have my heart broken, Rhett. I don’t have many people left in this world.”
The honesty bathing her voice makes my knees go weak, along with the pain pouring from her.
“The thing is Darby, I can’t unlove you.” I drop my forehead to hers and squeeze my eyes shut, pissed off at myself for allowing my heart to open up again.
“Darby, time for cake and then they’re leaving.” My mom’s voice breaks us up.
I step back, dropping my hands to my side, and watch Darby walk away like nothing just happened. The girl has a shield to the world like I’ve never seen before. It often makes me wonder what in the hell she’s gone through to be able to put up fake walls even when she’s hurting and scared.
What I can’t process is why I fell so hard for her and can’t seem to shake it. I’d spend nights with her for the rest of my life if that is all she’ll give. I need her. Crave her and have no idea how to begin to explain any of it.
I remain several steps behind her realizing that I could break down into a fucking mess any moment. I reach into the cooler and grab an ice-cold beer, then join the crowd. Ava and Zane refused any big reception, but my mom talked them into cutting the cake before leaving for their honeymoon.
Ava’s clutched to Charlie with the pain scripted on her face. I’ll be shocked if that momma bear leaves Charlie behind, same with Zane.
“You have to toast before cutting the cake,” my mom’s voice echoes through the small crowd on the deck.
Fuck, I need whiskey for this, not beer.
“Rhett and Darby up front and center.” She claps her hands together. My mother has always been a fucking hopeless romantic.
Darby makes her way up there before I move because she has me fucking frozen in my spot. She’s gorgeous with a genuine soul and owns my fucking heart or what’s left of it. I down another beer and have one in hand, before walking up the steps and standing on Zane’s side.
Unlike the wedding, I don’t stare at Darby, fantasizing our future together, but rather keep my eyes glued on the wine bottle. I do what I do best by putting on the Rhett show.
I raise my beer up in the air. “I’ll toast with this because I don’t drink that other shit.”
The crowd laughs and I pause for a moment, refusing to make eye contact with Darby.
“Well, Zane, I always knew you’d be pussy whipped one day. You’re just lucky Ava didn’t lay eyes on me first, buddy.”
Another round of laughs from the crowd.
“ Because we all know once they have Rhett, they be asking Zane who?”
Another round of laughter from the guests, I’ve thrived on being the center of attention, but right now it feels like fucking shit.
“Seriously man, you’re my best friend, brother, and everything in between.” I pat him on the shoulder and wave my beer towards Ava. “To be honest, I’m jealous of everything you have, but I know nobody deserves it more than you. I’ll be by your side just like I have since we were young studs. I love Ava like a sister and Charlie like a niece. I want nothing but the best for you two, and I hope one day…”
I look up to Darby for the first time to see tears streaming down her cheeks and have to cut my toast short. I’m unable to go on about wanting the same thing and one day raising our kids together.
“…and one day I hope Charlie gives you as much hell as you gave Grandpa. Cheers.”
I leave the unspoken words on the tip of my tongue. It’s not the time or place to spill my guts and it seems the person I want to listen to me wants nothing to do with me. The familiar ache in my heart is so powerful, I rub my chest with my free hand while drinking to my toast.
I study the tips of my black and white Cons, waiting for Darby to give her toast. It’s silent for a long time and then a dull laughter fills the air. When I look up, Darby has spilled some wine down the front of her dress while pouring her glass. And my mind goes straight to wanting to lick the nasty liquid from between her breasts. It reminds me the night I lapped up and drank a beer out