Broken Dreams (Broken 2)

“Yep. When Tyler suggested changing the wedding date, Meg freaked. The place they are getting married at has a year-long waiting list.” She let out a giggle and said, “I never thought I would love Meg as much as I do right now!”

“So, I guess we’re heading to New York in two weeks.”

She smiled and said, “I can’t wait for you to meet my family.” Her smile faded, and she looked away.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked as I turned her face back toward me. I hated seeing her upset or frightened.

“Shit. I just realized something. This whole time I was preparing not to go to the wedding, and now that we are, I only have two weeks to prepare you for my dad.”

My heart dropped in my stomach as I watched Courtney get up and head toward the shower. She was mumbling something about her dad, his guns, and his baby girl.

Oh yeah. That sick feeling just got about ten times worse.

The moment we stepped foot into my parents’ house, Reed had my mother, my sister Sissy, and Meg all wrapped around his finger. My father, on the other hand, kept calling Reed the little motherfucker, even when I begged him to stop. I knew, deep down inside, he loved Reed. My dad could see how happy Reed made me, and that was all my father cared about—my happiness.

I was sitting in a chair next to my grandmother as she showed me how to crochet. I was attempting to make a baby blanket. I would do about ten rows, and then Grams would check it and rip out at least three rows, saying I was doing it too loose or too tight. I was beginning to get pissed-off.

Tyler came and sat down next to me as I worked on my pale yellow blanket.

“Hey,” he said as he hit my knee.

I smiled up at him and replied, “Hey yourself. Are you getting nervous? Tomorrow is the big day.”

His eyes lit up, and I knew that look. I’d seen it almost two months ago in my own eyes.

He shook his head and said, “Nah. I’m just ready to make Meg happy until the day I die.”

I smiled and nodded my head as I looked out into the kitchen. Reed was laughing at something my father was saying, and when he looked at me and winked, I had to catch my breath.

“He makes you happy,” Tyler said.

I snapped my head back and looked at him as I smiled probably the goofiest smile ever.

“He makes me so happy. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” I said as I peeked back at Reed.

Tyler took in a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. “Courtney, can I ask you something?”

“Sure. You can ask me anything.”

“What happened between you and Noah? I mean, I really thought you liked him, and I know he liked you. I know something happened because Noah told me he was in love with you, and you destroyed him.”

My breathing picked up, and my hands started to shake.

I quickly looked at Reed, but he’d moved, and now, his back was facing me. I need him. Reed, please turn around.

“Court? Are you okay?” Tyler asked as he touched my hand.

I jumped and pulled my hands back.

“Jesus Christ, Court. What in the heck is wrong? You look like you saw a ghost.”

I swallowed hard and somehow built up the courage to talk. The whole time, I kept my eyes on Reed. “Tyler, I don’t want to talk about Noah—ever. Please just let it go. It was in the past, and I’d like to keep it there.”

“He was right.”

I snapped my head and glared at Tyler. “Excuse me?”

“Noah—he told me if I tried to talk to you about him, you would get mad and say you didn’t want to talk about it. Court, I have to ask. Did you cheat on him or something? He’s still hung up on you after all these years. I mean, he’s moved on finally, and he is engaged now…”