“So, why are you being like this?” I ask.
“What way am I being?” He snickers.
“You haven’t said anything to me the whole day. You barely look at me.”
“I can’t talk about this now, not here Maddy.” His voice is cold.
“So when?” I impatiently probe. I notice Trent’s eyes glancing back and forth towards his soup and us.
“I don’t know. I don’t really feel like there is anything to talk about. It’s over.” He shrugs his shoulders.
“Are you serious? That’s just it, you aren’t going to talk to me ever again.” My voice starts rising.
“Hey Jennings, quiet it down a few.” Shawn softly speaks in my ear.
I put my hand up in front of his face. “Or not, whatever.” He shrugs his shoulders indifferent.
“So Gabe, is that it?” I repeat my question.
“I told you not here” he speaks through his clenched teeth.
I continue to stare at him and I know he sees me through the corner of his eyes.
“Jesus Maddy, first of all calm down. Second of all I am mad as hell at you.” He finally confesses.
“Mad at me, why?” My voice is innocent.
“Ugh…you frustrate me so bad sometimes. Why couldn’t you have fought? I know how you feel about me but you just toss that aside for him.” His voice is soft but anyone looking can tell our conversation is heated. I am hoping the clinking of the glasses means everyone’s eyes are fixated on Lindsey and Jack kissing.
“I did it for both of you, not just him.” I remark.
“I thought this time would be it but you just embarrassed me again. Make me look like a jackass following you around begging you to be mine. I should have known you would always pick him.” The waiter comes taking away the soup in exchange for the salad but Gabe doesn’t even pick up his fork.
“Following me around? Maybe you should just go back to your girlfriend in Florida.” I turn the tables on him. He’s not so perfect.
“What the hell are you talking about? Girlfriend?” he finally turns to me confused.
“Come on Gabe, I’m not stupid. The phone calls. Something you have to take care of in Florida.” I jog his memory.
“Again Maddy. You constantly don’t get it. Those phone calls were work things. We had a situation with a house. Grady and Rich wanted my input. It’s as simple as that.” His face looking madder than before.
“What about you telling Caroline you had a girlfriend.” I spat back.
“I lied. She wouldn’t get the hint. Do you actually think I would have a girlfriend and still chase you?” He looks hurt.
“No…I don’t know. I’m sorry.” I regret bringing this up.
“I am madly in love with you. Do you have any idea what it’s like to not get someone out of your head? There is no way I could have a girlfriend when all I dream about is you.” He turns away from. “You made your choice Maddy so please let me move on.”
“I’m not his Gabe. I ended everything with Trent.” I plea not moving out of the way for the waiter to place my salad down. I can tell Shawn grabs my salad from him placing it in front of me.
“Yeah I heard.” He sneers. “Don’t fool yourself Maddy, you did this to make him happy. Trent got what he wanted, me as his brother and you not with me. It’s only a matter of time before you fall back into his arms and he knows it.”
“What?” I whisper with tears forming in my eyes. A rush of feelings flow through me and I can’t sit here anymore. I can’t be next to him. So I stand up walking away.
“Maddy, wait?” I hear Gabe sighing after me but I don’t turn around. I will not make a scene at my brother’s wedding.
I rush out of the hall out the doors breathing the fresh air through my lungs. There’s a fountain to the right surrounded by cement benches and flowerpots. Twinkle lights illuminates the trees and shrubs making it a picture perfect romantic scenery.
I take a seat on the bench hidden in the back of the porch area to be concealing me. I slowly wipe the tears from my eyes before they become so uncontrollable I can’t catch them all. How could Gabe think I would do this only for Trent? How could he think his brother was so conniving that he would be able to manipulate me into doing something I didn’t want to do? I wanted him and Trent to patch things up that was the whole point. Didn’t he know it was killing me being away from him? I can’t breathe when I think how Gabe won’t be my future but I made peace knowing I did the right thing.
My tears slow as I continue to chew my nails hidden from everyone in the garden. Hearing footsteps I quiet myself so no one will find me. I know I have limited time, people will notice I’m missing but the thought of sitting in silence next to him during dinner keeps me seated.
“Maddy.” I hear his voice calling me but I don’t want to talk to him. “Maddy, I know you’re out here.” Trent is pleading with me to come out of hiding.
“Just go away Trent. I need some time by myself.” I yell at him.
“Come on Maddy. Let’s talk.”
“What do you want Trent?” I ask staying where I am.
“I’m sorry.” He says.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. Obviously, I am the one who keeps screwing everything up. At least according to Gabe.” I snap.
“He’s just mad because you didn’t pick him.” Trent is still talking in my direction but hasn’t come to face me yet. He knows I need time.
“What are you talking about?” I question. “I let you both go.”
“Well, yeah…that’s what I meant.” He stutters through his words.
“Trent, why exactly do you think I did what I did?” I come out of hiding to talk to him face to face.
“Because you wanted us to mend our relationship.” He replies.
“Correct. It hurt to do it but I had to make it right. I caused too much strife between you two for too many years.”
“Gabe will move on Maddy, don’t worry.” He puts his arm on my shoulder seeing tears start flowing down again. The thought of Gabe with another woman brings bile to my mouth.
“You will too.” I confirm looking up to him.
“Nah, I’ll be waiting.”
“Waiting on what?” I ask.
“You. I know you’ll come back to me. Once Gabe is away not bothering you, you will realize you are meant for me.” He is holding both my hands. When did that happen?
“What the hell are you talking about?” I narrow my eyes at Trent. Holy hell, Gabe was right.
“Maddy” he sighs like I should melt with my name coming off his lips.
“Trent.” I spat back wanting an answer. “So Gabe was right? You somehow manipulated me to get him out of my life so I would come running back to you. Well, you know what…” I start screaming at him when we get interrupted.
“Hey Jennings and Basso, it’s almost dance time.” Shawn yells over at us lighting a cigarette disappearing behind the wall.
“Thanks Shawn.” I say before turning back to Trent.
“Did it ever occur to you that I love Gabe? Did you ever think about doing something for me? Do you even care about my happiness? Jesus you have consumed my whole life. I have let you come back into my life after you put your finger up saying fuck you to me how many times? I’m done Trent. Don’t you dare talk to me for the rest of this evening. I never want to see or hear from you again, do you understand?” I yell pointing my finger in his chest.
“You know we are fated Maddy, soul mates since childhood.” He argues.
“Trent, I don’t want to hurt you even though at this point I shouldn’t give a shit. You seem to disregard my feelings every chance you get. I love Gabe with every fiber of my being. I should have stood up to you years ago and picked him but I was a coward and now I have hurt him beyond repair. He won’t even look at me. Do you have any idea how bad that hurts? To know that you are the reason the person you love is hurting. No you don’t because you have no feelings for anyone but yourself.” I turn around sharp on my heels walking towards the door.