Sweet Home Arizona.

After a couple drinks, I was starting to feel a little more relaxed. I'm not gonna lie and say I wasn't tipsy because I definitely was, but I don't think it was noticeable. I could handle my liquor pretty well.
"Mason, what on earth are you doing?" My mother’s voice screeched into my ears. "This is your rehearsal dinner; you're supposed to be with Luke right now." I rolled my eyes as she continued to scorn me in front of the bartender. “What has gotten into you Mason?”

“Nothing, I was just getting something to drink.” I took another sip of the brown liquid, “Is that such a bad thing?” I could feel her eyes piercing into my soul. I don’t know what the hell her problem was today but she really needed to calm down.
“You are embarrassing yourself Mason Lauren!”

I could tell I was really starting to piss her off in more ways than one. It’s not like I was drinking the whole bottle of Rum right in front of everyone. I just needed a little something to get my mind off of things. “You better straighten yourself up before the rest of Luke’s family arrives. I don’t want you making a fool out of yourself and the rest of us.” She said sternly before walking away. I couldn't believe she was freaking out this bad. I was really starting to think my mother truly hated me. Most mothers would be so thrilled and be there for their daughters the night before their wedding, but unfortunately mine wasn’t like that. I figured she would be ecstatic that I was still marrying Luke and not running away to someone else.

I downed the rest of the rum and walked back to where Luke was standing. He was talking to an older woman; possibly a relative of his. “Hey baby,” He pressed his lips against mine, “Mason, I would like you to meet my Aunt Portia. Aunt Portia, this is my lovely bride-to-be Mason.” His aunt looked at me like I was an ant trying to savage crumbs from a picnic. She must have been Lillian’s sister.

I haphazardly stuck my hand out, “It’s so nice to finally meet you.” I said in the nicest way I could. She simply looked at my hand and rolled her eyes. “Darling, sophisticated women do not shake hands.” Oh yeah, she was definitely Lillian’s sister. “Once you marry my wonderful nephew, you’re going to have to learn these things.” She eyes me up and down once again, “You’re going to have to learn a lot of things.” She added.

I simply gave her a smile and thanked her for the hateful comment. She was a bitch just like Lillian!
“So baby, are you ready for our big day?” Luke asked. He wrapped his strong arms around my middle and started swaying me back and forth. We must have looked like fools since there was no music even playing.

“What’s tomorrow?” I asked jokingly. Luke looked down at me with a fake, hurtful expression. "I'm only kidding baby; of course I'm ready for tomorrow." I reached up and placed my lips against his. "I can't wait to become your wife." He gave me a smile and connected our lips. Once again, my heart and my head were not agreeing about what I had just said.

After making small talk with Luke's relatives and guest, It was finally time to actually rehearse for tomorrow. I had my dad at my side and the bridesmaids were lined up in front. I couldn't help but laugh as Dylan tried to stop Avery from running away with the ring bearers pillow. That's what happens when you give a three year old something new to hold. As the music started playing, I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that was starting to consume my body. Like I knew its been there but right now it was starting to show its ugly face. When the music started up, I could feel my dad's grip grow tighter around my arm. I guess he could tell I was nervous about the whole thing.

"You okay babydoll?" He whispered. I slowly nodded my head. Once the rest of the wedding party were down the aisle, the wedding march started. I felt like I was about to have a panic attack. It wasn't even my wedding day yet and I was flipping out! "You know you don't have to do this Mason." My head sharply turned up to look at my dad. Was he being serious right now?
I didn't get a chance to say anything since we had finally reached the alter. I couldn't help but stare at him as he handed me over to Luke. Why on earth would my dad say such a thing? He was all for me marrying Luke; well at least I thought he was. If this was tomorrow, I would of been having a nervous fucking wreck...

It took us two hours to rehearse for tomorrow. Two long, miserable hours. By the third time, I was completely over it. All of Luke's groomsmen kept acting like idiots and it didn't help that my so-called bridesmaids were as well. Well, with the exception of my sisters. I felt like I was about to become one of those ladies that you see on Bridezillas.
If the rehearsal wasn't bad enough, it was now time to eat. And it was just my luck that I was seated between Luke and my mother. Luckily, we had fabulous food to eat! Halfway through our first course, one of Luke's best men stood up.

"I would like to make a toast to the lovely bride and groom. I have known Luke for as long as I can remember and I've never seen him so happy. I want to wish you all luck tomorrow as you embark on the journey of marriage and beyond. And I hope to find a woman half as good as Mason when it's my time." Kyle raised his glass, "To Luke and Mason."

"Luke and Mason!" Everyone's cheers erupted around us. I couldn't help but look over at Luke and see the huge smile that was plastered on his face. It kind of broke my heart inside to see him that happy. He had no idea what I was doing behind his back. He had no idea that I spent my bachelorette party tangled in the sheets with John. “I love you.” Luke whispered. I could feel his hand creeping up my leg, almost to the point of going underneath my skirt.
“I love you too.” I said softly. I took his hand away from my leg and gave it a squeeze. I really wasn’t in the mood to have a tryst at the dinner table.

“Everyone.” My head snapped to the sound of my mother’s voice. “ I would like to make a toast regarding my daughter and future son-in-law.” I could not believe she was doing this. What in the world did she have to say that it had to involve the whole damn table? "I just wanted to say that I am very, very grateful for Luke. He has helped Mason so much throughout the years. I knew when my daughter first told me about him, he would be the one she was meant to marry. However, I just wish she would have met him sooner rather than later. My daughter Mason would have been stuck in a meaningless marriage to a guy she was in love with in high school. With each world, my mothers voice would get angrier. "The man mason was with before she met Luke was nothing but trouble and just a waste of a person. He had this big idea that his band was going somewhere in life and that Mason was supposed to spend her life in his shadow. John was nothing but a dreamer and I'm so glad that Mason finally fou-."

"Enough!" I raised up from the table, cutting my mother off in the process. Everyone at the table instantly stopped what they were doing and stared at us. “I am sick and tired of hearing you talk about me like i’m some kind of fuck up! I should have never invited you to begin with!” I shoved my way past her and out into the main lobby. As I was leaving I could hear my mother trying to my guest that the outburst was caused by all the “stress” I was under.

I yanked my coat off the hanger and stormed out of the building. I was not going to take my mothers abuse any longer. How dare she come in there and start talking about my past like it was any of their business to begin with. If I wanted all of Luke's family to know what I did as a kid, I would have gladly told them but it was none of their business! Just like it was none of my mothers business! The woman may have gave birth and raised me but she definitely doesn't deserve a fucking medal for it!

I hauled a cab and directed the driver to my destination. I must have looked like a catastrophe since the man asked if I was okay. I assured him I was and continued to wipe away the tears. I didn't feel it necessary to tell him what had just happened but I'm sure my mother would have.
The thing I needed most right now was a nice, hot bubble bath and a gallon of cookie dough ice cream. But, like always, that would have to wait. Once the cab made a complete stop in front of the building, I quickly paid the guy and got out. I pulled open the door and rushed to the elevator. The two minute ride to the 12th floor felt like it was going to take an eternity. When the elevator door finally opened up it was like my soul was opening up as well... So cheesy right?

I slowly walked back to the familiar door and contemplated whether I should knock or not. I felt like I was in a Julia Roberts movie or something. A movie like Runaway Bride. I finally gave into the temptation and knocked. I was so scared that he was going to open that door and usher me into his arms. But at the same time, I was afraid he wouldn't.

I must have stood at the door a good five minutes before realizing that no one had answered the door yet. I knew John was the only one there since I ran out and left the other guys alone with my mom and Luke's people. Where in the world could john be? I know for a fact that he hated New York City and never wanted to do anything while he was here. Maybe coming over here was a way to show me that I couldn't always rely on John. That he wasn't going to be the shoulder I could always cry on.

"Great." I muttered out. I turned away from the door and moped my way back to the elevator. Why did I always come running to him anyway? It's not like he actually cared that much. I stepped back onto the elevator and watched as the doors closed once again. I knew coming here was a mistake. John was probably on his way back to Arizona to enjoy the rest of his life. He didn’t need some clingy, ex-wife coming along all the time and messing with his head. I shouldn’t have even bothered going to Arizona to make John sign those damn divorce papers. I should have just sent them to him like a normal person would have done. I should have known that once I saw John again I would want to be in his arms again. How could I have been so selfish and dishonest to Luke. I slept with my ex-husband five times while I was in Arizona and three more times last night. Women who loved their fiance wouldn’t do those type of things. I loved Luke with all my heart but maybe I just loved John more.

I stepped into the lobby and slowly walked out of the building. I now had to walk back to my empty apartment and prepare myself for tomorrow’s festivities. I should have been ecstatic that I was marrying the love of my life tomorrow. But frankly, it felt like any other day.
After deciding that I didn’t want to walk anymore and hauling a cab, I finally made it back to my apartment. I closed the front door behind me and stripped off my coat. After storming out of the dinner,
I figured Luke would be here waiting for an explanation but the apartment was empty. I walked into the kitchen and pulled the expensive bottle of wine that was located in my refrigerator and grabbed a glass off the shelf. Making my way to the bathroom, I took my heels and dress off and started up the bubble bath. The warm water and coconut scented soap was just what I needed. I poured myself a glass of wine and slipped into the water. My muscles soon began to relax and all my worries seemed to float away. Every thought about the wedding, Luke, my mother, and John went out the window. It was now all about me and that’s what I wanted.

Midnight. I had gone through a gallon of cookie dough ice cream and half a bottle of red wine. A couple of the people that had attended my rehearsal dinner texted me to make sure I was okay but I still had yet to hear from my mother or Luke. You figured that if your fiance storms out of your rehearsal dinner you follow her and see what’s wrong. I guess Luke wasn’t programmed to do that. I guess all I had left to do now was fall asleep and see what tomorrow, or rather I say today, has to bring.