The Wrong Guy

Story 6 of the 30 Day Writing Challenge!

Trope: Jilted Bride...Our heroine is left at the altar.
Character Conflict: He doesn't see her in a romantic way.

The Wrong Guy 

            The cloud of smoke floated into the air just like her failed marriage. Poof. Taking another drag, the paper crackled as it approached her lips. It felt good to be bad for a change.

            Flicking the cigarette she looked down at the toecap of her white Converse peeking out from under her wedding dress. This tomboy would ever have the chance at happily ever after.

            She slid down the pillar of mother’s wrap around porch. A tear slipped from her face. “Don’t, Beth. Don’t give him your tears.” She breathed out as her chest ached.

            Footfalls came up behind her. “Hey.”

            “Hey yourself, Sam,” she said without looking up.

            He sat next to her on the stairs. He looked incredibly adorable in his suspenders and suit pants. His gingham bow tie hung loosely around his neck. He looked good. “He’s a jerk.”

            “Whoa, strong words there.” She smirked nudging his shoulder.

            He rubbed his hands together. “Not sure what to say. Sorry for your loss?” His goatee curved as he chuckled his…what…nervous laugh. She waved it off.

            A loss was the perfect thing to say. Kellan was supposed to take her away from here. Help her see the world.

            She yanked the veil from her tightly wound bun. “Ugh, how do women wear these things?” She shook out her hair as if to rid herself of the entire “girly girl” she held within. Which wasn’t much.  

            “There much better.”

            “You should’ve left it up. It looked pretty.” His speckled hazel eyes softened. Was he…? Forget it, Beth. He was Sam. Her best friend since practically birth.

            “Thanks, I guess.”

             “It’s the truth.” He stared a little too long until he cleared his throat. “So he’s a jerk. Did you really think he was “forever”?” He air quoted.

            Yes! No. “I don’t know. Maybe. I mean, come on Sam, who would want this?” She gestured down her boyish frame. She didn’t even have the cleavage to fit the gown. Her mother insisted on inserts to make it appear she had something to offer.

            “Someone will.”

            “Would you?” The words blurted out before she could stop them.

            His lips thinned. “This is awkward. Your…”

            “Forget it’s me for a minute. Would you even look at a girl walking down Main Street that looked like me?”

            “I don’t see anything wrong with the way you look.”

            “That’s not an answer,” she said sternly.

            He rubbed the back of his neck as words tried to form on his lips. “Yes, I would check someone out if they had your…your…ya know…looks.”

            “Really?” Hope spurred her insides.

            “Sure, I mean….”

            Her lips were on him before she could let him speak. His head landed against the wood pillar as his prickly goatee rubbed against her chin as they kissed. Or tried too. Opening her eyes she was greeted by the look of fear that Marty McFly would be proud of.

            She quickly sat back. Nausea swept her stomach. “Oh my god.” She covered her face. “That was so stupid. It’s just that with being left at the altar and…shit…I’m all over the place…”

            “Uh, Beth?”

            “It’s okay, right?” Her eyes looked back meeting his confused face. “I mean it was just a kiss,” she rambled on.

            “Beth…” His face fell.

            “Geez, Sam. It couldn’t have been that bad,” she said bitterly. She tossed the veil into the grass as her cheeks flamed.

            “Wait. It’s not…” his voice faded as the blood flooded to her ears in anger.

            What was I thinking? He’s just a friend. Of course he wouldn’t see me as more. She stomped across the lawn to hide in the barn. Touching her lips she could still feel his bristly facial hair. She exhaled. It wasn’t really all that terrible.

            Rounding the corner she entered the barn. It was set for what would’ve been her reception. White daisies and tiger lilies covered each table as the china sparkled, anxiously anticipating the evening. Just like she had.

            “Beth?”

            Her vision fixed on Kellen. He was handsome with every blonde hair in place. The collar of his dress shirt unbuttoned as he shoved his hands into his tuxedo pockets. Devastatingly put together. Crap. “Here to twist the knife in a little further?”

            “It wouldn’t have worked,” he said plainly.

            She grabbed her middle trying to find strength. “Why?”

            He sighed approaching her. “We’re different.”

            “What’s that supposed to mean?”

            “Your…” She cocked her head to the side. “Too good,” he finished.

            “And that’s a bad thing?”

            “Look, I need someone that’s adventurous. Can think for herself. And…”

            “Someone that doesn’t need saving,” she interrupted.

            He grimaced nodding his head. So the truth comes out. A poor girl from the country could only want a man for his money. The straw broke. “I didn’t need saving. You…” She pointed to his chest. “You were the one that said you liked me that way. I changed who I was for you.”

            “Did you?” His question held so much reality.

            He grabbed her arms. His touch sickened her as she stared at the floorboards watching her life flash by. Was he right? Was she always the little puppy looking for a home? Is that how the world saw her?

            “I didn’t come here to fight. You will thank me someday.”

            “Just go.”

            He stood silently for a moment and squeezed her shoulders before walking out. She crumbled into a nearby chair as a hand touched her.

            “I said go, Kellen.”

            “Wrong guy.”

            She looked up seeing Sam’s dapper presence. He always reminded her of a young but modern Clark Gable. “What?”

            He crouched next to her and said again, “Wrong guy.”

            “What do you mean?” Her lips quivered.

            “You didn’t let me explain back there.”

            She blew out a breath. “Please, I don’t need your pity, Sam.”

            “Just listen. Maybe we could try that again.” 

             His boyish grin made her mouth go dry as her heart rate ticked up. The air changed around them. How could she have been so blind? He kissed her, all coherent thoughts leaving her mind. It was tender yet strong feeling…right. Wow.