𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄. - 𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧

004. a trip to memory lane

FOUR YEARS AGO

"It's only five past twelve, Tate. He's coming—don't worry about it." Sarah's voice tries her best to comfort Tatum who's close to hyperventilating.

"This is what I was worried about with him... What if he bails on me?" Tatum's lip start to quiver.

JJ comes in running from outside the church. "I can't reach his phone anywhere and John B's already out looking for him with Topper."

"W—what do you mean you can't reach him? JJ don't go on trying to joke about this!" Tatum's frustration begins to show, standing up in her white dress.

"No, no, no. Tate, just calm down. Everything's going to be fine." Sarah stops her with her arms from any attempt of hurting JJ with her reach.

ONE HOUR AFTER

"He's here." Ward creeks the wooden church doors open, whispering to let Tatum and her bridesmaids know. Tatum's head shoots up, heading straight outside.

She rushes towards Rafe who's busy fixing his suit, holding onto her dress, trying not to fall on her way over to him. She's tried all her best not to let a single tear down her cheeks all morning from all the waiting she's done for him. He's the room, he had one job.

"What the hell were you thinking, coming here one hour late to our own wedding, Rafe?!" Tatum stomps her heels towards him.

"Tate, you have to let me explain. I am so sorry, baby." Rafe places his hands on each of her shoulders. He reeks of alcohol.

Tatum immediately smells it, grimacing at the scent of him. "You're still drunk... you've been drinking all night, haven't you? How could you?"

"I'm so sorry, but I'm here now—ain't that right? We can finally get married now. Today's our day, Tate." Rafe is slow with his words, almost stumbling in front of her.

"I can't believe you!" She screams.

Sarah comes running from inside to keep her from making a scene. They don't want any of the guests waiting inside to come out to see this. Ward pulls Rafe away from her to keep a distance. He goes and gives him a quick pep talk, slapping his face to wake Rafe up.

"Shh, we need to keep it together. The ceremony will restart in a couple of minutes. Come on, let's get you inside." The blonde teenager interlocks her arm with Tatum's, leading the bride back into the church.

ONE YEAR AFTER

Tatum throws the rest of her things in the back of the trunk of her car. Rafe is behind her, trying his best to stop her from leaving. "Look, you can't just leave, Tate!" He blocks her from closing the trunk.

"Don't make this harder than it already is, Rafe. Just let me go." She grunts, using all her strength to pull down the trunk door. "Stop it, will you?"