Page 77 of Rewriting the Story

“Back to the hotel.” She smiles, and Oliver practically gags as he realizes what she means.

“Good for you, babe,” Ella says. “Make sure Grant puts the other set of keys in my purse before you leave.”

“I will,” Hads says as she hugs us all. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

“I love you guys! I’m so excited for everyone to get here!” Paige shouts. “This is the best week ever!”

Oliver only smiles as he whisks Paige away, the rest of us following them back to the table to say goodbye before they leave. After they’re gone, it's just me, Ella, Leo, and Henry. It’s not the oddest pairing you could have in our group, but I can’t say it’s not going to be awkward.

I practically stumble out of the chair I sat down in, and Ella catches me before I fall, all but dragging me outside before I make a complete fool of myself.

“Ames, what is going on with you tonight?” she asks as I take a deep breath, feeling the warm Virginia air down my throat.

“Nothing,” I tell her. “I’m just a little dehydrated, I think. I’ve been a bit dizzy tonight, and I don’t know why.”

“Is that a side effect of your medication?”

My head tilts. “It might be. Can we get some water?”

She then jumps into normal Ella mode, ready to take care of me as soon as I ask.

“Not for nothing, but I’m glad you found Leo.”

“Why?”

“Because he takes care of you how you always take care of others, and there’s nobody more deserving of that than you.”

“Thanks,” she says as she sits me down at the table, Leo and Henry barely stopping their conversation as Ella goes to grab me some water.

My head is spinning in more ways than one. Since my medication wore off hours ago, I can feel my brain being pulled in a thousand different directions. Part of me wants to insert myself into Leo and Henry’s conversation. The other part wants to dance, but I’m too dizzy for that, so I can’t. I could go outside and get some air, but standing feels impossible.

I’m also just exhausted. Maybe I should go find somewhere to lie down.

As I’m getting up, Ella reaches me. “Where are you going?”

Shit. Where was I about to go?

“Uhm,” is all I can say before she hands me some cold water.

“Drink this.”

“Thanks, Ells.” I take a long sip as the sounds of the bar float in and out of my ears, everything so overstimulating between the noise, the lights, and the way my dress feels against my skin. It feels like too much.

Then, a single word from Henry’s lips sits on my eardrums and won’t leave.

“Here,” Ella says as she hands me another glass, and I take a few sips, my throat suddenly feeling dry. “Drink the whole thing before we leave.”

“You’re telling me you’ll probably never get married? We’re at a wedding, mate,” Leo tells him. “I assume everyone is always thinking about their own wedding while at another one.”

“Not me,” Henry says, rubbing the condensation off his glass. “I’ve never been one hundred percent sure it’s something I wanted.”

I can’t help the scoff that comes out of my mouth before all of them look over at me, confusion on all their faces.

“Is something funny?” Henry asks, a bite to his tone as he looks at me.

“Yeah, actually,” I say as I lean forward. “You saying that is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Amelia…” Ella warns me, her eyes widening as she tries to get me to stop talking before this conversation gets heated.

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