Love’s Suicide(15)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Why haven’t you called me, Kat? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied.

“I know you better than that. Did I say or do something that made you mad?”

“No. It’s not you. It’s me.”

“So, I guess we’re breaking up?” He was trying to make me laugh.

When I didn’t say anything, he changed his approach. “You can tell me anything.”

“I’m scared.”

“Has he hurt you?”

“No. Of course not. I guess how I’m feeling is normal.”

“When’s the last time you ate? You know you have to take care of yourself, and you forget to eat when you’re stressed.” I was shocked that after all these years he still remembered the little things, where Branch had never asked or noticed that, and we lived together.

“I’m fine, Brooks. I’ve just been busy and nervous.”

“I worry when you don’t call.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Kat, you know you don’t have to go through with this. You have a choice. You always have. If you aren’t sure about being with Branch for the rest of your life, then don’t do it.”

It was the first time that he’d talked about me leaving his brother. “Why would you think that?”

“Isn’t it true?”

“No!” He couldn’t talk to me like that.

“Okay. Whatever you say. I’m just telling you that you’re allowed to change your mind.”

“Why would I change my mind? Do you honestly think I’m in love with you?” I couldn’t believe that I’d said it out loud and I surely wasn’t prepared for how he answered.

“Yeah. I do.”

I didn’t know what to say. Arguing with him was only going to make my thing even more frustrating.

So I hung up.

Brooks didn’t call me back and he didn’t try to call me during Thanksgiving.

As the weeks got closer to the wedding, I started to feel better. I kept focused on what needed to be done and avoided negative thoughts.

We spent the holiday with the family, and I avoided going into Brooks’ room. Branch was especially affectionate, and it reminded me why I was marrying him. He’d been by my side since we were children, and I knew I could count on him to give us the best future possible.

A few nights later, Branch took me out to celebrate our upcoming nuptials. He made me get dressed up and surprised me by taking me to a five-star steak restaurant.

We were seated down in a section all alone. Being that it was a Monday, I just figured that it was probably a night where they weren’t packed. The lighting was low and candles lit our table.

After we sat down, we were immediately offered a glass of wine and given our menus. “This is really nice,” I whispered as the waiter walked away.

“I only want the best for my girl, Katy. You deserve to be treated like a princess.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just my normal self. I have flaws, like everyone else.”

“You’re perfect to me. You always have been.”

I reached over the table and took his hand. “I love you, Branch.”

He smiled, seemingly pleased with the moment. “The big day is coming up. Are you getting nervous?”

“Of course not.” I pulled my hand away and acted offended, even though his question was closer to home than he probably knew.

“I just want everything to be perfect. Once we’re married all of your worries will fade away. I’m going to make you happy, you know.”

“Yeah, I do know that you’ll take care of me. You’re a good man, Branch. I’m lucky to have found you so early on in life. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

He said something snarky under his breath and waved to the waiter to tell him we were ready to order, even though I’d barely looked at the menu. He didn’t look at me when he said his next comment. “You should just be glad you ended up with me instead of Brooks. He never could have made you happy anyway.”

I don’t know why I felt like I had to defend Brooks, but I slammed the menu shut and waved away the waiter before speaking my mind. “Don’t even go there with me, Branch. I can’t believe that you brought that up. What did he ever do to you?”

He folded his hands and put this annoyingly fake smile on. “Where do I even begin? Let’s start with our first kiss. Do you remember it?”

I shook my head and acted like it was petty to be bringing up, especially in such a nice place. “Are we seriously talking about the day before my parents died?”

“Yeah, Katy. We are.” He shook his head. “My dear brother waited for me to walk away before trying to get more action.”

“We were twelve, Branch. Are you seriously telling me that you’re holding a grudge over something that happened that long ago?”

“You’re damn right I am. If you knew half of what he’s done, you wouldn’t be sitting there defending him.”

That’s when it hit me. Branch still thought I didn’t know about Brooks coming into my room. He thought that if I found out I’d hate Brooks. Instead, it made me feel closer to him. I couldn’t explain it, but it was impossible for me to hate that I’d been with him. “Listen, no matter how bad you think he is, he’s still family. Nobody is perfect.”

He finished off his glass of wine and slammed it down so hard I thought the glass was going to break. “Do you know what you want?”

I shrugged. I wasn’t even hungry anymore. “Just order for me. I’m sure you know what’s best,” I said, sarcastically.

Branch ordered and tried to change the subject, although I had tuned him out even before our next round of wine was poured. In his defense, I could see why he felt betrayed. Branch wasn’t exactly innocent himself. He’d threatened Brooks about me when we were kids and Brooks, being the considerate brother, stepped aside.

After dinner, we drove home in silence. I didn’t have a nice thing that I could say to him, and I think he knew it. We went to bed angry, which was something I promised I would never do.

That next morning I explained everything to Melissa. Well, most of it. Since I’d left out all of the negative things about Brooks, she was on my side. Had she known about Brooks doing the switch-a-roo thing she’d probably have a different opinion.

“I don’t get it, Katy. You’re marrying him. What’s the big deal? I never saw Branch as being a jealous kind of guy. You two are so happy together.”