𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒
Newly engaged couple Sierra and Nick were eager to graduate college and move in together-finally starting their happily ever after.
But life isn't...
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August Pine and the Nitty Gritties start their set in roughly an hour, and the chaotic energy in Natalia's living room reaches an all-time high as everybody gears up to leave for Foxhole.
Knots in my stomach mushroom when I glance over to where Nick stands with my brothers. In the beginning, things between us weren't great, but I like the guy and believe he's a perfect match for SiSi. Warning her about getting married so young was only done with good intention, and I've paid dearly for opening my big mouth.
Two weeks ago, Natalia harassed me via text to come out tonight. I was all set to turn her down when Lauren sailed through the door after work, gibbering about Drew and Natalia hounding her. At least I can finally accomplish something tonight that nags me at least once per week.
Folding my arms, I amble over to them, and curiosity grows in his eyes as I lean over. "Hey, can you come grab something from my car with me?"
He turns and nods, slipping behind the guys to follow me out the door, trailing after me on the dewy grass toward my Buick Verano. "Nice car," he comments, running his hand up the midnight blue hood. "Sleek."
"Thanks," I say, digging through the belongings in my trunk. I turn, holding up a small gift bag, and he accepts it with a bewildered look. I laugh, shutting the trunk. "It's about four months late, I think, but I forgot to bring it the night we went out for SiSi's birthday, and I wanted to know if you'd give it to her later."
With a hard, exasperated glint in his eye, the bag crinkles as he shoves it against my chest. "You do it."
He's stalked halfway across the yard before I catch up. "Wait, hear me out. It's my grandma's necklace, and Lauren will die if she sees me give it to Sierra. It's just—Abuela wants Sierra to have it."
Laughter and chatter spill out an open window, and Nick crosses his arms over his chest, waiting for me to continue. I swallow the lump lodged in my throat. "And I want her to have it, too. She deserves to have it. Can you please give it to her, like, tomorrow?"
"Why can't you just talk to her?" he sighs, snatching the bag from my fingertips. He stalks up the walkway, calling over his shoulder. "Yes, I'll give it to her."
My Vans scrape the sidewalk as I sink to sit on the edge of Nat's front porch, glaring at the ground. Everybody blames me for Sierra and I essentially breaking up, but nobody talks about how many times my texts went unanswered.
For every ten I'd send, I'd get one back. Lauren made comments more than once about how many more posts SiSi was in than her, and my pride was already hurting that day. I felt fed up and archived some of my social media posts.
The next day, Sierra freaked out and blocked me from everything, yet I'm still the only one who got any heat from our falling out. Believe me, I'm hurt, too. For years, that girl was my closest friend and cuddle partner. Our days were filled with inside jokes and study sessions, and there are a few college classes I wouldn't have passed without her.
