Three
Tonya
Tears threatento spill from my eyes. The dress fitting did not go the way I planned. A small part of me wishes I would have waited until Cami and Darcy were here to go with me. But…that wouldn’t have given the store enough time for alterations.
The sound of birds chirping merrily in the cool spring air does nothing to improve my mood, and I rush to my car to get some peace before I go home. Sliding on to the driver seat, I put my key in the ignition, but don’t turn it. Instead, I slump forward until my forehead rests on the steering wheel.
The dress didn’t fit. I wish I could say it’s because it needed to be taken in, but I could barely zip the damn thing up. No matter how much I tried to suck in, the stupid zipper wouldn’t budge. It took everything in me not to sit in the middle of the bridal store and bawl my eyes out. The only thing that kept me from doing it is the sympathetic look in the sales person’s eyes. I would not let her see how much it bothered me.
Resigned, I start the car and pull out of the parking lot. It’s going to be salads and healthy foods until my wedding day, no matter how magnificent the food Mom cooks smells. The woman has got to stop shoving brownies and all the other sweets she bakes at me. And, I need to be strong enough to stop accepting them. I know it’s her way of showing me she cares, but it’s put an unfortunate kink in everything. I’m only happy I found out now instead of next week when the girls come in.
The drive home is somber. I don’t even bother turning the radio on, insisting in wallowing in my frustration. I pass families playing in their front yards without a care in the world. I would have much rather been home with Layla, chasing her around the house. But she won’t be home for another hour. Jake really stepped up when I asked him to watch Layla for me, even offering to bring her home instead of me driving to Dallas to pick her up. It only makes me realize how great Charleigh is for him. She grounds him in a way I never did, and it shows.
Reaf’s car is in front of the house when I pull into the driveway, and I wonder how long he’s been here. I glance in the mirror as soon as I put the car in park, only now noticing the single, solitary tear sliding down my cheek. I need to get my shit together before I walk inside. I don’t want him to see how stressed and emotional I am right now.
Wiping the tear from my face, I put on the biggest smile I can muster, which isn’t very big at all. Geez, I can’t even make this wedding happen without any issues. How am I going to manage a family when we’re on our own in a couple of weeks? It hasn’t been difficult so far because Layla and I live with my parents while Reaf lives with his mom and siblings. But it’s going to be a whole new adjustment when we move into the small apartment we have waiting for us.
I don’t have time to think about that right now, though. I square my shoulders and grab my bag before opening the car door. I will put on a brave face even though self-doubt is eating away at me.
Squeaking sneakers and whistles come from the television in the living room when I open the door. Dad must have roped him into watching a game with him while he was waiting on me. I put my bag on the table in the entry way and round the corner. I was right. The both of them are sitting on the edge of their seats as they watch Hilltown University play. I wasn’t sure Dad would ever truly accept Reaf. After my fiasco of a relationship with Jake, he remains cautious. Waiting to swoop in to rescue me should the need arise. But that is one thing I'm certain won’t happen with Reaf. My dad will never have a reason to intervene in our relationship. I think he knows that, even if he won’t admit it.
They didn’t even look up when I walked in. Their attention solely on the game being played on TV. “Hey guys, whatcha doing?” I rock slowly from heel to toe, waiting to see who is going to respond first.
“You’re home,” Reaf exclaims and jumps up from the couch.
“Obviously,” I snort. “Otherwise we’d have a bigger issue with doppelgängers.”
“You’re such a nerd,” he protests. “Come watch the last few minutes of the game with us.” He motions to the couch he’s standing in front of. “Derrick’s team is playing and they are tied.”
I take a seat between him and my father, watching the basketball players run from one end of the court to the other, doing their best to block shots. “Has it been a good game?”
Reaf points to himself then the TV. “You know I don’t typically watch basketball, but I haven’t been able to pull my eyes from the screen. Derrick has some skills on the court.”
Laughter is the only response I can give him because it’s true. I haven’t seen him watch anything relating to sports. “What do you think of Darcy’s boyfriend, Dad?”
“He’s pretty good” he grunts. “How was the dress fitting?”
I close my eyes and count to three not wanting to get into the disaster it was. Before I have a chance to answer, Dad abruptly stands. “Shoot,” he yells at the TV as if the players can actually hear him. That’s the one thing I never understood about watching sports. What’s the point of yelling at a screen? It’s not going to change anything.
I look up, and see that Derrick has the ball. There are seconds left of the game. He takes a deep breath and the ball leaves his hands. Soaring through the air until it slides into the hoop. It’s a good thing Layla isn’t here; their cheering would only have her joining in. If for no other reason than to hear her own voice. Ugh, this is why I don’t do sports. It’s a whole bunch of loud noise in one tiny space.
“Where’s Layla?” Dad asks as he picks up his bottle of beer from the end table.
“Jake is bringing her home soon,” I shrug. Grateful for the tiny break in adulting. Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter fiercely. But…it’s also nice to have a little bit of time all to myself.
“Well,” Dad begins walking toward the kitchen. “I’ll let y’all have some space. I need to get ready for work tomorrow anyway.”
“Thanks,” I smile.
Reaf pulls me into his arms, and I relax into him. Feeling the disaster of the dress fitting melt away as I sink further into his embrace. As stressful as planning has been, I don’t regret any of it. In the end, Reaf will be mine and I will be his. He’s my home, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life.
He places a kiss on the top of my head. “I take it the fitting didn’t go well.”
“That would be an understatement,” I sigh. “But it’s okay because it will be fixed by the time I go back with the girls.”
“That’s good.” His hand trails up and down my arm, leaving goosebumps on my skin. I was worried that feeling would fade, but it only grows stronger. Most days, anyway. There are some days where I want to throw out the wedding plans and say to hell with it. Eloping would be so much easier.
The doorbell rings, signaling the arrival of my sweet girl. Reaf doesn’t let me answer the door. Sliding out from under me he places a pillow in the spot he just vacated, and goes to answer the door.