vulnerable

73.

If Stella hadn't seen Hunter's Instagram story, she would've seen the frightening scowl on Hannah's face either way. The soon-to-be bride was standing in the most magical place on earth and yet she had tears in her eyes... and they weren't the happy ones.

The whole group stood in a shocked silence, waiting for Hannah to guide them on the next plan of action. Stella was glad to have her older sister in this situation, otherwise, she might offer to commit murder. Hannah walked over to the cement fence, sitting on top of a platform. Her shoulders hunched- which was saying something, considering she's a dancer.

Stella glanced at the others, silently telling them she'd talk to Hannah first. Seemingly, they understood, letting her take the place beside Hannah. There were still people in the park, but considerably less than usual.

There were sounds of laughter, chatter, rides skidding against metal, and all around joy. Stella hated that Hannah had to deal with Hunter and Tara on the night of the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Slowly, Stella lowered herself on the platform beside her best friend, and threw an arm over her shoulder.

"I won't ask how you are... because I already know." She forced a chuckle at the end of her sentence. "Even if you were to lie to me."

Hannah didn't speak. She's stared off into the distance with a haze across her eyes. Stella knew she was trying to formulate what to say, which will significantly undermine her true feelings, because she doesn't want to make Hunter look bad. Stella clenched her jaw. "It's okay to be angry. It's okay to be sad. It's the night of your bachelorette party and you shouldn't have to worry about whether or not Hunter is trying to squeeze in one last ounce of freedom."

"Weston's with me... with us..." Hannah juts her chin out in an attempt to swallow her sob.

Stella shakes her head, rubbing Hannah's shoulder as she trembles. "Weston's never tried to get with you, as flirty as he is, because he wouldn't cross that line. Tara would... in my own opinion. And maybe-"

"She's a fucking cunt." Hannah curses under her breath, cutting Stella off. "A real fucking cunt."

"Hannah..." Stella murmurs, taking a gulp before her next words. "Surprise or not... Hunter seemed happy to have Tara around on his bachelor night... and with the history... don't you wonder if he likes her?"

"We're getting married, Stell!" Hannah shrieked.

"I'm well aware." Stella kept her voice steady. "That's exactly why I'm questioning that picture of his."

"Tara is the villain here."

Stella paused, letting out a shaky breath. The wind rushed over them, pushing some strands of hair over their heads. Stella wiped her face. "Hannah, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Marrying Hunter and not my brother?"

"I-" She opens her mouth and closes it again with a frown. She scoots out of Stella's grip, but doesn't stand. She chews on the inside of her cheek. "I have too."

"Why?" Stella whispers. She can't believe what she's heard. "Why do you have too?"

"It's what I deserve..." She stares at the ground, where a little kid's ice cream had spilled and melted. "After everything that happened..."

"You think you deserve this because you broke up with Christian?" Stella gasps, "Hannah-"

"It's not just that." She hisses, but Stella doesn't believe her. Hannah swipes a tear from just under her eye. "It's better this way."

"For who?"

"For everyone!" Hannah raises her voice.

"No." Stella says firmly. "For no one, and especially not you."

"I love Hunter." Hannah spoke, but the words were like a distant memory that was starting to fade. "I love him."

"Do you?" Stella bit her lip. "Do you feel loved by him?"

Hannah rose to her feet. She was done talking about this. "I do. I was just surprised to see Tara at Hunter's bachelor party. But Wes is with us. Makes perfect sense. Now, can we get back to the most magical place on earth?"

But Stella could hear the sarcasm and the lies. She nodded though, standing beside her. "Let's get to it then."

Hannah took a moment to recover before talking with the group. She reassured them everything was fine. She started to lead the way to the front of the castle where they have reservations for dinner. Weston accompanied her. Stella and Devyn instinctively walk slower, meeting up with each other in the back. Stella grabbed her sister's arm in worry, "Everything is definitely not fine."

"I could guess that." Devyn groaned. "What happened?"

"I think she feels like she has to marry Hunter. Like there's no other choice! Can you believe that!? How can she go through with this?"

"Stella." Devyn stopped them in their tracks. "I think you can understand feeling like there's no other choice."

Stella took a deep breath, feeling a tinge of guilt in her gut. "I do. And I tried to talk with her but she won't listen."

Devyn's eyebrows creased as they usually did when she was in deep thought. "It's not like the wedding is tomorrow... still a few days out. We have the Mexico game and then the wedding. Maybe she'll call things off in her own time."

"Devyn, she's adamant." Stella ran a hand through her hair. "I'm calling Chris."

"You can't tell him to come here!"

Crap.

Stella mentally cursed her sister. "Not to get him here! I'm gonna ask about Tara."

"Mhm." Devyn rolled her eyes. "I'll stall for you."

"Thanks." Stella muttered before walking over to her previous spot on the podium. She whipped out her phone and called her brother. Christian answered on the first ring, and something told her, he'd been expecting the call.

"Please tell me Hannah is as pissed as I am." He says as hello.

Stella presses her phone close to her ear, turning around to look at the castle in frustration. "At Tara, yeah."

"Ugh." Christian groaned. "Stell, it's taking every fiber in me and G not to pummel her fiancé right now."

"Don't fight." Stella closed her eyes. "At least not physically... it'll only make things worse. Is Tara still there?"

"Yes, she's right beside Hunter and eating his goddamn steak. I really can't punch him?"

There's a ruffling sound on his end and a new voice piped in. Gio. "C'mon Stella, just one punch. He's a prick."

"He is." Stella tried to push down her nervous butterflies after hearing Gio's voice. "But Hannah seems to think she has to marry him."

"Has too?" Christian yanks his phone back. "What do you mean?"

Stella sighs. "It's just... I don't know. But keep an eye on things."

"Will do."

"Oh, and Christian?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being on best behavior with Gio. I saw his picture."

"Fake it till you make it."

Fake it till you make it. Stella lets the words sink into her brain. She wondered if that's exactly what was going on. "Don't punch him either."

"We're united in other matters at the moment." Christian said. "Love you."

"Love you too." Stella hung up.

She let out a sigh and made her way back to the castle. Hannah felt like she had to marry Hunter. She had too... Stella shook her head. And now, she seemed even more confused about what to say to Gio later. Because Stella didn't want to have to do anything. And she wanted her best friend to be happy.