In your first novel, your autobiography, the one about your high school, you decided to write an entire chapter all about the question "when your dreams come true, who do you want standing next to you?" Now this decision is being thrown in your face.
You are at the release party for your second novel with all of your friends and family and even your ex-fiancée/editor. She is standing next to you as you are greeted by hot shot authors, publishers, editors, and anyone else who could possibly give you a bigger shoe-in to the literary world than your novels have already forged for you.
Your mind is everywhere and nowhere: running to keep up with the whirlwind of excitement, and frozen in place as you stare at the crowd that has gathered for your work, your accomplishment, you.
Your brother pats your back in congratulations and his wife; your sister-in-law, and long time best friend, smiles up at you, not having to say a word, because you know exactly what words are lingering on her steady curved-up lips. Other old friends are there, also telling you what an honor it is for them to be friends with you. Mouth says he wishes his career could pick up like yours did and you know he doesn't say it to make you feel guilty about your success so you tell him to just wait and everything will get better eventually. Skills tells you he hopes the whole book deal gets to your head and you're too busy writing a third novel so you can't coach the Ravens and the administration will have to fire you and make him head coach. You promise him that will never happen with a goodhearted laugh and a pat on the arm.
Then you're being pulled away by Andy who sits you down at a tall two-person round table and pushes an envelope across the table to you. You ask him what it is and he just shrugs and smiles, urging you to open it. You do, and are amazed at the domination on the check you are holding. Andy's smile widens as your jaw drops and he tells you that he couldn't be more proud of you if you were his own son and then your eyes start to tear up so you hug him before he can tell you're about to cry.
Your mother joins you and tells you that your uncle Keith would be very proud of you and that makes you want to cry all over again, but you suck it up because Lindsay is heading your way and you still haven't gotten over the fact that she's not the one for you.
You smile at her widely and she smiles back, but not as wide and you know it's hard for her to be there, supporting you, no matter how much she wants to, not matter how much she loves your book, even though she has this crazy idea that it's about another woman.
The two of you stand together, alone, and watch the madness around you. You stand in silence and you realize that you can't be in love if there is so much to talk about but nothing to say. It's like a blow to your heart as you feel a piece of your heart breaking off, but it doesn't hurt, because it's the piece that holds Lindsay and you know that it was meant to break sooner or later. You and Lindsay were not right for each other, but she was always smarter than you, and she proved it when she left you at the altar, saying that it wasn't right, and deep down, you knew it too.
Your thoughts are broken by a gust of cold air and you look up in realization to see the true love of your life walk through the door. You glance at Lindsay and see she is looking at the entrance too. You look back and see that now both of your most prominent ex-lovers are standing there.
Lindsay begins to speak, "Look around you. Your dreams are coming true and I know it's not me you want standing next to you."
You cannot answer but only nod, still staring at the two beautiful women who just arrived at your party.
She continues, "So who's it gonna be, Luke? Brooke or Peyton?"