Page 37 of Falling for You (Balsam Cliffs #2)

Hunter

I slip into the back row, on the outer edge, hoping none of my family will see me. Being at my sister’s wedding is heartbreaking. I’m so happy for her, but I can’t see her get the happily ever after I was supposed to have.

Except the respect I held for her husband-to-be got in the way of my own happily ever after. I was a little late on the respect and ruined any kind of future I had back when I was eighteen because of my own stupidity.

Everybody around me is sickeningly happy. The crisp fall air mingled with the salt air coming off the ocean is perfect for this time of year. The sun warms our skin as we sit, and everyone has smiles on their faces for the happy couple.

Emma deserves all the happiness after what she’s gone through the past year.

After the kidnapping of her stepdaughter Olivia, Roman proposed out on our land.

Apparently they’d been sneaking around for almost a year.

And when I confirmed my suspicions, I wasn’t ready to be right.

I’ve been letting my anger get the best of me for a few months now.

I miss my sister. And my best friend.

Watching Roman take his place at the altar next to Gunnar, my twin, digs the knife into my heart a little deeper. It should be me up there. I should be the best man. I should be there while he marries the love of his life.

But I’m not. I’m hiding in the back row like a scorned lover. I suppose I am. That might be the best way to describe what I am.

The music begins to play and the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. First is Gunnar’s wife, Willow, followed by Violet. The last bridesmaid to walk down with Olivia Rose, their daughter, is the reason for my heartbreak over the last twelve years.

Evelyn Keaton.

My eyes track her movements to the front of the aisle as she hands Olivia over to Mom. She takes her rightful spot as maid of honor and a flash of the future we were supposed to have takes over in my mind.

I toss the blanket in my backpack, sneaking out of my room onto the porch roof, and down the trellis. I look out toward the barn to see if Pops is still out there and make a run for the tree line when I see him pass by one of the windows.

I’m meeting Evelyn on the cove. I have something big to share with her and I’m nervous how she’s going to react.

I get there before her and set up the blanket in the back corner so even if someone comes down here they wouldn’t see us unless they were really looking. The moonlight lights up the cove bouncing off the water.

“Hunter?” A breathy whisper comes from the stairs.

“Over here,” I whisper back.

She comes around the corner, illuminated by the moonlight, and my breath is stolen in my chest. She’s so fucking beautiful and I can’t believe she’s giving me the time of day.

Her brother Roman, my best friend, chases off every guy she’s ever talked to.

Hence meeting in secret. He’d actually kill me and I’m not risking that until my plan is in motion.

She crawls up the blanket to my lap, turning to kiss me.

I take her plump lips with mine. She’s two years younger than me, but I love this girl. She’s everything to me, all consuming.

She pulls back, taking my face in her hands. “What was so important that we had to meet tonight?”

My palms are sweating on her hips, and I’m sure she can feel how nervous I am.

“I wanted you to be the first to know what I did today.” I swallow hard under her gaze.

This isn’t something that Gunnar and I told anyone.

“Gunnar and I signed contracts with the Marines today. We’ll be shipping out two days after graduation. ”

“What? You’re leaving? What about college?” Her panicked tone has so many more questions for me.

“I know that was the plan. But things changed. College isn’t for me. I barely made it through high school. I didn’t think Gunnar was really going to go through with it, but we drove to Portland today and signed. It’s official.”

Tears spring to her eyes. “I wish you’d told me what you were planning. Why didn’t you trust me with everything?”

“I’m just nervous. I don’t want to fail.

This is a big step, and hard as hell. You still have two more years of high school, and I don’t want you stressed out about me.

I’ll be getting out of basic training by the time you start junior year.

And then I’ll get my first assignment.” I pull her close to me, wiping the tears off her cheek.

“Okay. I’ll trust your plan. Just don’t leave me behind, okay?”

“I promise, Peach.” She smiles at the use of my nickname for her. Roman and I had a little Mario obsession when we were in elementary school, and she always tagged along and made one of us play as Princess Peach. It’s stuck since then.

The collective gasp from the crowd has me coming back to reality long enough to watch Pops walk Emma down the aisle. Now I’m tearing up for a second reason. The loss of what could have been, and watching my baby sister get the happy ending I gave up.

By the time the first kiss happens, I’m done for. I can’t be here anymore. I slink out the back corner, and through the trees, following the once well worn path back to the inn to lick my wounds in private.