Bridesmaid To Be

Author's Note: This is technically the third in my East Peaks series, but it's more a sequel to 'Sorry'. You don't have to read any other to understand the story, but this story contains spoilers to the previous two.

Chapter 1: The Break Up

"This isn't working out," I say to Grover as soon as we're alone. We'd been bowling with another couple (Grover's friends) this morning and I'd been holding this in all day.

Grover and I have been together a little over five months now, and well, that is a long time when you're a teenager. Especially for me and Grover who have never had serious relationships before. If I'm honest with myself, I haven't really thought of him as more than a friend for at least a month now. I'm not even a good friend to him. He's my boyfriend. He should be as close to me as my best friend, or even closer, but Caden is still the only person I completely trust. He and Alex, my half-brother.

"You like someone else, don't you?" Grover seems disappointed rather than surprised by my declaration. I did tell him I was concerned a month or so ago, so he's probably just been waiting for me to change my mind. Thinking that he'd only have me until some other guy came along. But I wasn't going to string him along like that.

"It's not that," I state. "I just know that it's not you that I want to be with."

He sighs. "But we're good together. We fit right."

"In theory," I agree. We get along most of the time. We don't ever fight about anything. We let each other get away with anything, really. Mostly, I think it's because neither of us cares what the other thinks or does. "But paper is different from reality."

"I was going to propose next month."

Wow. "We're only eighteen." Thank goodness I decided to break up with him today.

"Don't tell me you hadn't thought about it." He fixes his brown eyes on me.

I shrug. "I'd thought about it," I admit. "But that was only because your mum's been bringing it up for months now. She says I'm the only girl who could ever tame you." I roll my eyes. Mrs Daniels is drama prone. I think she watches too many soap operas.

"She's right about that. Don't leave me Bandy."

I don't think I've ever seen Grover so pathetic before. It's sad, but isn't enough to make me change my mind. In fact, I think I'm more likely to. This isn't Grover, here. That I've reduced him to this is ridiculous. I wonder why he's clinging. I know he doesn't love me. I guess he's just not used to having to think for himself.

"You know that wouldn't be fair," I tell him. "Not on me, or you. There are loads of girls dying for the chance to be with you."

"None like you." His eyes plead with me. I have to turn away and focus on the painting behind his head.

"Well good," I say. "Then the relationship will stand a chance of lasting."

Grover sighs again, but I know he's finally letting go. "It would have been so easy. We'd get engaged. Get married after uni. We'd have fun for a couple of years, then settle down and have kids."

I think about how it sounds almost perfect. "Then we'd end up like our parents: barely tolerating each other," I finish.

"You don't know that," he says. "I think we'd be happy."

We might, but I'd never tell him that. "Until you or I found someone else we liked better."

"We could split up then. But not now. Why now?"

"Now is easier," I say. "What would happen to the kids?"

"They'd survive," he says. "We'd both still love them."

"It's stupid even thinking about it. It's not going to happen, Grover." What sort of marriage would it be if we went into it planning to get divorced?

"What's stupid is this break up. People don't have fairytale endings."

"I'm still young. You are too. We can still try," I point out.

"Why can't we try together?" he pleads. I've always known that I was more intelligent than Grover, but right now he seems to be ten times more stupid than usual.

"Because I don't love you. And you don't love me." It's true.

"I respect you," he says. "That's better than love."

I roll my eyes, again. "I'd rather have both."

"Beggars can't be choosers," he spouts.

He did not just say that! I shoot him a glare. "I'm not a beggar. Not yet, anyway."

"Well," he says, standing. "If you change your mind I'll be around." He finally gets it. Sort of. I'd prefer if he moved on immediately and didn't wait around, but I'll take what I can get at this point.

I hug him goodbye. "Bye Grover."

He gives me one last longing look, and then he's gone.

I sit back down on the sofa we'd been occupying, and wonder if maybe I am being fanciful. If I'm the stupid one. If I'm wishing and hoping for something that is going to be impossible.

No matter what he says, Grover won't wait around for me forever. He'll probably marry another socialite when he's out of university and be content with her. Or he'll get lucky and find the love of his life. Either way, there won't be any room for me.

I dig out my phone and ring Cade, as I am wont to do in times of trouble. "I did it," I say before he even says hello. "And now I'm wondering if I should have waited."

"Bandy, you did the right thing," he says immediately. "You can't go looking at other guys when you're with one. He can't be your safety net anymore."

"I know, but maybe I didn't give him enough of a chance."

"Bandy!" he says sharply. I can see the stern look on his face as clearly as if I could actually see it. "No regrets, okay? We talked about this and you made the best decision."

I sigh. "I hope so."

"It wouldn't be fair on either of you," he reminds me. "I want you to have what I have. You want it for yourself, remember? You don't want to be like your parents."

"It was easy for you," I state. "You knew what you wanted."

He laughs. "What I thought I wanted and what I got were completely different."

What he thought he wanted was my brother. What he got was my brother. Since I'm not him or Alex, I don't think I'll ever understand. All I know is that what he has with my brother is what I want... with someone else, of course.

x x x

You know how they say that when one door closes, another one opens? This afternoon I shut one. I have a feeling that the opening door has something to do with the phone call I'm about to pick up.

My phone rings like a doorbell, something that amuses me. I smile when I see that it's Hadley, an old high school friend turned movie star.

"Hey Hadley!" I greet. She rarely calls these days, and I'm dying to know how everything is. She and her boyfriend, Dodger Graves, have been in Fiji the last couple of months shooting a movie together.

"Bandy, hi!"

"Hey," I repeat, with a little less enthusiasm. I can only say 'hey' so many times before it gets old.

She takes a deep breath and blurts out, "I'm getting married!"

I shriek with joy and I hope our neighbours can't hear it. We've got pretty good insulation, but my shriek might be just the right pitch to get through. "Oh my garters! I'm so happy for you!" Happy for her and pleased with myself. They've only really been going out as long as Grover and I, but they've been in love since they met five years ago. I'm especially pleased because I helped them get together. It's good to know that my bad luck with relationships isn't rubbing off on them. "I can't believe it. Have you set a date?"

"Well," she informs me. "We've just wrapped up shooting today, and we're flying back home tomorrow."

"Home as in Australia?" I ask. Dodger's American. I think he's from New Jersey.

"Yes!" she affirms. "It's perfect. There's just enough time in between now and when we have to start doing publicity next year. And we're going to have it back in East Peaks, too."

"That's so cool," I comment. "The local media are going to go into a frenzy."

"Don't remind me," Hadley groans. She's not really enjoying having her pictures splashed all over the gossip news. And it's become more common since she's been with Dodger since he's more famous than she is. "Dodger thinks he has a solution, but he's going to get back to me later." She pauses. "Anyway, that's not the best part."

"Oh really?" What could be better than a wedding? A baby?

"I want you to be my maid of honour."

I'm stunned speechless. I could never have expected that. "Don't you have other friends?" I don't mean to be rude, but I know how other girls can get over the maid of honour role. I don't want to be the subject of a bitchy fit. "Like Jenna and Nadine?"

"Jenna's going to be swamped at work, and she's based in the States so she can't just pop out here all the time. And don't even mention Nadine. We're not talking at the moment."

"What? Why?" I'm always in the mood for gossip.

"She's just been so bitchy since I got together with Dodge. I don't think she likes him much and I think she's jealous. I don't want her bad karma at my wedding."

"You're so right," I respond. It's sad to hear that Hadley and Nadine aren't best friends anymore. They were both my peer support leaders when I was in year seven and have been my role models ever since. I've always looked up to both of them.

"Anyway, just say yes, Bandy. Dodge and I both want you to do it after the way you helped us get together."

"Of course I'll do it," I respond. I'm completely flattered.

"Great!" I can hear the happiness oozing out of her voice. "Oh yeah, and Dodger's asking Caden if he wants to be one of the groomsmen as well so you don't have to worry about leaving him out of anything."

"Good." Not that I don't love Caden, but I wasn't really thinking about his feelings a moment ago. It's totally awesome though, because this is going to take up more of my time which would limit the amount I spend with him, but now I don't have to worry. "Actually you should scrap that idea and make him a bridesmaid."

"I'm sure he'd love to wear a dress," Hadley says sarcastically. I laugh at the thought of Caden in a dress. "But he can definitely be an honorary bridesmaid." She pauses. "One last thing. This has to be a secret for the moment, so don't tell anyone. We want to attract as little attention as possible."

It's going to be hard to contain myself, but since I can talk to Cade I'll be fine. We're terrible at keeping secrets from each other. One look and it's all out the window. "I will not say anything to anyone other than Cade," I promise.

"Oh I don't mean you have to keep it secret from Grover. I'm sure he can be trusted."

I frown. This is the first time I've thought of Grover since this conversation began. Which is odd because if we'd been having this conversation last week I'd be thinking about how to tell Grover about it without his mum forcibly engaging us. I guess I did make the right decision about him. "Grover and I broke up," I inform Hadley.

"Seriously?" she asks. "No! Why?"

"There just weren't anymore sparks, you know?" I explain.

"That sucks," Hadley sympathises.

"Sorry to bring you down on such a happy occasion, but on the plus side, hearing about you and Dodger made my day better."

"No worries, then," says Hadley. "So tell me about it."

I explain the entire situation and Hadley understands exactly why I broke up with him. I congratulate her on her engagement one last time, thank her for making me the maid of honour, then hang up. It's then that I realise I haven't asked Hadley one very important question: Who's the best man?

x x x

The next morning I stroll into Cade's bedroom. Since uni's in session we're sharing an apartment. "Hey Cade," I say, shoving him out of his bed. He has this thing for sleeping in late that I'm trying to wean him off.

He mumbles something indecipherable that I take to mean: "Good morning."

I strip the covers from him and pinch his nose shut. I count to ten and finally he opens his eyes and pushes me away.

"Must we do this every morning?" he asks me.

"We must," I respond. He'll get nothing more from me.

"I knew we shouldn't have moved in together," he groans. "I should have moved down with Edward instead."

"He doesn't go to our uni," I remind him.

"I don't think it matters," he grumbles.

"Anyway," I change the subject. "Hadley called me last night. Did Dodger ring you?"

He looks confused a moment, trying to remember what happened last night. Surely something like a marriage proposal and being invited to be a groomsman are more memorable than that. I'll take it as a no. How upsetting. I can't talk to him yet.

"Actually, yes." I wonder if he's teasing me because he knows how desperately I want to talk about it. Or if it was really such a small blip on his radar. Caden gets up and heads for the wardrobe. "He proposed to Hadley."

"And I get to be the maid of honour," I crow.

I can't see his reaction because he's pulling his shirt off, but I know he feels indifferent. As I admire his back, I can't help but wish he was straight and that we were in love. It would be so easy. I mean, not as easy as with Grover since our parents hate each other, and hopefully in this alternate universe my brother's not also totally in love with Cade, but it would be easier than what I'm going through right now.

But there's no use in thinking about that. This is the reality I live in, and I think it's got a few things going for it that the other doesn't.

"He asked me to be a groomsman," Cade says, turning to face me. "I have no idea why. We're not really friends." Hadley and I ring each other every now and then, and have done so for years. Dodger and Cade met five months ago, and haven't really spoken since.

"How about because you helped get them together?" I suggest.

"I wouldn't have done it if you hadn't forced me to."

I shrug. "Details, details." I sit down on his bed. "You said yes, right?"

"It would be rude to say no," he says as he changes his pants.

"Good," I approve. "Did Dodger tell you who the best man is going to be?" I don't bother trying to sound less curious. There are no pretences with Caden.

"No," he shakes his head, then goes to fix his hair in the mirror. "I'm not sure he's chosen yet."

"Oh," I pout. "I want to know."

"Well it's probably that friend he's had since high school. Spencer something?"

"Steven Taylor," I correct. "That's who I was thinking. Too bad he's not better looking. Imagine me and him standing next to each other. Ick." I'm a pale brunette and he's a pale redhead. Together we'd look like ghosts- Irish ones.

"Who would you rather?" Cade asks as he finishes with his hair and we walk into the kitchen.

This thought kept me up all night. "Out of anyone? Or someone actually possible?"

"Both," Cade decides.

"Out of anyone: Kip Cole." He's a model I've been in love with for years now. He's tanned and I've decided that his shade of brown hair is the perfect complement to my own.

Cade groans. "I should have known." Yes. He should have.

We each pour ourselves a bowl of cereal. We don't have the average student's budget, but we do have the average student's laziness and cooking ability.

"And as for someone likely... Do you remember when Dodger did that one animated movie? I want Frederich Marx, the guy who voiced the eel."

"Him?" Cade makes an unimpressed face. Frederich is what Kip Cole would look like if he was a normal person... and if he was half Asian. Frederich is physically flawed, but I like that he seems approachable.

"What about Jasper Briars?" Cade suggests. Jasper Briars is often Dodger's sidekick in movies. The two of them, Martin Price (a blond surfer type, kind of like my brother if he was blond) and their director friend Isaac Pile form the basis of the Set Pack, a group of guys who are in a lot of movies together, like the original Rat Pack and their successors: the Brat Pack and the Frat Pack.

Jasper Briars is arguably the hottest guy in the Set Pack. Cade is strongly for him, but I'm not so sure. Dodger is pretty damn attractive up close. He doesn't really translate well to screen. Jasper is tall, dark and handsome and built like a basketball player. He and I would not look good next to each other because he is huge and dark and I am short and pale. Jasper was born in Jamaica and moved to the States when he was about two. It's strange to know so much about someone that you've never met before. Even stranger to realise that you may soon meet.

"I've heard crap things about him," I say.

"But he is friends with Dodger, so he can't be all bad. And you know you can't always trust the tabloids."

"Yeah," I agree. "They still think we're going out."

We both laugh at the thought. Playing with the press is fun. The fact that Caden's dating my brother means that we can still sometimes pretend to be going out. They just assume that Cade and Alex are friends.

"Anyway," I move on. "I guess we'll find out when they get here. I can't wait."

Caden laughs at my over the top enthusiasm and we finish eating breakfast. Life is good at the moment. You'd never guess that I broke up with a long term boyfriend just yesterday.

x X X x

A/N: Okay, next chapter will be up in two days or five reviews. Or whenever it's typed up. I'm cool like that.