Chapter 14

When I woke up this morning, I had a moment of panic that Gwen wouldn't go along with this, but another phone call to Gladis cured me of that. I get out of bed and make my way downstairs to find some breakfast and instead find Heather in a panic as well.

"What's wrong?" I ask, immediately concerned. My parents went out of town for their anniversary, and we are the only ones home. I don't know why they had to leave this weekend of all weekends, but they did and of course Murphy's Law rears its ugly head.

"I'm freaking out, Hunter. Freaking the fuck out," she says, practically in tears.

"Why?" I ask.

"My hairdresser cancelled my appointment for this afternoon. My dress is still at the tailor. I don't know what to do. Why did Ryder do this?"

"You mean you don't know?" I ask, bemused.

"Don't laugh at me. He waited until the last minute and didn't have anyone else to ask."

"Jesus, Heather. You're just as clueless as he is. Get dressed. I'll take you to get your dress and find someone to do your hair." I can handle this crisis. I'm good in a crisis, especially if it has nothing to do with me.

"Thank you, Hunter. This means a lot to me."

"It means a lot to him too. Trust me on that."

"Give me ten minutes and I'll be ready."

I spend most of the day helping Heather. Because of prom, most hair salons were jam packed, but I managed to find one twenty minutes outside of Savannah to do something called an updo. Because I was focused on Heather, I didn"t have any time to worry about weather Gwen will show or not. We get back home and I grab a quick shower. I put my tux on, making sure I have the ring in my pocket. I can't wait until it's safely on her finger.

"Hey bro," Ryder says, walking in the front door.

"Hey. She's not ready yet."

"That's okay. I'm a little early."

"Do I need to give you the hurt her and die speech?" I ask, knowing that he'd rather die than hurt her, but a brother should say what needs to be said.

"What? No. I would never."

"I know. I just thought I'd check. You want a drink?"

"No. I'm taking Heather out to dinner."

"Nice. Where did you make reservations?"

"Chez Ennui."

"Very cool. She'll love it."

"She'll love what?" Heather asks as she walks down the stairs. Ryder doesn't say anything, he just stares at her.

"Where you are going to dinner."

"Ah…"

"You look beautiful, Heather," Ryder chokes out.

"Thank you. You look great."

"We, uh, should go," Ryder says.

"Will you take our picture?" Heather asks. "I promised Mom."

"Sure. Stand together."

Once they do, I take several pictures of them. Once they leave, the limo arrives, and I go to pick up Gwen. I have it all worked out in my mind. This is going to work. I won't accept anything less.