T. Leigh - A Tragic Wreck

Alexander chuckled a little at his mother’s words and Chelsea’s scowl.

“Oh, come, dear. It’s just a joke. But I would like a word with my son before we begin, if you don’t mind.” Colleen Burnham glared at Chelsea, waiting for her to give her some privacy with Alexander. After returning the glare for several long moments, Chelsea finally spun on her heels, seeking out her sister.

“Hi, Ma,” Alexander said, kissing her cheek. “How’s Miami?”

“Oh, you know. Same old thing. Sun, sand, and sangria.” She winked.

“I’m glad you were able to be here this weekend. It means a lot to both of us,” Alexander said, smiling at his mother’s gentle face. Although she was in her mid-sixties, she still had a youthful appearance about her.

“Well, I needed to be in town anyway to help plan our charity auction next month so I’m killing two birds with one stone, although I’m sensing something’s just not right here, Alex.” She grabbed her son’s hands in hers, staring deep into his eyes. “What’s going on? Are you sure you’re ready to marry that girl?”

Alexander exhaled loudly. “Why does everyone ask me that?”

Colleen narrowed her gaze on him. Even though he towered over her by a foot, he would always be her baby. “Because we care about you, Alex. And we want to make sure you’re not getting into something you can’t get out of. Marriage is a big deal. One you should not enter into lightly. Have you signed a pre-nup?”

“MOM!” Alexander exclaimed, aghast.

Colleen shrugged, her demeanor unchanged. “It’s a legitimate question. Have you?”

“I don’t need one.”

“Oh, come on, Alex. I’m sorry, but you better be damn sure you want to spend the rest of your life with that one if you’re not going to make her sign a pre-nup. Yes, she comes from some money, but nothing compared to what she’s about to marry into.”

Glancing over at Chelsea showing off her ring excitedly to people that he didn’t even know, Alexander wondered what he was getting into. And why Chelsea wanted to rush into a wedding so badly. “If it will make you happy, I’ll have my lawyers draw one up.” He turned to walk away.

“Alexander,” Colleen said, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. “What will make me happy is you doing what you think is right. Doing what your heart wants. I know all about the other girl you were dating…”

Alexander whirled around, glaring at his mother before shooting daggers at Carol and Tyler over her shoulder. “Ma, I…”

“Just think about what I said, Alex. Follow your heart and not your head, for once.”

Alexander stared at his mother and felt an arm wrap around his waist as someone planted a kiss on his neck. No sparks. No electricity. Nothing. Could he really resign himself to feeling nothing for the rest of his life?

“Come on, Alex,” Chelsea crooned. “We’re ready to begin.”

Alexander blankly followed Chelsea down the long aisle leading to the altar of the historic church. He always loved the architecture of Old Trinity Church. He wasn’t raised in a religious household and normally would never have considered having a religious wedding, but something about that church called to him. With the sun seeping through the large stained-glass windows, it always reminded him that there was something bigger at play in his life. Call it God. Call it fate. Call it whatever you want. He was a strong believer in some higher power, no matter what you called it. But now, as he made his way down the aisle to take his place for the wedding rehearsal, he wondered if he had been ignoring that higher power those past several months.

Alexander blanked out as the minister walked everyone through the ceremony. It was an excruciatingly long process and Alexander wanted nothing more than to get out of there. Even with the sun setting over the city, illuminating the entire church and making it seem more open, he felt the walls crushing him. His heart raced and he struggled to breathe.

“Dude, you okay?” Tyler whispered as he listened to the minister talk about love being patient.

Alexander swallowed hard. “Fine. I’m fine.”

“Bullshit,” Tyler said a little too loud. Everyone glared at him.

Alexander chuckled a little before trying to compose himself.

“Sorry. Just trying to clear up an irritation in my throat,” Tyler laughed.

After the minister was content that everyone knew what they were to do the following day, he dismissed the wedding party. Martin drove Alexander and Chelsea the few blocks to the rehearsal dinner at Atlantic Fish, an awkward silence filling the car. Alexander thought back to the last time he had been there. He couldn’t believe Chelsea chose that restaurant, of all places, to have the rehearsal dinner. That was where he had taken Olivia on their first official date.

“What’s going on with you?” Chelsea asked, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” he replied nervously.

“Do you think I’m stupid, Alex? Because I’m not. The past several weeks, you’ve been distant. And I don’t know what it is. You told me that you were over Olivia and ready to start our life together but, lately, I don’t know. I know you’ve been going over there, sitting watch outside her house.”

Martin pulled up outside the restaurant, discreetly getting out of the car to give the two occupants a little privacy. Alexander stared out the passenger window, spotting the table he sat at with Olivia all those months ago.

“Please, Alex. We’re getting married tomorrow. I just… I just want to make sure you actually want this. Or will Olivia always be your ‘what if’?” A tear fell down Chelsea’s face. “Will she always be your Eve? I don’t want to always come second to her.”

Alexander slowly shook his head and looked at her, staring deep into her brown eyes. “Chelsea, I love you. And tomorrow, I’m going to marry you. You’re what I need, not Olivia.” He brushed his lips against Chelsea’s, encouraging them apart with his tongue, exploring her mouth as he had done so many times over the past several months.

Chelsea groaned and tugged on Alexander’s hair, bringing her body closer to his. As he kissed her, all he could think about was Olivia. That made him want to kiss Chelsea even more, desperately trying to erase Olivia from his thoughts. He needed to.

Reaching for the buttons on Chelsea’s coat, he quickly rid her of her outermost layer, planting kisses along her neckline.

“Alex, wait,” she breathed out. “Our guests.”

“Let them wait,” he growled.

“What if someone sees?”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “When has that ever bothered you before?”

Chelsea grinned. “You’re right.” She pulled his face back to hers, finding his lips as he quickly raised her dress to her waist. She moaned out in pleasure as he entered her. He didn’t know why he was fucking her in the SUV, but he needed to regain control of everything, and that was the only way he knew how.

“LIBBY! OH, MY GOD! It is you!” Melanie exclaimed when she saw her old friend walk into the upstairs bar of MacFadden’s with Kiera and Mo. “How are you?” She wrapped her arms around Olivia and squeezed, not wanting let go. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.” She pulled back and took in her appearance. “We all have.”

Bridget nodded, hugging her friend. “We’re glad you’re back, Libby.”

“Thanks, girls,” Olivia responded, taking in her friends. “I missed you guys, too. I’m sorry I haven’t called or anything, but things have been rough.” She watched as Bridget and Melanie passed a meaningful look.

“So are you back with the band then?” Melanie asked, taking a sip of her drink and breaking the tension.

“No. Well, kind of. I’m doing one song tonight.”

Bridget’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Olivia nodded as she took a long drag of the drink Kiera handed her. “Yeah. I still can’t believe he’s getting…” her voice trailed off, unable to even say the words.

Bridget wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort her. “Hey. I’d be surprised if he actually goes through with it. I mean, after you left, he was down at the wellness center, pestering poor Mel every day, asking if you had contacted anyone there. Hell, we finally figured out you were back that second week of January when he stopped coming down.”

Olivia stared at Melanie and Bridget. “Even in November and December?”

Melanie nodded. “Yeah. Even the week after his engagement hit the papers, he still came in, every day, asking if anyone had heard from you. I was secretly thankful that you hadn’t reached out to anyone there because I didn’t know what I would tell him. He looked so sad, even after he put a ring on that bitch’s finger.”

“Mel!” Olivia said, playfully smacking the lively blonde.

“No. She’s right,” Kiera interrupted. “She’s a bitch.”

“Go, Team Olivia!” Bridget said, pumping her fist in the air.

“Oh, god. Not you, too!” Olivia laughed. It felt good to finally smile and joke around with her friends.

“We’ll always be on your side. You know that, right?” Bridget said, a warm look in her dark eyes. “We’ll always be here for you when you need us. We won’t ever leave you, Libby.”

Olivia raised her glass to her lips, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall.

“So, are you ready for this?” Mo asked, walking up to the group of girls.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” Olivia answered. “Are you sure he’ll be here?” she asked him.

Melanie and Bridget surveyed Olivia, a questioning look on their faces.

“Yeah. Tyler convinced him to come, but we don’t want him to see you before it’s time so just hang out in back of the stage. Kiera will keep a look out. When he gets here, we’ll bring you up.”