Advice from a Jilted Bride

by Rayne, Piper

  She really is a class A meddler.

  I stuff them back inside the box and place it on the shelf behind me.

  As impossible as it feels, I need to put Lake Starlight in my rearview mirror.

  Fifty

  Wyatt

  Stepping off the elevator of my condo building in New York, it feels like I can only remember my time with Brooklyn here. In the years I’ve spent riding the elevator, walking down the hall to my condo, all I can seem to recall are the few times Brooklyn was at my side. How there wasn’t enough room for both of us to walk side-by-side, so I slid back for her to go first then admired her ass in the dress she wore to my sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner. How excited I was to peel it off her before realizing she was nervous, and I had to take my time.

  How did everything unravel so quickly? My heart aches from missing her. For the first time in my entire life, I took the coward route because I feared I’d make a fool of myself by begging her to get on the plane with me. What was I going to do? Try to convince her money and wealth trump family bonds?

  It took a nine-hour plane ride to be thankful I didn’t try to convince her. Brooklyn isn’t impressed with tickets to shows on opening night, or reservations at the “it” restaurants. She prefers the boisterous parties with her family and walking downtown, catching up with people she hasn’t seen in a while. It might take her a half hour to do one errand, but she doesn’t care. She’s never in a rush.

  We’re from different worlds.

  I insert my key into the door and walk into my condo.

  I sigh, finding my lights on. My mom curled up on the couch.

  Fuck. What happened now?

  “Mom?” I ask, dropping my bags on the floor and shutting my door.

  She peers up from the couch. “You’re home,” she says, a smile on her face.

  “Yeah. Why are you here?”

  I sit across from her and she keeps the blanket over her lap and sits up.

  “I was waiting for you.”

  “Why? I was going to come by in the morning. Dad said the paperwork would be ready for me to sign then. Did he change his mind about giving me the chain? Is he not—”

  She shakes her head. “No. He’s going to, but I wanted a little alone time with you beforehand. He’s flying back from Texas tomorrow morning.”

  “Is there something wrong? Haylee? Bradley?” I swallow. “You?”

  She smiles. “We’re all good. What I’m wondering is, are you?”

  I huff, standing with the hopes I have some sort of alcohol in here. “I brought you some beer.”

  I open the fridge, finding just that. “I need groceries.”

  “Do you?” she asks.

  I tilt my head to understand what her meaning is. “Let’s cut the chitchat. What’s up?”

  I pop off the top of the beer and head back to the couch.

  “When I was sick, you were so young. Too much responsibility was placed on your shoulders. If I could take one thing back, it would be that. But you were my little boy and I was so scared of losing you and Haylee forever, I didn’t want to fight for you to live your life while I was fighting for mine.”

  “Mom. Stop. You were sick. Don’t feel guilty about that.”

  “Your dad should’ve been there to make sure you didn’t feel responsible to make me happy. You and Haylee…I’m not sure I would have continued fighting if not for you two.” She looks out the window to the New York skyline sprinkled with lights in the surrounding buildings.

  “Why are we talking about this?”

  “Because you’re about to do something that I think you feel like you have to do, but I’m not sure you really want to do. I need to make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you sign those papers and take on that hotel chain.”

  I sip my beer, waiting because I have no idea where the hell she’s going with this.

  “When your father and I first met, we were so in love, but your father’s first love is this company. I’m not blind to that. Never was. He’s come a long way in the years since I was sick.” She waves her hand. “I know you and Haylee don’t see it because he’s not one for open displays of affection. But he has. We’re working on it.”

  “But still work takes priority over you.”

  She nods.

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  “I am. I signed up for it and for a long time you and Haylee were my priority. You probably still are.”

  “That’s different.”

  She shrugs. “Maybe. But you’re not your father, Wyatt. You’re not a man who wants to work eighty-hour weeks and travel all the time for business. You won’t get that same high your father gets when a deal is closed.”

  “I know I never took this seriously before, but the last few years—”

  She shakes her head. “You’re not irresponsible, that’s not what I’m saying. I have a feeling you want this chain of hotels for a reason other than you’ve dreamed of it your entire life.”

  “What are you talking about?” I sip my beer, and she stares at me like I should already be catching on. “This isn’t about Dad.” I stand and head to the window.

  “Isn’t it?”

  “No. What else would I do? I was born into Whitmore Hotels. This is what I knew I’d always do.”

  “But you fought it for most of your life. I remember when you were growing up and you wanted to be a fireman.”

  “I was six.”

  She laughs. “Well. You never dressed up in a business suit and said take me to work with you, Daddy.”

  “Like he would have anyway.” I down the rest of my beer. Man, that went fast.

  “That’s not the point. Wyatt, I don’t want to pressure you, but is leaving Lake Starlight something you want to do? You had no feelings for Brooklyn at all?”

  If I tell my mom the truth, I’ll disappoint her.

  “I know I meddle. I know I pushed you to bring a date and if you felt forced to and that’s why you brought Brooklyn, okay. But that night after the announcement about Glacier Point, when she didn’t join us for dinner, I saw it on your face. You’re always in a bad mood around your father, but it was something more than that.”

  “Did I ever tell you that you nitpick and make assumptions about everything I do?”

  She laughs. “Tell me my mother’s intuition is wrong.”

  I turn away from the city below me and meet her gaze. “I can’t.”

  “That’s what I thought. Then why are you back here fighting for something you don’t want? To throw it into your dad’s face? To prove to him that you’re just as good or better than him? That you somehow deserve to spend your life running a business that wasn’t your dream in the first place? Come on, Wyatt.”

  “I never said I didn’t want it.” I toss the empty into the recycling bin and grab another beer. The memory of my dad’s hands on that woman eats at me. Does she know what a complete scumbag he is?

  “Mom, there’s something you should know.” I can’t keep it in any longer. She deserves to know.

  “Wyatt, I know your father is no saint. But I’ve put the past behind me, as has he. We’ve been to counselors and done the work and yes, your father is still a workaholic and hard to please, but he’s not the same man he was so many years ago.”

  My head hangs down. She knew all along and she chose to forgive him.

  That makes one of us, I suppose.

  She rises off the couch and comes over to the breakfast bar. “You’re a better man than your father. You have nothing to prove. Don’t let the resentment of who he is or was in some respects, deter you from going after the life you want.”

  I close my eyes and bite my lip staring anywhere but at her.

  “That would mean leaving you, too.”

  She lays her hand on mine. “I’m a big girl. According to my driver’s license, I’m old enough to take care of myself and not too old to need long term care.”

  “But—”

  �
��Nope. We’re not going to live worrying about the future.”

  “Mom…”

  “Do you love her?”

  I stare her in the eyes and take a deep breath. I’ve never been in love, so I have no idea, but the fact is I almost didn’t get on the plane. The minute I landed I wanted back on one that would take me to her.

  “I do.”

  She walks away from me and digs into her purse. “Then you’re going to fly back to her right now.”

  I contemplate doing what she’s saying, but I still have business to work out with my dad.

  “I have something I have to take care of first.”

  My mom tears up. “Did I ever tell you how much time you used to spend playing with Lego? You always loved building things from the ground up.”

  I nod. “Yeah, and it’s about time I did that again.”

  Fifty-One

  Brooklyn

  Glacier Point is officially closed. I walk up the stairs to my apartment. Wyatt’s car is no longer in the parking lot.

  When I reach the third floor I pause before opening my door, knowing it’s going to feel different in my apartment now that Wyatt is gone. He didn’t live with me but he was always here and the fact that he’s returned to New York feels like a gaping hole in my chest.

  I thought he’d at least say goodbye.

  I open my door and stop, finding a gift bag on my kitchen table along with my key next to it.

  Dropping my bags, I sit down at the table and take out the tissue paper.

  I inhale a deep breath, trying to keep it together.

  I pull out a mug with a letter stuffed inside. I smile at the outline of the state of New York. The heart. My name on the inside.

  Unfolding the letter, my heart leaps inside my chest when I find Wyatt’s handwriting.

  Brooklyn,

  I didn’t want to be a coward, but I couldn’t stand to say the word goodbye to you. These past four weeks being close to you, yet not nearly as close as we’ve become is what I imagine prison feels like. So many times, I wanted to knock on your door, beg you to come walk around the lake with me. At work, I wanted to tuck that loose strand of hair behind your ear, corner you in a room and tell you, you were being stupid. But I didn’t. Because I could never live with myself if you came with me now and hated me later. I wish things were different. Your grandma gave me this set of mugs and I have one with Alaska and my name in it. Although we can’t be together, I’ll smile every morning knowing you’re having coffee and you might be thinking of me because I’ll definitely be thinking of you. I did leave my heart in Alaska with you, after all.

  Love,

  Wyatt

  I fold the piece of paper back up, wanting to read it over and over again because I can hear his voice reading it to me in my head.

  A knock sounds on the door and without me answering it, Savannah, Juno, and Holly walk in.

  Holly’s in her overalls and carrying gallons of paint and a bucket holding brushes.

  Savannah’s in yoga pants and a sweatshirt and Juno’s wearing sweats and a U of Anchorage sweatshirt.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “We’re here to redo your coffee table,” Holly says. “Fresh start.”

  “And drink.” Juno holds up two bottles of wine.

  “And eat.” Savannah lifts two bags of junk food.

  “Thanks, guys.” I put the mug and letter into the bag and escape to the kitchen quickly to hide it. Some things are meant to be just for me.

  Besides, coffee mugs and Savannah don’t mix.

  “You okay?” Juno asks, meeting me in the kitchen to open the wine.

  “I’m good.”

  Five minutes later, Holly’s getting started on the table when my door opens again and in comes all my brothers including Kingston who just got home from a long summer and early fall of putting out fires.

  “I heard there’s a party,” Austin says.

  “A pity party,” I say.

  “Nah, just a Wyatt’s an asshat party.” Kingston winks.

  “Denver will be up shortly. Liam’s helping him up the stairs.”

  Rome can’t even finish his sentence before Liam walks in with Denver in his arms, his crutches hanging from his hands. “Put me down. No need to show off how strong you are.”

  “Is that any way to treat your new husband?” Liam asks and deposits Denver down slowly until he can put his crutches on the ground. “I’ll be right back. I forgot the beer.”

  The door shuts with Liam’s departure and I sit down on the couch. They start the same party they had for me when I got stood up at the altar and I can’t help the feeling that I’m sick of being the Bailey project. It’s time for it to be someone else’s turn.

  “I gotta ask. You knew the score, right?” I scrunch my eyebrows at Kingston. “Like you knew his life was in New York, so why get involved?” he clarifies.

  I eye Rome. “Someone told me he’d make a great rebound.”

  Everyone’s eyes shoot to Rome.

  “You’re such an idiot.” Savannah hits him on the back of the head.

  Rome holds his head. “What? It’s what any guy would say.”

  “Not to Brooklyn. Maybe Savannah with her cold heart, but Brooklyn?” Juno hits him.

  “I’m fairly sure you just insulted me,” Savannah says, pouring a glass of wine.

  “Take it as you’re tough.” Juno pretends to flex like a bodybuilder. “But in your mind.”

  “In that case, I’m sorry.” Kingston pats my knee. “That you went to the dumbass brother for advice.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa…” Rome holds his hands in the air. “Are you over Jeff, Brooklyn?”

  I nod. “Yes.”

  “Mission complete.” Rome wipes his hands clean and heads into the kitchen.

  The door opens and closes, and Liam enters holding two cases of beer. I kind of want to bury myself in a hole right now but whatever. “You’ve got a hot new neighbor.” He nods toward the hall.

  “Joel said he was putting the place up on Airbnb,” I say.

  “What’s she look like?” Rome and Kingston run to the door. Denver doesn’t even attempt it with his leg.

  “She’s gone, guys,” Liam says.

  “Not to mention if she wants any Bailey, it’s going to be the famous one.” Denver puffs out his chest a little using another chair to rest his leg on.

  “How about the one who owns his own restaurant?” Rome adds.

  “The guy who risks his life every day to fight wildfires?” Kingston points to himself.

  “Or the stunning tattoo artist with the heart of gold?” Liam says, and Denver throws his beer cap at him.

  “That’s about as truthful as saying you’re a virgin,” Savannah snips.

  “Maybe I am?” Liam laughs. “What do you think, Savannah, wanna take my virginity?”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’d be more worried I’d take something else from you. Like an STD.”

  Holly works hard on the coffee table with Austin by her side. Gizmo cuddles in my lap until Juno picks him up and starts dancing with him. As they all talk, laugh, and razz each other, my mind can’t stop thinking about Wyatt and where he is right now. What’s he doing. Most of all, how much I wish he was here.

  Fifty-Two

  Brooklyn

  Lovely of my family to leave me with a mess to clean up. I wipe my hands and open the apartment door, holding it open with my hip to bring the case of empty beer bottles out.

  “You had a party to celebrate my leaving?”

  I look up and my heart leaps.

  Am I still half-drunk from last night?

  “Wyatt?” I gasp.

  He eyes the beer bottles again, wanting an answer.

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s upsetting. Maybe I should head back to New York then?” He stuffs his hands into his pockets and heads toward the stairs.

  “Why are you here?” I drop the box and the bottles clank.

  “Because I love you.�
�

  I suck in a breath and my eyes close. A tear forms and trickles down my cheek before I even realize my eyes have welled up. “What?” I whisper.

  He breaks the distance, his hands cupping my cheeks, his thumbs brushing away the tears. “I’m scared to death to find out whether these are happy tears or not.”

  I stare into his honest blue eyes. Did I know the first time I saw him that he was supposed to be mine?

  “It’s crazy and if you need more time, done. I realize you ended things with Jeff not that long ago, but I’ve never felt anything with anyone remotely like what I feel when I’m with you. I love you. So much.”

  These are the words I’d hoped to hear from him for so long, but I’m afraid to hope.

  “New York?”

  “I’m moving to Lake Starlight for good. In fact…” He holds up a set of keys. “I just opened up a business here.”

  “You did?”

  “A hotel. The old owner sold it to me and it’s mine now to rebuild and make something special. But I have to be honest. I had to clean out most of my trust fund to make it happen and take a loan from my father—courtesy of my mom making it happen. So, if it doesn’t work out and turn a profit, we’re going to be pretty much destitute.”

  I chuckle. “If anyone can make it work, you can.”

  “Your confidence is inspiring.” He leans in and places a chaste kiss on my lips. It doesn’t last long enough.

  “Now, weren’t you in housekeeping? Would you like a job?”

  I shrug. “I think I’m retiring from that. Plus, we shouldn’t work together.”

  “Why not?” His forehead wrinkles.

  “Because I shouldn’t sleep with the boss.” I smile and he wraps his arms around my waist.

  “Which means?”

  I grab his shirt and pull him closer. “Which means, I love you, too and I’m like the Welcome Wagon. Want to come inside and I’ll officially welcome you to Lake Starlight?”