As soon as I hit the bottom step somethin
g is very wrong. I can feel it. Quinn steps behind me, and puts her arm through mine. She knows too. Everyone, including my parents and Nate, Quinn’s parents, and the Randolph family turn to face us.
The unknown woman is in the middle of the room standing next to Sheila, Bryce’s mom, and Bryce. She has her arm linked through his in a possessive manner and when our gazes meet there’s a flash of something. I can’t tell what but when I look into Bryce’s eyes, they are sad and pleading.
“Hi, everyone,” I squeak, trying to find my voice.
All the parents rush over engulf us in hugs and kisses. Nate holds onto me a little longer than normal and when his eyes meet mine, they’re filled with concern. He doesn’t get to say anything because Bryce breaks in and hugs me tightly and then stands back. Unknown woman is still hanging onto him, giving me a sneer.
“Hi! I’m Devon.” I hold out my hand to her and she looks at me with recognition.
“I’m Holli. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She shakes and drops my hand roughly. “I’m Bryce’s fiancée.” Her hand moves over her to her flat stomach and rubs gently, with the tell-tale sign of pregnancy.
Those words cause me the most pain I have ever felt in my eighteen years. They also change the course of my life.
Chapter 1
Year and a Half Later
“When will I ever get used to Virginia winters?” Quinn shivers besides me as we walk to the Communications Building.
“Probably about the time we graduate?”
“Have you decided yet about the holidays?”
“Yep, I’m going to fly directly into Aspen and stay the ten days. Then I’m coming right back.”
“How’d your mom and dad take it?”
“Alright. They didn’t push too hard because they knew I may bail all together.”
“Want me to come back early so you won’t be alone on New Years?”
“Nope, I’ve been invited to a few parties. I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll see. I haven’t spent New Years without you since we were like eleven years old. No need to break tradition now.”
I love my best friend. She can read me like a book and knows how much I’ll miss her over the holidays, but would never ask her to give up her family time for me. God knows, I already disrupted her life enough. To this day I’m not sure her mother forgives me for Quinn being in Virginia.
The day of my high school graduation became a blur after Holli and Bryce’s announcement. It wasn’t hard to stay away from either of them, especially when we walked into my favorite Mexican restaurant for my celebration dinner and Holli became ill. Bryce had to take her home and I never saw him again that night.
The next day, I set about changing my entire future. There were several schools I’d been accepted to prior to deciding on UT. One of my top choices was University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I called them and spoke to the Dean of Admissions and did everything short of begging to get my slot back. Somehow, I even got Quinn’s back too explaining she was my roommate. The only caveat was we had to attend summer school, which started three weeks later.
I wasn’t sure of Quinn’s reaction to the drastic change in plans, but she was surprisingly excited. When I sat down and told my parents that night, my dad hit the roof, but my mom was understanding. She followed me to my room and sat on my bed as we made of list of things needing to be done. When we were finished, she pulled me down next to her and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
“I know why you are doing this, Devon, and I completely understand.”
Tears stung my eyes and a sob escaped.
“Are you upset with me?”
“Not at all.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me how unreasonable I’m being? How I need to grow up?”
“Not at all.”
“Nothing? Not even this is a rash decision I may regret?”