Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
The nice guy look.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“You look so grown up.”
“So do you… I guess we’re not kids anymore, huh?”
“I don’t think you were ever a kid.”
“That’s probably true. You look good.”
“You look beautiful.”
I shyly smiled. “Thank you.”
“God… what’s it been? Ten, eleven years?”
I nodded. “Something like that…” I cleared my throat, my mouth suddenly becoming dry. “What are you doing here?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Of course, I’m just surprised that’s all. I haven’t seen you at one of these in years.”
He nodded. “Our kids go to school with April’s kids.”
I bit my cheek. “Our kids?”
“Yes. My wife and I.”
“Oh… you’re married?”
“I am. For almost six years now.”
“Wow, good for you.”
“You’re not married,” he stated as a question. “I ask April about you sometimes. She says you’ve turned into a pretty private person. She doesn’t see you that often, but her kids adore you.”
I chuckled. “I have that effect on people.”
“That you do.”
We were silent for several minutes, looking at each other; thinking about the unknown possibilities.
“So…” I murmured, breaking the stillness. “How many little people do you have?”
“Three. Two boys and a girl.”
“I bet you spoil her rotten.”
“I do. She definitely has me wrapped around her little finger. They’re inside playing with your sister’s kids.”
“Oh I saw them. They’re beautiful.”
“They take after my wife… lucky for them.” He meant it as a joke, but it felt more like a dig.
At me.
“Where’s this beautiful wife of yours?” I replied, trying not to sound hurt.
“She’s inside talking to Christine.”
“Oh wow Christine is here, too?”
“She is. She actually saw you come out here and told me.”
“I see,” I hesitated. “Why are you out here?” I blurted, needing to know the answer.
“Can’t an old friend say hello?”
“Old friend?” I raised my eyebrows. “Is that what we were?”
“I’d like to believe so. At times I wished we could have been more.”
“I was really messed up back then, Landon. Fuck…” I breathed out. “I’m still messed up.” I took a few gulps of my drink. “But you… you were always such an amazing guy; a nice guy. I didn’t deserve all that kindness. This may be too late, but I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I led you on; shit I’m sorry I hurt you.”
His eyes widened in shock like he couldn’t believe what I said. To be honest I couldn’t believe it; it just came out.
“Wow. You have grown up a lot. Thank you, that means a lot coming from you.”
“I know.”
“You know… you weren’t the only one who fucked up, Brooke... I did, too. I was really young and stupid; I didn’t understand. Now that I’m older, I can understand why you were the way you were. Seeing that… you know… it would fuck any kid up. But your parents, damn they still look as happy as I remember them.”
“Yeah, they do. I don’t get it and I probably never will.”
“Being a great father and being a great man; are two very different things.”
My mouth parted. That is such a simple statement, with such a huge meaning.
“Honey, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” A woman with brown hair and petite facial features; walked out the screen door. She was curvy, but tiny and pretty. Not what I would have imagined Landon to end up with; she looked like a doll.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d be out here this long.” He put his arm around her and she leaned into his embrace. “Brooke, this is my wife Aubrey, Aubrey this is Brooke.”
“Nice to meet you, Brooke, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to finally put a face with a name.”
I was caught off guard that she knew about me. It took me few seconds to reply. “Umm… nice to meet you, too. I’m going… I’m going to find my sisters. I’ll see you guys inside.”
I rushed past them.
“Brooke?”
I turned and looked at him.
“It was nice to see you again and catch up.”
I nodded and looked down at the ground, not being able to watch them together any longer. The night continued on. It was near midnight, and all the families got together; waiting to exchange greetings, presents, and love.
I stood with mine and watched from afar…
I watched Landon with his wife and kids; they were huddled around the tree, his little girl in one arm and his wife in the other. They looked like they came right out of a Hallmark holiday card. Perfect in every way.
“That could have been you,” she whispered from behind me. “He loved you so much, Brooke, he would have given anything up for you. That family, his wife, his kids; it could have been you. You broke his heart. It took him years to get over you, and I know in his heart that a big part of it still belongs to you.”