The Sweetheart Sham

by Danielle Ellison

  “I am.”

  He looks toward me. “Scrooge gave his blessing then.”

  “He did. He’s all grown up.”

  “That he is,” Dad says, then pauses. “Well, congratulations. I look forward to meeting him.”

  Ma smiles. “Thank you,” then she walks past us toward Aunt Madison. Dad gives me a look, and I know that was hard for him, but he did it.

  If he did, I can too.

  When Dad and I are alone, he opens a beer. “I’m glad you came back.”

  “Before we go out there, I have a question,” I say.

  Dad takes a drink. The bottle glugs against his lips while he’s drinking. “Shoot.”

  “I was wondering if, after the wedding is over, you’d like to start running together in the mornings.”

  Dad gives me a long look. “Yeah, son. I would.”

  “Cool,” I say.

  He walks next to me as we head toward the backyard. “Maybe I can take you to the golf course. You ever learn?”

  “You remember that?” I want to smile.

  “One of the things I’ve hated the most about myself is how I let you down,” he says.

  “Sure, Dad, but there’s one more thing,” I say, and we stop walking. “I want to move forward and stop living in the past, if we can.”

  Dad rests a hand on my shoulder. “That sounds good to me, son.”

  We’re not perfect yet, him and me, but I understand a little more of what he must’ve felt and how hard it’s been for him to lose us. That’s all it takes to start to fix what’s broken. At least that’s all we have to start with.

  The whole family is in the backyard talking when we get out there. Uncle Ben is grilling dinner. Ma and Madison are chatting with Granddad. Rena and Sissy are quietly sipping sweet tea, not talking to anyone. When Will sees me, he looks away. In order to fix anything with Georgie, I need to start here.

  “Thanks for not bailing,” Drew says to me.

  “I’d never do that to you. I just needed to see Ma,” I say.

  I notice Will give me a look when I say that like he doesn’t believe me. I turn to him. “I don’t bail on my family.”

  “What about your girl?” he asks.

  “Definitely not that one.”

  Drew looks between us, and finally Will says, “If you do, I’d have to get a group together and kick your ass.”

  “Noted,” I say.

  “You want a drink?” he asks, opening the cooler. I say yes and he hands me a soda. It’s a peace offering.

  I look at my phone while we stand there. I texted Georgie before I left home, and I haven’t heard back. “How is she? She hasn’t texted me.”

  He shrugs. “She hasn’t said much about it the last few days.”

  “Is that good or bad?” I ask.

  “Not sure, honestly. She’s busy with the wedding, but she was also pretty pissed at you,” Will says. “I don’t think even I could get her to see you.”

  “I don’t need you to,” I start. I have this idea. “You want to help me with a surprise?” I ask. “For Georgia Ann.”

  Will nods. “I’m team #Beorgie, so yes.” I make a face at him. “What? You don’t like that name?”

  “No, never say it again. Can you text Lyla and the Belles? We may need extra help on this.”

  Will pulls out his phone. “You know she hates surprises.”

  I laugh. “I know, but I don’t think she will hate this one.”

  At least, I hope not.

  That Summer—August

  Beau

  I’m ready to dance with my girl. I don’t usually dance, but for Georgia Ann I will. I even learned to “shag” for her. She was shocked I didn’t know the official South Carolina state dance.

  “We learned it in fourth grade,” she’d said.

  “I blocked it all out of my memory,” I’d responded.

  Well, I know it now. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I show her.

  Ma appears in my door as I check my hair again.

  “Beau,” she says. “You look nice.”

  That’s good. I am happy, excited even. “I’m going to the dance.”

  She nods, and doesn’t say anything. I look her way, really look at her instead of just talking. Her eyes are puffy. She’s been crying. “Ma? What’s wrong?”

  Is someone sick? Dead?

  “Sit down please.”

  I do because the way she’s looking, I know it’s something big. Adults sometimes get that look in their eyes, like they have the most dangerous thing to tell you, but they don’t want to break you.

  She’s crying again. Ma’s been doing that a lot this summer. Whatever it is, she’s been tight-lipped about it. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m leaving.” Ma opens her mouth and closes it. Tries again. Leaving. “The car is all ready with my things.”

  My head is spinning. Leaving. Where is she going? “What?”

  “I’m leaving your father.”

  What is happening? I can’t…I stare at Ma. I feel dizzy.

  “Slow down, Ma. I don’t understand.”

  Ma takes a deep breath. “Beau, your father and I have had some issues for a while, and I can’t do this anymore. I have to go. I tried to be okay with everything, but I can’t stay here.”

  “So you’re leaving…right now? Tonight?”

  Dad’s not even in town. He left with Mr. Monroe two days ago to finalize all these papers for a buyout.

  She nods. “I can’t be here when he gets home. I’m moving to a loft in Atlanta.”

  “I don’t understand. Why?”

  She’s crying. My head is spinning. My parents are getting divorced, Dad is gone, and Ma is crying.

  “Beau…”

  “You’re telling me you’re leaving, right now, and I don’t get to know why?”

  Dad cheated.

  That’s all I hear between Ma’s tears. It’s enough. He’s been MIA all summer, and now I know why. He’s failed to keep promises. He’s been gone a lot. Another woman.

  “Okay,” I say. I don’t ask anything else. I grab a suitcase and start throwing clothes into it. Ma sniffles.

  “Are you sure?”

  Dad cheated. He’s a liar.

  “Yeah. We can get the rest of this stuff later, right?” I ask, and Ma nods. I don’t think while I pack up. I think of Georgia Ann when I toss a Twenty-One Pilots shirt in my bag. Georgia Ann. She’s waiting for me right now.

  “Ma, I have to—” I start and freeze. What? What am going to do? I reach for my phone, but it’s not on the bed where I left it. Where did I leave it?

  “As soon as your bag is ready, we’re going.”

  I nod, moving my bag to try to find my phone. It’s not under my bag, not on my bed. Where did I put it?

  I can’t believe my dad cheated on my mom.

  “Beau,” Mom calls, and I turn toward her. “Are you sure you want to come with me?”

  She’s asking me honestly, but there’s no way I can say no. There’s no way I can leave her right now, not when she needs me. I’m all she has now.

  “I’m sure.”

  Ma kisses my cheek.

  “We’re going to be okay,” I say.

  Ma nods, like she needs to hear that. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong. Dad did,” I say, anger bubbling up in my gut again. I reach over and throw a few pairs of socks into the bag. “I’m ready when you are. I just need to find my phone.”

  Ma looks around and then reaches over to my dresser and passes me my phone. It’s dead. I need to text Georgie.

  Like lightning, we’re out the door fast and into the car. I plug the phone into the car charger and don’t say anything else until we’re out of Culler. We turn down the street past the Welcome to Culler sign Where our family is yours.

  At that, my phone finally gets enough juice to turn on. I stare at the screen, wiling it to move faster.

  “Don’t tell anyone,” Ma says as my
phone lights up the dark space. “About why we’re leaving.”

  “What?”

  She shakes her head. “I don’t want to ruin your father, especially not when they’re dealing with the buyout. I don’t want anyone to think poorly of me.”

  “Ma,” I start, but her face is etched in worry so I nod. “Sure. I won’t say anything.”

  I look at my phone. Texts from Georgia Ann pop up one after the other. She’s there, she’s early, she’s nervous, where am I? Am I coming? The last one is the most important one, and with those words I know I ruined everything.

  Guess I know what we are. Nothing.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Georgie

  It’s a good thing Daddy made extra strong coffee this morning. I’m gonna need it. The backyard of the Montgomery Estate looks like something out of a fairy tale. I do a final walkthrough for Momma, and check everything off the list. Hundreds of white chairs are lined up next to the aisle of wrought-iron hangers with mason jars filled with baby’s breath and a light peach rose. In the front where they will say their vows, a small arch is draped in the same. It’s even more amazing when it’s all put together, and that’s the cool part about planning events. You see it all in your head, on paper, and then there’s reality. There’s this. I can’t wait to see what the town square looks like.

  Momma texts me. Come to the bridal room.

  This is not a day to make Momma wait, and everything is set here, so off I go. The wedding starts in less than an hour, and all the guests should be arriving anytime.

  As soon as I open the door, I can feel the excitement from the bridal room. Five of the seven of Emma Claire’s bridesmaids are putting on makeup and sitting around in their light-yellow dresses. They’re all the same with lace-capped sleeves and a high neckline that covers over a heart-shaped sleeveless silky core. The lace goes to the middle, where there’s a silky band that ties into a bow under a deep curved back. The band, the fabric goes to their knees, but the sheer overlay goes over their feet. They look classy, yet fun. Somehow Emma Claire’s managed to get that in every aspect so far.

  “Hey, Momma,” I say. She smiles when she sees me, and even Momma is glowing in her light purple dress. She hands me a package. “Emma Claire would like this delivered to the groom.”

  “On it,” I say.

  “Georgie,” Emma Claire calls, and she comes into the main room where I am, her other two bridesmaids with her.

  She looks stunning. Emma Claire’s long, red hair is French braided around each side of her head. Where it meets in the back, it weaves together in loose curls. It’s really beautiful. But it’s her dress that steals the show. I’d seen it in pictures, but those don’t do it justice. It’s a mermaid dress made of lace that branches out at the waist into a waterfall of flowers. At the top, the lace covers the V shape and eases up to create straps to the dress and the back shape of the deep curve. From the curve of her back, magic buttons line up her spine attached to a sheer overlay. At her backside, the fabric envelops and expands in a beautiful circular train, with lace extending around and going longer to the fabric underneath.

  “He’s going to cause a fuss about it, but tell him I said to wear it or else he will pay tonight.”

  The girls chuckle, and I definitely am not going to say that part but I nod.

  “Of course.”

  She turns back to her friends. Momma grabs my hand. “Check on everyone while you’re there. Make sure they’re ready and tell them it’s fifteen minutes and then everyone needs to be in place.”

  “Got it,” I say.

  New commands and whatever this little box is in hand, I head off to the guesthouse where Drew and the groomsmen are. I knock a few times before one of Drew’s groomsmen opens the door for me. I walk in the room and Drew nods at me.

  “I come bearing a gift from your bride,” I say, handing Drew the little box. I clear my throat and try not to notice Beau in the background, which is hard, since he’s looking hot in that tux. He’s been texting me every day for a week, and I’ve read them but said nothing. As much as I like him, I won’t be with someone who can’t choose me, who doesn’t trust me.

  “She said to wear them or else.”

  The guys all do that weird guy thing where they make innuendos. Drew laughs and opens the little box. Cufflinks, and a note, which he reads to himself and then smiles. He holds the box out to Will. “Switch these out, bro.” To Beau he calls, “Can you grab that box and bring it to Georgie?”

  Will looks at me and I just stand there, smiling. When Beau makes the treacherous journey across the room, the first thing I notice is his smell. He smells too good. How do guys always do that? His hand brushes mine when I take the box from him, and stupid me, I look up. I look right up into those eyes, which seem even brighter today.

  “Thanks,” I whisper. My voice seems to be gone so I clear my throat. “Momma said y’all have fifteen minutes then you need to be on cue. See you out there.”

  I walk back toward the main house, and it feels like my legs are jelly. Is it always going to be like this around Beau? I hope not. I can’t handle that. Lyla finds me when I’m back near the chairs, which are already filling up with people.

  “Georgie, you look so cute! I love your dress!” Lyla smiles at me. I run my hands down my favorite light blue dress, which is covered with gold lace and flairs out around my hips.

  “Thank you. You do, too.” Her hair is pulled back tight and I like her light pink dress. “How’s the town square?”

  “It looks amazing. So elegant and yet so Culler. Emma Claire had a vision; the Belles and your momma delivered,” Lyla says.

  “Speaking of, I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll save you a seat,” she says, and goes to sit with our friends.

  I run Drew’s gift back to Emma Claire, who beams while she opens it and then immediately puts on the pair of pearl and diamond earrings instead of what she has. I turn to Momma. “Everything and everyone is ready.”

  She rests a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you, sweetie. Why don’t you go to your seat? I don’t need anything else until the reception.”

  I make my way back to my seat and wait.

  I don’t really talk to anyone, just sorta take it all in as every chair fills up. As the processional starts and everyone gets into place, I find Beau immediately, and as much as I don’t want to, I can’t look away. Especially when he matches my gaze. I wait as a different piece of music starts and Beau’s eyes shift away toward the aisle. We all rise as Emma Claire descends with her father. I sneak a peek back at Drew, who is smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen him smile.

  “Dearly beloved,” the officiant starts. I steal one more glance at Beau, who looks at me again, and then focus on the bride and groom.

  I run around during the reception and help Momma until she sets me free after the first dance.

  I grab my plate of food from the caterers and take my seat at a table next to Daddy and Pappy. Pappy kisses my cheek when I sit.

  As I take a bite, I look around. The town square has been transformed. Everything is covered in white lights and rustic chairs and tables. The centerpieces, which match the bouquets of peach and white roses inside mason jars, look amazing. The place settings are perfect. Sparklers are at each place setting so we can light them up later this evening, and there are even glow stick necklaces. Those are a surprise to me, and I can’t imagine Momma being okay with those.

  The gazebo and the cake are at the center with a giant dance floor all around. Tables line the outside of that. Lyla was right. It’s very Emma Claire and very Culler. Even if they don’t stay here after they’re married, she is now part of this town. This wedding will go down in history.

  Will gets up at the microphone. He looks nervous, and there’s no sign of his Montgomery smile.

  “My turn now to give a speech as best man, which I’m glad my brother finally admitted.” This makes everyone laugh. “The first day my brother brought Emma Claire home I tol
d him she was too good for him, and somehow he’s married her today. I was kidding, mostly, but they’re both better off with each other. Trust me. I knew Drew before her and Drew after her. He needs her.”

  Will pauses. “Love comes when you’re not ready; it comes when you’re least expecting it. It did for them, and it did for me. It’s a scary thing to love someone else, but these two have shown me how great it is. They’ve shown me how it can change you, if you’re honest with yourself about it.”

  He looks toward them and they both nod him on. I stop eating. My stomach turns over with nerves because in that look, in their shared moment, I saw something new. I stare at Will, and quickly he meets my gaze, and my heart races.

  “I have been lucky to have so many wonderful people, like my brother and my new sister-in-law, to show me unconditional love. I have that in my best friend, Georgie, who has supported me and helped me ready myself for love. In my other best friend,” he looks toward Beau, “who has taught me how to be strong. These are only a few aspects of love, which I have learned and gained and experienced more of in these last two days than I thought possible. It’s this love that I want to share in with someone else, and it’s how I gained the courage to stand here today and confess that I had this experience this summer when I met my boyfriend. And earlier, watching the future start with my family, I now realize how rare it is.”

  There’s a slight murmur in the crowd, but Will ignores it. “I am in love with someone in this room, and I won’t tell you who he is because he’s not ready, but I am ready. Love is scary, you know, but never experiencing it is scarier. Never having someone know you in that way because you’re worried, that’s scarier. When you know what you want, who you are, and what makes you happy, you have to do anything you can to keep it. You have to fight for it and make it yours.”

  The whole town is completely quiet. He looks toward Drew and Emma Claire again. They’re smiling and Emma Claire looks teary eyed. “My brother and sister-in-law have taught me the importance of embracing that; I hope one day, I get to have someone love me the way you two love each other. To the bride and groom!”