Dylan is the first to realize. She doesn’t make a big deal out of it; she simply slides her hand into mine and squeezes. The second time the roar goes by us, Hayley wraps her hands around my right arm and leans in. I give a kiss to the top of her head. She stays there for a while before leaning forward against the rail.
The race ends like I thought it would, with Colton lapping everyone else. The amount of money raised from the donated winnings is insane and there is still the dinner with private donations to go. We make a stop back at the condo to change before venturing on to the dinner.
My stunning wife slides into a little black dress that if she’s not careful won’t stay on for long. She’s also wearing black versions of the tennis shoes she wore the first night we met. Her hair is in a long, messy braid. “Are you going to do all right with your crutches for a long period of time?”
“Well, I’ll be sitting some, but I expect to dance with you.”
“I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“I won’t if you carry me like I’m pinned against a column.” She winks.
***
Just before we’re ready to leave, Hayley decides she doesn’t like what she’s wearing and wants to change. She brings her backup dress, as she calls it, down in to our bathroom and changes there. She also says that now her hair needs to be down instead of up. Internally I’m rolling my eyes, Dylan offers to go in and help her along, while Wes stands like a statue nearly completely disengaged in the corner.
When the girls are out of listening range, I pull a pillow off the couch and toss it at him. “What the fuck, man? Are you five?” I’m trying hard not to laugh as he quickly smooths his suit out and restraightens his tie.
“I mean, I could be provoked. What’s going on in that phone that’s so important? The minute Hayley left the room, you were on it like crack.”
“I promised her I’d stay off as much as possible, but man it’s hard. I have Sully blowing me up asking for leads. Hannah has been messaging me on and off. She has to do all the pre-registration stuff for the hospital and needs answers. I’d rather answer her quick to get her what she needs instead of her possibly calling. How would I explain that?”
“Why does everything have to be a huge secret? I’m sure Hayley understands.”
“Dude, I’m telling you, she doesn’t. Hayles has been so much better here than she was at home. She’s actually smiling and besides that little incident after the Ferris wheel, it’s the best week we’ve had in several. I don’t want to jeopardize that. Although, I don’t know if once we get to that dinner if that will even be possible.”
“Why? What do you mean? She’s been looking forward to the dancing. Look at her, she’s freaking out over every detail of her outfit.”
“Gabs sent me a message. Did you know she was invited tonight?”
“No. I didn’t. I’m just on the guest list like everyone else.”
“Yeah, well, I’m trying to figure out—without making it obvious—when she will be there, with whom, and for how long. I’m hoping I can get them to avoid each other.”
“What is it with you and all the avoidance tactics? What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
Dylan
I thought our two events nailed it. The gala was my first with Eli then the luncheon less than a year ago. We walk into the ballroom and holy shit. It’s the right amount of elegance and street, if that’s the right word. You can tell there is a lot of money behind the scenes, but you don’t feel it. If the goal was to make everyone comfortable yet appear regal, mission accomplished.
Our table is a couple away from where Colton, Rylee, and Colton’s family are sitting. I know a few of Rylee’s friends are in attendance as well. Maybe that’s a better statement. It feels like a huge extended family coming together to make things better.
Eli bends to whisper in my ear, “You’re glowing, Viper.”
He extends his hand to me in invitation. “Are you sure you’re willing to carry me around? I just had a steak dinner, you know.”
“I think I can handle you.”
“Oh, I know you can.”
Eli lifts me from my chair as Wes winks at us while guiding Hayley to get a drink at the bar, then for the bit of fresh air Hayley asked for. I’m carried to the dance floor where we’re getting all kinds of looks and smiles, even from our hosts. Eli sets me on his shoes so he can move for the both of us. I feel like I’m at a middle school dance for how graceful I am, but I know it’s more of a fairy tale the way my husband looks at me.
“Everyone is watching us, Eli.”
“No, Viper, everyone is watching you. Everything about you draws them in. I’m a lucky man.”
“If it wasn’t for this brace and that we’re in a room full of friends and media, I’d be making very dirty proposals to you. Did you notice the garden and path outside?”
“I did. All we’re missing is a bunch of pillars and flowing curtains.”
“I’ll make a mental note of that for our next event.”
“Remember to wear this dress too because…damn, Viper.” Eli closes his eyes for a millisecond then when I get them back, he’s smiling so sweetly at me.
“What?”
“Nothing. Everything.”
“I know. Me too.”
Eli makes it easy for me to simply feel. What I feel right now, even in the midst of the unknown physically, I don’t think I’ve ever been more content.
Wes
I’ve been walking the tightrope of cool and losing it since we got here. I keep scanning the room, looking for a glimpse of Gabrielle. It’s best to keep them apart tonight not just for Hayley, but for me too.
For years I’ve lived on the wild side. I don’t have a real reason why, except for that it felt good. I don’t know if that’s because at a young age I knew it could all disappear quickly or because I was the commitment phobe that everyone thought I was, and I guess am. I can’t run from it anymore. I can slow the speeding train down and try to savor every last ounce I can. In a moment, any moment, it’s all going to change.
I’ve tried to articulate my fears to Hayley, but she has so many of her own, I don’t want to lay this at her feet. I don’t want Eli to think I’m not paying attention or doing the right thing, so I do the best I can on my own without a gut check. Eliminating conflict is the name of the game. One I’ve become expertly skilled at.
Hayley and I are nursing a couple of light drinks at the bar when I hear a familiar laugh zero in on me from about fifty feet away. She’s here. I set my empty glass down on the bar and do a casual scan of the room and clock her behind me, to my right. If Gabs was looking this way, she’d stare right into Hayley’s face.
“Hey, Babe. You still want that air?” I ask. I clear my throat after. I can hear a subtle shake in my speech I don’t want her to pick up on.