Novel Storm
31
Lexi nodded and Elena’s smile grew wider, “Lexi, of course! I’d be honored to make your wedding cake. Thank you so much for choosing me.”
Emily, too, beamed with delight, feeling the warmth of the moment. “That’s wonderful, Lexi! Elena’s cakes are absolutely incredible. Trust me when I say this, your wedding cake will be stunning!”
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The date for Elijah and Lexi’s wedding drew closer, and although Chandler was genuinely happy for his brother, he dreaded that day. Elijah and Lexi had somehow agreed to listen to his step mother, who claimed that she had the perfect church for them to get married in and they’d agreed. That meant not only would he be going back to the home he hated visiting, but he’d also be seeing his father and step mother again. Elijah’s wedding was going to be one more thing they’d use to compare the both of them, and even if he and Elijah had fixed their issues and were very close now, he wasn’t looking forward to seeing their family. He wasn’t going to enjoy the wedding either, he knew that… But he had to be there for his brother.
Elena was coming too…Everyone was coming in fact, but he didn’t care about the other names Elijah had mentioned after he said her name. Apparently she was going to be one of Lexi’s bridesmaids. He missed her, but he was trying to give her the space he knew she needed even if it was killing him. The silver lining was that she was going to attend the wedding, and this could be an opportunity to be around her again. Even the thought brought a mix of longing and anticipation so he guessed he could look forward to that at least.
They were leaving for the family house the next day, so tomorrow was officially the day he made amends with her… Or maybe it was the day she’d kick him in the balls in front of everyone and tell him to fuck off. It was going to be a road trip, but he could barely sleep so he grabbed a bottle of vodka from the kitchen and headed to his living room. His house was large and he never really cared about it, but for some reason today he felt lonely. Perhaps a glass or two wouldn’t be bad, he told himself, but three hours later, he’d finished half the bottle. He fell asleep on the couch and woke up by 7am in the morning to the sound of his phone ringing loudly….
Who the fuck was calling so damn early in the morning, he thought angrily as he snatched the phone.
“Hello,” he said grumpily.
“Please don’t tell me you’re still asleep,” Elijah’s voice said, bringing Chandler back to reality, “Hello?? We’re supposed to be meeting each other at my place by 8. Get up and get ready,”
Chandler groaned and hung up, then he headed to the bathroom for a shower. Thankfully his stuff was already packed… imagine if he’s planned to pack it that morning…then he’d have been super late and delayed everyone.
The travel crew must have been really excited about the trip because they were already at Elijah’s place when he arrived. There was Elijah, Lexi, Daniel, Emily, Charlotte, Beth and of course Elena. His gaze lingered on her as he drove into the complex.
She was wearing a pink sundress and a pair of white, average high heeled shoes. She stood slightly apart from the group, the soft breeze teasing her long, dark curled hair that cascaded over her shoulders. The morning sunlight played with the delicate folds of her pink sundress, painting a gentle glow on her sun-kissed skin. Her almond-shaped eyes, usually warm and inviting, held a hint of reserved detachment as she glanced in his direction before quickly averting her gaze.
Chandler’s heart raced as he stepped out of the car, feeling the weight of their unresolved tension hanging in the air. He wanted nothing more than to bridge the distance that had grown between them, but he knew it would take more than mere words to mend the fractures in their connection.
“You’re late,” Elijah said, but there was a grin on his face.
Chandler returned it with a grin of his own, “Yeah, I’m sorry…. I overslept,”
“Of course you did,”
Everyone said hello to him, well, except Elena and Emily. While Elena simply avoided his gaze, Emily glared at him as if she wanted to murder him. He guessed she knew about the kiss from hell now. He stole glances at Elena, noticing the subtle tension in her shoulders, the faint quiver of her lips as she engaged in conversations, and the way her gaze continued to purposefully avoid meeting his.
“Hello, Elena,” he managed to say. She turned towards him briefly, a flash of vulnerability crossing her features before she redirected her attention elsewhere. Chandler’s heart sank at her deliberate avoidance, “Still not talking to me, I see,” he added.
“Damn right she’s not talking to you,” Emily cut in angrily, “You know Chandler you’ve really got a lot of nerve….”
“Emily please….” Elena begged, dreading any sort of drama,
Emily rolled her eyes, “He deserves everything and anything I say him,”
Daniel grabbed her waist, “Easy love,” he told her, “Trust me you won’t enjoy the journey if you’re pissed,”
Lexi raised both hands and slid in the midst of the three of them, “Okay, listen everyone,” she began, “I know there is… Tension between some of us here, and while everyone’s opinion and feelings are valid, I need you guys to understand that this isn’t the time for it. We are here for my wedding…. Mine and Elijah’s… And you guys are not going to make it about you,”
Elijah nodded in agreement, pride and love visible on his face as Lexi spoke. Everyone else remained silent. Beth giggled, and the sound earned her a scolding look from Elena. She shut her mouth quickly, but there was still laughter in her eyes. Charlotte on the other hand just looked like she was enjoying the drama.
“Now,” Lexi continued, “Whatever is going on between Chandler and Elena must be fixed before we get to our destination and this is how it’s going work. We have three cars available for this journey. Elijah and I will be riding together, Emily and Daniel will be together, while Chandler and Elena will be riding in Chandler’s car. Beth can join Emily and Daniel and Charlotte will ride with Elijah and I,”