Dare To Love

chapter 33

Seth, Beth, and Decker looked up as a surprise guest arrived at the banquet dinner table. It was none other than Seth's ex-boyfriend, Hunter along with his parents. No one was expecting him, and his arrival created an awkward tension at the table.

"Hello, Seth. It's good to see you again," Hunter's father said as he took a seat at the table.

Seth looked at him coolly. "Hello, it has been a long time."

"I heard about this banquet dinner and thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up with everyone. It's been a while," Hunter said, trying to sound casual.

Seth nodded but didn't say anything. He was still angry at Hunter for being here, especially when he knew how he had treated him in the past.

As the night wore on, Hunter made slick comments about how there was no way Seth could be happy in this "situation ship" he was in with Beth and Decker.

"Do you really think your opinion matters? What would you know about healthy relationships? Do you recall how you treated Seth Decker?" says Seth.

"What is he talking about?" Hunter's father asks.

"Oh, you never told your parents how you treated me, Hunter?" Seth says. "Let's go back. Maybe how your son kept me a secret for 4 years and brought girls to your home. And when he finally decided I was okay enough to be his boyfriend, he constantly cheated on me behind my back and in front of my face and told me it was my fault because I wasn't good enough to keep his eyes only on me," Seth says.

"Hunter, how could you? Seth has always been a good person to you," his father said.

"I may have messed up, I'll admit, but I wouldn't put my supposed best friend in a predicament where he's forced to not be himself," Hunter says.

Decker couldn't help but speak up. "What's your problem, Hunter? Seth is happy with us. We love him and support him. That's all that matters," he said.

Beth nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Hunter. You don't know anything about our relationship with Seth. We make each other happy, and that's all that matters," she said.

Hunter looked at them skeptically. "Come on, guys. You really think this is a healthy relationship? Or that you're doing it for Seth's benefit?" he asked.

Seth shook his head. "It's not up to you to decide what's healthy for me, Hunter. We're happy, and that's all that matters," he said firmly.

"I just don't get it. You act like I was the one who treated you bad and can't be forgiven. But I know Decker hasn't been perfect to you. And now this girl... You say you are always true to yourself, but if you were, you'd know you don't want to be with a woman," Hunter says.

Beth takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky. I can tell she wants to cry. "Listen, Hunter. Alright, I don't give a rat's ass what you think. I haven't for years, and I'm not going to start today. Decker will always be untouchable. He was there for me when you weren't. And guess what? He is the kind of boyfriend you'd dream of being. He doesn't keep me a secret, doesn't cheat on me, or think I'm bad in bed. Yeah, I'm going there. And as for this beautiful woman next to me, yes, I love her. Do you hear me? I love her so much I got her pregnant in the first year we've been together. Me and Decker knocked her up. So please shut up because no one wants to hear what you have to say. I'm loved and love being loved by them, and our love will continue to grow with our growing family. Seth says.

"So please, Hunter, stop comparing yourself to me or Decker because if Seth's words have yet to sink in, you will never be where we are standing, okay?" Beth says.

"So, Mom and Dad, I hope you're ready to be grandparents," Seth says, and we look at his mom, who is beaming.

"Beth, come give me a hug. You've given me the greatest gift ever. OMG, I can't wait to call your mother. Decker, so much to do. Ahh, sorry for all the tears, but I'm so happy," she says.

"Congratulations, son. Being a father is an honor, and I'm so proud to see you experience it. And Decker, same to you," Dad says.

"Oh, it's twins, by the way. And honestly, it's these boys that gave me a great gift," Beth says, beaming.

Hunter looked down, feeling ashamed. He knew that he had hurt Seth deeply in the past, and it would take time to make things right.

Later in the evening, Hunter's mother cleared her throat, "You know, Hunter still loves you. He's never stopped talking about you."

Seth looked surprised. "Really?" he asked.

Hunter's mother nodded. "Yes. He's never been able to find anyone like you. He's made mistakes, but he wants to make things right," she said.

"But that shouldn't change anything for you, Seth. What I heard my son did to you is deplorable," his father said.

"It doesn't change my mind. I'm happy with where I am and who I'm with. I should thank him, I guess. If he didn't behave the way he did, I wouldn't have what I have now. I can't imagine my life without these two. My heart beats for them," Seth says.

As the night wore on, Seth's parents asked more questions about everything. They wanted to know when the baby was due, what their plans were, and how they were feeling.

"I'm just so happy that you guys are doing so well. And the babies... I'm especially happy. You didn't let Jenni's little game ruin you. When Lizzie told me what she did, I was upset," Seth's mother, Miranda, said.

"What did Jenni do?" I ask.

"When she came to the house to tell Seth and Decker about seeing Beth at the gynecologist," Miranda says, worried.

"She did what? That conniving little... that's it, I've had enough," Beth says and walks away.

"Mom," Seth says, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. She didn't know. I thought-"

"Let me go talk to her," Miranda interrupts.

"No, Mom. Beth is our girlfriend, and it's our fault. We'll be back at the table," Seth says, and they both follow Beth.

"Baby, we're sorry. Can we please talk to you?" Seth says.

"Babe, we aren't keeping secrets from you," Decker adds.

"When did she come over?" Beth asks.

"The day you left for Kate's house," Seth says.

"So, she saw me and went running to you guys when you aren't her men, and what I do is none of her business. This is our relationship," Beth says.

"We know, and we told her that we didn't believe a word she said, baby. And we never would. You are our woman, and we had to hear it from you," Seth says.

"She's going to get what's coming to her. Let's go back inside. And I better hope you wouldn't believe her. I'm your woman, and trust me, I'm not mad. But you two will be punished," Beth says and winks.

They head back to their table, wrap up their conversations, give hugs to Seth's parents, and say goodbye to Hunter's family.

Hunter listened to their conversation, feeling a pang of jealousy. He couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like if he had stayed with Seth.

Then Hunter stood up and grabbed Seth's arm, stopping him from moving.

Seth noticed Hunter's gaze and spoke up. "Hunter, I heard what you had to say tonight, but it's time for you to move on. I'm happy with Beth and Decker, and I want to focus on our future together," he said firmly.

Hunter looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions. He knew that he had messed up, but he couldn't help but feel jealous of the life that Seth had built without him.

As the night came to a close, Seth, Beth, and Decker left the banquet hall.

Hunter stayed behind for a moment, looking at the empty table and feeling sad. He knew that he had a lot of work to do if he ever wanted to make things right with Seth. But for now, he would have to watch from the sidelines as Seth started a new chapter in his life.