Dating a Star

Chapter Seventeen

Leaving at the end of the day with the manuscript in hand for Chris you suddenly look forward to seeing him again.

Heading to your parents restaurant you walk in to find them serving customers and engaging in animated conversations.

Nathan had definitely done you a favour. He made you come home. Home is exactly where you needed to be. When you scan the restaurant you see a face that wasn't welcome. Leaving your bag with Mark at the bar you strut towards the table.

"What are you still doing here? How dare you come here of all places!" You stand next to the table and spit at Nathan.

"Look I just want to have a conversation. I know you don't owe me that but I really think you deserve to know what happened." He explains.

"I know what happened Nathan you cheated on me with our neighbour in our bed. Am I wrong?" You reply.

Thinking for a moment whether you want to hear his excuses or his woes you sit knowing that he isn't going to leave the restaurant or your life until you've had that conversation with him.

"You have five minutes then you leave for good and don't come back." You threaten.

"Look I truly am sorry and I know that word doesn't make up for what I've done but it's a start." He begins to twiddle his thumbs. "I have no excuse. It was stupid and I got caught up in the excitement."

"The excitement? What that the slut downstairs stroked your ego?" The venom in your voice shocked you.

Seeing him and having this conversation was bringing out a side of you that you just didn't know. Why was he here and why were your parents allowing him in the restaurant?

"Look I am sorry. It just happened. We were young when we got together. It felt like our lives were heading somewhere serious and I wasn't ready for it." He explains.

Some how that excuse was worse. You were young when you got together so it gave him an excuse to cheat on you.

"If you weren't happy you could have told me. We were young, I wouldn't have held it against you if we drifted apart. When we drifted apart. I felt it too but I was willing to work on it because I loved you." You explain.

"Loved?" His only response.

"Yes loved Nathan, when you find your boyfriend in bed with another woman the love fades quite quick." You reply sarcastically.

"Look I hope you're okay and happy. You seem to be doing well. I won't be coming back again. Pete has made it very clear I'm not welcome here." His eyes go wide.

You think of the conversation that happened with Pete when Nathan turned up here. Smiling you make a mental note to hug Pete.

"Honestly I am happy. Happiest I've been in a long time actually. I hope everything goes well for you and the baby." Standing up you watch as Nathan leaves. He glances to the bar where your parents, Mark and Pete are all standing arms crossed and scowling. You giggle slightly and sit back down at the table.

That was a lot to take. You knew you weren't happy. Hadn't been for a while but you figured it was because of the job and feeling home sick. If you'd have known Nathan was feeling the same you could've figured things out together. Perhaps you both needed to grow up a little more.

"You ok sweets?" Pete asks sitting across from you.

"I'm fine Pete. What did you say to him then? He told me you threatened him." You ask smiling.

"I never, okay I did. No one hurts my sweets and gets away with it. Your Pa was livid when he walked in. Your Ma thought you should hear him out. Was it worth it?" Pete asks. Your parents had joined the table and were waiting for your answer.

"We fell out of love with each other a long time ago. I guess we were too busy or wrapped up in everything else to realise. I'm fine. I'm happy." You explain calmly.

"Well good on you girl. Your better off without him. Right you lot decide what you want for dinner and I will get cooking." Pete stands from the table.

"Suprise me Pete. Remember something healthy though." You smile at him.

"We will have the same." Maggie calls out. She then turns to you. "Are you sure your ok?"

"Ma honestly I'm fine. The conversation needed to be had. I'm happy like I said. We're better off this way. Aren't you happy to have me back?" You question.

"Of course we're happy to have you back we want to make sure your happy. That's all we want for you. Always have." Your pa explains.

"Thanks but I'm okay. I'm happy." As you explain your phone starts ringing and you check it. Chris' name is on the screen. "I'm just going to take this quickly. I won't be long." You stand and head outside to answer the phone.

"Hey everything alright?" You answer.

"Hey babe. All good just checked into the hotel. Thought I would give you a ring to see if everything was okay."

"I swear you have a sixth sense. Nathan is still here. I've come to the restaurant and he was here. He wasn't going to leave until we spoke about things." You explain pacing the area of tables outside, collecting empty glasses from tables as you go.

"How did that go?" Chris asks.

"It was fine. We both admitted we had fallen out of love with each other a long time ago. Everything is fine. Pete threatened him to stay away aswell so I won't be seeing him again."

"That's good. I will thank Pete when I meet him. That should've been my job." He laughs.

"Well aren't you acting like the overprotective boyfriend." You realise what you said and your eyes go wide waiting for his response.

"Well I mean we've said we're not interested in anyone else. If you want to call me your boyfriend I'm fine with it." He explains. You can almost hear the smile on his face.

"That is the worst way to ask me to be your girlfriend." You laugh. "Anyway I'm sorry I have to go. I'm just having dinner with my parents. Miss you, but have fun."

"I will. Are you going to tune into the interview on Friday night?" He replies. "Speak again soon. Bye."

"I will. Bye." You end the call and head back into the restaurant to sit with your parents.

"I take it that's your new mystery man." Maggie asks placing the plates on the table.

"It might have been." You smile.

"Ooo you like him don't you. I can tell I haven't seen that smile in a long time." Your Ma says. "Tell us about him. What's his name? What does he do?"

"I don't know if I'm ready to tell yet. It's still early days. When I know what's going on I will tell you but until then just know I'm happy." You smile at them both hoping it would placate their interest in your complicated love life."

Sitting down you all eat together. Talking about your day and the upcoming open mic night.

"Are you getting up?" Maggie asks.

"I have a new song. I may get up. Will see how I feel. I haven't done it in so long. Plus my friends are here. I will see where the mood takes me." You explain.

"We can't wait to meet them." Kevin says.