Waiting for Something (26 page)

The Wedding

             
“Jackie, let’s go. We gotta get to the airport.” I put my suitcase in the taxi.

             
“I’m coming. Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for making me your plus one.” She put her huge bag in the back as well.

             
“Yeah, well I’m sorry that we have to be gone for an entire week. I’m sure that’s not what you are looking forward to.” I shut the trunk and got in the backseat.

             
“Are you kidding me? I get to go to the beach and make out with hot Cali guys. Thank you,” she grinned.

             
“You’re such a horn dog,” I shut my door.

             
“I know. JFK airport, please,” she instructed the driver.

             
“Okay, so when we get there you’ll be staying in our guest bedroom which is down the hall from mine. You have your own bathroom and a back patio.” The driver pulled to a stop in front of the airport.

             
“You’re kidding? This is going to the best vacation I’ve ever been on.” She paid him and we headed into the airport with our bags.

             
“Yeah, well you gotta be with my family all week so don’t get too excited.” We headed towards check in.

             
“I think I can handle it,” she laughed.

             
“Sometimes I can’t even handle it,” I sneered.

             
“That’s because they’re your family. That’s what family does. But that’s just because they love you.” I really liked Jackie.

             
“Oh and you’re going to be meeting my other best friend Marlie. I think you two will get along great.” I secretly was afraid that they’d get along so well they would both forgot about me.

             
“She sounds like a lot of fun. So what are we doing for the bachelorette party?” By that time we were already boarding the plane. Marlie treated us to first class even though I told her she didn’t have to.

             
“Well that’s actually tonight. When we get in, we have like a half hour to get ready and then we’re heading to this exclusive club and I’m not sure what else will happen. No strippers. Don’t even think about it,” I caught her mid breath.

             
“Ah come on. Why not?” she pouted.

             
“Marlie didn’t want any so I didn’t get any.” I buckled my belt.

             
“Well it’ll still be fun. Plus who needs a stripper when I can just pick up a guy for free and sleep with him too,” she winked at me with a devilish grin on her face.

             
“You need to keep it in your pants,” I laughed.

             
“Oh, hun, it’s not going to happen.” We started to take off.

             
“Well just don’t catch anything,” I leaned back in my seat.

             
“Don’t worry. I always make sure they wrap it up.” Yeah, she was a sexual deviant.

             
“Okay, you little sex queen, I’m gonna put in my headphones now.” I pulled out my music and turned on my relaxation playlist and she went to reading her magazine.

             
When we landed I could immediately feel the air change and I couldn’t wait to see everyone again. After I ended things with Jesse life was a little rough. Jackie helped me a lot but she couldn’t stop the words that people said about me. I was transferring back home anyways. I decided I wanted a career as a journalist and San Diego has a perfect program for that, plus I’ll be home.

             
“There they are!” my mom pointed me out in the crowd.

             
“Hey, Mom!” I gave her a hug and then my dad.

             
“This is Jackie. Jackie, this is my mom and dad.” I introduced them to each other.

             
“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Burns.” She was so polite. It was so weird.

             
“Please, call us by our first names. I’m John and that’s Marsha,” my dad smiled.

             
“Alright, now that that awkward intro is over wanna take us home?” My parents weren’t usually so formal.

             
“It’s good to have you back, dear.” My dad grabbed my carry on and we went to go get the rest of our luggage.

             
“Dillon home?” We got into the back of the Escalade.

             
“For once, yes. He even cleaned the house for me last night. I don’t know what got into him.” my mom closed her door.

             
“I do,” I looked over at Jackie in her form-fitting tank top.

             
“What?” she buckled her seatbelt.

             
“You’re probably right.” My mom laughed as we pulled off.

             
“My brother thinks you’re hot and wants to impress you,” I laughed.

             
“How old is he?” she leaned in and whispered in my ear.

             
“Too young for you, trust me,” I glared at her jokingly.

             
We pulled up into the driveway and out came my brother all too willing to help.

             
“Dillon, this is Jackie. Jackie, Dillon.” She gave him a hug and I wouldn’t be surprised if that turned him on.

             
“Very nice to meet you, Dillon. Your sister tells me a lot about you.” She was being sweet.

             
“Ali, you’re back,” Carter came out of the door and swooped me into a big bear hug.

             
“Carter, can’t breathe,” I hugged him.

             
“Sorry, I’ve missed you! Hey, sorry for being an ass the last time you were here,” he put his hands in his pockets.

             
“Hey, we talked about this. It’s fine. I’ve missed you too. I actually have someone I’d like you to meet.” I brought him over to Jackie.

             
“Jackie, this is Carter.” She turned to us and her face went into pure shock. I knew she’d think he was hot because he was.

             
“Jackie, hi. I’m Carter. Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand.

             
“Oh, trust me, the pleasure’s all mine. Are you Jake’s brother?” She gave me an OMG look.

             
“Younger brother, yeah,” he smiled and his dimples got deeper.

             
“Well I think we should get to know each other a little better.” Good bye, sweet Jackie. Hello, sultry Jackie.

             
“Sounds great. I’ll have Ali give me your number.” He’s still got it.

             
“I’ll see you later then.” She let her words hang as she went inside.

             
“She’s fucking sexy,” Carter stopped me.

             
“I know and she’s all yours,” I grinned.

             
“You’re the best.” He gave me a high five and went to grab the rest of our bags.

“Want me to show you to your room?” I walked up behind Jackie.

              “Does it include that hottie?” She put her arm around me.

             
“Ha, no but it does include a balcony.” I grabbed one of her bags.

             
“That’ll do.” She followed me upstairs.

             
“This is it.” I opened her door.

             
“Wow, this is amazing.” She set her bags on the bed and walked out onto the balcony.

             
“Alright go ahead and unpack I gotta get ready too.” I headed off to my bedroom to get ready.

             
“Ali I’m here!” I heard Marlie walk in as I was putting on the last of my makeup.

             
“I’m upstairs.” I yelled and I heard her footsteps follow.

             
“You look hot! Damn girl.” She stood in my doorway.

             
“Um no you do but thank you.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

             
“Can you believe I get married tomorrow?” No, I couldn’t.

             
“I know it’s crazy, but crazy good.” Crazy good that it wasn’t me. Stop being selfish Ali.

             
“So I’ve got to tell you something.” She gave me a tiny grin.

             
“What is it?” She was such a dork.

             
“Well about a week ago I found out I’m pregnant I’m a month along. Listen I would have told you but I didn’t want to stress you out.” Wow, I’m honestly very surprised.

             
“I thought you and Justin were being safe.” At least that what she told me.

             
“Does it really matter?” She looked offended.

             
“No I guess not it’s just, never mind.” I turned and headed for the mirror.

             
“No tell me Ali, what’s going through your mind?” She set her hand on her hip.

             
“I just think you’re being a little selfish by not telling me, I am your maid of honor and come to think of it I should be clued in on these sort of things.” I was getting pissed.

             
“Me? Selfish? You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re freaking out over a baby. Honestly Ali I’m sick of it always being about you.” Her words cut me deep.

             
“Wow I’m glad I know what you think of me. You know what go without me if I’m such a burden.” My voice rose with anger and I saw Jackie appear behind Marlie.

             
“Oh you must be Marlie.” Jackie held out her hand awkwardly.

             
“Finally someone normal, I’m guessing you’re Jackie.” She smiled kindly.

             
“Sure am now the way I see it both of you need to put this petty fight to an end. Ali whether you like it or not she’s getting married tomorrow and yes she is pregnant it’s just what it is, you’re no saint yourself and Marlie well it was kind of shitty that you didn’t fill Ali in. Now that’s settled we’ve got a rehearsal dinner to get to ladies, chop, chop.” She smiled wide and walked off leaving us staring at each other blankly.

             
“Well that was interesting. She seems like quite the character.” Marlie smiled slightly.

             
“Oh trust me she is but she’s always right. I’m sorry.” I felt like an ass.

             
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner but I just had a lot on my mind.” She really didn’t need to apologize I was in the wrong.

             
“No don’t apologize, I screwed up. I’m really sorry. Let’s go have a good time.” I wrapped my arm around her and we headed down the stairs.

             
“Finally you two, let’s go.” Jackie opened the door and headed to the car.

             
“Jake’s riding with us, I hope that’s alright.” Marlie looked at me as we reached the car.

             
“Of course, it’s perfectly fine.” I sat beside him.

             
“Ali Cat nice to see you.” He looked at me with that same crooked smile.

             
“Hi, Jake.” I tried to act unbothered his presence.

             
“I’m sorry, for how everything ended.” His voice was lower.

             
“Yeah well me too.” I felt myself let feelings rush in once again.

             
“Can we talk?” I didn’t want to look at him because I was afraid of my letting my heart open to him again.

             
“There’s nothing to talk about?” I ignored his seemingly passing glances at me.

             
“No there is. Tonight after the dinner we need to talk.” He wasn’t going to let this just end.

             
“Fine.” I crossed my arms and that was the end of that.

             
“What was that all about?” Jackie looked at me.

             
“It’s just the same old thing. It’s nothing really.” I didn’t want to talk about it. We pulled up to the church and got out of the car.

             
“Did something happen the last time you were here?” Jackie eyed me suspiciously.

             
“No it was just your average bachelorette party that’s it.” I thought back to that night.

             
“I think you’re lying to me.” She pinched my arm.