Page 8 of Forgotten Pieces

A smile so large spreads across her face it makes me smile. “He is perfect, T. I never thought I would find someone like him. Or deserve someone like him. But the feelings you saw sprouting between us last summer haven’t changed. The love you saw between us when we eloped hasn’t changed. It’s only grown stronger. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

I grab her hand and squeeze it. “Raely, you deserve it all. After everything you endured, you deserve every bit of happiness you can get. Don’t ever think you don’t deserve it.”

“I know,” she says as she squeezes my hand back. “Oh my goodness, wait till I show you the plans me and Ivy came up with for the bakery. You are going to love it!”

I smile at her. Happy that my baby sister is finally happy. I wasn’t lying when I said she deserves it. But it hurts a bit that my sister is four years younger than me and has her life figured out.

I listen to her talk about the bakery she plans on opening with Ivy and try not to get lost in my own thoughts. My margarita is empty and I wish I had another. Alcohol does a great job of numbing all my pain. And while I am happy for Rae, it stings a bit. I am the one that should have my life figured out.

It takes me a second to realize she stopped talking. I look up to see her staring at her husband as he saunters up the steps of the deck toward us.

“Hey Blue,” he says as he leans down to kiss her. They are despicably cute and so is his nickname for her. He pulls away from her and nods his head at me. “Hey Tacoma, how’s it goin’?”

“Just peachy,” I reply.

“Rae, I am gonna head over to Dad’s to help him with a few things. I can come pick you up whenever you are done with wedding stuff. I think Harper just got here so I know it might be a while before y’all are done.”

“Okay, I’ll call you. Love you.” She gives him one last kiss before he heads toward his truck. She looks back at me, a flush to her cheeks.

“You two are so in love it should be illegal.”

She laughs, shaking her head and she brings her fingers to her lips. “I can’t help but love him, Tacoma. He is everything.”

“And on that note, I am going to check on sleeping beauty and see if her hangover has diminished,” I say as I jump out of the pool.

“Alright. I’ll meet y’all in the kitchen so we can start helping Harper with decorations.”

I nod and grab a towel as I head inside. All this talk of weddings and love is driving me to need another drink. Maybe I won’t be staying in White Creek as long as I planned. All this happiness is bound to drive me away.

Chapter Four

Ryder

I grab my navy button down off the hanger in my closet and slide it over my shoulders. I flip through my ties and grab a black one before heading into the bathroom.

Today isn’t a good day. I can already tell. My head is swimming in a dense fog, memories fighting their way to the surface. Memories I don’t want to relive.

I look into the mirror, my black eyes a stranger to me as they stare back through the reflection. I grip the edge of the counter as I drop my head and close my eyes. I take three deep breaths, willing the fog of memories to recede.

I jump when a hand lands on my back, my calming exercises pushed aside.

“Are you almost ready? We need to leave soon if we are going to meet the others at the restaurant before heading to the farm.”

I breathe in slowly as I turn to look at Shelley. “I just need a few minutes.”

“Okay,” she sighs. “But we really need to get going.”

“I’m trying here.”

A frown forms on her face as her brow creases. “Are you okay?”

I look at her and force a smile. She doesn’t get it. She has tried to find ways to help me cope. But after a year of constantly being around each other, I can tell she is giving up hope. I don’t blame her. I am not the most likable guy around when I have an episode. “I just need to finish getting dressed.”

She cups a delicate hand to my cheek and smiles. “Okay, handsome.”

I watch her walk away, her ass swinging in the tight black dress she has on. The back is low cut and shows off her sculpted shoulders. Her blonde hair hanging in loose curls over one shoulder. She is gorgeous and I feel lucky to have her on my side. But I know she hates when I go into these black holes. She wants the prized Master Sergeant, the man honored by the Marines for his diligence and teamwork. But I am not that man anymore. I am walking among ghosts. I am afraid I have turned into one.

I look back into the mirror as I button my shirt and slip my tie around my neck. The movements stiff and formal. My breaths stronger. I can play this role today. Happily engaged, Marine Sergeant, overall good man. I’ll let the ghosts back in when this day is over.

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