I Never Let You Go (I Never 3)

I narrow my eyes in her direction as she makes more noise than necessary. She knows where the coffee mugs are, so why she is slamming the cabinet doors just to get a rise out of me.

I search for my phone and finally find it on the floor in front of me. I need some fresh air, so I grab it before following Kate into the kitchen and out to the back patio. On the Uber ride home, I didn’t trust myself with my phone, so I turned it off. Even though I changed my number, he possibly had the same one. No matter how much I have tried to forget his number, it’s engraved in my brain.

Once turned back on, my phone dings with notification after notification of voicemails and texts from my brother, Dani, my mom, and sister.

Kate: Where are you?

Kyler: Did you really leave my wedding without saying goodbye?

Kyler: Are you alive? Where are you?

Mom: Sweetheart, I want you to know I didn’t know that Finn was coming. I promise. I hope you are okay. I love you. Call me tomorrow.

Dani: We’re so worried about you. Are you okay?

Dani: We are soooooo talking more about this when we get back.

Dani: Also, why is my wedding day the first time I’m hearing about Finn?!

I hate that I had kept this information from her, but I’m not even sure where I would have begun. I never thought I would see him again, let alone at my brother’s wedding. I wish I could have woken up and it had all been a dream. At least he doesn’t live here and I don’t have to worry about seeing him again.

I decide to listen to voicemails later. Instead, I bring up my brother’s contact information and press Send.

He picks up on the second ring, “Jesus Christ, Lauren, are you okay?”

“Well, good morning to you too,” I laugh half-heartedly, but my smile falters when I hear Dani in the background asking questions. I’m sure she has plenty.

“Babe, hold on,” he muffles into the phone. I laugh, picturing her pouting. There is a voice over the loudspeaker announcing a flight. They must be at the airport about to leave for their honeymoon.

“Laur? You there?” He’s back on the phone.

“Yeah, I’m here. Look, I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye.”

“I don’t even care about that anymore. I just want to know that you’re okay. You had us all worried.”

“I’m sorry. It was…it was…” My hangover has me fumbling for words. “It was just too much.”

Ky is silent for a moment.

“You have to know we had no clue he would be there. I promise I would have told you.” I can hear the remorse in his voice.

“It’s okay. I know. Kate is here and told me, and I had text messages from Mom saying the same thing.”

“Dani says she saw you two on the dance floor.”

I blush, remembering the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. My breath hitches for a moment. “Can we not talk about that? It was a onetime thing; it’s not like he lives here. I’m sure he’s already on a plane back to Seattle.”

Kyler goes silent again. I hear Dani mumbling something but can’t quite make it out.

“Yeah, about that. You know he said he lives here now. He’s taking over his father’s company.”

“Oh.”

“Flight 308 to St. Thomas is now boarding,” I hear over the loudspeaker.

“Hey, our flight is about to board. I have to go, but I’m glad you called. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Have fun on your honeymoon, and give Dani my love. And hey, Ky?”