by Savana Jade
“I love you too.” He reaches his hand out to me. I take it and stand between the two. “I just want you to be happy sis.” His eyes are glossy.
“Bren, I am happy.” I hug him. “I know what I want. I know it seems like it’s too soon.” I pull away and shift into Gabe’s arms. “But, I’ve lived with my best friend for nearly eight years. I know everything about him and he knows everything about me.” Gabe wipes a tear from my cheek with his thumb. His face is filled with so much love, my heart hurts. “Why should we hold off the inevitable any longer?” Gabe takes my face in his hands, kisses me tenderly and whispers how much he loves me. So I return the gesture.
“You promise you’ll take care of my little sister?” This comes out more of a demand than a question.
“I promise to make it my life’s goal to make sure she’s well taken care of. Even if my life depends on it.” Gabe has nothing but determination on his face as he speaks to Brennan.
“Your life does depend on it.” Brennan threatens sarcastically before looking at me. “So, what do I need to do?”
I beam up at him “Just be you, Brennan. Support me like you always have. Be there for me like you have been since I was born. And never forget that you mean more to me than anyone else in the world.”
“Except him?” He shrugs to Gabe. I can’t help but giggle.
“Well, he means more to me in other ways.”
“Ugh. Gross Jenna.” We all laugh at his outburst.
“Will we have time to get you a dress?” Ashley asks as she wraps her arms around Brennan’s waist. I knew I could count on her and her designer abilities.
“I think we can find the time. I also need to buy a ring.” I look up to Gabe.
“I have an idea.” His eyes brighten.
“Oh no Mr. Gonzales. You will be wearing a ring.” My voice is stern.
“I would be more than happy to wear a ring that tells every woman in the world that I’m a happily married man. But that’s not what I was thinking.” My face scrunches up in confusion. He kisses the crease between my eyebrows and continues. “Let’s get ring tattoos where our bands will be.” Ahh, I think this is a great idea. I can’t keep the smile off my face. “That way if they ever come off, which they won’t, but if they does, the promise will still be there.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.
Dad comes over the overhead speakers and tells us that we need to take our seats. He’s beginning our decent and should be in Vegas in less than thirty minutes.
~~~
“That looks stunning!” Ashley gleams from behind me.
“Are you sure?” My nerves have gotten the best of me. “It’s not traditional, but since this is a spur of the moment wedding, I want to wait for traditional when we say ‘I do’ in front of our friends and family.”
“Jenna, everything you and my brother have done up to this point has been far from traditional.” She rests her hands on my shoulders as her eyes meet mine in the full length mirror. “You two are as unique as they come. And this outfit, is totally you.”
As I look back at the woman standing in front of me, I can’t help but smile. Instead of a traditional wedding dress, I decided to work on the complete opposite. I’ve got a burgundy wrap around top that hangs nicely off my shoulders and wraps just under my cleavage exposing my belly. Gearing away from a dress or skirt, I’ve decided on a cream colored free flowing pant, that when standing still as I am now, looks like a full length skirt. Below the pant, Ashley insisted on an open toed satin pair of Jimmy Choo wedding heels that match the pants perfectly.
“Do you think he will like it?” I can’t keep the nerves out of my voice.
“Oh sweetie, you can be wearing a burlap sack and Gabriel will think you’re beautiful. You know that.” A silent tear slips from my eye. “What’s the matter honey? Today is supposed to be the happiest day of your life.” My throat knots up and I stand in front of the full length mirror speechless. Once I compose myself again, I finally answer.
“I’m actually getting married.” I whisper. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine getting married. I mean, when I was little, I used to dream about it, but as time passed, I always thought it was meant to be for everyone else. I guess the dream faded.”
“You have gone through so much Jenna. You all have. That’s what’s brought all of you together. Spending time with you guys, it’s completely obvious that each of you need each other in different ways. Your dreams never go away, Jenna. But, they may alter as we grow older. I mean, look at me.” She smiles. “I always dreamt that I would be living in New York being successful and starring in a Broadway Musical. I always imagined myself being single and loving it. Instead, here I am living with my parents and falling so hard for someone, that within a matter of weeks, my dream has shifted.”
“You really love my brother, don’t you?” I’m not sure how I feel about this. I know Brennan deserves to be happy. I want him to be happy. I always imagined us being together forever. He’s been my rock for as long as I could remember. I’m not sure I’m ready to share him just yet.
“I’ve never been a true believer of love at first sight. Not like Gabe, who said the moment he saw you, he fell so hard that there was no coming back from it.” I smile and blush. I remember that day well. “And by the look on your face, you fell for him too.” She steps around me so we are facing each other.
“So when you guys came to visit and I met your family, something changed…” Her eyes are glowing and her entire face lights up. “So yeah, even though I’ve not said it to him yet, I actually think I do love your brother.” My chest swells with love for both my brother and Ashley. I pull her into a tight hug. “Jenna, are you okay with Brennan and I being together?” She asks, pulling back.
“I love Brennan more than life itself. All I’ve ever wanted was for him to be happy. I want him to be loved. I know he loves you. No one has ever caused a reaction like you have in him. I won’t lie and say that it bothers me a little that I have to share him with someone, but you are wonderful.” She blushes. “I don’t doubt the love you have for each other. And being you’ll be my sister in law in just a few short hours, I’m pretty sure I know how to find you if you hurt him.” I finish. Raising an eyebrow at her, we both end up in a fit of giggles.
“Hurting your brother is the last thing I would ever do. Hell, I think I’d walk into fire for him. For all of you for that matter.” We hug once more before she pulls away. “C’mon, we still have a lot to do before you officially become my sister.” After we found a dress for Ashley, we made our way to the salon for a morning of pampering. We’ve both had a complete makeover from head to toe, including a full body massage, compliments of my father.
She finishes with her manicure before me, so I ask her to verify what time we are all supposed to meet at the chapel. Her phone died, so she asks to use mine. Hmm, I haven’t checked it since the guys made it to dads. I’m not even sure it has life to it, but I let her know it’s in my bag.
“Uh, Jenna?” Ashley’s voice is shaky.
“What is it?” I trail my eyes from the stylist that put my fingers under the drying machine. I’ve chosen a deep burgundy color that will match my top perfectly.
“When was the last time you’ve checked your phone?”
“Not since you guys made it to Florida. Why?”
“Well,” she walks up to me and before she shows me the screen, she says. “You’ve got a handful of texts from some Justin guy, whoever he is. But maybe you want to look at this.” She holds the phone in front of me and my heart stops instantly. It’s a picture of Justin and me in a dark club. I don’t remember ever having a picture taken of us together, and it’s obviously not the club I met him at in Washington.
“Jenna, what’s going on?” She asks. I take the phone in my hand and scroll the texts.
I saw you in Vegas. Small world don’t you think? Then I saw your man walking into a wedding chapel
. Bad idea. Has he seen these?
I’m speechless. I scroll through the photos of us together. We aren’t really doing anything wrong, but I literally don’t remember meeting him before Washington. Then I take a good look at the last text picture. “Oh God.” I gasp.
“Jenna?” Ashley asks again, but I ignore her, sitting frozen staring at the phone.
Pictures, tons of pictures. Pictures of me at The Underground the night of the accident. Justin was there? It’s a picture of him and I on the dance floor and he’s standing behind me. His arms are wrapped around my waist and one of his hands is down my pants and his tongue running up my neck. I look oblivious as to what’s going on. One of my hands is in the air and one is holding my drink. But what’s got me boggled is the person standing beside Justin. She looks so familiar. I swear I have seen her before. What’s in her hand? Her hand, which is hovering over my drink is a pill. Then another text pops up and I open it. It’s us again, it’s Justin in the same position, and this girl with her hands holding the glass to my lips encouraging me to drink it all.
“That’s it, I’m calling Gabe.” She states, but I remain frozen. As soon as she finishes her sentence, the doors to the salon are pushed open so hard, it frightens us both breaking me free from my thoughts. Brennan and Gabe both come running in. Tears begin to fall from my eyes when I see the look on Gabe’s face. But it’s Brennan that speaks first.
“What the hell is going on Jenna?” He asks. I stand and walk over to Gabe, but Brennan takes me by the shoulders and forces me to face him. “He got a text from Justin.” I stand lifeless staring at Gabe. No doubt the blood has emptied from my face. His eyes are bloodshot.
“I thought you were done with Justin.” Gabe whispers.
“Wha…” Shaking my head. “Wait a minute. What did he say?” I ask. He shakes his head and holds his phone to me. I take it and scroll through his texts. Justin tells him he knows we’re in Vegas, and that he should speak to me before doing anything irrational. Then I scroll down and see the same picture that I got. The one with his hands all over me. “Gabe.”
“No, don’t” he says. “When did you do this? When you were gone at the spa?”
“What? No.” I’m shocked he would even think that. “I… I went away because I was scared of my feelings for you. I woke up with you the night before I left.”
“I know that Jenna, but did you go to him to try and forget me while you were gone?” His voice is angry. I look down at his phone. There’s only the one photo of me.
“Um, excuse me.” The salon manager says. “If I could ask you to follow me, I can take you to the back room and perhaps you can discuss this in private.”
“No need.” Gabe says. “We’re done here.” He turns and storms off, throwing the door open with great force. I follow him out.
“Gabe stop!” I yell after him, but he doesn’t stop. When I reach him on the sidewalk, I grab his arm and force him to look at me. “Don’t do this. I can explain.”
“Explain what Jenna?” He yells. “The fact that there’s a photo of you with someone that’s definitely not me! Look at it Jenna! LOOK! You only just met him when we moved. So when did you do this?” His body is shaking. “WHEN?”
“I really can’t believe you would think so little of me.” I’m suddenly slapped with courage, dropping my hold on him. The fact that he has doubted me, even after everything we’ve gone through angers me beyond belief. I take my phone and shove it at his chest. He grabs it as I take a step back. “One, I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. Either you trust me whole heartedly or you don’t Gabe. Two, I did nothing with that man. NOTHING!” I’m hollering so much, everyone has stopped to watch the scene. Brennan and Ashley have made their way outside to watch the show.
“Brennan, can you call dad and tell him we’re leaving. NOW” He says nothing, but my eyes remain on Gabe. He looks down at the phone and I can see anger growing on his face. “For your information Gabriel Gonzales, those photos are from The Underground. Taken the night of the accident, you asshole. I cannot believe you doubted me so quickly.”
“What?” He and Brennan ask in unison.
“Look at the photos Brennan.” I tear my phone from Gabe and show Brennan the photo that has the mystery girl, who looks like him, with a pill in her hand. “I recognized the background. You should have too. But you know me well enough to know that I wouldn’t do that in public with anyone.” I face Gabe. “Anyone.” I spit.
“Oh fuck.” Brennan says, scrolling through the pictures. “Who’s that girl?” he questions, noticing the resemblance too.
“I have no clue, that’s beside the point.”
“How did Justin know we were in Vegas?” Gabe asks.
“How the hell do I know?” I snap. “I haven’t spoken to him since the night before I went home with you.”
“Angel.” His voice is softer. “I’m sorry. This is all, just so confusing. First Matty calls…”
“Matty?” I ask. “What about him?” Gabe looks to Brennan, then back to me again. “What’s going on?”
“Someone has been following you.” Brennan says. “Not in the creepy way, but there’s photos of you and Gabe on the beach. There’s a close up of him giving you the ring.” He sighs. “There’s even a recent one of you two holding hands coming off of the plane here.” I gasp.
“What?” I turn to Brennan, but he shrugs. “God, first all the paparazzi from the accident, now this?” My hands are shaking. “Then maybe that’s how he figured out where we were?”
“They all think you’re here to get hitched.”
“Well, that was the plan wasn’t it?” I reply. Gabe drops his head. “What? You have second thoughts now that you doubt me?”
“I… no of course… I don’t know what I’m thinking Jenna.” He answers honestly. “All I know is that I love you, but looking at those pictures…” He takes a deep breath. “I just want to make sure this is what you want.”
“Oh my God Gabe, are you serious right now?” I can’t believe this is happening.
“Don’t Jenna.” He points to me. “It’s obvious you met him before Washington.” He takes an angry step toward me. “You partied with him in LA.” Something inside me snaps. I stand firmly in front of him before going off.
“I was fucking high Gabriel.” Pointing my finger into his chest. “God, I was high with Stacy before we even went into that club and you knew this.” I find myself shoving him. He takes a solid step back. “You know what happens when I take too many drugs. You know I forget where I’m at or what I’m doing.” Brennan grabs my shoulders and pulls me back to his chest, keeping me from charging Gabe. Tears are pouring down my face when I try to remember that night. “The fact that you don’t believe me hurts worse than you keeping that God awful secret about LG from me. Once I realized someone slipped Ecstasy in my drink, what did I do Gabe? WHAT DID I DO?”
“You called Bren.” His voice is full of sorrow, but I’m too mad to care.
“I called Brennan and then what?”
“You asked for me, because my phone was dead.” He drops his head. Ashley stands behind him and rests her hands on his shoulders for support. Good, he will need it.
“I asked for you. Why Gabriel? Why did I ask for you?” He remains silent. “I asked for you because You hold my heart, God dammit. Before I even knew it, you had my heart since the day we met. And who did I want to see when I finally woke up?” I see a tear falling from his eye. “Who?” I demand an answer.
“Me.”
“And here we are, on the day that’s supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. But instead, you doubt me and you doubt my love for you. Robert asked if I was ready. So did Brennan. Without hesitation, I told them both that you are who I want. You are who I want to spend the rest of my life with. But I guess the real question is, are you ready?”
“Angel, that’s not fair. You know I’m ready. I love you with everything I have in me.”
“But not enough to trust me. I need you t
o not doubt me or my love for you.” I cry. “I don’t remember that night.” I look down at my phone. “I only recognize what I was wearing that night, and the background of the club. That’s all I can do to remember that night. But Gabe, I do know this, I believe in my heart that the moment I found out what they did, I left immediately and called you guys. Because I knew something was wrong. And so help me, if I ever see Justin again, he will regret ever meeting me.” I take Brennan’s hand in mine and squeeze it. “Brennan, let’s go.”
“I… I’ll see you back at the airport.” He says to Ashley. She nods in response before pulling Gabe in her arms.
Family
Gabe
“Gabe they’re waiting on us.” Ashley urges. “We have to get on the plane.”
“I can’t.” I continue to pace in front of the double doors that lead down the jet way. “I feel like shit. I shouldn’t have ever questioned her. I should have trusted her from the get go. I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to sit on a plane with.”
“I know you trust her Gabriel, she does too. She was in complete shock when she saw those pictures. I was there to see the confusion on her face when I showed them to her. Your love for each other doesn’t shut off that quickly, you know this.” She grabs hold of my arm. “We need to get going though. They are waiting for us.” She says again.
“You saw the pictures?” She nods. “You must think I’m an asshole for questioning her.”
“Well, it didn’t take me looking at those pictures to know how much of an asshole you are Gabe.” She laughs softly. “I’ve known that since we were kids.” I begin to chuckle.
“Thanks Ash.” I pull her into my arms. “I guess it’s time to grovel.” She reaches up and pats my cheek. “Love you sis.”
“How about you just say you’re sorry?” She encourages. I nod, take her hand and we begin making our way toward the plane.
As we step in, the space gets suddenly cold. The tension is disturbing. I look around for her, but she’s nowhere in sight. Brennan’s sitting at the back of the plane, shaking his knee. It’s a nervous habit of his. Once he sees us, the tension on his face eases.
