If Im Not In Love

3

It had been ages or at least if felt like since they had had their pizza and beer night. Derek, along with Mark and Meredith and Bradley had made it a tradition to get together once a week for pizza and beer and talk about work, life and everything else going on. The occasional round of poker happened, but they usually all chose to leave that out. The last few months things had been busy all around and it had been hard for them to find a time to all get together. Tonight they were finally going to do it. Derek was at Meredith and Bradley's house a few miles outside of the city, in the safest, but trendiest neighborhood, sitting at the kitchen table with Bradley, a few beers in front of them as Meredith got things ready for dinner. All that was missing was Mark who was supposed to stop in after his date.

"I'm bringing paper plates next time so you don't have to do all of this." Derek chuckled, taking a sip of his beer as Meredith scurried around the kitchen.

"You know how Brad feels about paper plates....just extra trash." Meredith's voice was hurried as she picked out a few matching plates they had received a few years before.

"A lot of extra trash." Brad nodded, picking up his beer. "The plates she is getting out are just fine."

"Fine...then next time...I'm hosting." Derek laughed.

"You want to host dinner at your huge house in the middle of nowhere...and you live alone?" Meredith teased, remembering how crazy Derek had sounded when he had announced to them a few years back that he had built a ton of land. "Almost as crazy as living in a little trailer."

"It's a huge house...plenty of room." Derek smiled.

"I wouldn't argue." Meredith giggled, handing Derek the plates. "Plenty of room for a dog...five chatty children."

"Then next time...pizza and beer night at my house."

"Sounds good." Meredith opened the cabinet.

"When did you order the pizza?" Bradley looked over at his wife. "Please tell me you ordered it already."

"Yes Brad....I ordered ten minutes ago." Meredith looked at her husband of a little over three years, her eyes looking tired and worn out.

"Olives and mushrooms?"

"Yes." Meredith groaned. "I didn't say spinach or anchovies...pineapple. Just olive and Mushrooms."

"I'm just asking." Brad rolled his eyes.

"Well I got it..." Meredith sighed, sorting through a drawer full of restaurant ketchup, soy sauce and other seasoning packets. "Now pizza seasoning....it's in here somewhere."

"So..." Derek breathed, breaking the short silence. "Brad, how is...work?"

"It's great...took on two new cases. One is a major tax case so that will be great for business." Brad sighed, tapping his beer against the table. "It's taking me to Dallas next week."

"Oh...for how long?" Derek frowned, looking over at Meredith and then back to Brad.

"Week...maybe two...could be longer." Bradley answered as his well dressed wife walked around.

"Meredith...why don't I help you..." Derek stood up from his chair as Meredith stood, glaring at her husband. There was tension and nobody could miss it.

"I thought Dallas was just a few days..." Meredith said, ignoring Derek's offer. "You said it was quick."

"It changed." Bradley shrugged.

"But I thought we were going to..."

"That's going to have to wait." Brad finished before his wife could talk about their baby. The baby he wanted and made her want soon after.