Swelter by Nina G Jones

Author:Nina G Jones [Jones, Nina G]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance
Published: 2015-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

Seven Years Earlier

“My little girl looks so beautiful,” my dad whispered into my ear as he embraced me. The violinist changed her tune, indicating it was our turn to proceed down the aisle. The lace cape sleeves of my dress itched in the heat. The neckline felt like it was tightening on its own, threatening to wrap around my neck. I hoped it would so I could have an excuse to cry out.

I looped my arm around my father's, resisting the urge to rip off the collar of my dress, just so I could be free. I prayed. I begged for help. And it wasn't that my pleas were ignored, or that they floated unheard into the universe.

No. My prayers had been answered, and the answer was: it's too late.

I tried not to look at Bobby, the best man, but my eyes betrayed me for a fraction of a second. In that fragment of time, I saw a hollowness in his eyes. Like he was there physically, but found a way to escape the moment so he could survive it. Bobby had resigned himself to our fates. I looked back at Rory, who was smiling like a flappy-eared dog, and burst into tears. People smiled around me thinking I was overwhelmed with love, and I was, but not for the groom.

I felt dirty as the vows were recited, like I was rubbing my happiness in Bobby's face. But I wasn't happy. I hoped he understood this was all an act. That I had to pretend for my sanity.

And then when Rory took my hands, my heart skipped. Not because he had that effect, but because I still had the ring on. The one Bobby gave me, on the finger where Rory would be putting on my wedding band.

Rory’s vows to me were a blur as I tried to figure out a way to remove the ring before he might notice. I got my chance when he turned to grab his ring from Bobby. I slid it off my ring finger and in an attempt to transfer it to the other hand, I dropped it. As if my heart needed any more pain, I watched it roll towards Bobby's foot and stop at his shoe.

He looked at me, and saw the look of horror in my eyes. In that moment, he comforted me with a nod as he picked it up and inconspicuously slid it into his pocket.

So, I did what I was there to do. Vowed to love and honor, through sickness and health, 'till death do us part, the brother of the man I truly loved.

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