Library

27. C H E L S I E

TWENTY-SEVEN

C H E L S I E

There’s people everywhere—an unsettling amount of people. Family, friends, and even acquaintances from all across the country have traveled in for today.

Mum and Dad weren’t kidding when they said they were going to go all out. Not only is the guest list extensive, but the way they’ve gone above and beyond with the vendors has just about blown my mind.

The company they selected to set up a grand tent in their back garden is luxurious and, most of all— expensive . Why is that always the case with weddings… vow renewals ?

I can’t help but feel like weddings and anything of that nature are a total cash grab and a complete show-off of status. Somehow, the day always becomes about everyone else and never about the two people celebrating their love for one another.

If I know one thing to be true, it’s that if that time ever comes, I’m eloping. Which when I think about it, is an improvement from a few weeks ago, when the idea of getting married repulsed me to my stomach.

Now, it’s a wondrous yet premature thought that pulls my mind right back to the person I wait for at the entrance of the venue— Gary .

Ruby insisted that she’d wait with me, but I assured her that I’d be okay. Somehow, she obliged and let me go. I know the only reason she’s being clingy is because of my past experiences at these family functions, but I can’t help but feel like there's more to it.

I think Ruby sensed that something was off as we boarded the train. Deep down, there was—my mind was clouded with a reminder of what those girls had said to me.

“Ask any girl in Crawley, and I’m sure they’ve had their taste of Gary Wilkinson.”

“He’s literally been with all of us for at least a night.”

“Wilks and I were drunk at the bar together not long ago, and one thing led to another, and we took it back to his place.”

Everyone has a past. I know that. I live with that myself, and frankly, to judge another person on theirs would be absolutely hypocritical.

I don't know how many people Gary’s been with, and to be honest with you, I don’t care. All that matters is that since he’s been with me, he's stayed loyal to me.

Gary has never given me a reason not to trust him, and for all I know, what happened between him and Felicity could’ve happened right before we got together.

I have to believe that.

I have to.

My Gary would never cheat. I know he wouldn’t.

I’m left gazing up at the dazzling chandelier above my head as I gulp down any remaining sense of doubt.

Gary will be here soon. He texted me to let me know he would, and as I exit the venue, standing off to the side, I’m left patiently counting down the minutes until he arrives.

People greet me as they make their way through the tent—some I know, most I don’t, but somehow, they know me.

It’s that standard conversation of “Oh, I remember you when you were little. Do you remember me?”

Rather than flat out saying “No”, you then put on the whole song and dance of “Oh yes, I remember! It’s just been a long time, that’s all”.

It’s awkward and uncomfortable, but when are most family gatherings not, am I right?

Time continues to fly as I anxiously peer down at my phone. By now, most guests have arrived and have opted to take their seats along the aisle.

I refuse to leave the front entrance despite Ruby texting me to come back. I can’t. Gary will be here any second, I know he will. We have to go in together. I can’t go in alone. I can’t.

I stare back down at my phone, sending him another question mark—a subtle nudge to say, “Where the hell are you?”

His lack of responsiveness leaves me in a panic. Should I give him another call? I wonder. Yeah, another call won’t hurt.

I swipe toward my contacts, and just when I’m about to hit the dial button, a familiar yet unsettling voice draws me away.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Miss. Chelsie Windsor.” A middle-aged woman with her arm interlaced between her husband approaches me—it’s Simon’s parents.

Fuck.

“We haven’t seen you in such a long time, Chelsie!” they remark. “How are you?” His mum smiles before planting a kiss on my cheek.

“I’m well,” I’m short with her. “How uh—are you both?”

“We're good, happy to be here. Aren’t we, love?”

She peers up at her husband, whose eyes could shoot daggers.

I’d never been a fan of Simon’s father, he always had a superiority complex, I guess that’s where Simon got it from.

“ Yep .” I’m left unphased by his short-winded response. He’s always been this way, and I’m confident he always will be…

Trying to be as cordial as possible, I nod. I knew my parents were going to invite Simon’s Mum and Dad, they asked my permission and granted, over the years, our parents became friends. So, although it wasn’t necessarily ideal to have them both show up, at the bare minimum, it appeased any further questions surrounding “why can’t they be there?” from my Mum and Dad. Besides, I’ve got Ruby and impending Gary looking out for me tonight. Nothing is going to happen.

Nothing should happen.

“Well, you both better get inside.” I peer back over my shoulder, seeing how the front foyer has started to clear out. “I think it’s about to start soon.”

The two of them nod once more before heading inside and falling out of my line of view, yet as they do, another emerges…

“We meet again, don’t we, Chelsie?”

I furrow my brow and curse the way even a single look at Simon holds the power to make my heart race—it pains me that he still has any control over me.

“You look beautiful, as usual. Love the blue. I had a feeling you were going to wear it. That’s why I picked?—”

“ Leave .” I stand my ground, shooting him a death stare as he peers up from his blue dress shirt.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Leave. You weren’t invited,” I tell him directly. “I made sure of it.”

“Oh, on the contrary.” Simon pulls an invitation out of his suit pocket. It’s as if he’s prepared for this moment—prepared for this encounter. “You see that?” He points to the front of an envelope. “The invitation says ‘to the Hedgecock family’, and last time I checked…” He tucks it back into his jacket smugly. “I’m a part of that family.”

I should’ve known better than to trust that Simon would’ve taken the hint after our last encounter. Things had been too quiet, too perfect, for too long.

I should’ve known he was bound to pop up again and menacingly flip my world upside down.

Where’s Gary?

“So, tell me…” He places a hand on my forearm, caressing my skin up and down. “How are you, darling? When are you coming back, huh? Hasn’t this whole thing gone on enough? I miss you.”

He’s like ice—sending shivers through my spine and freezing me in place. His touch reminds me of when you have two of the same magnets. You can try to push them together all that you want, but somehow, they’ll always find a way to repel against one another.

That’s Simon and I.

I’d spent so many years thinking we were the perfect couple when, all along, we weren’t a match. We weren’t even a pairing.

When Simon touches me, it makes me feel nothing but pain and regret. He’ll always be a mistake, and I’ll always be the one he’ll never get back. That’s the truth, and the sooner he accepts it, the sooner we can both move on.

“I’m not having this conversation with you.” I push his touch off me, shaking my head as I do. “You need to leave,” I tell him explicitly. “Before I have someone make you.”

“Oh yeah?” He takes a confident step towards me, breaking the space. “Like who? Your boyfriend? Which if I’m not mistaken…” He looks around, arms wide. “Is nowhere to be seen.”

I furrow my brows—I refuse to let him break me down. I’m already panicked enough about Gary’s whereabouts, I don’t need Simon taunting me any further.

“Tell me, Chelsie. Where is he?” Simon attempts to run his hand through my hair, but I step back. “Where’s Wilks ?”

I shudder. “I’m not talking to you about him.” I turn on my heel, attempting to make a bee-line into the venue, when he shouts.

“Maybe you will when you find out what I know…”

I halt in place—the absolute worst passing my mind. Simon wouldn’t have done something to him, would he? He couldn't have.

I’m compelled to turn around only because I’m unwilling to trust that Simon isn’t incapable of doing something irrational. To make matters worse, I’m left deeply unsettled when I see a smug look in his eyes.

“Thought you’d want to know what I know.”

“You know nothing,” I protest his statement. “Absolutely nothing about him.”

I know Simon’s games far too well by now. He’ll say or do anything to keep me engaged. Everything that comes out of his mouth is complete shit.

“Oh, but I do, Chelsie.” He dismisses me with a look of his eye. “Don’t you think people in the football world talk? You remember I have connections, right?”

I’m silenced, reminded of the simple fact that Simon used to play football. He used to be involved in the community. He knows a lot of people and Christ, how come I'm even allowing myself to hear him out right now?

“You see, darling .” Simon’s back to standing in front of me. “Wilks, well, he’s not who you think he is.”

I furrow my brow, refusing to believe that I don’t know the man I’ve spent this last month falling in…

I stop myself, not ready to jump in without even dipping my toes wet. It doesn’t matter what Simon says, I know Gary. I know him better than anyone else.

“I know who Wilks… Gary is,” I correct. “I don’t need you to tell me.”

“No?” Simon raises a single brow. “Well, tell me this. Did you know he’s been cheating on you?”

My world shuts off as he pulls up a photo on his phone and flashes it in my face, forcing me to stare.

The picture is visibly that of Gary, with his arms wrapped around the low waist of a girl as he dips her back and kisses her lips. Her face is hard to make out, given that it’s mainly covered by his, but the background is clear they’re out… they’re at a pub.

A pub.

“Wilks and I were drunk at Tenners together not long ago and what can I say? One thing led to another, and we took it back to his place.”

“Wilks, Gary, whatever you call him, Chelsie, well, he’s not loyal, darling . He’s a fucking cheater.”

I stumble—there’s no way this is happening. It can’t be. First the train, and now this? It just has to be a coincidence. It has to be, right?

“I know it’s a lot to take in, Chelsie. I do. I can only imagine that you thought this guy was different.”

Simon’s hardly able to sympathize with the sheer number of emotions I can feel pulsing through my veins.

I’m numb at the conclusion, so much so that I can hardly feel his hand as he brushes along my cheek. He knows what he’s doing, using every weak opportunity to get closer to me—touch me.

“When was this taken? Where did you get this? How do I know it’s not fake?” I’m too busy asking him a full-fledged assortment of questions to push him away.

I need answers.

“So many questions for someone you ‘know’, huh, Chelsie?” Simon cryptically responds as he kisses his teeth. “Are you really sure you ‘know him’?”

“I… I…” I go to speak but have nothing left to say. I’m exhausted, tired, scared, confused.

“Listen, darling .” Simon wraps his hand behind my neck, steadying my differing gaze. “I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but listen, I never cheated on you. I was reliable, trustworthy and most of all, I always showed up .”

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.