Bertha
The heavily guarded gates at the Hayes Mansion swing open as I drive toward it, my license plate registering automatically. I haven't been able to get myself out of the funk I'm in, and I'm hoping that Ulyssa can distract me.
All I've been able to think about all week is Zephyr Lloyd Hayes.
I keep thinking of the way he smiled at me when he gave me my new tablet, and the happiness I saw in his eyes when he saw how much I loved it. I hate that he keeps giving me hope without even realizing it. It's in every thoughtful move, every moment we share.
My thoughts have been tormenting me lately, my mind conjuring images of him in my parents' house with Rhodalyn, the two of them reciting their vows, him kissing her in bed in the bedroom next to mine. My mind is intent on torturing me, and there's nothing I can do about it.
I just want to forget.
I can't even remember the last time I stayed at home when Zeph was there. I run a hand through my hair and sigh.
No, that's a lie.
I can vividly remember the sounds coming from Rhodalyn's bedroom.
Our rooms are right next to each other, and both of our beds are pressed against the same wall. I heard
them together, all night.
It was years ago, yet I still can't get myself to stay at my parents' when I know Zephyr will be staying over.
I can't do it.
"Beth, sweetheart," Grandma Linda says when I walk in.
I smile when she holds her arms out and walk straight into her embrace.
"Hello Grammy," I murmur, hugging her tightly.
She strokes my back soothingly, and I smile as I breathe in her distinct lavender scent.
"Rough day, huh Bee?"
"Rough week," I tell her.
"Come on. I'll have the staff bring out some chocolate cookies that I baked earlier today."
"Wow," I murmur. "It's true love. You love me, don't you, Gammy? I always knew that I was secretly your favorite."
She chuckles as she leads me to her sitting room in the main house. I'd been planning to walk straight through toward Ulyssa's house, but I can't resist Grandma Linda's cookies.
Grandma's home is at the centre of the compound, and it connects directly to each Hayes' sibling's house through
elaborate hallways. Whenever I come here, I always stop by Grandma's instead of driving straight to Ulyssa's.
Grandma sits down and pats her legs. A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I lie down on the sofa, my head on her lap. She massages my head for me, and my eyes fall closed.
"Your heart is aching," she says, her voice soft.
I tense, unsure what to say. I'm worried that she'll see straight through me. Grandma Linda has this uncanny ability to read people, to uncover secrets. It's taken all of me to keep mine.
"Just tired, Grammy. I think I've just been working too hard."
"You've been running too hard," she corrects me.
I fall silent, scared I'll betray myself if I speak. I inhale deeply as I focus on Grandma Linda's hands. She's always been able to soothe my worries with such ease. She's always provided me with the home and the love I lacked, never asking for anything in return.
Once again, I find myself wishing it was me who'd be marrying into this family. I love my sister, but I can't help the resentment I feel. It's not just our parents and Zeph's love that she has… soon it'll be all of the Hayes.
She'll be Ulyssa's sister-in-law, Zephyr's wife. They might be used to me coming here, but I'll never belong here the way she does.
"Alberta Quinn Cromwell! You grandma-stealing little bitch!"
I smile at the sound of Ulyssa's voice and throw my arms around Grandma Linda, hugging her waist as she chuckles and continues to massage me.
"I thought you came over to hang out with me, but really, you're here for Grandma. How rude of you."
I hear her chew on something crunchy and sit up, shocked.
"Hey! Those are mine!" I shout. "They're my cookies! For me!"
I lunge at her, but she lifts the plate out of reach.
"Lys, I swear to God. Give me back the cookies!"
She chuckles as she stuffs three of them into her mouth, emptying the plate.
"You stole my grandmother, so I get your cookies."
I turn toward Grandma Linda with wide eyes, looking at her for support.
"Gammy!" I shout, but she merely shakes her head and chuckles, her gaze moving past us.
I turn around to find Zephyr standing in the corner, his phone pointed at Ulyssa and me.
"How much do you think I'll get paid if I sell this footage of a supermodel fighting for cookies?"
"Oh, no, you don't!" I say through gritted teeth as I stalk toward him.
He smirks and holds his phone above his head. I might be tall, but Zephyr is 6'5" and towers above me — not that that'll stop me.
I jump up and reach for his phone, annoyed when I can't reach it.
"Give me that phone," I snap. "Give it!"
"Or what?" he says, laughing.
I narrow my eyes at him and grab his shoulders before jumping up, wrapping my legs around his waist as I reach for his phone. He's caught off guard and turns us around, pushing me against the wall roughly, his eyes on mine.
I blink slowly, suddenly realizing what I did.
"Ha! I got it," I say, acting nonchalant as I delete the video from his phone.
My smile melts off my face when the next photo in his gallery pops up. It's a photo of Rhodalyn in bed, most of her body hidden behind the covers, and a bright smile on her face. I recognize the room she's in instantly. This photo was taken at my parents' house, probably on her birthday.
I push against Zephyr, and he lets me down carefully.
"Oops, sorry," I tell him as I hand back his phone.
He frowns in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
I shake my head, "Nothing," and walk past him, toward Ulyssa's house.
My best friend follows me quietly. For a few moments, it felt like we were back in our childhood, before Rhodalyn and Zephyr started dating. It felt easy and uncomplicated, but reality is anything but that.
"What did you see on his phone?" Ulyssa asks, her voice soft.
"A photo of Rho. In bed."
She grabs my hand and entwines our fingers as we walk to her house.
"I'm sorry, Bee."
I shake my head.
"It's my own stupid fault."
"You know what you need?" she asks. "You need to just get wasted. Let's go out and trash talk my dumbass big brother until you feel better. How about that?"
I nod and tighten my grip on her hand. With the wedding approaching so rapidly, perhaps that's exactly what I need.
One night to let loose and force myself to put an end to this.