These Little Deaths by Kelsey Gerber

Author:Kelsey Gerber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelsey Gerber

13

The door to the hotel suite is propped open by the swing bar, the sounds of sports highlights spilling out. Rachel knocks as she pushes it open. Rory stands in front of a full length mirror in a full tuxedo, cursing at the lilac tie that hangs too short on his chest.

“Here, let me,” Rachel says, crossing the room to undo his attempt at a Windsor knot.

“Thanks, Rach. You know I’ve never been comfortable with this formal stuff. Ashley wouldn’t agree to marry me in my sweats though.”

Rachel smiles up at him. She pulls the wide end of the tie lower, then loops and tucks the silk, reminded of Rory’s junior prom when she first watched a YouTube video to teach herself how to tie a tie. She has always enjoyed these small moments together and feels herself welling with pride. Rory, who turned his love of sports into a career and used his success to urge Rachel to pursue her dreams. Rory, who found a CrossFit coach to marry and when announcing the engagement, reassured Rachel that she’d find her other half someday. Even when he was absent, these little things felt protective. She tightens the knot and reconsiders her decision.

“You’re not wearing that to the wedding, right?” Rory says with a chuckle, looking down at her t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

Rachel adjusts his collar and sighs. “Rory, I told you I’m not going to the wedding. I love you, but things aren’t fixed between us. I know I’ll get stuck dealing with Mom, and I just can’t do that again.”

“Seriously?” Rory asks, taking a step back, his voice a deep gravel. “You can’t just get over yourself for one day?”

“One day?”

Rachel balls her hands into fists and feels the anger pulsating inside them. “Every day is your fucking day! I’m the one who made all the sacrifices so you and Regina could go about your lives. Hell, Regina and her whole family just moved back in, but they’re of no help.”

“Whatever,” Rory says, moving closer to the mirror to straighten his perfectly-centered tie. “You love playing the victim. You moved in with Mom because you didn’t know what else to do. That makes you an indecisive crybaby, not a martyr.”

Rachel’s mouth goes dry. The tingling in her palms is painful now. Rory turns to her. “Where is Mom anyway?”

“I told you I can’t be in charge of her today, and Regina’s getting her hair done. You’ll have to pick Mom up on the way to the church.”

“What the fuck, Rachel! The guys are going to be here in 15 minutes so we can take wedding party photos before we go to the church and I need her here for those. I don’t have time for this shit.”

Rachel shrugs, refusing to engage. Rory grabs his wallet and car keys from the bedside table with a huff. He spins around and marches over to the dresser, yanking his phone off a charger that’s plugged into the outlet next to the TV. On his way to the door, he stops and spins back around.

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