STAKEOUTS

Your brother’s wedding should be considered a happy day, right?

But for me, it’s not.

In fact, I’m dreading it.

Not because of my brother—or his fiancée, for that matter, I do like her—but because I know who will be there, and that’s something I’m not looking forward to.

I have what people call a rotten picker—for men, that is.

Every single guy I ever hooked up with or had a fling with were stupid assholes.

Except one. Spencer Bailey.

And he is precisely the reason why I’m not excited for my brother’s wedding.

I’m definitely not ready to see him again.

But to tell my brother that I won’t attend his wedding because I’m afraid to face my ex would be pathetic.

Even for me.

And I’m not that person. I’m not someone who runs from problems. I face them head on. Or at least, that’s what I like to think I do.

Well, I guess if you’re ready for some drama, then my life is definitely the right place for you to find it.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I burst to my sister, Lauren, rolling my eyes and tossing my pillow at her. “I’ve already told you several times that I’m fine. And if anything, you should be taking my side on this. I don’t have to remind you of the reasons why this sucks.”

“I was just checking on you to make sure you’re okay.” Lauren tosses the pillow back at me before pulling her light brown hair into a ponytail and fixing her firefighter uniform. It still astonishes me how she can look so pretty wearing a uniform—and before 8:00 A.M. That should be considered a crime. “And honestly, we have, like, thousands of cousins coming to the wedding. Maybe you won’t even see Spencer. Let alone bump into him.”

She is right about that. We do have a big family. Mom and Dad have, like, countless siblings, which takes us to countless cousins and so on….

“Whatever,” I mumble, frustrated. “What are you even doing here? Don’t you have to go to work? I don’t even know why you moved out in the first place if you are here pretty much every day.”

“Well, last time I checked, this is still my parents’ house. I can come by anytime I want. And I moved out because I wanted to be closer to the fire department. I can sleep a few more minutes since I don’t have to drive there.”

I groan, too frustrated to find a proper answer for her. At moments like this, I regret not having my own space.

But honestly, I went down that road several times before, and none of those times could I convince myself that paying rent while my parents own this huge ranch was a good idea. They give me enough privacy; I have my own room. I don’t meddle in their business, and they don’t meddle in mine, and I get to help them with some of the bills. It’s a win-win situation.

“I’ll be going now. Are we still on for picking up the dresses tomorrow morning?” Lauren asks with her hand already on the doorknob.

“Yeah, ten A.M. sharp. Otherwise, I’ll leave without you,” I answer, flashing her a grin and tossing the pillow back at her. She dodges it and turns on her heel, vanishing from my sight before I have the chance to tell her off.

I sigh, falling back on my bed and staring at the ceiling. I really don’t want to complain about my life or anything—I’m not that person. I don’t mope. I have a good life. I don’t even have the right to complain.

But my family bringing up this problem all the time is making me poke at that wound again. It took me so long to close it, to put it behind me. I thought I’d never have to see Spencer again. Or at least, when I had to see him, that it wouldn’t bother me. Wasn’t it supposed to be the way this should go?

I shouldn’t be worried about seeing Spencer. It should mean nothing. 

In fact, Lauren is right, I might not even have to talk to him. The party will be filled with guests, friends, and family. Why would I pay attention to Spencer?

Truth be told, from the way things ended between us, I doubt he’ll talk to me even if I trip and fall on his lap. Which I hope with all my heart doesn’t happen!

I’ll be the bigger person here. I will swallow down my pride, hold my head high, and go through this moment politely, pretending he didn’t shatter my heart into tiny little pieces that no one was ever able to put back together.

“Hayden Jenkins! Breakfast is ready! Come on!” Mom yells from downstairs, her voice reverberating through my room even though I have the windows and the door closed. She’s this kind, tiny little person, but she can be so loud when she wants to be. It’s insane. “I know you’re up! You sister just told me, so hurry up or I won’t save you any pie!”

Geez, the nerve of this woman to threaten me with pie. Ugh!

“Coming in a second, Mom!” I yell back, tossing myself off the bed. I don’t bother changing out of my pajamas, just pull my hair up into a messy bun and rush down the stairs, feeling the delicious smell of dough and coffee hit my nostrils.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Dad greets me as soon as I step into the kitchen. And that’s when I realize it’s crowded.

Ryan, Alice, Chad, Mom, and Dad are all gathered around the table, with all sorts of fruits, cakes, bread, and Mom’s delicious apple pie—which is already being destroyed by Chad—in front of them.

“Is it someone’s birthday today? Why are we having pie for breakfast anyway? Isn’t that for special occasions only?” I ask, a bit grumpy. Did I mention I’m not a morning person?

“Always a delight, Hayden. Calling her sunshine is a bit contradictory, isn’t it, Dad?” Chad teases me while shoving a forkful of pie into his mouth and grinning at me.

“Will you leave some of that for me, or will you eat it all by yourself?” I push him on the shoulder when I pass by him to get to my spot at the table. “Good morning, Alice.” I flash my sister-in-law-to-be a smile, trying to be polite since she doesn’t have to put up with my morning mood. 

My family is another story.

“Today is a special occasion, sweetheart. Your brother is getting married, and only God knows when I’ll get the whole family together like this again. It’s a pity your sister won’t be joining us,” Mom explains.

I want to roll my eyes and tell her she’s being overdramatic, because even though Ryan is getting married, I’m positive he won’t stop coming over to eat her food. He already moved out a while ago, and he still shows up pretty much every day. Just like my other two siblings.

“Lauren said you were grumpy this morning, but I didn’t think it’d be this much,” Ryan chimes in, raising his eyebrows at me.

“And I have all of you to thank for that, don’t I?” The words fly out of my mouth before I have the chance to think about it. I wasn’t planning on discussing this with anyone—not even Lauren, but the annoying girl pretty much forced it out of me—but now that I let them in, they won’t let it go.

Ryan’s brows arch even more, and I feel everyone’s eyes on me.

“Are you still upset that I invited him?” Ryan asks cautiously, his brows creasing into a frown. “I thought you were over it. It’s been what… six years?”

“Seven. And I AM over it. You are the ones bringing it up every time and not letting me forget about it.”

Me and my big mouth! I should have let it go, pretended I’m not freaking out.