Best Friend Next Door (Love Next Door Book 2) *Rough Draft*

Chapter 42

Isaac had a lot on his brain but his focus was on the championship game, and yet his eyes honed to the stands. They were more crowded than usual but his family was always the closest to the team's dugout. There was Dee, Val, his dad, Cam, Jake, Christian, Adrian, Kayla, Jamaal, his little bright-eyed niece bouncing on Christian's hip Riley, Garth, all with the their team T-Shirts on, but no Melanie.

It was about the fifth inning when he noticed her sneak in. Her team shirt on, his heart was light when he'd noticed her turn to scoot past Christian and Jake to get to her sisters. "Team Goodwin". Not Christian Goodwin, it was his team. He could have ran to the bleachers took her in his arms and never let her go. What he should have done. There would be time for that, he told himself. He'd give her an epic apology, so epic she wouldn't dream of running away again.

The momentum built and his boys did amazing, down to the last double hitter. It was like the games he had won when he was younger, before his asthma attack but better. He gave his congratulations to his team and sportsman handshakes to the other team and he rushed over to the bleachers to be with his family.

"Great game, son."

Isaac just smiled. It wasn't as much his win as his kids but it still felt good that his dad was proud of him. "Thanks." He looked around. "Where's Mel?"

Everyone looked around.

"She must have slipped out."

His heart fell. "No." He said.

"Isaac the plane leaves for tomorrow morning."

He'd almost forgotten about the wedding, but even that wasn't as important. He climbed in his car and headed to Valerie's house, dialing Mel's number. He'd gotten her answering machine again. He blew out a breath. This again.

Just as he started to pull toward the cul de sac, he noticed Mel's car wasn't there. She was either in town or she's left already. Isaac had a feeling that she'd left. She didn't even say goodbye. But then he thought, she couldn't miss her sister's wedding. He'd called her again and once again, it would ring and her voicemail would pick up. Another stab in the chest.

He wanted to get angry, tell her how childish she was being on her voicemail, but the truth was he was getting just what he deserved, at least Val's wedding gave him one last chance to show her how sorry he was.

The next day dragged. All he could think about was what he would say when he saw Melanie. Unfortunately, it took forever, especially because as soon as they touched down on the island, the guys and girls separated. He didn't even get a glimpse of Melanie at the airport, if she was even on the same flight. He almost thought she wouldn't come at all, until the ceremony started. She was coupled with him as they walked down the isle.

Everyone wore white. It was Val's idea. Wanting everyone to look like a family. It was true, in a way the families were coming together. If that hadn't been acknowledged already. With Melanie in a flowy white gown, and him in a white tux, he could pretend. The white and pink flowers in her hair added to her bridal glow, Isaa couldn't stand it. He had been thankful Val hadn't been one of those brides that downplayed their bridesmaids so they looked better, but then again, he would be bias anyway.

"You look beautiful, Mel." He murmured lacing her hand in the crook of his arm guiding her down the aisle. He could have proposed to her right then and there. Maybe it would have been unorthodox, but he would have gladly pulled her and the pastor aside to say their vows, but he knew Mel wouldn't want that, but it was all he could think about. Taking Melanie home, moving her in and spending the rest of their days happy.

It was like an infinite moment walking down the aisle only to part again, but he watched her big chocolate eyes light up and a warm smile across her face as Val came down the the sand and seashell coated aisle.

She felt his eyes on her the whole time. She may have stolen glances, but she was going to be firm. His cologne still made her heart flutter, his touch brought her back to that starlit night she'd come apart in his arms, but this was Val's day. Knowing that he was watching her every move, and gesture left her body warm and even more self conscious than usual. As the bride's march began she looked up and saw Val. She was beautiful in a lacey strapless sweetheart number. It was white like hers, but hers was a taffeta like the other bridesmaids and flower girl dresses, but Val's was the most beautiful. She looked like she was an angel walking on a cloud.

She looked back at Mr. Abe. His white tux fit him amazingly. His sons truly looked like they were his. They were all rustic country men that cleaned up better than any Calvin Klein model. Their tuxes matched Adriane and Jamaal's little ring bearer tuxes. They stood in front of Jake and Isaac, the way Riley and Kayla stood in front of the girls.

There was only a wedding party, no real guests. That was made it more special. It was truly an intimate family affair.

Then there was that unmistakable smile over Abe's face. The one that said that the world itself had faded away all he saw was Val. She was his world. She couldn't look up at the other look, directed at her. Not this time. It was in Mr. Abe's look that she knew he had accepted her sister mind, body, soul, and dreams.

Then there was his. That told her that she had to choose or he would make things hard for her. He would pressure her, like Mike did. Then for him to think that she slept with Christian. She didn't want to think of that. This was a happy day and arguing with her stupid heart didn't make things more bearable.

She had one plan, and that was to avoid him at all costs. She had to be done. She was finished. She needed time away, so she could just stop wanting something that would never happen and stop being hurt and angry and confused.

The vows were exchanged and her sisters fairytale was switching into high gear. Mr. Abe was more than a prince charming. He was the most amazing man that Melanie had ever known. He had been like a father to her, and Val taking the place of her mother, it was perfect. She couldn't have written a better love story.

After the pictures Melanie slipped away again after giving Valarie a kiss on the cheek promising to call her when she got home. She slipped away from him. She caught his eye a couple of times, but she managed to to rush to her car. Everyone was headed to the hotel to the reception hall, but she went in the opposite direction. When I can not miss him, she told herself. When the hurting stops, when I can just be his friend. Her plan now was to get home, find a job, to keep her apartment and work on her next project.