by Haley Jenner
Annabelle cries through her vows, promising to love and support Archer through life. To always fight on his side and be the kind of woman he deserves. Archer smiles only for Annabelle, talking low, not caring that the crowd of people can't hear his words. He vows to love her passionately and completely, as he has always done. He thanks her for showing him what it means to love someone, for bringing promise and happiness to his life.
I admire the love they share and the strength they've each shown in fighting for one another. I envy it too, knowing first hand that fighting doesn't always work. Not when the other person can't find it in themselves to fight the obstacles and challenges with you.
The ceremony concludes on whoops and whistles as Archer bends Annabelle into a hungry kiss, not at all fazed by their audience.
The chords of the melody fly easily from my guitar as my fingers work the strings. The words of the song echo into the stillness of the night as I watch Archer and Annabelle take their first dance as husband and wife. Their backyard is decorated in fairy lights and lanterns and their guests mingle, drink and dance.
Archer has since shunned his jacket, tie long gone as the sleeves of his white shirt are rolled to his elbows. He holds Annabelle close, whispering in her ear as her face stays connected to his neck.
Archer choose the song they’d dance to as husband and wife. 'My First, My Last, My Everything’. While my voice doesn't have the baritone Barry's can carry, the lyric is fitting. I think so, anyway.
As soon as the first line left my lips Annabelle's face buried into Archer's neck, where it has since stayed. He chose right. I like that.
The last chords trail off into the night and laying my instrument down, I walk towards the newlyweds. Archer pulls Annabelle's attention by passing her to me and she comes willingly, squeezing me tight. "Thank you, Jakey. That was beautiful," she gushes, mascara slightly smudged from her leaked tears.
"Told you, you married a man who let me sing 1D at your wedding we'd have problems," I joke and she laughs freely.
"He chose well," she concedes easily.
"That he did," I agree. "Good day?" I question swaying with her to the soft tune now playing.
"The best," she smiles, her brown eyes shining bright. Archer comes to steal her back as the song changes and I offer her a quick kiss, earning myself a deep growl for marking her with my lips. "Love you, Jakey," she declares before Archer has her full attention once again.
"Dance with me," Aubrey tests, coming in close, lacing her hands around my neck.
"Aubrey," I warn, moving to disentangle myself from her touch.
"Jake, please," she begs. Staring into the blue depths of her sad eyes, I can't bring myself to say no. I can't bring myself to bring any further sadness to her crystal colored eyes. So I don't. I pull her in close, fitting her hips against my own. Using one hand I hold her lower back and work the other into her hair and to the nape of her neck.
She breathes in my scent, keeping my eyes as we dance. In this moment, it feels so right. Being together, dancing alongside our family and friends. If only they knew the torture it brought us both. We don't speak, instead enjoying the few minutes of touching the song grants us, but as quickly as it started the soft tune fades into the next and I step back slightly, beginning to detach. "You haven't called or texted me. You won't talk to me," she accuses, it’s soft in its delivery, but still full of hurt.
Squeezing her neck lightly, her eyes close in the pleasure of my touch. Regretfully I pull away, stroking my thumb along the column of her neck, just to allow myself the feel of her soft skin, just once more. I'd love to taste it. Put my lips to her neck and watch her skin breakout in goosebumps, but I don't.
"You did good today, Jake. You're a good man."
"Ain't feeling much like that lately, Strawb'ries," I concede, giving into my need to touch her again and brushing my thumb along the fullness of her bottom lip. It's dangerous, to touch her like this surrounded by our family, but in that moment, I don't care. In that moment, all that exists are sad eyes and my want to make them happy. I'd love to taste her along the path my thumb travelled. Bend and lick along the plump bottom lip before closing my mouth over hers. But again, I don't.
"J-Baby…. No," she whispers, hurt plaguing her words.
"Nothing you say or do is gonna change that, baby. We did wrong, Aubrey. This…" I motion between the two of us. "It’s not right. As good as it feels - IT. AIN'T. RIGHT."
Aubrey's head bows low, eyes hidden, but I can feel the shame radiating from her. "I just want to talk to you," she pushes, reaching for my hand, but I pull away.
With everything I can manage I step out of her touch and watch her eyes fill with tears. "Can't do this, Aubrey. Much as I want you and believe me, baby, I do. This…. This…. It’s not me. Please, don’t ask me to be someone I don't like."
My words reach her ears and she bows her head again, nodding at her feet. I can't stand that look of dejection in her posture. It hurts, it confuses me, but mostly it makes me want something I shouldn’t. So I choose, at least in that moment, to save myself. I save myself from reaching out and touching her again. From begging her to choose me. From dragging her home and feeling her all over my body once again. I save myself by turning, walking away and not looking back.
THE END.
Archer and Annabelle’s Playlist
When I Look At You, Julia Westin
Locked Away, R. City, Adam Levine
The Heart Wants What It Wants, Selena Gomez
Your Side Of The Bed, Little Big Town
Tonight I Wanna Cry, Keith Urban
Whiskey and You, Tim McGraw
Amnesia, 5 Seconds of Summer
Half A Heart, One Direction
Fight Song, Rachel Platten
I Don’t Wanna See You With Her, Maria Mena
Jealous, Labrinth
Wine After Whiskey, Carrie Underwood
Sorry (Acoustic), Justin Bieber
Photograph, Ed Sheeran
My Heart Is Open, Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani
Scars, James Bay
Faith and Gasoline, Diesel
Shine The Light, Sugarland
How Long Will I Love You, Ellie Goulding
I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz
You’re My First, My Last, My Everything, O.C Smith
You can find this playlist on Spotify: Archer and Annabelle
About the Author
A blond. A brunette. A tea lover. A coffee addict. Two people. One pen name. Haley Jenner is made up of best friends, Hailey Bond and Jenna McIntyre. They’re both a little mad, but agree that Lewis Carroll nailed it when he said; all the best people are.
They reside on the Gold Coast, in Australia’s sunshine state, Queensland. They lead ultra-busy lives as working Mums, but wouldn’t want it any other way.
Books are a large part of their lives. Always have been and they’re firm believers that reading is an essential part of living. Escaping with a good story is one of their most favorite things, even at the detriment of sleep.
They’re first time novelists, but long time storytellers. They love a good laugh, a strong, dominating alpha, but most importantly, know that friendships, the fierce ones, are the key to lifelong sanity and fulfilment.
Find them on Instagram, Facebook and Goodreads.
Other books by this author
Please visit your favorite eBook retailer to discover other books by Haley Jenner:
The Leave of a Maple Series
Archer (Leaves of a Maple #1)
Jake (Leaves of a Maple #2)
Bennett (Leaves of a Maple #3)
Luca (Leaves of a Maple #4)
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