Page 46 of One More Chance

Jensen

I’ve been lyingin bed for what feels like hours this morning. Then again, when you barely sleep all night, maybe time just blends together and it all feels like morning because that happens to be what time it is now. But there are no black curtains in this room in the cabin. Light filters through the windows, almost unhindered. It’s so bright in here, I couldn’t fall back to sleep if I wanted. I’ve been staring at the ceiling and trying my best not to reach for my phone. I really, really want to be stronger than that right now.

I want to text Harper, but I don’t know what to say yet. She clearly had a good time with Steve and I don’t want to mess that up for her. What can I offer? A life traveling or waiting for me to have a day off in between trips to see her? That’s not a life.

Perhaps it’s part of the reason I’m still single. It’s not that I want to be, necessarily. But between my job and what I’m looking for in a partner, nothing has lined up. I think about Harper. The color of her eyes. The way her hair sweeps down her back. The way her teeth sink into her bottom lips, her cheeks turning pink when my voice gets low. She feels different to me. Not inexperienced or simple the way she believes. But authentic, natural. She’s not trying to impress anyone or convey any false ideas about who she is. She’s just genuinely and uniquely herself. And she doesn’t understand how fucking sexy that is.

I press my eyes shut, wishing more than anything that I could rewind and play this all out a little differently. I have to get up. This is pointless.

After all, I promised to help Gentry with some wedding stuff today. I don’t know exactly what, but I agreed nevertheless.

Pulling on my shoes, I reach for my phone and see a missed message from my sister.

Cora:What have you done?

I scratch my chin, not fully understanding what the hell she’s talking about.

Me:Huh?

Cora:Lyla and Harper are sitting here talking about potentially rearranging the wedding so Harper can bring some guy named Steve?!

Me:Look, if that’s what she wants to do, I’m not gonna stop her.

Cora:You’re an idiot.

I shove my phone in my pocket and meet Gentry in the kitchen, where he’s sipping coffee and flipping through something on his phone.

After a quick greeting, he says, “Sleep okay?”

“Not really.”

“Oh boy.” He chuckles.

“You and Lyla seem happy. Like, really happy?” I say, not quite sure if I’m asking a question or making a statement.

“Yeah, we are. Granted, we have our days. And the starting line was rough. But we figured it out.”

“What happened?” I ask, leaning forward.

Gentry tells me about their first weeks together, how resistant Lyla was, how in the end fighting for her didn’t matter if she couldn’t see it for herself. In the end, she had to want it. Which feels more than vaguely familiar. I take in his story, what it means. And it means I have to let Harper do whatever Harper is going to do.

“So, you ready?” he asks.

“Yep,” I say. “What’s on the agenda?”

“We’re going to pick up my brother from the airport, stop to approve the rehearsal dinner arrangements, pick up the marriage license, and then there’s a bachelor party to get to.” He rubs his hands together.

“Oh, now you’re talking.” I wasn’t looking forward to running errands but knowing it’ll end with drinks and a good time certainly sweetens the deal.

“You think the girls are the only ones who get to have some fun? No way. There may even be a stripper who can rub your worries away and leave body glitter behind,” he jokes.

“Sounds perfect,” I say, laughing and heading for the door.

I have to admit, Gentry is a pretty likeable guy. A balance of responsible adult and what’s shaping up to be a bit of a partier. Or at least, he knows how to throw one.

We head out toward the airport to pick up his brother Graham, who lives in Oregon. Gentry explains that Graham is his older brother who’s married, but his wife isn’t coming to the wedding. Apparently, tragedy struck, and they suffered a miscarriage. She’s okay and recovering well but can’t travel. At the same time, she didn’t want her husband to miss his only brother’s wedding, so sacrifices were made. Although, it sounds like everyone would’ve understood if Graham didn’t come, his wife insisted.

Gentry throws his brother’s suitcase in the back and they hop in. “Jensen, this is my brother, Graham. Graham, this is Jensen. He’s Lyla’s friend’s brother. If you can follow that.” He laughs.