Blue Lines(113)
“It isn’t that.”
“What is it then?” Piper asked, somewhat concerned.
Audrey wouldn’t look at her as she moved her fingers together. She took in a deep breath before looking up at Piper. “I wanted to call you this morning when I heard this but I figured it would be better if we talked face-to-face.”
“Okay, what?” Piper’s heart began racing from the way Audrey was acting.
“I heard that Erik has been living with Phillip and I didn’t want to believe it because I was sure my best friend would tell me if her husband wasn’t living with her anymore.”
Piper’s guilt made it hard for her to swallow. She had known this moment would come and if Audrey had known the extent of everything she would have felt even more upset.
“I haven’t told you because I haven’t told anyone. I’ve been a little out of it.”
Audrey said softly, “I understand that, but I could have helped somehow.”
Piper tried to lighten the tone of their conversation. “No, there is no helping me. I’m at rock bottom with Adele blaring and a lot of Oreos and pickles.”
“Well, I know that you’ll be fine. You are one of the strongest people I know. You could raise a baby, draw a mural, and work on a book, all while singing and dancing. You are resilient.”
Piper grinned. “Thanks, Audrey, I needed that.”
Audrey wrapped her arms around Piper for a tight hug, but as Piper hugged her best friend, something still bothered her.
Releasing her, Piper asked, “Who did you hear that from?”
Audrey paused. “My hairdresser. She has been sleeping with Phillip, and I guess she has been coming over a lot and Erik has been there.”
“Oh.”
“Can I ask why y’all split up?”
Carefully Piper responded, not wanting to elaborate on her troubles. “We’ve had problems since the beginning. They only escalated and then I told him to leave.”
“Really? I thought y’all were solid, perfect even. It is obvious y’all love each other,” Audrey said.
“Yeah. Well.” Piper just sighed.
“Do you want it to work out?”
Audrey’s question startled her. Piper wanted that more than she could breathe, but she felt like it wasn’t meant to be.
But that didn’t stop her saying, “Yeah, I do. I miss him a lot and I hate being apart.”
“I hope it works out.”
“Don’t worry about us. I’ll be fine. My relationship will work out the way God wants it to. All you need to do is get ready to marry the love of your life!”
Audrey started to bounce with excitement. “Eek! I’m so excited!”
“Me, too,” Piper whispered softly, and she was excited. Not only for her best friend, but also to find out if Erik had changed his mind and wanted to be a part of her future.
* * *
This was not the time to have a fake contraction.
Not when her best friend was about to get married. As the minister performed the ceremony, Piper rubbed her hand up and down her right side as she breathed deeply. Fallon glanced back at her, but Piper smiled, waving her off just as Audrey was about to start saying her vows. Looking up at the many lanterns that hung from the trees, Piper tried to concentrate on the beauty of the wedding and not the pain she was experiencing.
Grace Justice, Shea’s sister, knew how to plan a wedding. The altar had dazzling white lights framing it with large teal hydrangea arrangements set on top. Teal lace runners filled the aisles with monogrammed edges, using the letters of the bride’s and groom’s first names, A and T. Audrey was beautiful in her wedding dress and Tate super-good-looking in his tux, with only their baby bump separating them.
And Piper was not going to let these stupid Braxton Hicks contractions ruin this moment. Taking in another deep breath, she looked over at Tate and smiled. His eyes were glazed over as he held Audrey’s hands against his chest, listening to Audrey speak the last of her vows.
“I promise that I will make you any cupcake you want as long as you rub my feet after a long day. As long as you play any song I want, I promise I will not sing out loud. I will flirt with you every chance I get, and expect me to steal kisses at any moment.”
“You won’t have to steal, baby,” Tate said with a big smile, causing the crowd to laugh and cheer. Piper smiled as Audrey’s cheeks reddened, her eyes filling with tears as she looked deep into Tate’s eyes.
“I promise to be there for you any time of the day. To love you even when you don’t want to be loved. I’ll make sure to hold you when you are sad, care for you when you are sick, and kiss all your aches and pains away after each game.” She paused as the guys in attendance shouted their approval. Piper giggled at the same time her eyes started to fill with tears of joy for her best friend.