On A Thread

Chapter 9

Brie didn't realize how disheveled she looked, not until her sister passed her a mirror.
Her sister laughed at her. "Girl... What did he do to you?"
Brie's face flushed, a brisk contrast to her skin. She tossed the mirror away "What are you taking about?"
"You look like you had sex. Won't be surprised if some wine bottles are on the floor." She leaned in to whisper in Brie's ear. "I've got you covered if mom ever asks."
Brie burst out laughing. "Get outta here.
Her sister had seen them marching to the cellar with Brie over Josh's shoulder and almost barfed when Josh spanked Brie. She still felt goosebumps creep up her skin each time she thought back to it.
Brie and Josh's relationship had always been the mushy type, kissing in public, whispering endlessly and hands under the table, Suzie had watched them love and fight and love again and now Brie thought she wanted to sever ties with her true love. Somewhere in Suzie's resolve she'd been a bit envious of love and wanted to feel that love but after their father died and left their mother grieving, lonely and tight smiled, she wasn't confident enough to pursue romance. Hell she didn't even want the stress or the pain that came with love. She just preferred watching from afar, saying awwws and ouuuus and sometimes 'love sucks' when a relationship she admired fell apart.
Suzie had always been the conservative sister, not in a cultural sense but for the fact that she hated instability. Makes sense why she preferred to make wine than chase any further dreams. It was safer, home was safer for her and she felt no one could hurt her.
She loved Brie's free spirit and fervent love but above all she feared for her sister. She feared for her little munchkin's fragile heart, it would shatter to smithereens if her marriage fell apart. She didn't know much about the details but when Brie showed up unannounced with that ridiculous fake high laughter, she just knew it in her heart that something was wrong.
They'd been talking much over the phone so it didn't feel like siblings reconnecting after so many years. A lot of times they'd video called and each time Suzie saw the flunk of her sister's demeanor.
Suzie pushed the curtain to glance outside for a second before returning to Brie. "Will he spend the night."
She sighed while smoothing out her hair. "If wishes were horses..."
Suzie scrunched her face in response. "It's late and the party ain't even winding down."
Brie smiled. She didn't mind it at all, Josh was still around and it made her awfully happy. At first she was freaking out to have him around for fear that people would get a whiff of the strain in their marriage, she was especially scared of her mom finding it out but after she'd told him at the food station, he began playing his role a little too seriously.
Goodness! Brie was embarrassed to face Keith or anyone else who'd had their attention stolen away to the food station. At least she was going to be talk of the town for their usual topic of how brazen they both were. She might as well just retire for the night and at least not see when Josh decides to leave, pretty sure his boss was sending a caravan to come fetch him.
Still she shouldn't be so pathetic.
She should face it head on.
It was for the better if he left. With how flushed and needy he made her feel, she was almost embarrassed about it all. How could she melt like butter on heat?
She'd been so bold and stern before he showed up but as soon as their eyes locked, her damn heart could've written a full orchestra piece. The damn tissue bouncing in her chest and her body following suit.
She heaved again. "Seen any fine man?" She teased, swinging her legs.
Suzie threw her head back in laughter, Brie chuckled, shocked at first at the loud laughter but slowly joined.
"Fine man?" Tears gathered in Suzie's eyes.
Brie laughed, "what? Did I say something wrong?"
Suzie's laughter had calmed, "you talk like our old man."
Brie's own laughter erupted. She'd heard her father say that more times than she could recall. That man and his diction always had the whole grove rolling.
"But seriously," she started when the laughter stopped. "Won't you try this crazy thing called love?"
Suzie placed the glass of wine on the dresser and faced Brie, her hands and back rested on the it. "Exactly. Crazy. No thank you."
"It's a good kind of crazy." Brie spluttered.
Suzie smiled to one side "Mhmmm. I see how good it has been to you."
Bridling words wasn't something Suzie could do successfully and Brie and well everyone else just had to get used to it.
Suzie cleared her throat, about to take back what she'd said.
Brie straightened her back "Su, love is a beautiful thing. Not easy but it's worth the hassle."
She laughed it off and walked to where her younger sister sat and ruffles her hair. "I'm the older one here my love." She leaned in and kissed her head. "It just ain't my cup of tea. I don't have the heart for it."
Brie didn't push any further. She was a firm believer of the power of love. When it comes knocking, it throws you off your feet and knocks down your walls.
"Heading back out?" Suzie said, reaching for her glass.
"Yeah. Don't want mom and Josh to meet in my absence." She sighed and continued. "I honestly wish she doesn't see him. She's been asking me weird questions since I returned. I bet she feels it coming."
"Questions like 'are you happy?'" Suzie shrieked.
Brie snapped her fingers immediately. "Exactly! I can't risk it."
"So you're faking it." It wasn't a question.
Brie pushed her legs into her sandals. "We could make it."
Suzie rose her glass to that.
Brie pushed her aside the dresser to fix her hair.
"That stride across the yard seemed pretty real to me. Too good to be an act."
Brie's hands paused and a familiar heat rose up her cheeks. She glanced at her elder sister. "you're a lost cause. Get a man and get a quickie in the cellar, the best spot on the grove."
Su scrunched her nose and threw her a plushie. "Get out!
"I'm going. Come out soon." Brie laughed and was out.
Suzie thought for a little while, her mind making a seconds trip to the 'fine' Italian man that had indulged her earlier. For a second she thought about the cellar and what they could do there. Her mind didn't tolerate such thoughts. She threw back the rest of her wine and was out the room.
The music had gone into a lull with dull conversations going on with the guest. The air was colder now, with breeze rustling through the leaves in the vineyard. Brie drew in a long breath of air mingled with barbecue and the sweet scent of fruity wine, the air too cold for her nose. Her eyes skated over all the guests searching in quite desperation for one man. She could bet her mother's twenty five year old barrels that Josh already left. She didn't want even know why he came by road when he could've just boarded a flight to and fro, wouldn't take him long to arrive.
"Brie!"
She spun around, her senses on alert at whoever squealed her name. Thankfully the music gave her cover otherwise some wine glasses would've shattered.
She looked ahead, squinting to bring the red haired in focus through the overhead lights. She recognized the lady eager waves as she rose herself on her toes. Meg.
She had unhooked her hand from Camden's arm and skipped across to where Brie was. The two ladies embraced each other, they were nearly both out of breath.
It wasn't even a week since they last met. You couldn't blame them since they literally had lunch together at work.
Brie worked in skincare and massage, Meg worked in hair section. That explained her very obvious red hair, it wasn't natural though. Her hair was originally a thick lustrous delicious strawberry blonde.
"You got your hair done." Brie said after coming up for breath. She fluffed Meg's hair with her hands wondering what Camden had to say about it. Her dear friend always kept the poor man on his toes. One time she'd popped up with a septum.
Meg swiped her hair from side to side. "You like?"
Brie smiled warmly at Meg. She loved Meg too much to hate it. "You look like a fierce flame. The most gorgeous red haired I've ever seen."
Meg leaned in to whisper. "Not natural though."
Brie leaned in too, "who's gonna know?"
Meg's smile touched her eyes, she cupped Brie's face,  squealed and hugged Brie again. She hooked her arm in Brie's and led her to the rest.
"He's here" it was another whisper.
Brie nodded slowly, "just as shocked as you are. Didn't even dream it."
As they approached the others, Brie's eyes latched on Josh and her mother. Goodness. Her lungs forgot to breathe and her feet stalled bringing even Meg to a halt.
What were they talking about? She wished she could better see her mother's face and know what her features were saying. She strained her neck a bit more.
Meg strained hers too, and as if she knew exactly what Brie was looking at, she gasped.
Meg's arms tightened around Brie's "Does your mom suspect?"
Brie winced, the cold air suddenly felt too hot.
"I think so." She winced. She stole her fifth glass of wine from a waiter that passed. Meg didn't take any.
Meg sucked in air and corked her hair to the side. "It seems like a lighthearted conversation."
Brie's glass was already half empty. Her eyes clashing into his. His gaze fell to her glass.
Her mother said something that drew back his attention before he laughed.
"Definitely lighthearted. He's her son in law Brie. And you know your mom adores him."
Brie nodded.
She finally breathed properly. At least they were laughing.
Her mother truly adored Josh. Sometimes she thought her mom forgot who the real child was. Another reason she couldn't let the cat out the bag.
They appeared to be done with the conversation, so it seemed after Suzie and one of their mother's friend whisked her away to a new cluster of guests.
Suzie's expression was that of dread, her smile too wide and uncomfortable. She was scared as Brie was.
Meg hooked her arm again and led her to the group. They had barely reached before Brie flew to Anna's arms. The two ladies embraced for a while. Cooing to each other.
Her eyes teared up, her chest could burst with joy to see her friends. "I didn't think you all would make it."
She turned to Camden and cast him a frown. "How did she get you to come all the way here?" Her voice was watery.
Camden shook his head, a laugh escaped from him. "Your friend threatened to get her eyes inked."
The whole circle gasped before bursting into laughter.
Meg rose her both hands in surrender like she was innocent. Far from it. Meg was more than capable and Camden wasn't even from Finger lakes and Meg's family had moved away a long time ago, so Brie knew they came all the way for her and maybe Camden for Josh.
But Josh and Anna didn't come together.
Brie was still smiling, "how's is Kai, Ann?"
Anna sighed, "on a business trip"
Brie jutted her lips, "typical isn't it?"
Meg reached Brie and took her hands before pulling her to a spin. "Seriously girl, you deserved the hurl. You look amazing." Another squeal.
Brie had fixated on only one word, hurl.
She chuckled, shifting her weight. Her brows furrowed, "what... Hurl?"
Josh had just rejoined them. His eyes sending heat waves to her face.
"Oh please !" She blurted. "We came in time to see my brother here." She waved a hand to Josh. "Take you over his shoulder."
Heat rose up her neck. She was suddenly to shy to look up. "No way you saw that."
"We did" Camden chimed in.
Brie desperately needed the ground to open and swallow her. She looked up at Josh from across her through her thick lashes, he was smirking. Seriously, he didn't seem affected.
Like everyone else read her mind, their attention was on Josh. He tried ignoring their peering eyes but failed. "C'mon now. Brie is my wife." With that, he rounded the small circle and came to her side.
A burst of ooo's and ahh's responded to him together with a smack from his sister.
"So what went down. Did you play mummy and daddy?"
Camden visibly shook his shoulder laughing.
Anna too. Hers was more from confusion.
Brie drew circles with her feet. She sucked in a sharp breath when Josh's arm slipped around her waist.
He pulled her closer to his side. "What do you think?" He kissed her head, His voice low and possessive.
Brie didn't object. Anything to get their sex life off the table.
Brie flagged a waiter and tried to snag another drink but Josh wasn't having it.
He leaned in to her ears, his hot breath skated her ears with warm seduction. "That's enough for tonight honey."
His words shook her core violently.
Someone tapped Brie and in sync, the entire circle turned, each conversation coming to a halt.
The lady was wearing hot pink, hair done in pigtails, nails full of sparkles.
It reminded Brie of someone.  And she knew very well who it was. Her eyes dragged up the lady's length, hitting her manicured nails, one hand hooked around a man Brie didn't know the other catching the lights around causing an unpleasant glistening.
The lady gasped, eyes wide open. "Is this your Brielle?" Her voice was still an annoying shrill, a squeal tainted with a very forced British accent. Brie guessed the man she was holding was British because she could swear that Candace didn't go to the Queen's land and even if she did, she couldn't possibly have stayed long enough to speak in the accent
Brie knew she was putting on a show. She knew Candy didn't doubt for a second that it was her.
Brie instinctively held on to Josh's arm tighter, his eyes dropped to her hold on him then her eyes.
Please act clingy.
She hoped he got her message.
She felt relieved when he pulled her closer. He got the message.
Brie's smile didn't touch her eyes. "Hi Candy." She said tightly, her eyes bouncing from Candace to the man beside her.
Candace took the opportunity as quickly as it came. "This is Jeremy."
If she could roll her eyes without seeming unmannered, Brie would've done it.
The Jeremy guy nodded a hi.
Candace unhooked her hand and swallowed Brie in a hug which she returned reluctantly, her overly fruity scent made her head woozy.
"I can't believe it's you." She said. Her smile dropped when she glanced at Josh, she raised her voice a shrill higher. "And Josh!"
Josh nodded. His lips drawn in a thin line. "It's been a while Candy."
Candy cut her eyes from them to Jeremy. "Brielle and Josh, My school friends, we  grew up together until college."
Jeremy put out his hand for a handshake. "I've heard so much about you."
Brie and Josh exchanged a glance and smiled.
If he heard so much about them he must know better than to be amused except he was a peace maker. Opposites attract, is it not?
They stood there in awkward silence, Brie's friends had carried on with their own conversation.
As if prompted, Brie introduced the rest of them to Candy and Jeremy followed with some exchanged mutterings of hi's and hellos. Meg merely waved, which meant she already didn't like Candy.
The silence fell again. This time Josh broke it. "What brings you back here Candy?"
Candy smiled widely at Jeremy before  flashing her big rock of an engagement ring at them. "We're getting married!"
If Brie as shocked she didn't show it. Her lips genuinely curved into a smile and she embraced Candy.
"Congratulations on that."
The others cooed the same, their face held a silent cheer for the two.
Josh said the same. Then added, "I'm guessing that's what brought you back home."
Jeremy kissed Candace on the cheek.
He was really easy on the eye. A nice, tall, blonde British. He towered over Candace.
"She keeps going on and on about having a vineyard wedding." He turned to her and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I can give her that much before we move."
"You're not staying in the country?" Meg peaked.
The pinked up lady was rubbing Jeremy's chest, "his business is over there in Manchester."
Meg and Camden nodded.
To Brie, it was good news edged with Candace need to rub it in her face. Back in school, she'd had a massive crush on Josh, but Josh didn't take a hint, he was already hooked on someone else and then he left for highschool. It didn't end well.
Even now Candace still felt the need to prove she lacked nothing that Brie had. Well except Brie's head of curls.
Anna took the third excuse now, Brie and Josh's eyes trailing her till she was out of sight, speaking a bit louder than normal into the phone. Her phone had been pinging non stop, at one glance Brie could tell that Anna was no longer enjoying the evening, probably something from work or something to do with her kids.
Meg and Camden had disappeared into their own world, grinning ear to ear at each other.
Candy sipped on her wine, "we'll be holding the bachelorette party and wedding here in town." She stuck her tongue in her cheek. "The reception too"
Josh was holding her small hands now. He could sense the discomfort Brie struggled to keep away. "When is it?"
"A quick one. By next weekend ." The groom to be replied, his bride to be beamed at him.
Brie drew her lips back, not sure what to say, her jaw felt slack. If the wedding was coming up in a week time it meant that she was not even invited. She didn't understand why Candy gave her all the details. She dragged her eyes to Candace in time to catch the wave of guilt that passed her face.
She smiled awkwardly. "You know you're automatically invited. Don't you?"
No one was automatically invited to a wedding, well except the immediate family but even that could be contested.
"You can be in my train." She quipped.
Brie replied with a plastered smile.
"I hardly know anyone here man," Jeremy was talking to Josh, he got Camden's attention too. "I've got about three familiar people." He jutted his lips. "If you'd like to join in..."
Brie nearly scoffed a laugh.
Seriously he was asking Josh to be a groomsman?
"I..." He began to say then drawled, casting a questioning glance to Camden. "We can help with that."
Brie and Meg snapped their eyes to Josh. Meg's shooting daggers at him.
"What?... You will?"
Josh squeezed her hand, "you'll be there, won't you?"
She nodded numbly.
Just then Anna was back. Her eyes darted between all of them, "did someone hit y'all with a stun gun?"
Brie's eyes didn't leave her husband's, "Josh agreed to be a groomsman regardless of his busy schedule Anna."
She flinched. "What a stun" she laughed. "Camden too?"
"Maybe..." Camden began to say.
"We'll discuss that first." Meg pinned him with her eyes, a tight smile crossed her lips.
"Anyways guys." Candy began with a clap, her high pitched voice was back. "I'll email the invites just for protocols sake, one for Josh and Brie, one for Camden and his wife." Her voice was clipped at 'wife'. "How about you?" She was asking Anna but Anna was into her phone again, typing furiously.
"Anna, you've been quite distracted. You alright?" Josh asked.
Anna's eyes snapped up from her phone. "Me?"
"Candy asked if you'll attend her wedding." Brie said, concern clouded her expression. "It's next week"
Anna appeared stunned for a second, she wasn't even sure what wedding they were talking about but she felt sorry for her divided attention. She winced, "I'm sorry I'll be occupied."
Candace smiled, "alright then. We'll head out. Need to check out the venue." She looked around, "I don't see Mrs. Peters around."
Brie wasn't used to her mom been called Mrs. Peters. To her, her mom was mom. She scanned the place "The guests are leaving, she's probably busy. Why?"
"Oh...we're using her wedding hall."
Why? Brie wanted to ask but the words couldn't fall out.
Jeremy whispered in her ears.
She smiled at all of them. "We have to go now." Her glance at Josh lingered longer than the rest. "I'll call for the emails and any other info."
"See you around man." Jeremy said, clashing his hands with Josh and Camden. His smile softened for the ladies, "nice meeting you." He looked up, trying to recall something, "Meg... Brie.. and... Anna?"
Meg looked surprised. "Good memory there. I didn't even say my name."
"I picked it up real quick."
Meg and Brie nodded, both returning the smile. Anna merely waved.
Her husband to be steered her away from the group.
Brie cast Josh a look. They needed to talk about everything, what he was doing downtown and why he was free enough to attend a distant friend's wedding. She knew he was so busy lately, it was shocking enough for him to be at the wine event at all.
Anna winced again, "Joshy. Please drive me to the airport."
"Are you alright Anna?" Brie asked.
"I am... It's work. I came here just to see you and I couldn't even pay any attention. I'll call you as soon as I get home." She paused. "Tomorrow? I'll call tomorrow."
Josh eyed his sister suspiciously. He stunned Brie with a deep kiss on her lips, her eyes shot wide open, she was beyond alarmed. "I'll drop her off and come right back?"
She was more stunned. "You're coming back?"
"I'll be here throughout the weekend." He whispered in her ear.
She couldn't form words. Anna stole her into a warm hug. "Take care of yourself Brie." She kissed her head.
"You too Anna."
The next to leave were Meg and Camden. They chatted for a while before they left to find the cozy bed and breakfast Brie had directed them too. In an hour later the place was almost empty, even Keith had left already, she felt a bit guilty putting him in that situation, she wasn't even expecting her husband's actions. She thought he'd probably come around another day.
Brie waited around, helping the waiters clear up barrel tables and pick up trash, all a decoy to wait for Josh.
He said that to play along right? He couldn't possibly pass up work during the weekend.
After waiting an hour more she gave up and went in, the cold air was getting to her and transpiration had begun because why else was she so cold. For some odd reasons she arranged her room and changed the sheets before taking a bath and putting on a red slip night dress. It was the only one outside her box, she had been too out of it to even unpack.
She ignored the tiny little naughty part of her that deluded she wore it for other reasons. What else was she supposed to wear?
He was coming back. Those were his words and Brie couldn't understand why she held onto his words.
He knew the way to her room and when he got there, Brie was already asleep, hee curls all over the place, her red slip dress rode up. The perfect pose for a magazine cover. His wife was so damn pretty, seducing him even without lifting a finger.
He dipped the space beside her and moved her hair out of her face.
He missed her. He missed gushing over her face.
His eyes roamed her body, lingering longer on her exposed thighs. His insides at war with his brain, to give in or hold back. He married such an angel and forgot how much sunshine she brought to him.
He shouldn't sway her, he was playing dirty but he just couldn't lose hers.
He'd take a weekend leave to be her even next weekend. He was happy to be one of the groomsmen, he didn't know Jeremy but he was thankful for the opportunity.
She wouldn't have let him come downtown for no reason but now he had one.
Josh laid beside her, pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her head. He moved in closer but they still weren't close enough. It was a small bed but never for them. A bed they were both familiar with. His memories with her on her childhood bed came flooding in.
Brie shifted in her sleep but she didn't move away from his warmth. Somewhere in her head she dreamed that the cologne she perceived was actually his and not an imagination.
"You came." She mumbled, still asleep.
Josh looked down to her lips and kissed her there. "Yes baby. I came."