Bait: The Wake Series, Book One(101)

“Yes. What does that mean?” I took another sip.

“Do you ever feel like you’re yourself, Blake? Or is it only around him?”

It was pathetic. My dad probably thought I was having some sort of stress-induced psychotic break. When in reality, I was freaking out because deep down I didn't want to marry Grant.

“Can I tell you a secret?” I whispered.

He nodded, giving me his full attention.

“I've not been totally faithful to Grant. I know it's bad, and before you think I'm terrible, just know that I feel so bad about it. But, Daddy, if I loved him the way I should then I wouldn't have done that, right?”

“Is it over with the other guy?” he asked.

“I think so. I broke it off. Lots of times. I knew it was wrong, but dad—” I didn't know where to go from there.

“Do you love him?” he asked.

“I don't know.” Then I noticed that tears were already falling. “I never let myself think like that. You know. I never let myself think that that was even a possibility. But Daddy, I'm me with him.”

“Shhh, don't cry. Is it that boy with the hair?” he asked and it surprised me. How did he remember that?

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Baby, dads know. You got to tell me though. Right now. Are you going to get married today? I'm behind you. Whatever you decide. But Grant is a good man. He loves you. He wants to take care of you and make a life together. Are those things you want? Because as a dad, that's a pretty good son-in-law package. I don't know this other guy. I'm sorry. I wish I had met him, and then I might be a better judge. But anyone who could let my little girl go is a fool. And he doesn't deserve you. Come here.”

I went to him and cried on his shoulder. I sat on my dad’s lap feeling the truth in what he'd said. He walked away from me so many times. Grant never would.

If I left Grant and went with Casey today, I might be heartbroken again by the end of the week. I had no way of knowing.

It was time for me to grow up.

It was time for me to finally do the right thing.





Saturday, May 23, 2009


I DROVE NINETY DOWN the interstate toward her house. It finally felt like I was doing the right thing.

I knew her parents’ names from conversations with Blake and it didn't take much to find their address on my phone. I also called Micah and begged to know where she would be. So there was also that.

My foot heavy on the throttle, the rental car ran wide open.

I couldn't take it. My adrenaline was amplified in my blood. My bones were aching with a need to see her one last time before she was his. Till death do them part.

Well f*ck that.

I wanted them to part now.

At very least, if I got there and saw her happy with my own eyes I could go. If it was true, then it just was.

But I knew in my gut it wasn't true.

Not as true as us.

I exited the freeway and rounded the corners a little faster than I should have. The back end of the car slid and the tires squalled at me at every turn. I was reckless, what did I have to lose besides everything.

I was more afraid of wrecking my heart than I was of wrecking the f*cking two-hundred-dollar-a-day rental.

I pulled in down the street from their house, the drive way was full of cars. As I began my walk up the cement stairs leading to her parent's front door, I saw a long black limo coming down the street.

I changed course.

I ran around the back side of the house, between the bushes and the brick of her parents’ home. I didn't stop to think if she was in the back. My instincts knew I'd find her there.

Around the corner was a small patio and a large French door. It was cracked. I heard two voices.

One was hers.

Blake was in there.

“Are you ready, sweetheart? The limo is pulling up,” said a woman.

“Yeah, okay,” Blake said. Her voice sounded pained. She didn't sound like my honeybee. She didn't sound like Betty. “I need a few minutes. I'll get my things together and I'll be right out. You can send everyone to the limo. I’ll be right there, Mom.”

“All right, but I'll wait by the door for you. I'll help you down in your dress.”

I waited until I heard her mother's heels clip-clop away from her. My heart raced. I felt like I'd been shot up with pure adrenaline. The vein in my neck throbbed almost audibly.