Quickie by Penny Wylder

Author:Penny Wylder [Wylder, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

7

I think I’m going to throw up and I haven’t even had anything to drink yet. I arrange some fruit on a plate and place it on the buffet table in the backyard. Laura and Wyatt are supposed to show up any second, and I can feel the ring burning a hole in my pocket. I need to give it back to him, I don’t want to keep it. I need closure, but I also really, really don’t want to see him. I’m torn what to do when it happens. Cry, ask him why, and grab one of the forks to stab his eyes out. It’s a fifty-fifty chance, really.

Guests are milling around and it’s been nothing but a parade of awkward hellos and sympathies and condolences and well wishes. No one really knows what to say to me, which I suppose really isn’t their fault. It’s awkward all around. I don’t even know what to say half the time.

My mother appears with the last plate of finger food and touches me on the arm. “You all right?”

I nod, subtly hiding my left hand from her. I thought about taking my new ring off before the party, but I didn’t want to. Having it there is comforting, like some kind of shield. Even if this goes badly, I know that Will is going to be behind me, ready to catch me. It’s a strange feeling, being able to rely on someone so quickly and so completely. With Wyatt, I always knew that I had to fend for myself.

How did I let myself get to this place with him? In the two days I’ve been with Will it’s become really clear that my relationship with Wyatt wasn’t a healthy one.

I hear car doors slamming in front of the house and I let out a sigh. It’s going to happen sooner or later. Mom leans in and gives me a squeeze. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”

“Yeah,” I say weakly. “We’ll see.”

I follow her into the house as the front door opens, and Laura enters. She looks great, tan from her time in Mexico and a blinding smile on her face. Following her is Wyatt, with a smile that I know all too well. I used to think that he saved that smile only for me. Laura is the first to spot me. “Sandy!” She rushes over to me and wraps me in a giant hug. “I’m so happy you’re here. I thought you might not come because it’s just a tad awkward,” she makes a face. “But I’m so happy to see you!”

I feel hollow inside. There’s no doubt that I love my sister, but this is more than just a bit awkward. Over her shoulder, Wyatt’s eyes are fixed on me. Laura stands back and looks between us. When we don’t speak, Laura nudges me. I clear my throat. “Hello, Wyatt.” Turns out that neither of my options work. I don’t think I could cry right now and there aren’t any forks in the immediate area.

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