Pretend We're Over (Pretend 2)

“But she was so excited to get married today, that she fought through it. It seems like the illness finally caught up with her.”

The crowd stares at her bewildered, not having a clue what to say or do. It’s not like they are used to witnessing a bride running out on her own wedding. We’ve all seen the Runaway Bride plenty of times, we all know our role is to sit back and laugh and be cynical while the groom chases after the bride to no avail.

“If you could just give us a moment, I’ll go check on the bride, and then hopefully we can continue the festivities,” Millie finishes, and then she is walking hurriedly out of the chapel. She’s on a mission, but won’t let anyone see her frazzled, adding to the chaos that is this wedding.

I doubt a single thing Millie said was true, but I do know that even if it is true, there is no way Oaklee will be stepping foot back in this chapel anytime soon. You don’t come back from this level of embarrassment.

The minister looks at me, and I realize now that Millie is gone, I’m the one expected to hold everyone’s attention.

I glance at the pianist. “Play until I get back.”

She hurriedly returns to the piano and begins playing a soft song.

“Where are you going?” Kade hisses behind me, knowing he will be the next expected to entertain the crowd if I leave.

“Getting the groom back,” I say. I start walking towards the exit and see my nieces and nephew sitting in the front row. I turn my head to Kade just as I leave and mouth, Get Hazel to sing. That adorable little girl could entertain a crowd for hours.

I get back to the small entryway that leads in two directions—to the bathrooms and to the two dressing rooms. I don’t know which way everyone went. I listen carefully for voices coming from either direction. Instead, I hear the start of an engine from outside.

Fuck. Why did I agree to be Boden’s best man? From now on, I’m not just swearing off getting married myself, but being in other people’s weddings. It’s too much responsibility for someone who doesn’t believe in the constitution of marriage.

I push the doors open and go outside, hoping like hell the bride ha

sn’t actually taken off, and that this is all a big misunderstanding.

4

Millie

I thought Oaklee was sick—I truly did. I saw the way her face turned green. I heard the heavy breathing and saw the glisten of sweat on her neck. All the signs pointed to her being sick.

So when I gave my little speech, I thought I was speaking the truth. Well, okay, maybe I thought she was hungover, but that still classifies as sick. I knew they should have had the bachelor and bachelorette parties earlier instead of the night before the wedding, but it wasn’t up to me.

I thought Oaklee was sick, until I watched her run out the front door instead of turning toward the bathroom.

She turned to see who was chasing her, and I saw the fear in her eyes.

Oaklee isn’t sick—she’s running, I just don’t know why.

I watch as Oaklee speaks to the limo driver before rounding the limo and heading to the backseat. Boden stands nearby, shouting at her for running out. She stops at the last second before climbing in and begins yelling back.

I stand back a second, but when I see the tears flowing down Oaklee’s cheeks, and watch as Boden doesn’t do a damn thing to stop it, I lose my cool and run up to Oaklee. I take her hand and squeeze hard, just letting her know I’m here but won’t interfere unless she wants me to.

She squeezes back like she always does. Other than holding her hand, I don’t have a clue what to do next.

The church door opens, and I’m afraid the entire congregation is going to run out and witness, well, whatever this is…

Instead, Sebastian King runs down the three steps and then over to us.

“What are you doing?” I snap at him while Oaklee and Boden continue to shout at each other. They don’t even realize that Sebastian is here, or seem to care that I’m here, other than I’m holding onto Oaklee’s hand for support.

“Same as you. I’m the best man. I’m trying to fix this mess.” Sebastian looks at the arguing couple for the first time. “Not that I think this is fixable.”

I frown and turn back to the couple, listening for the first time to the words they are saying.

“Oh, you’re going to fix this, huh?” Oaklee turns her attention to Sebastian.

“I can’t fix this, but I can help. Only you two can fix this,” Sebastian answers. It’s surprisingly mature and rational sounding coming from him.