The Point of No Return
By: Jessica Russo
Disclaimer: This is a fictional tale however inspired by events.
Introduction:
"What is your problem today?!" Antonio screamed, slamming the men's dressing room door in fury behind him and Evan, "Ever since that damn wedding started, you've been so pissy and angry! Dulcea is worried sick about you! She doesn't know her head from her ass today because she seems to think that she did something to you! You're the best man, for Christ's sake! Everyone else doesn't know what your problem is, either! What is your problem?!" He looked as if smoke were going to pour out of his ears. Evan sat down and looked at him with a blank expression on his face. It was time his best friend knew the truth. He didn't like the idea, but he knew that Antonio should've known from the start.
"I love her..." Evan replied quietly.
"W-... What?..." Antonio asked.
"I love her, Andy..." Evan repeated, "I love the way she looks at me with so much attention, I love the way she lights up a room when she walks in, I love the way she laughs and her sense of humor... I love the way she sleeps- she looks like an absolute angel... I love her hazel eyes, her gorgeous auburn curls... I love her, and... I've loved her since the 10th grade..." He looked up at Antonio, who had a puzzling gaze, and seemed like he was searching for more questions to ask him. Antonio sat down in the chair in front of Evan.
"All this time?... I mean, that's basically the whole time we've known each other... How... How come you never said anything to anybody, Evan? Or to her?..." Evan thought for a minute, then answered.
"Because I never thought she'd feel the same way... And not only that, she was always with somebody. Whenever I finally did come up with the courage, she always had a new boyfriend."
"Evan, there's something I have to tell you..." Antonio said, "She... did like you at some time, she told me..." Evan's face froze; he didn't know what to say.
"And... And when was this, Andy?..."
"I'd say from about 11th grade 'til... senior year, I guess." Evan closed his eyes in agony. He never thought he'd be this hurt since his grandmother passed two years before.
"She... she did?... Why didn't you tell me before?..."
"I didn't think you were in love with her. It never seemed like you liked her at any time, Evan."
"Why would I show it? How could I? She always said I was the brother she always wanted. I mean, all those times she slept in my bed with me... I loved it when I just held her in my arms and breathed in the scent of her hair... Damned Herbal Essences... I remember one time she came out of the shower, and I took her underwear while she was still in there. Then she came out and screamed 'Where are my panties?!', and when she walked into my room, she saw me wearing them over my boxers..."
"Now that I think about it, I did find it weird when you called her almost every night in high school. Not even her husband to be called her as much as you do... Even now, you talk to her every night. And when you don't you always at least mention her."
"I... I wanna be the man standing out there. I wanna be the one whose name is on that invitation to be 'wedded in holy matrimony'. I wanna be the one who says 'I do'. I wanna be the one who makes sweet love to her tonight on her honeymoon. I wanna be the one to wake up next to her every morning for the rest of my life... But... I can't do anything about it now. Hayden, that son of a bitch..."
"I don't mean to sound like a counselor, but don't be angry with Hayden just because you couldn't be a man and tell her how you feel." Evan's eyes met Antonio's, and he knew he was right. But that's not something you want to hear when your best friend, whom you've loved since you were kids, is about to get married to someone else. He rubbed his eyes, and sighed heavily.
"Come on," Evan spoke as he rose from the chair he sat in, "let's go before she comes after us and sees me like this."
"Too late," a familiar voice stated. The two men turned around them to see the bride standing there. Her face was bright pink and looked slightly puffy. They all looked at each other, and Antonio cleared his throat.
"I guess I'll leave you two alone." he said. He patted Evan's back and closed the door as he exited the room. Evan stared into Dulcea's eyes as he walked toward her. She put her tissue clenched in her lace-gloved hand under her nose and sniffled.
"Dulcea-..."
"What the hell is going on, Evan?..." she interrupted. Evan sighed, and took her hands into his. He kissed her forehead lightly. He showed her a gentle smile.
"You look so beautiful today, Dulcea.... Hayden's... a very lucky man to have you to sleep next to every night for the rest of your lives."
"Evan, what's going on? I'm not going out there until I know what's wrong with you." She grabbed his hand, pulled him toward the couch, and both flopped on the cushions. She held his hand in her's, then ran her fingers through his hair. "You're my best friend, and I love you. Now, tell me what's wrong, or I'll leave my own ceremony. I mean it, me and you will go to the hotel by ourselves and we'll hang out- just me and you."
"You won't give up the love of your life for me..."
"Try me." He chuckled softly as he shook his head.
"I can't, Dulcea. I'm sorry..."
"What do you mean, you can't? We never keep anything from one another, so please don't start now... Not on my wedding day..."
"Dulcea, it's not something you don't just come out with, especially at a wedding..." She flashed him a slight grin.
"Are you gay?" They both burst out into hysterical laughter.
"Oh yes, I'm a man who loves to dress in your panties. I'm sorry, Dulce." he told her as he tried to hide any signs of giggling. They had bright smiles on their faces; eventually, the smiles faded and the tone between them grew serious again. "Maybe I'll tell you later, like never later."
"I'm dead serious, Evan... I will walk out right now. I'll get you, and I'll make it look like a bloody accident."
"Honestly, Hayden will kill me if you're any more late for your wedding. I don't feel like getting hit again."
"But we're not talking about him right now- we're talking about you and why you look like the world is going to end."
"Dulcea, a little while more of you not knowing won't hurt you... I mean, this has been going on since our sophomore year..." She wore a confused look on her face.
"What?... What's been going on for the past... seven years, Evan?..." she asked as her eyebrows lowered at him. He breathed in deeply, then squeezed her hands tighter. He knew she would actually walk out from her husband to be and all those people is she was stubborn enough. And by this point and time, she was.
"I... I love you, Dulcea..." he told her. He swallowed the slab of uncertainty down his throat. Her eyes widened, like a deer in front of headlights. She looked so pale and so frightened...