Begin Again (Beautiful 2)

Huntley spoke first. “But you have to tell Brody before he leaves. Don’t you think he deserves to know?”

I heard a sniffle and assumed it was Demi. “I’m not ready to tell him yet.”

There was a moment of silence before Huntley replied, “If Jeff knows about the baby, don’t you think you owe it to Brody to tell him too? You can’t keep…” her words disappeared when I heard the words “Jeff’ and “baby”. My ears started ringing and my throat grew dry. So it was true. Demi was expecting Jeff’s baby. Oh fuck, I was going to be sick. Bile slid up my throat and I barely made it to the bathroom before I spewed all the contents in my stomach into the toilet bowl. It was final. I’d lost Demi for good and that wasn’t even the worst part. What killed me, what slaughtered my soul, was knowing that another man was going to get my dream. He was going to have a family with Demi, something I’d dreamed about for most of my grown up life. It was over for me. There was no coming back after this and the only person I could really blame was myself. I rinsed my mouth and washed my face before making my way back out just in time for the speeches to start. I reluctantly took a seat next to Sienna and had to contain my anger when I saw Demi and Huntley walk out shortly after me. Demi sat down next to Jeff and I had the sudden compulsion to fly across the table and beat the shit out of Jeff for taking what was mine. It was irrational and I knew that. Another man can’t take what you think is yours when you so freely gave it up. It was my biggest fucking mistake ever.

Coach Morgan, Huntley’s uncle stood up and the room quieted. We were seated at a long rectangular table and it worked well. The rehearsal dinner was for family and close friends and I suddenly regretted having Sienna with me.

“Good evening everyone,” Coach Morgan started. “Emma and I would like to thank you all for being here tonight, it means a lot to us. Firstly, to my beautiful niece, Huntley, baby girl, your parents would be so proud of you and I know your aunt and I couldn’t be more proud of you than we are right now,” there were a few sniffles from the woman and I looked to where Grayson had his arm wrapped around an emotional Huntley. “We want you to be happy, sweetheart, and we love you like a daughter. Grayson,” Coach Morgan looked at Grayson, “I don’t think there is a better man out there to take care of our girl and I believe my brother hand picked you from above to take care of Huntley. My wish for you both is a life of happiness and love, the kind that lasts a lifetime. Be good to each other.”

There was a collective “cheers” and “hear hear” from everyone and smiles all round. The moment Sienna stood up, I knew the magic of the night was about to be shot to hell.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Sienna said, earning a few glares from the other guests. “But I have an announcement. Well we have an announcement,” she looked at me and the words that came out of her mouth left me speechless. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion and I could do nothing to stop it. “Brody and I are expecting.”

What.The.Fuck.

The silence in the room was cut short with gasps from all around the table, mine included. Sienna smiled, despite the obvious tension that her announcement had caused, and looked straight at Demi. Her face was pale and utterly crestfallen.

She rose from her chair and walked to where Sienna was sitting. Her hand came up and she slapped Sienna across the face. Hard. Sienna cupped her face, looking surprised. Hell, even I was surprised. Demi wasn’t the type to hit anyone.

“You bitch,” she said. “Are you so desperate for attention that you’d try and ruin my best friends rehearsal dinner? You should be ashamed of yourself!” Her voice cracked and when her eyes fell on me I could see the hurt swirling in their depths. Without another word, she walked past me and Sienna and broke out into a run the closer she got to the door. Huntley followed and I could only watch in embarrassment as it had all unfolded. Grayson glared at me and he looked beyond pissed. I couldn’t blame him. Sienna grabbed my hand and it was the first time I’d looked at her all night. I was such a fucking moron for getting involved with her and now I was tethered to her in the worst way.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” she asked. She’s put her ‘sweet’ mask on for me, but it was too late. I’d already seen the monster she was beneath the façade and I didn’t like it. Grayson flew out of his chair and stomped towards the exit.

“We’ll talk about this later,” I growled at Sienna.

“So typical!” she shrieked, throwing her hands up in the air. Causing a scene was her specialty and it was sickening that she got her kicks out of it. She had no idea how badly she’d just fucked things up. “I just told you we’re pregnant and your response is to run after your poor, pathetic ex-girlfriend!”

I took her arm in my hands and pulled her close enough that she could be the only one to hear me talk. “It’s time for you to leave, Sienna. We’ll talk about this back at the hotel, but right now I need to check on my friends.”

I left her there and walked outside into the warm night. I found Grayson and Huntley standing on the sidewalk but no Demi.

“Where is she?” I asked.

Huntley’s hand came up and connected with my cheek, making my skin sting.

“You asshole!” she yelled between her tears.

“What the hell, Huntley? What did I do?”

“Baby,” Grayson soothed. “Please calm down.”

‘No, Gray, I’ve had enough of all of this. Our night has been ruined because if his,” she pointed at me, “bitch of a girlfriend!”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea that was going to happen. Now, tell me where I can find Demi, please.”

Huntley shook her head. “No, you’ve done enough. She was fine until you showed up. I love you Brody, and your one of our best friends, but right now I don’t like you. Demi deserved better. She’s been through hell and back again because of you!”

“Huntley,” Grayson warned with a shake of his head, “Don’t.”

They seemed to be having a silent conversation that I clearly wasn’t privy to.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized again. “I know I’ve fucked up real bad, but I need to talk to her Huntley.”

“I’m also sorry, Brody, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. She needs time, and she needs the chance to really get over you. I want you at our wedding tomorrow, but Sienna isn’t welcome and if she shows up I won’t hesitate to have her thrown out.”

I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away feeling contrite.

I started to speak but Grayson cut me off. “Why don’t you go inside, baby?” he said to Huntley. He was worried about her. Even I noticed the change in her behavior. Huntley wasn’t always so verbal about her feelings, let alone her anger towards someone. She nodded and Grayson kissed her forehead before she disappeared inside again.

“Listen, Gray - ”

“No, Brody, you listen. You are my best friend and God knows I love you like a brother, but enough is enough. I’m going to tell you something and you won’t like it, but I’m the only one will give it to you straight. It has taken almost a Goddamn year for Demi to be anything like herself again. I know I said it isn’t my story to tell, and it isn’t, but you need to understand what it did to her when you left. I hate seeing you two do this to yourselves and each other, and now you’ve got a baby on the way with Sienna. I…” he paused, and rubbed his face with both his hands, “Fuck. I don’t know what to say anymore.”