooh the sacrifice you make for family." Jamie mumbled under her breath.

Ben's blue eyes narrowed in her direction. He never liked Jamie. He wouldn't admit he hated her because he knew she was my best friend but he didn't have to. Jamie hated him too and honestly I wasn't sure why.

"Yeah. But it's not nearly as much ass as you're used to kissing."

My mouth dropped. He didn't...

Jamie perched her hand on her hip aggressively. Her cheeks were beaming red. She was about to blow. "I don't kiss ass."

"Oh then you must suc-" I quickly covered his mouth with my hand before another sound could be uttered.

"Drop it before I spill my hot caramel macchiato on you." I warned; more than happy to carry out the act.

Poor Edith was drowning in uneasy emotions. She wasn't sure how to take theirย  vengeful banter.

Ben surrendered to me but it was only because he wanted to get back in my good graces.

Edith's phone began to ring and she walked a few feet away to answer it. At least it was a distraction from the tension.

I smacked Ben's cheek, not hard enough to leave a mark. "Be nice."

Edith gasped and we all jolted in her general direction. Please don't be that serious.

"No; no. Thank you for informing me." She ended the call with a somber expression on her face.

"What happened?" One of Edith's cousins asked.

"The venue where we're having the reception caught on fire. We can't use it anymore." She was about to bust into tears.

We were a month away from the wedding. The dilemma was going to ruin her dream and her wonderful mood. I insensitively envisioned my future wedding and suddenly it sparked an idea.

"Ben are you still friends with that stuck up rich kid whose parents own a vineyard?" I was springing into action. I was not going to let the bride cry on her engagement day.

"Yeah."

Ooh thank God. "Call him up and tell him were coming." I took hold of Edith's shoulders, making sure my voice was filled with unquestionable confidence. "Ben knows this guy with the most beautiful vineyard. It has a gorgeous view of the mountains and a cute little rose garden. We're going right now to get you pictures and book the place if you like it."

She was about to open her mouth.

"You're going to your engagement party. I'll handle this. Don't worry. I'll get you the best price too." I winked.

She exhaled. I know she wanted to trust me but it was hard to be positive with such an unsure fate. Could I book the place for her on such short notice? Hell yes I could.

"It's about 40 minutes away. We'll be back as soon as we can. Everything is going to work out." I pointed to Ben. "Lets go."

I didn't have to ask twice. But first I grabbed my coffee. I was going to need it. I walked out ahead of him but I didn't know what kind of car he drove.

Ben opened the door to a new black Cadillac. "It's the company car."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't gloat. It's not attractive." Yup it even had that new car smell.

He drove considerably fast thanks to our urgency. Maybe we'd get back sooner than expected.

"Here give me your phone so I can tell him we're coming." I held my hand out. I wasn't comfortable with him texting and driving.

Ben didn't even hesitate. He just handed over his shiny phone and I was surprised he didn't have a locked screen.

"Kyle Winfree." He reminded me of the slimeball's name.

Kyle was one friend of Ben's I hated with a passion. He was so cocky with no reason to be. He wasn't that cute but his money might have blown up his head.

I put the phone down and sipped my coffee but it wasn't good enough to satisfy my growling stomach. I was hungry but that was because I was saving my appetite for the party. Dang it.

Ben magically pulled out a snicker bar from his side pocket and handed it to me. Without saying a word I took it. He turned up the music knowing I wouldn't want to converse while I was eating. Well I didn't want to speak to him period.

Ten minutes later Chris' number popped on my screen. "Hey." I explained everything and how the short notice forced me on this little adventure with Ben. I couldn't let Edith cry when I had a solution.

Chris was quiet but what could he really do?ย  He trusted me. I think.

"It shouldn't take long. I'll let you know when we head back. Ok. Bye."

I kept it moderately short. Did I sound cold?

Ben kept his pretty blue eyes on the road for the majority of the time except for when I hung up on my boyfriend.

"What?"

"How are you?" Was that a genuine question?

"I'm fine. A little hungry." Still.

He studied the road again. "I meant with your boyfriend."

I dragged out a breath. "Its good. Honestly I'm happy. We're at a good place."

"Good." Ben tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"What about you? Do you have a girl?"

He shook his head. Why did I feel some sort of pity towards him?

"Laura I'm sorry."

"Ben let's not start this." I did not want to spend even a minute talking about the past.

"Please just let me apologize."

Man, he looked so pitiful like it was keeping him up at night. I nodded despite my obvious objection.

"I said some things last time we spoke and they weren't true. You're not a whore. I am."

Ooh snap. Was this the big apology I've been waiting for? The real one?

"I was jealous. I was jealous of Chris and how you choose him. I was mad and hurt but I had no right to be. I just don't want you mad at me anymore."

"I'm not mad at you; not anymore." I was over it.

That put a small smile on his face. "You were really good to me. Laura you did nothing wrong. I was an idiot. I was weak and that made me miss out on one of the best things in my life."

I closed my eyes and fell back into the headrest. "Yeah you probably did." I teased.

"Can we start over? Be friends?"

I had no problem with friendship. "As long as you realize I'm with Chris. Don't try and sabotage it because I'll only hate you for it. If it doesn't work out then it will be my decision."

We were good friends before we started dating. It obviously couldn't be the same but I couldn't avoid him. Ben was living with my boyfriend; his cousin. I wanted to be on good terms.

"Okay."

The vineyard was as beautiful as I could remember. It was gorgeous miles of green grass and open pastures. We drove up to the old vintage mansion and I couldn't believe how perfect it was. It was pure white and three stories with beautiful balcony windows. It was literally a vision from a movie.

Kyle was sitting on the gigantic wrap around porch drinking from a wine glass. There was a fancy bottle on the table in front of him which I could imagine cost more than my car. He slicked back his blond hair when he saw me and stood. His stupid smirk made me want to puke.

"Oh Laura. I didn't know you were coming."

"Surprise." I took the full glass from his hand and gulped it down. I'd need it to survive a minute in his presence.

"You look sexy."

Eww, I felt mentally violated as his dark creepy eyes undressed me. I thought I looked pretty cute too. I was wearing a black jumper with pockets; so comfy.

"Please tell you broke up with this shmuck." He eyeballed Ben not caring that I was pouring myself another glass.

Damn that was some delicious wine. "Actually I'm dating his cousin."

Kyle had a little crush on me and it was not a flattering sentiment. The guy was an annoying sleaze.

"Really? I have a brother if you're into that kind of thing." He was serious too.

What the hell. I rolled my eyes. Ben jabbed his supposed friend in the chest knocking him over a bit.

"We're here to book this place for my cousin's reception; not for you to hit on Laura."

Oh yeah. I should probably take some pictures. The boys followed me around the huge mansion negotiating while I lost myself down the stone path. It was so breathtaking. Edith was going to love this place. The view of the mountains as the backdrop was going to look amazing in the wedding photos.

"No. That's a thousand more than the budget." Ben was sounding aggravated.

A thousand more? I thought Ben was a lawyer; why wasn't he cutting a deal. Wait they were friends. Why wasn't the slimeball giving us a discount?

The garden stretched as far as my eyes could see. The exotic flowers were all in bloom. The roses were arranged in a specific pattern of vibrant colors.

"I'll tell you what if Laura goes out with me I'll let you use the mansion for free."

Ooh God. He didn't even need the money. He just wanted to corner me into a date. I considered it for the slightest second. Could I sacrifice one night? Chris would not approve and I couldn't stomach it.

Kyle walked over to me and laid his hand on my back. Gradually it slid to my butt. That mother trucker. He was asking for a death sentence. I grabbed a finger of the hand that was touching me and bent it so far back I considered popping it off.

Kyle fell to his knees whimpering.

"For touching my ass we're getting this place cheap. I'm talking dirty cheap." I know he didn't expect to feel on me without consequences.

"Okay, okay." He cried like a baby.

I released him but only because it disgusted me to even touch him.

"You know I like mixing pain with pleasure."

My reflex took over and I kicked him in the shoulder since he was already kneeling. Kyle landed flat on his back with a grunt. I hope I ruined his suit.

"As if."

Ben laughed then shifted the subject back to pricing. Like promised Kyle lowered the cost tremendously. I was so excited I called Edith the second we got back in the car. She loved the pictures and couldn't believe the deal we got.

"I think he's in love with you." Ben teased.

I scrunched my nose. "Ewww."

"What? Blond, cocky, and rich don't appeal to you?"ย 

"No. I thought they were more your type." That dampened the mood. Ashley, his ex, was tall, blond, and I believe pretty rich.

It was quiet for awhile. I guess he had nothing to say. But then we hit traffic and I groaned. We weren't going to make it back in time. The cars in front of us were completely stopped. I texted Chris to let him know.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Was I about to open Pandoras box by saying yes?

"You said something about revenge the night of Sarah and Michael's wedding rehearsal. You thought I convinced Chris to do things to get back at you."

Uh oh.

Ben turned to me with haunted eyes. It had to have been on his mind for some time. "What were you talking about? Why would I convince Chris to do anything to you? What did he do?"

I was cornered. I couldn't even get out of the car to escape. Oh man. What should I say? I couldn't tell him the truth.

"Nothing." I dug into my seat and closed my eyes to block him out.

"Laura please tell me." His desperate plea shocked me. "How did I supposedly get back at you? Laura I didn't make Chris do anything."

"I know. Don't worry about it."

"I'm sorry."

I had never heard him apologize so much in my life. "Chris wasn't that nice to me in the beginning. He was a little vengeful because I hurt you. That's all."

"Why would he do that?"

Ben seemed just as confused as I was. "I guess you're like a brother to him."

He tossed his head back; probably weary of looking at paused cars. "And now you're dating the guy that wasn't nice to you?"

"You know what, if we're going to talk about this then you're going to have to pull over and buy me something to eat. I'm starving." It wasn't like traffic was going anywhere.

Ben chuckled and pulled out to the side to pass the other cars to get into the next exit. He went straight for Wendy's because it was our favorite. Once my stomach was moderately satisfied Ben opened up the forbidden topic.

"So why date the guy who was mean to you?"

Because I was just as twisted as Chris was. But how could I explain it to Ben? I know I owed him nothing. Like I didn't have to explain my whole relationship with his cousin to him but I think he really needed to know. What did Chris have that got him the girl he wanted?

I know as a girl I ask myself the same thing sometimes. Like when Chris never called. Why was I rejected? Rejection needed an explanation otherwise it would eat you alive.

"It got better. He realized what he was doing was wrong and I don't know. We have this weird, great chemistry."

"It was enough great chemistry to break off an engagement to a doctor."

I laughed. "Ok my turn. Why did you cheat on me?"

Ewww the mood quickly grew morbid. Ben had pushed his seat back and was facing me with his entire body.

"You were so good and pure and-"

"Bull." Chris tried to claim the same thing. He said he thought I was too good for him. I didn't believe him. Even when Chris said it a part of me was still iffy.

"I wanted to live up to the perfect boyfriend perception you had of me because you deserved it. Laura I felt like I could barely touch you. I didn't want to offend you or make you feel any kind of pressure. I guess I couldn't take it anymore, not being able toย  physical be with you."

Wow it was so crazy to think that I was so hard on my first boyfriend. I was a little naive back then. I would tense up every time he'd try to touch more than I was used to. I was scared. I was afraid that the further we pushed the envelop the harder it would be to stick to my beliefs. I believed sex was meant for husband and wife. I didn't want to play with fire. I felt like I would have eventually given into Ben. I loved him.

"I was weak and I knew I couldn't convince you to give yourself to me. You were strong and I loved that about you. But you drove me crazy without even realizing it. The fact that I couldn't have you and love you the way I wanted killed me. It was never your fault. I just wasn't strong enough to wait for you and I'm sorry. It was nothing more than sex. That one time. I swear."

I believed him. What good did that do me now? "I know it wasn't easy for you. You were my first boyfriend, my first kiss. I was afraid of getting too close to you."

We were frozen in a nice quiet igloo for a brief time. It was relieving to finally hear the reasoning behind our breakup.

"I hope Chris makes you happy and gives you everything you want. Otherwise let me know and I'll kick his ass." He winked.

I shook my head smiling. There was no more tension suffocating me.

"Did we just become friends?" I quoted one of his favorite movies.

"I really hope so."

I laughed. "Me too."


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