A Reason To Stay (25 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The Icebergs in Kentucky

The line was long to the rental car counter. Elise waited with her carryon bag. Her dress was neatly folded inside. With a little shake, it would look wedding day worthy. It was finally her turn. The service guy handed her the keys to a 2014 Charger. Elise smiled as she started it and heard it purr. Feelings of apprehension were replaced with a thousand pounds of horsepower. It was amazing what a fast car could make you feel. Lots of liquor would do the rest to get her through the next twenty-four hours. She was already late to the church for rehearsal.

Everyone turned and looked her way when the wooden doors slammed shut. The wind had picked up outside and she wasn’t used to the chill of winter. Her fingers were freezing. She’d forgotten it wasn’t California weather she was coming to and wore a silky dress without a jacket. She wasn’t sure if that’s why her lip was trembling or if it was because she’d just walked into the lion’s den of everyone she’d had a beef with in life.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” She ran up to the front where everyone stood.

“That’s all right.” Melanie went to her sister and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Ben stood to the right of Jacob. He seemed to be trying not to make eye contact with the girl that seemed to always blow in and out of his life.

“Go stand up there.” Melanie pointed to the step next to her.

There was only one other groomsman and bride’s maid, making it small and personal. Their closest friends and family were the only ones invited. Elise tried not to look at Ben. But that was like asking someone not to look at a solar eclipse that only came around every hundred years.

He wore black pants and a nice button down shirt. Being that close to him without touching him was challenging her very core. The pianist bobbed up and down, waiting for her part when the preacher introduced the lucky couple.

After a few instructions from the wedding planner, also known to the sisters as Auntie Lynn (no relation), it was time for her to walk down the aisle with Ben for practice. He held out his arm, offering to share in the most awkward moment. She interlaced hers with his, and her heart flat-lined for a brief moment. They robotically walked back to the door and broke from the touch when their destination was met.

“Hi, Ben. It’s good to see you.”

“You, too, Elise.” His tone was as formal as a presidential debate, where both parties greet their opponent.

He walked to the back wall, taking his coat off the peg. Elise found Melanie and situated her body away from being able to see her mother. Mason and Faith ran over to her.

“Hey, kids. Did you get your presents?” She took turns hugging each of them.

“Yes, thanks, Aunt Elise.” They hugged her back and ran over to their daddy.

Her mother moved in, releasing from Frank’s arm. “Elise, can I talk to you?”

Awkward moment number two. And still no liquor. How was she supposed to handle these moments without the aid of complete drunkenness?

“Sure, Mother.” Her second opponent of the night seemed not to carry the limp she last saw her with.

Lyla took her to the side, motioning for her to sit down. “I’ve tried to call you.”

“I know. I’ve been busy and not really in the mood to talk. I thought I said everything I needed to say before I left.”

“Yes, you did. But I didn’t.” She fixed her stare on Elise, forcing her to pay attention. The others had all gone to the parking lot to head over to Michael’s Bistro. Melanie had chosen the Italian place for her rehearsal dinner.

“You were right. I was a lousy mother. I never got over my insecurities toward your father. I felt like my life was over when I had you. I had this stupid belief that he liked you more than me. And because of that, I made both you and your sister suffer from what could have been a better relationship with him...or with me. I was young, immature, and incredibly stupid. But I have to forgive myself, and I’m asking for a second chance with you.” She lifted Elise’s chin to make her look at her. “Will you forgive me?”

Years of bitterness began crumbling with the sincerity of her mom’s confession. What was to gain from not forgiving her. They
were
in church, after all, where you were taught forgiveness. What the hell?

“I forgive you, Mother.” She didn’t move. Her mother would have to make up for the years she had slighted her, and hug her first.

Lyla Newton embraced her daughter for the first time with true affection. She pressed out a tear and quickly rubbed it away when they broke from each other. All was on the mend for mother and daughter. Now, to conquer the iceberg of Ben Hudson.

~*~

Elise arrived at the restaurant and went inside searching for the bar. Surely they had one. What reputable place wouldn’t have hard liquor displayed like candy on the back shelf of a mirrored bar? The wedding party seemed to be waiting for her, so she sat down, still without the magic tonic.

“I’ll have a vodka,” she told the waitress, before making a decision on her entree.

Ben sat diagonal from her. She stopped checking to see if he was looking at her after her second vodka on the rocks. It burned as it slid past her throat. Melanie kept giving her cautious looks, as if wondering what was wrong.

Dinner helped in sustaining her blood alcohol levels. She only picked at her chicken dish, eating the ones with two grilled lines instead of the ones without any. Light conversation floated by her as she sat in silence, caught sitting between one of Jacob’s uncles and one of his cousins.

“I’d like to make a toast,” Elise said, feeling slightly light-headed after standing up. The cool elixir gave her a shot of gumption to deliver a farewell toast to her sister. She raised the highball glass in the air and began. “Melanie, you deserve the best life has to offer. You are a wonderful sister and a nice friend.” A nice friend? Perhaps a toast was a lofty thought for a girl who had just passed tipsy. “You are the wind beneath my wings, my bridge over troubled waters. Have a blessed marriage.” She held tight to her fourth glass of liquor and winked at her sister.

Ben watched her sit down and smile at the stranger who sat to the right of her. She was feeling no pain. Melanie stood up and made an announcement before the party departed for the evening. The dessert dishes were pretty much all licked clean by this point.

“Instead of a bachelor and bachelorette party, we will all be going over to Moon Shakers to party all together. Please drive carefully and we’ll see you there.”

Everyone grabbed their coats and began to slowly empty the back room of the Italian eatery. Elise was still without a coat and unprepared for the colder temperatures in Kentucky. Melanie ran over to her after she kissed her kids and sent them with their grandma.

“Sweet sister, I think Jacob and I will drive you. You seemed to have started the party a little early.”

“I agree. I barely made it to the door. I’m just trying to be supportive in the party aspect of your union.” Bullshit came dropping out of her mouth, landing like cow pies all around her. She wouldn’t remember any of it the next day, anyway.

Melanie and Jacob left her car at the restaurant and drove her over to Moon’s. It took thirty minutes to get there. It was off the interstate and considered to be in the faster lane of life in Kentucky. The music was loud and the liquor was plentiful. The wedding party and guests hollered when the three of them arrived. Ben had driven over by himself.

Elise went to the bar to order another drink that she in no way needed. A guy with ten more years than Zac Efron, but who still looked like him, asked her to dance. She held off on the drink until she took her place on the dance floor. Ben sat down with Melanie and Jacob and every so often, Elise caught him watching her. She noticed how he drummed his fingers on the table, and how tight his jaw looked. He wasn’t talking to anyone else at his table.

Soon the song was over, and Elise returned to the bar for that drink she had gone for before. But the bachelor wasn’t finished with trying to bait the new girl in town. He followed her like a puppy and paid for her drink. They sat at the bar and laughed, as he ordered her another one. Ben watched them like a cougar watching a lion’s pre-attack.

“Say, you want to dance another one with me?” he asked as she finished swallowing the last sip in her drink.

Luke Bryan was playing loud, and she felt so warm and happy. Liquor
did
seem to be solving all of her problems. She’d even stopped looking for that ol’ Ben. In fact, she could’ve cared less that she would have to walk with him down the aisle the next day.

The guy, whose name she’d forgotten, pulled her off the barstool to return to the dance floor and Elise suddenly tripped on her own foot. She wasn’t used to drinking so much. Her college days were a thing of the past. The most she ever drank now was an occasional glass of wine at dinner. And since Darren and her split, that had stopped altogether.

The stranger went to pick her up when Ben appeared and pushed him aside. “I think my friend has had enough to drink.”

The guy stood back, ready to stake his claim on Elise. She managed to get up with Ben’s help.

“It’s all right, Ben. I’m fine. I just fell.”

“No, it’s time you come to the table and sit the next dance out.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want to,” the tall, celebrity look-alike said.

Feeling a gust of male testosterone blow through, Elise agreed to go with Ben. The bachelor sat down and didn’t waver his stare from the man who took away his prize.

“Elise, you’ve had too much to drink.” He took her arm and led her back to the table where some of the wedding party sat.

Elise ignored him and made a beeline to her sister. “Melanie, I need to get my car. I want to go back to your house. I’m tired and I’m getting cold.”

“Honey, I’m not ready to leave. Crap, I forgot to tell you. Jacob’s family is staying with me. You can go to Mom’s house. She has the kids. Ben, can you drive her?”

Elise didn’t wait to hear Ben’s answer. She blurted out her own. “No, thanks, I’m not up to hearing about her and Frank with all their dirty little tricks.” She surely wasn’t talking with a sober head. “I’ll stay at a hotel. Can you take me, Melanie?”

“I can take you,” Ben said.

“No, thanks. I can find a ride with someone else.” She looked around the club for someone, anyone. Killers, carjackers, anyone other than the man who kept her heart and refused to give it back. She was done with all that. She just had to survive and make it out alive, for one more day.

“Just let Ben take you, Elise,” Melanie pleaded. “I want to stay longer, it’s my last night to live it up.” She kissed her betrothed and smiled sweetly.

“Fine. Give me my car keys.”

Melanie gave Ben a ‘you better not let her drive’ look. She handed them to her and kissed her good-bye.

“Call me the minute you wake up tomorrow. I want to see your dress in person.”

Elise smiled, half drunk, and left with Ben leading the way. They got into his truck. She blew on her hands, trying to get warm. Ben slipped off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She didn’t want anything from him, except her independence. But it was so warm and smelled so good. And she was so tired. Her head fell back on the seat, and she didn’t wake back up until the next morning. In Ben’s house.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Reunion

Familiar pictures of kittens and puppies were on the walls of her room. The last thing she remembered was Ben’s wonderfully warm coat. The rest was nothing but fog and dry mouth. As soon as her stomach felt she was awake, it made its angry appearance. With all the force of a geyser waiting to blow, Elise flew to the bathroom and puked in the toilet. She hung on the edge of it, moaning sadly, like a new mother cow. Or, a victim of a hit and run. And this was what she remembered most about college. Drinking away the problems of her life that were in Kentucky. Funny how she was back in Kentucky now, and back drinking.

Ben knocked on the door.

“I’m dying. Come back later.” She held her stomach and lay down in front of the shower.

“I have a drink for you when you’re ready for it,” he said through the crack of the door.

“Don’t mention the D word. I don’t want another one for some time.”

He cracked the door open and looked at her. He stepped inside and knelt down and wiped her hair from her eyes with affection. Guarded affection.

“Come on. You’ll live.”

He helped her up and walked her downstairs to the living room. Her sea legs hadn’t leveled off to ground walking yet. She noticed she was still in her clothes. This fact made her sad. What did she expect? This was some type of reunion for
them
? Maybe she did hope for it, but she needed to stop hoping. Something about the way he was acting told Elise he had equipped himself properly for her return, keeping his distance from this messed-up girl.

She saw his Christmas tree was still up. The lights twinkled on the branches. It was a picture out of Norman Rockwell’s portfolio. She stood mesmerized in front of it.

“What?” he asked, obviously wondering why it captured her attention.

“I didn’t have one this year.” She sat down, burying her head in her hands. “What am I saying? I haven’t had one for a couple years. It just got so cumbersome dragging one into my house, decorating it alone and then lugging it back out to the curb after all the pine needles clogged my vacuum cleaner.”

“Elise, that’s sad. Why don’t you ever come home for Christmas? You could spend it with Melanie and the kids. That’s what makes Christmas.” He sat on the edge of his chair, maintaining his distance from her.

“I don’t belong here. I don’t belong anywhere.” She caught her running nose with the back of her sleeve.

“Melanie told me about you and Darren. I’m sorry that didn’t work out.”

She looked up and shot him a look of disbelief. “Oh, you are, are you?”

“Well, actually no, I’m not. But I know that you were worried when you left, and I figured it was serious between you and him. I’m not sure what it was with us. Maybe just passing time?”

He was fishing. This was his attempt to find out what it was they shared.
Was
it passing time or was it real for her? Was it worth it now to talk about? What was there to lose? She had no job, possibly no home when hers sold. What was left? Pride? No, she was too old for that to sink her like a cement weight tied to her foot.

“I loved you, Ben. I
meant
that evening with you. I wanted to stay with you. I may have, if it wasn’t for Darren’s accident. I
had
to go home. He needed me.”

“I needed you.” His eyes bled with emotion. His heart lay beating on his sleeve. “I still do.”

Those three words cured her hangover faster than any cup of caffeinated anything. She snapped into reality as she looked past his eyes and saw into his heart.

“You still do?”

“I’ve been lost without you.”

“But you didn’t call me. You practically hung up on me when we last spoke.” She moved closer to him, her attraction meter heading into the red zone.

“I was taking preventative measures. I couldn’t take any more heartbreak from you, Elise. I needed to get you out of my system.”

“Did you?”

“It’s the one thing that’s impossible in life.”

He got on his knees and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and held tight. They moved their reunion to his bedroom and made love. He tenderly took his time, kissing the entirety of her body, tickling the backs of her knees and smiling devilishly when he looked up. She surrendered all her feelings and loved him fully. They lay in bed clinging to one another, listening to the horses outside in the field. All was content with the world.

Elise jumped up after realizing what the clock on the bed stand was really insinuating. It was an hour before the wedding. She didn’t even know where her bag and phone were. Surely, Melanie had called half a dozen times by now!

“Get up, Ben! You have to get me to the church. Melanie is probably freaking out.”

“I have to get my tux on.” He pulled up his boxer shorts, hopping on one leg to get his other sock on.

“Take it with you. We’ll have to dress at the church. Crap, I can’t believe we’re going to be late.”

They made it to the church with forty minutes to spare. Elise gave Ben a quick peck before going in search of her sister. She found the door and walked into the room where Melanie was getting her hair done.

“I’ve only been calling you all morning. You don’t have to tell me, Ben told me everything when he called.” She grabbed Elise and squeezed her. “I’m so happy for you. Everything is as it should be.”

“How did he...”

“He called me on his way over here. You must have been driving separately.”

“I was.” She touched her cheek, attempting to hide the blush. “I’m so happy, Melanie. Now, if I could just borrow the girl who’s doing your hair. I don’t know where all the time went this morning.”

Elise smiled as her sister hugged her. Now she felt the joy of completeness. But the day wasn’t over.