So that was it?", Mandy asks. I nod and bite my lip. It feels so good to get it out after those years and tell someone who has no idea. "That sucks", she says and takes my hand. "So that's the reason you left?" I nod again. "I asked Jon too and he agreed. We actually were kind of wanting to do the style of Pretty. Odd. but it was mostly because I couldn't be around Brendon after that. I had another girlfriend but that was just distraction, nothing serious. And now I'm recalling everything because Brendon and Sarah are getting married." "How much contact did you have to him and Spencer since then?" "Just some messages, we met once and one call. But it was all so awkward. I just wish I could forget about it all." "That's so sad, I wish I could change everything." I smile at her. I see how she actually cares.
Suddenly my phone vibrates in the pocket of my skinnies. I quickly get it out and see that it's an unknown number. Why would someone unknown call me? I pick up. "Yeah?" "Hey, Ryan. It's me ... Brendon", he says. The voice, it's giving me shivers. "Hi...", I stutter. "How are you?", he asks, becoming a little more confident now. "I'm fine, I guess. What about you?" "I'm great. What are you up to? Is this a bad time?" I can't give in, I can't continue to cry so I wipe my tears away and keep a straight face. "No, it's alright. Me and Jon are at this party." "How's Vegas?" "It's awesome, I've missed everything. What's new with you? Congrats on the engagement by the way." I hear him laugh happily. "Thanks, Ry. It's all really stressing around here lately but I'm excited and really looking forward to it." "Great." Why is he telling me that? Does he want to hurt me? "Any reason for this ... sudden call?" "Um...", he stutters nervously. "I know that it has been complicated since ... you know. But I want to invite you to the wedding, I want you to meet Sarah and I want you to approve. Even though we don't talk anymore, you're still my buddy, Ry. I want you to be there, okay? You don't have to come but it would make everything perfect." "Brendon..." "At least think about it and call me back, alright? I'll text you my number because you don't have the new one." "Bren?" "Yeah?" "Are you sure that you want me there?" "Definitely, I've thought about this and Sarah wants to meet you too." "Does she know?" "No. Nobody knows except for us." "And Jon." "Yeah, of course." "I'll think about it, okay?" "Thank you, man. You have no idea how much that means to me. And you can of course bring someone!" "Alright, I'll call you. Bye." For some reason, I feel a lot better, it's a relief.
"Was that him?", Mandy asks and gives me another drink. I nod slowly, completely stunned. Did he actually call me? Did he actually talk about it? He seems happy, he actually does. Maybe Sarah is good for him, he seems happy. And I want him to be happy, that's all I ever wanted. And maybe I can be happy in my own way too. If he can, I can. There's no difference. I turn to Mandy who's still giving me her amazing smile. "Yeah, he invited me to his wedding." "That's cute! Are you going?" "I think I actually am. Mandy?" "Yes?" "Would you want to be my date for the wedding?"