Illicit Affairs ~ A Chris Motionless Love Story

Chapter Thirteen - The Mess You Made

SCARLETT'S POV
I walked to the small pond at the venue and saw Chris standing by the water, patiently waiting for me with his hands in his pockets. I walked up to him, my dress swaying in the wind. He had a puzzled look on his face as he looked down at me.

"Why wouldn't you tell me so that I can explain myself?" His question was confusing, with no context given.

"Chris, what are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about! So what? You threw down your gavel before you give me the chance to plea my case?" Chris was clearly upset, and understandably a bit angry, especially at me  for playing dumb. He took my hands in his, sighing heavily. "Scar, all of that was a mistake-"
"Chris, I don't want to do this right now-"
"No, listen-" I let go of Chris' hands and turned to walk away. I was honestly just ready to go home, not wanting to face the reception party with Chris. The tables had turned, I was the one walking away.
By the time the reception had started Hailey was already plastered, and it was time for speeches to be delivered by the best man, Chris, and by the maid of honor, me. Chris got up, holding his phone in his hand. We'd been over his speech a million times at my house, but he needed his notes just for moral support.

"I'm glad that you met Hailey for several reasons. One, we didn't have to deal with that other bitch anymore who had the most ear piercing laugh. But two, she introduced me to several characters that I'd figure out would play an essential role in my life," he looked up, making eye contact with me, "but tonight we're not celebrating my found love, we're celebrating yours. When you asked me what I thought about you getting married I was sure you were crazy and that someone had replaced you with a clone." Chris' speech was long, and there weren't enough glasses of champagne in the world to get me drunk enough to make it through the speech. I quietly got up, excusing myself from the table, and stepped outside. Chris' eyes followed me as I walked out. Though I was outside, I could still hear muffled talking. A joke, then laughter, then applause. After a few minutes I heard the door open, and one of the other groomsmen joined me outside with a cigarette. He didn't hang around often, and, to be honest, I hadn't remembered his name from the few times he had. Griffith, Griffin, Gryfindor, couldn't tell you.

"You want one?" He offered while holding the carton to me, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. I put my hand up and shook my head. I may have been an alcoholic, but I never touched cigarettes. It was one of my many migraine triggers. He lit it with a Zippo lighter from his pocket, then slipped the lighter back down, and flipped his brown hair out of his face. "Scarlett, right?" I nodded, clutching my glass to my chest and leaning against the cold brick of the venue. He blew some smoke out away from me, then extended his hand for me to shake. "I'm Leo. I know we've met before, but I rarely come around." Not even close to what I was thinking! I shook his hand. "You don't talk much, do you?"

"I don't have much to say." He reached into his pocket, pulling out two mini bottles of Jack Daniels. He held one out to me, and I grabbed it then threw it back. It burned going down, but it was a familiar feeling. Nothing to wince or cry about. He smiled, put his cigarette out on the ground with his foot, and took his shot.

"So where's your boyfriend? Weren't you with some rich doctor guy?" He inquired about Noah. I scoffed and shook my head at the memory.

"That's been over for some time now." He looked as though he was about to put his foot in his mouth.

"Fuck, Scar, I'm so sorry. I had no clue." How would he? He's never around, and to be frank I didn't even remotely remember his name. We were practically strangers.

"It was long overdue. He was kind of a piece of shit." I took a sip of my champagne, finishing it off. "I really know how to pick 'em, I guess." Leo was about to open his mouth to say something, but the door swung open and Chris came walking out.

"Scar! We've been looking everywhere for you! Hailey said you're supposed to sing for their first dance? Something about a compromise you made?" I had forgotten that I told her I'd rather sing than do a speech, and she chose the song