Sometimes Love Isn't Enough

Dirty Little Secret

*Next Day*

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**Brendon's POV**

Man, it feels good to finally have my cast off and to get rid of the crutches. Don't get me wrong, Carlyn has been great looking after me, but I'm independent once more. I'm on my way to the rehearsal space. Health & safety hqve signed off on the piano platform. There were no issues, just my own stupidity and alcohol. They only saw the footage of my fall, nothing else, so the whole things are looking up. I text the band group chat and let them know that I'm on my way. Pete took me to the hospital earlier, and we are now on our way to rehearsals. Carlyn is having a quiet day at home, making the most of her time before the baby comes. I still can't believe that there's a good chance that by this time next week we could be parents.

"Brendon?" Pete's voice snaps me from my thoughts. "Yeah?".
"I'm assuming, by the fact that you are still alive, that you haven't told Carlyn about Elise."
"You would assume correctly, Pete. I'm gonna to talk to Elise today when we do the final costume fittings."
"You can't just sweep this under the rug, Bren.  You can't pretend that it didn't happen."
"Why not?? Elise knows it was a drunken mistake on both of our parts, and what's the point in upsetting Carlyn unnecessarily?" Pete syares at me in utter disbelief. "Brendon. You do know that no good will come of this. It's a stupid way to handle the situation. I'm telling you that this......this will come back and bite you on the ASS!! I love you, man, but at this precise moment I don't like you very much!!"
"Chill, Pete. Everything will be fine. "I smile at him.
"Christ, are the Dr's sure there's no permanent damage to your  brain after the accident? Cos you my friend have lost you're fuckn mind!!!"

**Pete's POV**

I'm getting a migraine from all of this. I can't believe Brendon's acting as if it's no big deal and that he can deal with this without Carlyn ever finding out. He's bloody delusional. He's done some stupid fucked up shit before, but this...., this is something else. I refuse to help him. My anxiety can't take anymore. I think I'm getting a stomach ulcer from all of this !!

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"Hey guys, it's great to be back. Listen, before we start, I want to thank you all for your continued support for both myself and Carlyn over the past few months, and I am  really sorry that I put you all through that. Now, let's get started! Let's start with Roaring 20's." We start off, and it's as though nothing has happened. After a few hours and some food, I have a fitting with Elise.
"Elise! Hey, I am here for my fitting. I say, walking towards her. "Listen, can we talk?"
"Brendon, it's so good to see you back. You really gave us all a fright. I honestly thought you were dead, before the ambulance came, I didn't know what to do. I'm glad you're OK. I've missed you around here ."
"Thanks Elise look I am sorry I put you through all that. It was a stupid thing for me to do, and I'm sorry for dragging you into it. Before you ask, yes, I do remember what we did, and I'm sorry for that as well. I made a really big mistake."
"Oh, Brendon, it wasn't a mistake. We both knew what we were doing. Come on, we've been flirting with each other for years. I knew it was bound to happen one day. I really like you, you know that. I'm sorry we are hurting Carlyn, I really am...."
"Elise, It was a mistake. It should never have happened. We were both drunk, I wasn't in a good place at the time. I love Carlyn, we're about to become parents for christ sake. I do NOT want to hurt her because of a stupid mistake!! There's no reason why she should find out about it."
"If I recall, you didn't think it was a mistake at the time, and you certainly weren't thinking about Carlyn when you were INSIDE ME!!." She whisper shouts at me as she walked away.
"Fuck!!!" I thought this would be easy. We would both agree to forget all about what happened. Now I'm not so sure. This could be awkward when we are on the road. From tbe corner of my eye I see Pete watching and shaking his head as he starts walking back into the main rehearsal area.
"Pete!! Hold on, I need to speak with you" I shout.
"I take it that went well then," he smirks at me. "I can't believe you thought that would work. Now she's royally pissed at you, she LIKES you, YOU have to work with her and CARLYN will be on the road with you both and all of US are going to get caught in the crossfire. YOU need to sort YOUR shit before the tour starts!!! I'm going home, I can't take any more. I'll speak to you later. "
As I watch Pete walk away I realise that he's right. The only way to sort this out is to come clean to Carlyn. Tell her what actually happened the night of my accident. She is going to go utter apeshit. Hopefully, she won't be too bad cos she's so heavily pregnant. She will definitely be upset and angry, shout and scream and possibly throw a few things at me. Shit! I can't do this to her again. Elise won't say anything as she won't want to risk losing her job, but if she he does, and I sack her then she could possibly sue for unfair dismissal. Why do I always fuck things up? I am such an asshole.
'I'm going very tell Carlyn tonight." I text Pete.
"Finally!!!! Its been good knowing you dude. Shes gonna fuckn bury you. Good luck!"
Thanks Pete that makes me feel so much better.
Once rehearsals are through I ask Dan if he can drop me home.
"Dan, is there any way you could drop me off at home?. Pete left earlier, and he was my ride for today."
"Sure, Brendon. I've not seen Carlyn for a few weeks. Is she doing ok? Not long to go now. Are you excited?."
"Yeah, Dan, she's doing good. Nah, it won't be long, and we are both really excited. ". The conversation flows as we drive to my place. As we enter the driveway, Dan looks over at me with concern. "Hey, Bren, are you ok, man? You don't look too good."
"I'm fine, Dan, just tired it's been a long first day back," I lie. What I'm actually thinking is I am just about to watch my marriage implode due to my own self-destructive behaviour.