Page 26 of Stay With Me

“Mom? It’s Emily. Are you and Dad almost here?” I try my best to hide the anxiety in my voice, but I know I’m not fooling anyone.

My mom releases an irritated sigh. “Emily, we aren’t coming.”

“Wh-what? I don’t understand. You said you’d come. Dad said he’d walk me down the aisle…”

“Well, I’m sorry you’re disappointed. But we thought about it, and we just can’t support you marrying Theodore. We tolerated him when we thought he was just a phase for you, but we can’t condone this union. You’d think after the things he’s done that you’d realize he’s a bad egg?—”

“Teddy’s not a ‘bad egg,’ Mother. He has bipolar disorder and when it was untreated, it contributed to him making some big mistakes. But his good traits far outweigh that. Besides, since he’s been getting treatment for his illness things have been great. If I can look beyond the past and see what a good man he is, why can’t you and Dad?”

“Don’t be dramatic. It’s unbecoming. If you insist on going through with this, you’re on your own,” my mom threatens.

“Don’t worry, Mom. I don’t expect—or frankly want—a thing from you and Dad. I’m done. My entire life I’ve wanted nothing from you and Dad except your love and approval but, apparently, that was too much to ask for. Goodbye.”

I sound surer than I feel and the look of concern on Shayna’s face as my vision blurs with tears shows me she sees through my act.

Trina takes the phone from me and walks toward the door to the room.

Shayna pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tight.

I’m convinced it’s the only thing that holds me together right now. I’m barely able to restrain my tears from falling, still in shock that my parents would do this, and not even call to tell me.

When Shayna releases me and looks me in the eye, she says quietly, “I’m sure my dad would be honored to walk you down the aisle. Should I ask him?”

That’s all it takes and the tears flow freely down my face. “N-no.”

A sob breaks free from my throat and Shayna looks over at Tommy.

“Can you take him out, please, Shay? I don’t want him to see me upset.” The truth is, I also need a minute to myself.

“You sure?” The hesitation to leave me is clear in her voice. I nod. “I’ll just take him to Shyley to watch and then I’ll be right back. Okay?”

Shayna doesn’t wait for my response before rushing over to Tommy and leading him out of the room.

I’m alone for the first time all day, though Trina’s raised voice seeps under the crack at the bottom of the door and it’s clear from her voice she’s still on the phone with my mom.

I make my way over to the settee and sit, resting my head against the wall and I no longer try to fight the tears that come.

* * *

CHARLIE

I pull open the heavy, ornate wooden doors of the church with fifteen minutes to spare and I make my way toward the chapel to find my seat. However, I’m distracted when I hear a voice spewing angry words, coming from a corridor off to the side. I’d know that voice anywhere, since it belongs to Trina.

I’ve known Trina since I was twenty-one, but I’ve only heard her this angry a few times. It’s a really bad sign that something has her this furious on Emily’s wedding day. Without a second thought, I follow the trail of her voice down the hall to the side of the vestibule.

“I can’t believe you and Dad would fucking do this to her. Today’s not about you or even him. It’s about your daughter!” Trina hisses.

Shit. If she’s on the phone with her parents, then it’s even worse. My dad’s an asshole, but Mr. and Mrs. Flynn give him a run for his money in the “shitty parent of the year” category. Trina notices me and points toward a door behind her. I assume she wants me to go in and wait for her.

“No Mom, I will notmind my language, because you’re hurting my sister and, for some reason, she keeps giving you and Dad chances. I swear to you if…”

The sound of her voice trails off as I enter the door she’s standing near and slip into the room, closing the door behind me. I’m not sure what’s possessing me, but Trina’s phone conversation tells me Emily is in trouble and I can’t stop myself from wanting to make it better, even if it’s not my place to do that for her.

I hear her soft crying before my eyes find Emily, sitting on a small couch in the room, alone. Rage consumes me that someone dared to make her cry—and especially on her wedding day.

The woman has been a bundle of energy and joy since I met her. Don’t get me wrong, both Flynn sisters are stubborn and, though it takes a lot to make them mad, once they’re angry, look out. But, in general, Emily usually lives up to my nickname for her—sunshine.

When I approach with caution in my steps, she doesn’t look up, probably assuming I’m Trina or Shayna. I kneel next to her, and unable to stop myself, I put my hand on her back. When she glances up, shock registers on her face, her eyes widen and she wipes frantically at them, as if she could stop the flood of tears by sheer will.

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