Jilted Jock - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,1

my head to the sky, basking in the sun. It was unseasonably warm for November in California. Mid-eighties, just the way Cindy ordered it.

“Where are you and—” Chance paused and looked to me, dark brows pulled together. “Cindy, right?”

I nodded.

“And she’s the coach’s daughter?”

“One of the owner’s daughter,” I filled in for him.

We nodded at the same time, perhaps both of us realized we didn’t know a lot about the other’s life. When we met up, our conversations tended to revolve around Australia and soccer.

“Where are you two going on the honeymoon?”

“Bora Bora.”

“Nice.”

I’d wanted to go to Fiji, but we’d compromised. She picked the honeymoon destination and I got to pick the venue for the wedding. I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere but with a scenic view of the Pacific.

Cindy argued that an outdoor wedding wasn’t ideal for this time of year, but I’d worked my magic to score outdoor accommodations to make the whole thing feel like a big indoor party with a postcard view straight through the massive white tent to overlook the ocean. And the look on her face last night as she’d seen it all come to life had confirmed I’d done well. She freaking cried. Sobbed. Sobs of happiness.

Foster, one of my groomsmen and teammates, lifted his chin in acknowledgment from twenty feet and made his way through the unhurried guests to where Chance and I stood watching the tiny white chairs fill with people – only some of whom I actually knew.

“About five minutes. The minister was asking about the reading Cindy wanted him to do before the service. He didn’t get a copy. Also, your wedding gift for her arrived.” He nodded to Chance in silent greeting and then cast his hazel eyes back on me.

“Oh, perfect.” I rubbed my hands together. “Where is she?”

“She?” Chance asked and grabbed my shoulder, giving it a little shake. “This wedding just got more interesting.”

“I got her a kitten. One of those Bengal cats. She’s been dropping hints since we moved in together,” I told him and then to Foster, “Bring it over. I want to see it before I give it to her.” I pulled a diamond bracelet from my pocket. The plan was to place it around the cat’s neck. Just in case getting a kitten for a wedding present wasn’t romantic enough, I was going to cover it in diamonds – can never go wrong with diamonds.

Foster stepped back and waved to someone and then looked back to me. “And the reading?”

I stared blankly at my buddy. “I haven’t a clue. That was all Cindy. Ask her.”

Foster shifted from one foot to the other, looking more unsure than I’d ever seen the ballsy striker. “She’s not here yet.”

I checked my watch even though he just told me it was five ‘til.

“She’s gotta be here somewhere. She’s not showing up late to her own wedding.” If I knew Cindy, she’d been here since early this morning making sure everything was just perfect. I took out my phone and saw I’d missed a text from her. “She just texted, I’ll see where she’s at.”

Taking a step away, I pulled up her message.

Cindy: I’m not coming. Please don’t hate me. It’s for the best. Mom and Dad will take care of everything.

My knees buckled and I steadied myself on a metal pole holding up the tent. Was this a joke? I glanced to Foster for confirmation. Surely if this was some big charade to pull one over on me and get me riled up, he was in on it. He stared back at me with a blank expression.

“Tell Pastor Smith to skip the reading.”

“But—”

“No stupid reading,” I said more sternly as I tapped on Cindy’s name and put the phone to my ear.

He shrugged and took off.

“Everything alright?” Chance asked.

I didn’t dare look at him as the phone rang. No answer. I called back.

“You’ve reached Cindy—” Her chipper voicemail kicked in again. I hung up and then pressed the damn call button harder, as though sheer force and persistence would make her answer.

Chance watched me while I paced back and forth. My palms tingled and the weight of the diamond bracelet still in my hand grew heavy.

The line connected to silence and I froze waiting for her to say something. One, two long seconds passed.

“Cindy?”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m here.” Her voice sounded small and far away.

“Oh, thank God.” My lungs filled with air. “Where are you? And what do you mean you’re not coming?”

Chance made a little