Yeah, this wedding is hard, but it has nothing to do with my ex and everything to do with Derek.
My chest feels tight, and I want nothing more than for it all to stop. I should’ve told him. So many times I could’ve opened my mouth, but it was one missed chance after another.
Then, it was too late. He and Meghan had fallen in love and were expecting a baby.
But he’s my best friend and I’m glad that at least one of us will be happy. There isn’t a person who deserves it more than he does.
“I love you, Derek,” I tell him, wishing this was the confession where he understood my love was more than just friendship, but that opportunity is gone, and I would be the worst friend in the world to tell him now. “You’re my best friend and I’m so happy for you and Meghan. You guys…you’re both so…” The tears start again, and for the first time, I’m grateful for the pregnancy. “God, I’m such a hormonal mess!”
They both laugh. Meghan steps forward, pulling me in her arms. “We love you so much, Tea.”
I know she doesn’t mean it. She’s always had issues with Derek and me, which if I were her, I would too.
Derek puts his arms around both of us. “My girls.”
We break apart, and it feels like so much more than him releasing me. It feels like he’s letting me go—letting us go.
I watch the two of them greet their guests, laughing, smiling, and completely in love.
It hits me like a bullet to the chest. Not only did I lose the love of my life today, but I also lost my best friend.
Chapter One
Teagan
Present
“Thank you, Mrs. Dickman, I’ll definitely let you know if I get any more of the chairs in from that set,” I explain with the phone to my ear as I try to tidy up the store.
“Okay, Teagan, you do that, but I’ll call tomorrow to be sure.”
She always does. It wouldn’t be another glorious day in Chincoteague Island if Mrs. Dickman didn’t remind me she still wants those damn chairs. I run an antique store, and our stock is whatever we find on any given day. But it makes her happy to check with us, so I smile and do my best to make her day a little brighter.
“Mom!” Chastity comes running down the stairs, her fabulous thirteen-year-old attitude already on display. “Why did you stick Mr. Stinkers outside again?”
I should’ve known the cat would be today’s argument.
“Because I told you that we can’t have a cat in the apartment.”
“Grandma will let me. I know she will.”
“She won’t. I’m not about to ask her and piss her off when we need to live here.”
We live above the store rent free, which means it’s the only place we can afford. Even though Mom says my living arrangement is part of my salary. Chastity doesn’t understand that I can’t feed another living thing. Or that the car is about three thousand miles overdue for an oil change and needs new tires, which means I say a prayer each time I start it. I leave out the part that I can’t afford to buy her new sneakers because I make minimum wage in my parents’ antique store—as the manager—and that I haven’t seen a dime from her father in thirteen years, since he signed his rights away. Not that my parents couldn’t pay me more, but they feel that choices have consequences, so me getting pregnant, dropping out of college, and allowing Keith off the hook means I need to suck it up.
“The cat needs to be inside where he can be loved.”
Yeah, kid, I need to be loved too.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I really am, but we can’t have a cat or dog or any other stray thing you bring home.”
She huffs. “Animals need me.”
My daughter is really a great kid. She gets straight A’s, always listens, still thinks I’m sort of okay, unless we’re talking about animals. Then, she’s a lunatic. As much as I’d love to give her what she’s asking, it’s not possible. I’m saving every penny so I can get us out of this town and into a better life.
“Yes, they do, and all of this is fascinating, but you’re going to miss the bus and I can’t drive you today, so…” I grip her shoulders, turn her about, and start to march her toward the door to the apartment. “…off you go, my Ace Ventura.”
She shakes her head. “You’re really lame.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Do you think we can go see Dr. Hartz today? Maybe I can volunteer at the clinic or help with the animals.”
Immediately I feel my chest constrict.
“You can,” I say with a tight smile. “I’m sure he would appreciate the help.”
Dr. Hartz is Derek’s father, and even though I haven’t spoken to Derek in over thirteen years, I still feel anxious just hearing his name. An unbreakable friendship that dissolved the day Chastity was born. I have no idea why or what happened to make him disappear. All I know is one day the phone rang and when we hung up, we never spoke again. It’s been so long since it all happened, and still it hurts.
There was no more help or calls. No more late-night talks where I had my friend, my only friend. It was like he vanished, and I was left completely alone.
“Good, then I’ll go see Dr. Hartz after school.”
Derek’s parents have always been kind to me. They’ve never judged me or made me feel small, which is great, because living in this tiny town doesn’t lend itself to avoiding people. It’s just that whenever we talk, it’s superficial because what do two people talk about when the common thread between them has been severed?
“I’m sure that’ll cure your itch regarding the animals.”
“Not likely, but I think I
