Chapter 39

“Bree, is there something you want to tell me?” Trent asked, his hand on top of hers in the sand.

Slowly, Bree nodded and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. Do you know why Hank was so upset last night?”

Trent nodded, and she was surprised. She’d assumed he had no idea. “He still has feelings for Monica, I guess. He went out with her a time or two before she and I started dating. I wouldn’t have gone out with her at all under the circumstances, but Hank said it was fine.”

“Apparently, it’s not fine,” she said, looking into his eyes.

“I guess not. But by the time I realized that, it was a little too late. Besides, Monica insists she never had serious feelings for him. So even if I stopped seeing her, that wouldn’t solve Hank’s problem.”

“It might’ve made him feel better. At least he wouldn’t have to see her all the time and know he couldn’t have her.”

“That’s a good point.” Trent shrugged and looked out across the ocean.

“Besides... I don’t think Monica was being completely honest with you. I know she wasn’t. Neither one of them were.”

She could almost see the shiver that went through his body. His eyes were on her again, heavy with concern. “What do you mean, Bree?”

“I mean... she’s cheating on you. With Hank.”

His blue eyes widened and his mouth hung open for a long while before he finally cleared his throat and asked, “Are you sure? I can’t believe either one of them would do that.”

“I’m sure,” she said with a nod. “I debated about whether or not I should tell you for a lot of obvious reasons. I finally decided it wouldn’t be fair to anyone if I didn’t, but most especially not fair to you. Trent, you deserve to be with someone who knows what she has when she’s with you. How anyone could ever step out on you is unfathomable to me. If she doesn’t recognize how special you are....” Bree stopped talking because she knew she’d end up reciting the vows she’d written for him when she was in high school and had dreamt of marrying him. She’d ramble off a list of all the things she loved about him right here in the sand. But that’s not what he needed right now.

He looked away from her, and she gave him some time to process. It had to be a shock. When he pulled his hand away from hers to cross his arms over his knees, she tried not to be offended. But her hand felt cold now without his.

“I wish there was a way you could hear this and not be mad at Hank. He first mentioned that he had pretty strong feelings for her at Christy’s party, a long time ago. I think he’s tried to get over her, get away from her, but just can’t seem to do it.”

“He’s supposed to be my best friend.” Trent ran his hand through his hair.

“I know. I couldn’t believe he’d do that either. I’m so sorry.”

“But you’re not shocked that she’s cheating?”

“I told you, I’m surprised anyone would cheat on you. But, no, I’m not shocked Monica would do something so selfish. Even if she wasn’t cheating, Trent, you deserve so much more.”

He shook his head and scoffed. “Now you say that. Bree, why didn’t you say anything like that five or ten years ago when I wasn’t about to get married?”

“Because... you were my best friend. I didn’t want to ruin it and lose you. I wasn’t sure how you felt about me....”

“Damn it, Bree. I kissed you, didn’t I? I would’ve in the parking lot at the dance, too, if Hank hadn’t shown up. He’s been sabotaging my life for years.”

It was her turn to be quiet and contemplative. Eventually, she said, “I’m sorry, Trent. I should’ve said something, especially after you kissed me. I tried texting you, but I guess I had the wrong number, and whoever my messages went to jerked me around a little bit. But... does it have to be too late now?”

As the question rolled off of her tongue, she wished she could take it back, that she could suck it back in, or reach out and grab it.

“Bree... I’m engaged.”

“Even after I just told you she’s cheating, you’re going to marry her?”

“Just because Hank says--”

She stopped him with her hand and then found the pictures on her phone. “I don’t think Hank’s this good at Photoshop. And besides, there are videos.”

Trent took her phone and looked closely at the first picture before his expression changed. He turned a little green, and she thought he might be sick for a second. Quickly, he scrolled through the rest of them, not looking at any of them long, and certainly not watching the videos. “Why would they take pictures of that?”

“I didn’t ask. Hank doesn’t know I stole them.”

“How did you get them?”

“Last night, when he was drunk, I airdropped them to myself.” She put her hand out for her phone, but he didn’t give it back to her. Instead, he pulled out his own phone and stole them from her. She deserved that. “Please don’t tell him I told you. If I’m going to lose you, at least leave me Hank.”

Trent handed her phone back to her. “You’re not going to lose me, Bree. I’m right here. I never meant to leave you. I’ve thought about you every single day since I’ve met you, especially after that kiss. But....”

“But you’re engaged to Monica, and you don’t even care that she’s sleeping with your best friend.”

“I don’t know. I need some time to think. To talk to her. To... figure this out.”

She couldn’t blame him for wanting to think about it. She would want to, too. But she’d also be furious, and he didn’t seem like he was. In fact, he seemed so calm, it was almost as if he wasn’t all that shocked himself, like he’d suspected it.

“All right. I’ll let you think,” she said, pushing up off of the sand. She took a few steps and then glanced back at him. Trent hadn’t moved. He was staring out at the ocean as if the answers were all in the crashing waves.

So many thoughts came to mind. How many times had she gone over this moment in her head? This was her opportunity to tell him how she felt, to let him know that she loved him, that she wanted to be with him, that if he would leave Monica and be with her, he’d never have to feel like second best ever again, and she’d certainly never cheat on him. Instead of pouring all of that out, she turned to face him and cleared her throat. He glanced up at her. “You know, people ask me all the time who I wrote the song for--“Meant to Marry Me’.” He nodded.

Bree took a deep breath and continued. “I always lie and say it’s just a made up song, that it’s not really written for anyone in particular. But you and I both know that it’s a lie, Trent. You know that I wrote it for you. When I’m singing it at your wedding tomorrow, listen to the words really closely, because every single one of them is true. I just can’t believe the song I wrote is really happening.” She shook her head and walked off through the sand, headed to her room and a soft place to fall.

Tears were streaming down her face as she reached her room. She’d done everything she could to try to change his mind. Maybe Trent would give it some thought and realize Bree was right, that he shouldn’t be with Monica. But if he didn’t... there was nothing else she could do, and that was probably the most painful realization of all. For so many years, she’d said he hadn’t chosen to be with her because he just didn’t realize how she felt.

But now, he knew. And if he chose to be with someone else anyway... she wasn’t sure how she’d make it through.

In her room, Bree collapsed on her bed, sobs coming in angry bursts as she thought back over all of the memories she’d collected of Trent, ever since that day in kindergarten when she’d met him at the bus stop. He’d been waiting there, his shaggy hair a mess in the morning breeze, one strap of his backpack constantly falling down, a lopsided grin on his face.

“What’s your name?” he’d asked.

Being shy at the age of five, she’d said, “Bree.”

“Bee?” he’d asked. “That’s kinda different.”

Meant to Marry Me: Nashville Country Dreams Part 1 Chapter 38: Can He Handle the Truth?

Undeniable Attraction Chapter 52: Epilogue The Russian Mobster: Russian Mafia Romance Chapter 37 (Additional Chapter)

“No, not Bee--Bree.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought you might sting me.”

She’d laughed, and so had he. They’d sat by each other that day and every day for as long as they’d both ridden the bus. Tomorrow, he’d marry someone who wanted to unseat her, and Bree’s heart was broken into a thousand pieces. There was nothing in the world she or anyone else could do about it, though. Not unless Trent recognized that Monica didn’t know how to love anyone but herself and sent her packing. Otherwise, the dream Bree had had for so many years would be like the sand on the beach, sifting through her fingers.

Meant to Marry Me:

Nashville Country Dreams Part 1 Undeniable Attraction