I was the only one who hadn’t gasped or responded with some level of shock. Mainly because I knew what Charlotte was capable of. After finding her and Ford together like I had, words were nothing. She could throw them all at me, woven tightly together in as cutting a way as she could, and I doubted I’d flinch.
“What’s it like being the most spiteful person on the planet?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow and waiting a moment for her answer. It didn’t come. “You got the guy, but you and I both know who he’d rather have standing next to him in that pretentious white dress.” I let that settle in, making sure her gaze was good and locked on mine before adding, “And it’s not you.”
I stepped back when she lunged forward, but she didn’t slap, punch, or claw me like I’d been expecting. Instead, the red slowly drained from her face, the fire in her eyes dimming to a smolder. She took one more step closer.
“Look where you’re standing, Clara Belle.” Charlotte waved at our family and Ford behind her before flashing her arms at me, where I stood separate from them all. “Alone. You’re standing alone. You’ve always been standing alone.” Charlotte stepped back, aligning herself between Ford and our mom. “You will always be standing like that. Alone. So stop taking it out on us. It’s not our fault you’re alone and have driven away everyone who has or might have cared about you. Being alone’s an outcome, Clara Belle, not a choice like you’d like us all to believe.”
I stood in place, taking in just how separate and apart I was from the people standing across from me. We were bound together by things like blood and experience, but that didn’t seem like the kind of bond that could hold if no other ties were formed. Why I felt tears wanting to form, I didn’t know, but realizing that I’d driven my family away as much as they’d driven me away might have had something to do with it.
I felt everyone watching me, waiting for me to say something or respond in some way. By either melting down and rushing away or by firing back something equally as nasty, continuing to play this potentially never-ending game of insult volley. Both were appealing options. Both were ones I found myself struggling to set aside as I accepted what I wanted most was to give each of my family members a hug before saying good-bye.
I’d say it, leave this place, leave Charleston, and never come back. It was the only way we could all live in peace. Not just myself, but them as well. I was as guilty of messing up their lives as they were of messing up mine. No one had to come right out and say it for me to realize that. It was written in my dad’s brow line. It was etched into the corners of my mom’s eyes. It was stamped all over every square inch of Charlotte’s face. It was hidden beneath the warmth Avalee was trying to look at me with now.
I was just as much to blame for my actions as they were for theirs.
I felt stuck, unable to turn and walk away, and just as incapable of moving forward to say good-bye. That was when five fingers knitted through mine before a warm palm pressed against mine. His body settled closely beside mine, his arm running the length of mine.
“She’s not alone.”
The surprise of him being there, coupled with the surprise of his touch, should have rattled me, but it didn’t. Instead it seemed to ground me. When I looked over, I found him locking eyes with each member of my family, ending on Ford. Charlotte had a thing or five hundred to learn from Boone when it came to contempt.
“I think you’re in the wrong place, Boone.” My dad’s voice didn’t resonate as it normally did.
“I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” Boone pointed at the ground, his palm pressing harder against mine.
“Well, lobster and free booze are on the menu tonight, so I figured you’d make your appearance somewhere along the way. You never could pass up a free lunch, could you, Cavanaugh?” Ford had stepped out of the family line-up a few steps.
I wasn’t sure if Ford knew Boone and I had figured out he’d lied to us, but my guess was that if he didn’t shut his mouth and step back, Boone was going to inform him with his knuckles.
But Boone’s gaze didn’t flicker Ford’s way. His expression didn’t change. It was as if he hadn’t heard a single word coming from the man not ten feet in front of us. Like Ford was invisible and Boone was deaf, there was no recognition. Not even a flicker firing in Boone’s eyes.
“I know you’re hot on ruining lives and all, Cavanaugh, but I’m going to have to insist you don’t ruin my wedding day. Leave, or I’ll have the sheriff I just so happen to have on speed dial make you leave.”
Ford stepped closer still, his voice elevating, but Boone didn’t acknowledge him in word or action. All that did was drive Ford further up the pissed-off pole. He looked close to marching up and forcing Boone off the premises, one shove at a time, when my dad cleared his throat.