Reception

The evening turned to an all out Alabama “shin dig.” After we ate, some tables were moved. Tequila kept finding me. It felt amazing to be so free. I danced with Lily and her friends on the crowded dance floor. Until it was time to throw the bouquet. One of her friends caught it. The tallest woman among us, of course.

Wayne stood with Mario and his other friends, drinking heavily. The garter came next and did Luke make a show of it. It was hilarious to watch. Heather, Stella and Ronny took pictures of everything like they had all weekend. Ronny had kept his distance and I was glad. But also suspicious. I wondered if Lily had said something to him.

I sat at an empty table with a margarita in hand sucking it down as quickly as I could. I smile at Lily and Luke they were about to do their first dance, but first the father/daughter dance. Lily danced with Mike gracefully. It was precious. Mike held his daughter close as they swept around the dance floor. Part of me was slightly jealous of Lily. Not in a malicious kind of way but at the fact she had so many people who loved her.

”How are ya doin’ baby?” I heard Aunt Donna’s voice. We greeted each other earlier but I hadn’t had a minute to chit chat with until now. I stand hugging her and Uncle Leroy.

”I’m great! This wedding has been amazing.” I tell them letting the tequila talk for me.

”Before it gets too wild we are gonna get home but we just wanted ta invite ya over next weekend ta eat.”

”I’ll be there.” I tell them with a smile.

”Is he behavin’?” Unlce Leroy asked. I looked behind me at Wayne. My heart fell to my stomach in a horrible twist. For the first time I seen Wayne and Miranda stand together. His jaw was clenched and he looked annoy but it still hurt. I look back at my aunt and uncle.

”We all are.” I tell them. My voice didn’t waver and my eyes did not water. I thanked God for that.

”Good. I’ll break some skulls if he isn’t.” Uncle Leroy said sternly, I smile placing my hand on his bicep.

”No need.” I say patting his arm.

”His a lucky son bitch.” He muttered as Mike gave Lily to Luke for their first dance. Aunt Donna, Uncle Leroy, and I watched quietly. Luke looked nervous but Lily never did. Her confidence radiating off of her. They danced around clumsily. It was enduring to see. The DJ announced for couples to join them after a couple minutes into Lily and Luke’s first dance. Couples did just that. My eyes met Wayne’s blue ones again, I look away first. Miranda wasn’t with him anymore. Some comfort came to me with that. It was sweet to see Uncle Leroy take Aunt Donna to the dance floor. Distracting me from Wayne’s handsome self.

I watched the couples dance and for the first time I wondered what this experience would have been like with Wayne. If what happened never did or even if I had never left and eventually forgiven him. Which is what I knew would have happened if I’d stayed.

After the couples dancing Wayne’s drinking got excessive. Mario and their group sat in the corner of the room. Wayne holding a hole whiskey bottle. The night played out and the crowd thinned. Sammy was busy with Darren and Lily with Luke. They sat over by Wayne enjoying each other. I caught Wayne’s eyes a few times throughout the night. I was pleasantly surprised when some poppy and rap songs came on when the older crowd began to filter out.

at this point in the night tequila filled my blood. I sat after dancing with Sarah. Amy went to the floor with Miranda and I wasn’t bout to do that. I sat drinking my partially melted tequila drink.

When I felt a tap on my shoulder. I look behind me and blink a few time.

”You are seriously crashing a wedding reception now?” I ask with a smile at the hot man who stood in front of me. He may not be as big and intimidating as Wayne but he held himself the same, his tattoos pleasing my eyes. Trey stood in front of me in a dress shirt tucked into slacks. A playful smile came to his lips.

”Oh, yeah I do it all the time.” He said cheekily.

I stand. “You shouldn’t be here.” I tell him. I cross my arms over my chest. Trey takes a step closer to me.

“I think I’m right where I belong.” He tells me with a smile. I roll my eyes before narrowing them.

“You belong at a strangers wedding?”

“I bet I know the goofy ass groom better than you.” He said teasingly. I scrunch my eyebrows. Who does this guy think he is? Saying that about the groom of a strangers wedding.

”Now you’re insulting the groom.”

“Dang, girl, tequila sure makes ya a little feisty.”

”Have you been watching me?” I snap.

he shrugs. “I do what I want.” I was about to tell him to leave again when I hear Liam’s small voice.

“Daddy!” He yelled running. Trey bent down before Liam ran into his arms. My eyes grow wide. Wait, this is Trey. Like Trey, Trey. This is Luke’s brother Trey?

“Baby we are gonna take him home.” Jodie said to Trey.

”Okay Mama.” He said hugging his son.

”Awh, Bailey Smitt.” Trey looked taken aback by my name when his mama called out to me.

“Mrs. Richardson.” I say softly when her husband came to stand with her.

“How are ya? Is my boy botherin’ ya?”

I smile looking at Trey.

“No.” Trey said at the same time I say.

“Yes.”

She smiled at us. Something glowing in her eyes like Mimi’s once did.

Oh. No.

”Trey, she’s a real good girl. A Smitt girl.”

I don’t know why they took that so seriously.

”I’m hardly a Smitt.” I announced. Trey looked at me.

”Nevertheless you are.”

“I still ain’t believe that Jack left ya Smitt Cotten.” Luke’s dad, Joe said.

I shrug hearing that for the hundredth time. Jodie hugged me before taking her grandson from Trey.

”Have fun you two.” She said winking at me before standing on her tip toe hugging her son around Liam. She whispered something in his ear that made him shake his head. A smile played on his lips though.

When they left us. I raised my arm. I shoved him lightly. My shove hardly moves him.

”You’re a jerk for not telling me!” I say.

Trey laughs lightly shrugging.

”Where would have the fun been in that?”

I roll my eyes at the handsome man.

”So, ‘ur a Smitt?” He asked me. I roll my eyes when a song came to the speakers. A song I loved. So, instead of answering his rhetorical question.

“I love this song!” I yell over the music as the volume went up as the parents leave.

”It’s a good one.” He agrees.

”You like rap?” I ask dumbfounded. He nods. The tequila screaming at me to dance.

”I’m going to dance.” I announce.

”I’ll join you.” I shrug. Surprised he would. He followed me to the dance floor. I start jumping around to the beat, moving my hips in rhythm. Trey never touched me. He just danced with me in a silly way around the dance floor. It felt freeing and easy, so easy. Lily joined us with Sammy and the other girls. Darren was dragged behind his wife. Timmy joined freely. Mario was even on the dance floor with Sarah.

I jump around while Trey laughed at me. Lily raised her eyebrow at me and I jumped mine at her. She smiled at me. I’m assuming over my great dance moves. I laugh at my thought.

The song came to an end quickly and a slow song started. The slow song. The first and last slow song I had danced with Wayne. My stomach turned. Trey took a step closer to me.

“May I have this dance?” He asked softly. I swallowed hard, when he held his hand out for me to take. I jump when I hear a door slam. I look past Trey who looked in the direction of the door. Luke sat there glaring at his brother. Wayne was no longer sitting with him. I looked at the door that slammed, I look back at Trey. I felt my feet carry me in the directions of the door. The door I know Wayne left behind.