“Come in and keep me company while I get ready. He is supposed to be here in half an hour.”
I followed her and sat on her bed, listening to her yap on about Cash and the things she wanted to say to him to make it clear to him that she wasn't the type of girl who could be dismissed like he had done previously. When she walked back out of her attached en suite she was drop-dead gorgeous.
“Wow, Emma. You look absolutely beautiful.”
She smoothed the dress from her hips down to the thighs and stood in front of her dresser, putting on some jewelry.
“What shoes are you going to wear?”
“I was thinking my black Louboutin Belles or Valentino heels. What do you think?”
“I think you would look fantastic in either. Are y’all going dancing too? If so I would wear those.” I pointed to the heels that weren't quite as high as the others.
Emma loved her high heels. I could live without them except for work, and then the few times I wanted to wear them out. She would wear them with shorts if she could and she had.
I stood up from the bed and gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, being careful not to mess up her makeup.
“Have a great time tonight, my friend. I’m off. I have to run by Grammy’s and drop off her buttermilk.” I made the disgusted face I always had since I was a kid with the thought of anyone drinking sour milk. Why would they?
“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed, okay?”
“I won’t need to. It’ll be a great night.”
I turned around and walked toward her door, proud that I stood by my friend.
“Hey, Breigh…”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you. I know…well, I know, but thank you.”
I shook my head, knowing she meant my disapproval over Cash, and walked out her door.
I didn't get out of her condo fast enough though and came face-to-face with the one person I was trying to avoid. I had zero to say to him and had no intention of acting like I wanted to.
I walked past him in rush and he touched my arm lightly.
“Are you going to act like you don't see me?” he asked with a snarky growl.
“Have a good time. Treat my girl good,” I muttered.
“That is all you have to say to me?”
“What else would I have to say? That I am in your love with your brother and because of YOU we are over. Because he thinks I was dishonest.”
He moved closer to me and held me to where we were face-to-face. I moved my head back, not willing to obey his demand.
When I moved farther away, he moved closer. I could smell his breath and I fought the urge to gag. He was far too close to me for my liking. The whiskey was already in the air.
“Let go.” I pulled back one final time and moved my arm, swinging my elbow away. My chicken wing attempt didn't budge his grip.
Then, he kissed me. It was quick and forceful. I had never been so mad and violated.
My palm met his face with as much as I could muster. “How dare you? I just told you I was in love with your brother! And you are dating my best friend! You are a CREEP!”
“It was just a kiss.”
I moved away from him as fast as I could and before I got to my truck door, I stopped.
“I don’t know what game you are playing, but you are a pathetic piece of work.”
He smiled mischievously. “I wanted to see what had Wyatt so in love with you. I don't get it, that’s for damn sure.”
“Screw you!” I jumped in my truck and burned rubber squeaking off.
I lost the man I was in love with for that turd. To hell with Cash.
25
BREIGH
The thing with life was you never really knew how things could change. I was living proof of that, and especially after what happened with Wyatt. I got it, and I got why things went the way they did.
After much thought, and a hell of a lot of tears, I realized everything happened for a reason.
He gave me hope so that was something, but the gaping hole he left in my heart wasn't going to be one I would be able to recover from. Not anytime soon.
Grammy had wanted to attend a special Bible study and asked that I go with her. If there was anything I needed more, God was it. I craved His presence and reassurance that He had a plan. I needed him to lessen the pain.
Rhonda greeted Grammy and me, not a minute after we entered the room. It seemed to be nearing capacity but I looked forward to what we would learn. Grammy always loved to hear the Word, and took it in deep to her soul.
After sitting, I glance at Grammy to my right and Rhonda to the left of me, proud I had these two incredible women in my life. I wanted to learn from them as much as I could.
The Bible study lasted for over an hour, and I took in every single second of it. Nothing was in my mind, but what was being taught. It was fulfilling.
The room emptied fairly quickly and Rhonda, Grammy, and I began to talk about the study that had just ended.
“I really needed this today. So thankful that you brought me, Grammy.”
“Of course, sweet girl,” she replied.
“Wyatt called me pretty tore up…” Rhonda spoke up. Her eyes showed kindness and concern.
I began tearing up. “I wish he just would have listened to me. I would’ve never done anything to hurt him. Wyatt wouldn't even listen to my side.”
Grammy put her hand on mine but let me do the talking.
“He dismissed me as if I wasn't worth his time. These last
