Fight Me(72)

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Come on, Jake. Let’s face it. In her eyes, you did something pretty horrible to her in the past and she’s scared that you’re doing the same thing again.”

“I’m not!”

“I get that, but she feels like you’ve betrayed her all over again.” Maddox take a drink of his coffee and looks back up at me. “Let me ask you something. Do you love her?”

“Yes,” I reply without even the slightest moment of hesitation.

“Have you told her that?”

I exhale and shake my head from side to side.

“Why not?”

“We just never got to that yet. I was planning on telling her this weekend and even ask her to consider moving in together.”

“So, you haven’t told her you love her. She thinks she overhears a conversation where you’re admitting to just wanting to have a little fun with her for awhile before moving on. You two have a major history, man. Hell, you haven’t ever had a serious relationship and I get that, really I do. I, of all people, understand that.” Maddox pauses from dramatic effect. “Do you blame her for assuming you’d be that guy who was using her for a little fun?”

I can’t even look at Maddox right now. I just hang my head in shame, running my hand over my weary face. I have fucked this up bad.

“You can’t change what happened and what was said last night when you were upset. But you can change what happens from here on out. Don’t be like me when I walked away from Avery. That is time I will never get back and it was you who made me realize that,” Maddox says as he takes the final drink of his coffee. “Come on. Let’s finish getting ready for the day. We have lunch in a couple of hours with the guys at Jack’s Pub, and then we have to be to the church to get ready. That leaves you with a little time this morning to decide if this mess is worth fixing or not. If it is, well then, go. Fix it.” Maddox slaps my shoulder before he walks out of the room to get dressed.

He’s right. I have to be at the Pub at eleven. That leaves me with three hours to go find Erin and fix this. I have to fix this because the thought of life without her isn’t an option for me anymore.



*****



My first stop is Erin’s house. Of course, she’s not there. Why would it be this easy, right? So I hop back in my truck and head towards the library. I know she took the day off today, but maybe she stopped in to do some paperwork. Hell, maybe she decided to work the entire day. There’s no guarantee that Erin is going to show up for the wedding or reception today, so maybe she decided to work instead.

As I pull into the parking lot next to the library, I do a quick scan for her car, but I don’t see it. I decide to go ahead and check inside - just in case. When I pull open the large door, I instantly see a young high school girl working behind the counter.

“Is Erin here?”

“No, I’m sorry. She’s off today. Can I help you with something?”

“No, thank you,” I say as I turn and head back out of the library.

Once back inside my truck, I decide to drive by her place one more time. Maybe she ran an errand or something earlier. As I approach her house, I see that I’m wrong. Erin isn’t there.

I end up driving around town for the next hour and a half looking for her. I check every parking lot and street that I can think of, hoping that I’ll spot her red VW Bug. No such luck.

At ten thirty, I realize it’s almost time to go meet the guys for lunch. I head back to my house to pick up the groom, grab my tux, and head to Jack’s Pub - all with a heavy heart. It’s still beating, but I don’t know if this empty ache will ever go away.

When we get to Jack’s everyone is already there. We snag the big table in the back and order big greasy cheeseburgers and fries. Instead of beers, we all opt for soft drinks - no one willing to take a chance at pissing off one of the moms or Avery today.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” my dad says as he stands at the head of the table. “Every father always wants the absolute best for their children. Whether it’s a son or a daughter, you want them to find their happiness, their place in the world. Avery is my only daughter. She is my light, my world. She is the second woman I’ve ever really loved with my entire being. And she gave me my first grandchild. She is beautiful, strong, and intelligent. She is caring and giving and forgiving. She is one of my five greatest joys in this world. And now, I am about to share her with you, Maddox. I couldn’t be prouder or more honored to share with you my greatest joy. Not only are you getting a treasure, but she’s getting one in you, too. I can only hope that when the time comes for my boys, they find the perfect friend and lover that you and Avery have found in each other. You’re a good boy and I’m very excited to welcome you, officially, to the Stevens family. So, everyone raise your glasses and toast to Avery and Maddox. Cheers!” Dad raises his glass and takes a drink of his ice tea.