Broken Dreams (Broken 2)

“She’s already called you three times since we left…an hour ago,” Reed said.

I collapsed onto the king-sized bed. I rolled my eyes as I hit Answer. “What is it now?”

“Excuse me, young lady, but that is no way to talk to your mother. I just want to make sure you asked the hotel to give you a wake-up call.”

I let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Yes, Mother, I did. I have my alarm set, Reed has his set, I set the alarm in the hotel room, and the hotel is calling with a wake-up call. I will be there at six.”

“Did you leave your dress here? Oh, I hope you did, so it won’t get wrinkled. Meg, did she leave her dress?”

I heard Meg start laughing in the background.

“Mom, will you just chill the hell out? You’re going to drive Meg insane before she is even an official member of the family.”

Reed began rubbing my feet, and I let out a soft moan.

“Mom, I have to go. I’m exhausted. Do you want me to have bags under my eyes tomorrow?”

“Oh no, Court! You should call down and get some tea bags right now. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep. Take a hot bath, sweetheart, and make sure you are here by five forty-five.”

Reed was slowly moving his hand up before he began drawing circles on my inner thigh. I closed my eyes and willed him to put his lips on me.

I popped my eyes open and said, “Wait, now, it’s five forty-five, Mom? Are you crazy?”

She let out a laugh and said, “We have a lot to do to set up and get ready. Tyler is not coming back until right before the ceremony tomorrow, so we all need to pitch in and get things ready.”

I sat up. “What? Why does he get out of work? It’s his fucking wedding.”

“Language, please.”

“I’m pregnant! I deserve special treatment, too.”

Reed let out a giggle as I continued to argue with my mother.

“Where is the baby staying tonight anyway?” I asked as I flopped back down and pouted. Even though she couldn’t see me, I wanted her to feel my dissatisfaction.

“I’m not sure. He just said he was staying with a friend. Courtney, I need to ask you something,” my mother whispered.

I could tell she was walking outside when I heard the screen door opening.

“Sure.”

“Your brother was acting weird. Even Meg noticed it. Do you think he is having second thoughts?”

I smiled and shook my head. “No, Mom. He’s just nervous. He acted weird to me, too, before he left. I think he will be fine after the ceremony, and I’ll be able to kick his ass for being rude to Reed.”

My mother let out a sigh. “Yes. I’m still upset that he did that to Reed. It’s just not like your brother. It’s almost like he was…hiding something.”

My stomach dropped, and I had the same feeling sweep over my body as I had earlier. “Yeah. I thought the same thing, but…everything will be okay, Mom.”

“Courtney, he wouldn’t tell Meg who he is staying with. She’s beginning to have things run through her mind, and I don’t know what to tell her.”

“Why didn’t he tell her?” I asked as I looked at Reed nodding off to sleep. Great. There goes any hope of sex for me tonight.

“I’m not sure why he wouldn’t tell her. She is trying to act like it doesn’t bother her, but I know it does. She almost seems—”

“What? She almost seems what?”

My mother let out a sigh and said, “Never mind. I think I’m just a nervous wreck. Is it wrong I’m secretly hoping Sissy elopes like you did?”