Page 3 of Dibs
“Sean’s acting like it’s not over downstairs. He’s discussing how you two are trying to get pregnant. Of course, everyone’sasking when he will marry you and make an honest woman out of you.” Deacon rolls his eyes and sighs.
“That man knows nothing about honesty.” My hands shake as Deacon takes them into his much-bigger hands and squeezes. “I fucking hate him so much right now.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disgusted too. We’ve been friends since high school, but he’s clearly the guilty party here.” Deacon’s gaze is empathetic.
“Look, Deac.”
“Don’t ‘look, Deac,’ me,” he interrupts. “I know what you’re going to say, but if you insist...go for it.”
“I don’t want to get between you two. But I get it if you have to take his side in this one, since you’ve known Sean the longest.” My voice is full of nerves I don’t feel, and then I run out of words.
It’s an outright lie.
In that moment, I might die if Deacon stands up for Sean after all the ways he’s hurt and gaslit me over the last decade. Deacon is too good a person. Too generous, compassionate, and sweet to side with a guy like Sean. A slimeball. They couldn’t be more different if they tried, despite being long-time friends. Sean hadn’t always been terrible, though, had he? He was a lot of fun despite being pre-med in college, and he was charming as hell. People loved him wherever he went, and he liked having me, the beauty, on his arm.
His hand cups my face as I look at the floor, the hexagonal pattern on the rug dancing as my eyes blur. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easily. Besides, Sean is a shitty friend nine times out of ten, and if he makes me choose, I will choose the better human being. And if you don’t immediately know who that is, I don’t know what to tell ya.” His lips quirk up around the edges.
Our eyes meet, and another vulnerable feeling passes through me again, sending a shiver down my spine. Sean neverlooked at me and made me feel seen, but Deacon? It’s like being flayed open. Today, I hate it.
I want to be impenetrable.
“No hugs. I’ll break down.” I hold my hand up as Deacon steps closer. Instead, he pecks my cheek and presses his forehead against mine. I encircle one hand behind his neck and intentionally slow my breathing, appreciating the calmness his presence brings me.
“You got this. The day will be over before you know it. Take comfort in knowing you’re you, and Sean’s Sean. You win at the end of the day by that simple fact.”
As I giggle slightly, Deacon steps back and shoves his hands in his tuxedo pockets. He’s right. At least Sean hadn’t changed my character or my heart. I’d emerged from ten years of his haughty heartlessness still equipped with love and compassion, and when the time is right, I’ll manage to give my heart again. Healing is inevitable, right?
I won’t let Sean wreck me.
“See you in a few,” Deacon says, reaching out one last time to stroke my cheek softly with his forefinger. “You’ll be alright, Beck.”
Beckett is my last name, and only Deacon calls me Beck. I give him a grin that’s more enthusiastic than I feel.
“You’re right. I will be. Thanks for reminding me of that, and for the vote of confidence. See you soon.” We exchange one last smile before I hurry back into the bridal suite and find my friends.
3
ASPYN
“You may now kiss your bride, Cody,” the officiant proclaims. Tara’s husband, Cody, takes her into his arms and kisses her deeply. He dips her, nearly knocking her right off her feet, and I hear her sweet giggle as Cody easily tips her back upright. The officiant announces them as a married couple for the first time, and upon hearing her new last name with a “Mrs.” in front of it, she shrieks, “Oh my god!” and throws her arms around Cody again.
A chorus of giggles comes from the front row around me, where I’m seated with the rest of the bridesmaids. As Tara passes by, I hand her bouquet back, and the two of them walk back down the aisle as a newly married couple.
Tara pumps her bouquet over her head and sways her hips as they celebrate and dance their way down the red velvet aisle. Despite what’s happening in my personal life, my heart swells with joy for Tara and Cody finally saying “I do” to one another. I hope they last forever. They’re perfect together. Some couples can go the distance; I still believe that.
My eyes dart around, gazing at my surroundings. We’re probably at around 8,000 feet elevation, and the scenery isbeautiful, filled with aspen trees, my namesake, just beginning to turn colors as fall approaches.
Behind the venue is a tiny bridge over a creek leading up to narrow trails, and a few people on horseback navigate up the mountain. An abundance of clouds help cover up the unseasonably warm sun, but don’t threaten any rain. The sound of fast-moving water mingles with the gentle croaks of distant frogs and the lively birdsong overhead; nature creates a comforting symphony to soothe me. I turn my face to the sky and soak up the peaceful vibes of this gorgeous Saturday.
I’d poured all of myself into Sean for a decade. Even though we’d just ended, there is a promise of something better—something happier—on the horizon, wafting through the clean mountain air. Don’t endings usually lead to beginnings? Something tells me I won’t be waiting long for mine.
I’ve got my life together if you don’t count my love life—working in my field of bereavement counseling and having great friends, an active social life, and hobbies I enjoy. And with the hope of a new beginning washing over me, I turn to Sean and give him my elbow for the last time, allowing him to escort me down the aisle to a cocktail hour on the lodge’s patio. It’s scheduled for an hour while Cody and Tara take photos, and then the rest of the bridal party and close family will be beckoned to the clearing by the creek for less intimate photos later.
“Hey, Aspyn!” Deacon’s brother, Steele, apprises me warmly from the end of the aisle, and Sean passes me off to him with a look of disgust. He’s never approved of my friendship with either of the Ambrose brothers, though he’s never outright said it. He just encouraged me to be more of a “girl’s girl” and spend time with my girlfriends. Despite coming down on me for having guy friends, Sean had constantly spoken about women at work, andhad even been caught texting one inappropriately in the middle of the night. But that’s Sean: rules for thee, not for me.
“What a lovely wedding, don’t you think?” Steele takes my elbow and leads me toward the bar, which is exactly where I want to go.
“Perfect. Exactly what I want someday, with a man like Cody who values things like warmth, loyalty, and fidelity. Someone who’ll cherish me.” My smile feels broken. “Maybe fewer guests, just a few of the most beloved. But yes, it was lovely and they make a beautiful couple.”
