Maxine

Chapter 6

Everyone was waiting outside the church when we pulled up. Lucy was the first one to notice us. She stopped mid-way conversation with the guys and rushed over. I was still getting out of my dad's car when she almost tackled me over with a hug. She threw her skinny arms around my waist and picked me up. She was pretty strong for a tiny girl dressed in a short dress and three-inch heels to pick up a 5.8ft girl with a weight of 135 pounds, all muscle.

She placed me back down on my feet. “What happened to seeing you later?” I jokingly asked her.

She rolled her grey eyes at me. “I thought I’d be considered a friend and let you spend some time with your parents.” I shook my head, grinning at her. Knowing it was just an excuse but I wasn’t going to penalize her for that.

Ethan, Mike, Nick and Ryan all made turns to give me a hug. I straightened Ryan’s jacket after he hugged me trying to act normal when I glanced around when I didn’t catch a glimpse of Jason. “How’s my favourite cousin doing?” I asked Ryan. He was my mother’s youngest brother’s son. We grew quite close and we acted like brother and sister. He used to tease me about my crush on Jason a lot. I sometimes wanted to murder him.

“He is on his third shot.” Nick joked.

I quirked an eyebrow at Ryan who looked suddenly dreadful. “What if she decides that she doesn’t want to get married?” His smile faded as he spoke.

Rachel and Ryan have been dating since high school. I’ve stopped counting of how many times they broke up in just one year. After high school she attended NYU and Ryan stayed behind here in LA. It was a long-distance relationship, spending time with each other got less and before we knew it, they broke up. That wasn’t the end of their story though. Their paths crossed a few years later after she graduated from NYU. Their relationship just took flight from that moment on. Even when she lost her father a few years ago. It was a hard part of her life and while pushing everyone away, Ryan was stubborn and didn’t give up on her.

“You two had your ups and downs. Break-up after break-up. That’s all in the past. She loves you and you love her. She won’t stop fighting for you and so, should you? She’ll be here to get married to you.” He gave me a curt nod before embracing me with a hug. "I'm so glad that you can make it." He whispered in my ear before easing back and releasing me.

"There was absolutely no way that I was going to miss out on my favourite cousins' wedding," I said.

I looked at my four friends all dressed up in tuxedos. "It's a shame you don't have an extra tux for me." The guys chuckled while Lucy rolled her eyes at me. "If we did. Lucy would've shredded it to pieces." Mike pointed out.

"Or turned it into a dress," Ethan corrected and everyone nodded in agreement.

Lucy became a successful fashion designer, even though she was picked on by kids who used to think her designs were weird and that nobody will wear them. She proved them wrong when she became one of the best designers in LA. She was having her first model show in a few weeks to show off her new summer designs and as her best friend, I can say that I am proud of her.

"Can we at least take some time and appreciate how hot Maxine looks in a dress?" Lucy just had to go there, she pointed at my legs, my waist, and cleavage. The guys were all like my brothers and I felt pretty left out because I was now seen as a woman and not as the tomboy I used to be. I was the one who would try and beat them in every game and follow them everywhere where no girl would even consider.

"You sure grew up nicely." Nick joked, winking at me. He always used to be a Casanova of our group. As far as I know, he is still the same boy he used to be back in high school, chasing anything in a skirt. We continued our small talk outside of the church until we were called in.

“I just need to get my heels from my dad’s car.” Lucy quirked an eyebrow. She then looked at my flip flops and gave me a pointed look. “I thought it was part of your uniform.” She joked before entering the church.

I ran over to my dad’s car, kicked off my flip flops and slipped on the black heels Lucy was lending me. It was kind of awesome to have a female best friend who has the same size feet as me and I don’t have to waste money on buying heels that I will never wear again. I watched through the back window of the car as Rachel’s limo rolled by. “Oh, crap.” I yelped, shutting the door and almost losing my footing in the process for not being used to wearing shoes with three-inch heels. A steady hand caught me around the waist. “Phew, that was a close one, thank...” My sentence died down when I raised my head.

“Maxine.” His acknowledgement made a shudder ran up from my spine.

I couldn’t form words as I gazed into his eyes. Gone was the boy I used to know and replaced by the hardened face of a soldier. I know that I saw him last night but, in the day, I could finally see him. He got more handsome over the years. His muscular form teased my senses and his chiselled jawline made butterflies flutter in the pit of my stomach. I wish I can say that I still know this man but I feared, I didn’t.

“You can let go now, I’m fine,” I said noticing that he was still holding onto me. He slowly withdrew his hand from around my waist while gazing back at me.

I took in the width of his shoulders and how his suit moulded his form. He was still taller than me and whatever he was doing, he was much larger than what he used to be.

“We better get going.” He said, gesturing with his chin at something over my shoulder. I glanced over my shoulder and my eyes widened as Rachel was walking up to the church doors.

“Oh, crap!” I cursed.

Jason followed me when I broke out in a jog to get to the church doors before Rachel. I never could understand why Lucy loves wearing heels and I still don't. They are uncomfortable and you have to keep concentrating on not straining your ankle or just balance yourself on the heel and not tip over. I waved at Rachel who was wearing an amused smile when we reached the church. I entered the church right after Jason. Everyone turned around in their seats in unison to look at us, thinking that we are the bridesmaids. “Oh, god,” I muttered staring at everyone with wide eyes. Especially at our friends who didn’t seem to be surprised but amused. “You do realize we are in church, right?” Jason’s amused voice didn’t help me from my awkward situation.

“Come on.” Jason’s voice rescued me from this awkward moment as he gestured at the back seats that weren’t taken. I didn’t think twice to accept his offer. I yelped when I sprained my ankle as the heel of the shoes twisted and I was prepared to do a face plant in front of everyone but Jason caught me around the waist and steadied me. “You, okay?” He whispered when we took our seats.

“These stupid heels made me sprain my ankle,” I complained, kicking them off.

He reached down to take a look at my ankle. Out of instinct, I slapped his arm when his fingers curled around my ankle. “Not here.” I softly grumbled.

He was wearing a smile and a quirked eyebrow as he sat back up. “That’s not what I meant.” I scoffed, realizing what he was thinking. He just chuckled and shook his head at me in amusement.

I narrowed my eyes at Nick who cleared his throat quite loudly, drawing attention to himself as he tried to swallow a laugh. I looked heavenward when the rest of the boys chuckled and nobody could understand what was going on. I was glad that I could humour them with my awkwardness.

Their smiles faded when the church doors opened and we were asked to stand up. Everyone angled their bodies so that they can look at the doors when Rachel entered the church. While everyone was facing her, I looked at Ryan. The tension banished from his shoulders and replaced by a big, happy smile as his eyes only focused on her. My heart was on the brink of shattering into a billion pieces as I yearned to be looked upon like the way he looked at her. She was the only girl for him and his promise was filled with righteous truth.

My skin tingled as Jason’s shoulder brushed against mine when we took our seats. I was befuddled that I felt this flustered around him. When he touched me, he not only grazed my skin but touched my soul. I know that I loved him years ago and I never got the chance to express my feelings to him. He was gone by the time my mind caught up. I wiped off a fallen tear from the corner of my eye as I stared at Ryan and Rachel commencing their vows. Ryan’s hands were shaking as he read his vows out loud. Rachel gave him a reassuring smile and rested her hand on his arm to comfort him.

I yerked when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked at Jason whose arm was resting over the back of my seat. His hand rested on my shoulder, his touch was soft and comforting. I didn’t even realize that I was crying and sniffled. “You, okay?” He mouthed.

I nodded, giving him a watery smile as I continued to wipe away the tears.

When we say I do, it means forever. You make a promise to be there for each other in health and sickness. For richer and poor. You will love that person with your whole heart and never crave a relationship outside of your marriage. Even through bad days, you find a way to make it work.

Mark failed me. I failed myself by marrying a man out of lust and desire. Once we thought we had chemistry but it was nothing but a curse.