Chapter Five - Easier Said Than Done

Gabe 

I don’t want to leave my room and go down to meet everyone. A part of me wants to sneak out and drive off. I can’t deal with seeing Peyton with that douche, knowing he doesn’t treat her right. I still don’t understand why the hell she is with him. I can’t leave, though. I need to stay for Anthony and Kaitlyn. They would never forgive me if I left. I refuse to let that idiot of a man be the reason that I leave. I will stay out of his way, and Peyton’s, no matter how badly I don’t want to stay away from her, but anywhere she is, he will be there too. 

Sighing, I finish getting ready. This weekend is going to be torture. I glance at myself to make sure I look presentable. I will only stay for an hour and then return to my room. Tomorrow won’t be so easy for me to disappear. The schedule is full. It will start with breakfast, then group activities, followed by the rehearsal dinner and drinks. The wedding is on Sunday afternoon. I will be out of here first thing Monday morning. 

Hesitating, I place my hand on the door handle. I open it slightly and pop my head out. I want to make sure I don’t run into Peyton and Max. When I know the coast is clear, I rush out of my room and downstairs. The gathering is happening in the backyard of the property. I stroll outside and glance around. There is no sign of Peyton and Max yet, but that isn’t who I am looking for. I am looking for Anthony. I finally spot him, he is with Kaitlyn and a couple of other people that I don’t know. Taking a deep breath, I head over. I haven’t seen Anthony in a while. 

The second he sees me approach, he smiles brightly. “Hello, stranger,” he says and hugs me. 

“Hey, you, congratulations. I am sorry I haven’t been around.” I sigh and hug him back. 

“It is okay. You are here now, and that is all that matters,” he says as we part. 

I miss him. I miss all of them, but there is no one to blame but myself for it all. 

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” 

“How are you doing? How is seeing Peyton after all these years?” 

“It is hard. Max is a douche, I don’t like him one bit. I am sorry if he is your friend, but he is a horrible person, and Peyton seems like she has lost part of herself to him. No, it isn’t my jealousy before you suggest it.” 

It may be a little part of it, but it is the truth, he is not good for her. 

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes. “He is no friend of mine. I hate him. I have never liked him, but it is Peyton’s choice. We just need to hope she sees sense and ends things because he is a horrible man.” 

It means I am right because if Kaitlyn doesn’t like him, then he is a douche. Kaitlyn is good at sussing people out. 

“I am glad I am not the only one. Why is she with him?” 

Anthony shrugs. “Because she loves him.” 

The words are like a stab in the heart. The only man she is supposed to love is me. 

“No, she thinks she does.” Kaitlyn corrects. 

If Peyton doesn’t love him, then why the hell is she with him? It isn’t like he is a good guy who treats her well. He has money, yes, but that has never been important to Peyton. I don’t know her reason, but whatever it is, it isn’t enough to be with someone you don’t love. 

“She doesn’t love him?” 

Kaitlyn shakes her head. “No, she thinks she does, but she doesn’t. The only person she has ever loved and still loves is you, Gabe.” 

I don’t get a chance to respond because I spot Max and Peyton. They are coming towards us. I don’t want to deal with Max. I groan and excuse myself, heading to the open bar for a drink. I will need a few of those, but not enough to be wasted. I don’t want to make an idiot of myself. When I am drunk, I can’t keep my mouth shut. A drunken mind speaks a sober heart. 

I ordered a double scotch, taking a long swig of it. A presence appears next to me. I glance over and stop from rolling my eyes when I see Max. I don’t acknowledge him. He isn’t worth my time. 

“Stay away from her, Gabe, because if you don’t, it won’t end well for you,” he threatens. 

Is he that scared of Peyton being around me again that he finds the need to threaten me? 

I laugh and look at him. “Don’t threaten me, Max. If I want to talk to Peyton, I will, and there is nothing you can do about it.” 

Max steps closer to me, and we are nose-to-nose once again. “Stay the hell away from her. She doesn’t want you near her. I don’t want you near her.” 

“I don’t take orders from you, Max. What is the matter? Are you worried that she will realise she doesn’t love you because she still loves me?” 

I shouldn’t be pushing him, but I can’t help it. He irks the hell out of me. I notice his fists balled at his sides. “You had your chance, you messed it up. If I see you anywhere near her, Gabe, I will hurt you.” 

I am ready to punch him, but before I can, Anthony shows up, putting himself between us. “Come on, Gabe, let me introduce you to some people.” 

I nod and walk away with him. “I am sorry.” 

“Please try to stay out of his way, okay? I know you want to punch him, but it is my wedding weekend. I don’t want any drama, Gabe.” 

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “I promise I won’t cause any drama.” 

I mean my promise, but if Max keeps on pushing, then I may end up breaking it. I don’t want to. I don’t want to ruin the wedding, but when it comes to Peyton, she is the one thing people can use against me to make me snap. I am protective. Well, I was protective, and even now, I would do anything for her. 

“Gabe, I understand this can’t be easy for you, but you need to ignore him, and you need to accept that Peyton is with someone else. It has been years. You need to let her go,” he says softly and pats my back. 

“Anthony, you know I will never let her go. I should never have let her go.” 

“But you did, and you can’t come around and try to get in the way of her new relationship. I am not saying all of this to be a bastard. I am saying it because I care for both of you. Things have changed, and you need to learn to deal with that.” 

I nod because I know he is right, but it is easier said than done.