Page 2 of Clumsy in Love

“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing,” Juliet said.

“No,” Tess said. “It’s just that sometimes, ya gotta tell it like it is.”

“I should have said something sooner,” Faith said. “But your horoscope did mention someone would let you down today.”

“It’s not like he’s the first person to walk away from me,” Holly said. “My parents already broke the ice on disappointing me that way. You guys are the only ones I can count on.” This was her team, and they would do anything for her.

“You got that right,” Alex said, taking another swig from the champagne bottle.

There was a tap at the door, and Tess rose to answer it. Holly heard a familiar male voice and went to Tess’s side.

“Coach,” Holly said, hugging the man in the doorway.

“You doin’ okay, darlin’?”

Coach Reed had been their high school basketball coach. The one to lead them to a state championship title. Something unheard of in such a small town. Because he was also Maddie and Juliet’s dad, Holly had spent a lot of time with him off the court too. He was like a second father to all of them.

“I’m fine,” Holly said. Coach Reed was who she’d asked to walk her down the aisle since her own dad was otherwise occupied. Serving a five-year prison sentence for fraud and tax evasion. “I’m sorry about everything.”

“Don’t be,” Coach said. “And don’t worry about the party. We’ll handle it. Mrs. Reed spoke with the caterers. They’ll get the food prepped ASAP and open up the buffet soon.”

“Thank you,” Holly said.

Coach plowed a hand through his hair. “This is a little awkward, but people are asking if they should just take their gifts home.”

Holly barked out a laugh. “Yes, of course. It will save me from dealing with that hassle.” Opening presents just to return them seemed like a real waste of time.

“All right. Well, Mrs. Reed says she’ll be by in a while with some food. Can’t let my girls starve.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Holly shut the door behind him.

“Side note,” Alex said. “While I was out, I heard Rick cornered the ring bearer and has already reclaimed the ring.”

“Talk about tacky,” Faith said.

“Isn’t it supposed to be the bride’s discretion on whether to give it back?” Maddie asked.

“It’s fine,” Holly said. “I don’t want it.” She looked down at her bare ring finger. In the last six months, she’d grown accustomed to its lightweight presence. Losing the ring was fine, but losing Rick would take some getting used to. They’d been best friends. She’d come to count on him. Although, judging from his spineless desertion, perhaps he wasn’t the most reliable in a tense situation.

“Guess it’s a good thing your mom didn’t fly out,” Faith said.

“I still can’t believe she didn’t,” Alex said. “That makes me so mad.”

After Holly’s father’s arrest and conviction, her mom had promptly divorced him, packed up, and moved cross country. Green Valley Falls was too small to exist anonymously, and she was too embarrassed to stay.

“Said she couldn’t handle the dirty looks,” Holly said. “And that showing her face would cause an uproar and detract from my special day.”

“Excuse.” Maddie fake coughed the word into her hand.

“Probably,” Holly admitted. “I can’t blame her though. I wasn’t even here when it all went down, and half the town still hates me.”

“Only the stupid half,” Alex muttered.

“Either way, it must have been pretty bad for my mom.”

There was another knock at the door, and Faith answered it. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Walker—Tess’s mom—stood with arms full of food.

“Thought you might like sustenance,” Mrs. Reed said, entering and placing small trays of food on the coffee table.

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