My legs started to tremble as his words surged through me with ferocity. I stopped walking and silently begged myself not to lose it. “Of course you are. You’re his brother. ”
“I know, but I feel like I’m betraying you somehow. Standing up there with Jack, it’s like saying that I agree with what he’s doing. And I don’t. I don’t agree with it for one second, but he’s my brother and I love him. ” He lowered his head as he kicked at the ground with his foot.
I threw my arms around him, squeezing hard until he returned the friendly gesture. “I love you for caring about me, but of course you should be there for Jack. ”
“I just wish I could talk him out of it. ” He tugged at the corners of his eyes, a yawn escaping.
“Are Gran and Gramps going?” The question alone forced my knees to resume trembling.
“They’re not. Gran can’t fly for that long and Gramps refuses to go without her. ” He shrugged. “But honestly, I don’t think they have the heart to watch him go through with it. ”
“Does Jack know they aren’t coming?” I suddenly found myself caring for Jack’s well-being.
“He knows. I think he’s relieved, actually. He feels like he let them down, you know? He’s dealing with a lot of guilt right now. ”
I swallowed hard as my throat burned with repressed emotion. “I’m gonna be late to class. I have to go. Thanks for telling me. ” I turned on my heel and walked away as fast as my quivering legs would move me.
*****
I paced in the living room, my body a bundle of nervous energy as I waited for Melissa to get home from night class. The door flung open as a gust of wind practically blew Melissa inside. She pushed her small body against the door, shutting it with a loud slam before turning to face me, her hair tangled across her face.
“I hate the wind. ” She jutted out her bottom lip and blew a huff of air against the pieces covering her mouth.
I frowned. “Me too. ” I plunked down on the couch and picked nervously at the edge of a cushion. “I need to talk to you. ”
“So talk. ” She flipped the kitchen light on, searching the cupboards for her bag of butter-flavored pretzels.
“I want to go out there. ”
“Go out where?” She turned and squinted at me in confusion.
“Alabama. I need to see him, Melissa. Or maybe he needs to see me? I don’t know, but what if I can stop the wedding?”
“Why would you want to stop the wedding?” Her head cocked to one side as she crunched on a pretzel.
“Because. ”
“Because why, Cassie? This guy cheated on you. And he lied. ” Leave it to Melissa to press the issue, forcing me to examine my heart.
“I know. And I always believed that cheating was an unforgiveable act. That once you broke down that foundation of trust, it could never be rebuilt. But I was wrong. I don’t want him to marry someone else, Melissa. I don’t know that I can get past what he’s done, but I’m willing to try. ”
She stared at me like she’d known this all along and was simply waiting for me to figure it out.
“So why are we still talking about it?”
“Because I don’t have the money for a ticket. ” I sighed, plucking at the frayed edges of the throw pillow. “And I was wondering if I could borrow some? I’ll pay you back, I swear. ”
“How will you pay me back? You don’t even have a real job. ” Even though she was telling the truth, I still wanted to smack her.
“I didn’t say I’d pay you back next week, but I will pay you back. ” Irritated at her reluctance, I squeezed the pillow to my stomach, trying to push back at my emotions.
“I’m just messing with you. Let’s go book you some flights!” She tossed the bag of pretzels into the air before heading into the bedroom. I laughed as they spilled out onto the floor.
“And a rental car. And a hotel,” I shouted.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve got it covered. Get in here!”
*****