June 13, 2027 (Age: 31)
4:00 pm
"Babe, there's a letter for you." Ellie called from the kitchen just as Ryder walked through the door. He wanted to roll his eyes because the house was in his name so why wouldn't there be letters for him but still he wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her forehead.
"Who's it from?" Ryder asked, digging his head into her hair lovingly. She laughed a little before looking down at the little white envelope.
"It just says M. Rose." The woman noted, raising the envelope slightly as she took a second look.
"Rose?" Ryder lifted his head and snatched the envelope from his wife's hands. "I haven't talked to Marley since the funeral."
He left the room and sat down on the couch, tearing the envelope brutally to see what was inside. He frowned when he saw a beautifully decorated paper with flowers embroidered on. On it were the words 'We're getting married'. He turned the card over and saw the wedding was scheduled for a couple days from now. What shocked him wasn't the fact that she had obviously just decided to invite him. No, what shocked him was the name of the groom.
Sam Evans.
Sad had been one of Ryder's best friends in high school but much like Ryder and Marley they had grown apart, each going after something different in life. Apparently, their goals weren't that different after all. They both wanted Marley, but Sam had won.
"Hey El?" Ryder called throughout the house. "I have to go to Ohio."
"Again?" She asked, walking into the room holding a plate of cookies. "You just visited your mom last week."
"Remember Marley Rose? The girl I told you about?" Ryder asked, putting the card onto the coffee table.
"You mean the girl who turned you down about 5 times?" She asked with a tiny smile on her face.
"That's the one." He said with a small smile. "Well, she's getting married."
"And she invited you?"
Ryder nodded as he hurried upstairs to pack a bag. "She was my best friend, you know!" He called from the bedroom, smiling when he heard her laugh slightly. She teased him all the time for being turned down by the same girl on numerous occasions.
June 15, 2027 (Two Days Later)
4:30 pm
"I don't know, Unique." Marley mumbled, rubbing her hands over her dress. "He didn't respond."
"Trust me Marley. He'll be here." Unique insisted, touching up the brunette's perfect hair. "He never could stay away from you."
As if on cue there was a knock on the door. Unique opened it and Ryder stood there looking at his stunning best friend standing there in a modest-looking wedding dress. It was so different than the one Ellie had worn on their wedding day.
"Hey." He mumbled softly, stepping into the room. He watched as Unique left the room. "Big day."
She smiled softly as a blush crept upon her face. "So everyone keeps saying."
"Are you happy Marley?" Ryder asked making her smile falter. She nodded her head slowly before turning back towards the mirror.
"I suppose." She answered simply. "Sam's a really great guy."
Ryder laughed a little while nodding his head. "The greatest."
"No one is better than you, Ryder." Marley murmured, turning to look at him with tears in her eyes. "And I'm so sorry I was such a bitch to you. You didn't do anything and I'm so so so sorry."
"Hey…" He said softly, crossing the room to wipe his eyes. "Don't cry. You'll ruin your makeup and if there's one thing I've learned from Ellie, it's that you should never ruin your makeup."
Marley giggled slightly as she nodded her head. "I watched the clip of your wedding dance on ESPN."
Ryder laughed. "That's a little embarrassing. I told you I am the worst dancer ever."
Marley nodded her head as she laughed along with him. "I know. It was cute though." It was silent for a second before Marley decided to voice what she was thinking for the longest time. "I'm really proud of you, Ry."
He blushed a little before smiling at her. "Thanks."
"I mean it, Ry. You accomplished everything you've always wanted." She insisted. "You've got the fame, the fortune. You play for the New Orleans Saints, for crying out loud! You were always going to be amazing."
Ryder smiled and nodded his head even though he didn't accomplish everything he always wanted. If that were true, Ellie wouldn't be at home waiting for him to call. Sam wouldn't be out in the church waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle. It'd be the two of them getting married, like he always wanted to happen.
So he swallowed his remorse and answered with a simple, "Thanks Marls. I guess I'll go wait in there. Good luck."
"I'll try not to trip." She joked as he laughed. "For what it's worth, Ry, you've been my spider-man for as long as I can remember, I just didn't see it."
Ryder chuckled as he thought back to that night at her house. "Go marry your fiancé, Gwen." He answered with a smile on his face.
She smiled and bit her lip. "Of course, Peter."
As he left the room and sat down next to Unique, he smiled. Everything didn't work out the way he had planned it to, but it worked out just fine.
When she needed someone to lean on, he'd be there. Just like he promised.
Get it? Like spider man? Peter and Gwen? No? Oh whatever. I tried. Haha. Sorry for not posting in a while. I forgot. Literally forgot. I'm kind of an idiot like that.