8 Weeks

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16 - Shelly

I'd lain awake last night, reliving the events of yesterday's date in my head.

I'd felt happy, sad, and confused.

The day with Cal had been almost perfect. It had felt normal and familiar. We'd been Us.

Being with Cal that way, talking, laughing, and having fun, had made it easy to forget the pain of the last few weeks. And when he'd kissed me ... I'd wanted to sink into that feeling and pull him in closer.

I missed him.

I missed us.

I missed sex.

Seriously ... I missed the joy and comfort that came along with giving yourself fully to the person that you love. The utter abandon that came with having sex with that person.The contentment you felt afterwards, when you fell asleep in their arms.

That's how I'd always felt with Cal, and I missed sharing that with him.

I was beyond confused.

On one hand, I missed and loved my husband.On the other, I hated the way he'd betrayed me and made me feel.

I felt as if I were at war with myself.Now, I was preparing to move into a one-bedroom condo that Sasha had found for me. The current owners were looking for someone to rent to own,and I was about to become that person.

I was nervous and excited about living on my own. I'd gone straight from my dad's to being married and living with Cal, so I'd never lived alone.

I heard a knock and my dad talking, so I went out, expecting to see the girls, and was surprised to see Scott and TJ sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"Hey, guys," I said. "What's going on?"

Scott stood when he heard my voice and responded, "Gaby told me that you were moving today, so TJ and I thought we'd come help. We didn't want you ladies having fun without us."

TJ grinned and I smiled back at the two of them, then my smile dropped when I wondered if that meant Cal was coming too.

At the look on my face, Scott shook his head and said, "It's just us."

I briefly wondered what Cal was up to, but understood that him helping me move into a new place would be hard on both of us. Moving out of our house had been difficult enough.

"Thanks, guys."

"We're your friends too, Shel, no matter what happens," Scott responded with a sad smile.

I nodded and started to respond, when the door flew open and Sasha came whirling in.

She even made workout clothes look fabulous.

"Hey, Papa," she said, leaning in to give my dad a kiss on the cheek before turning to the rest of us. "Hey,guys. Let's get this party started."

We headed outside, where I already had the truck backed up in the driveway. All of my stuff was still in boxes in the garage, where we'd left it last week.

Gaby arrived in the mist of our loading up the truck, and jumped in to help out.

With six of us working, we had everything loaded up in no time, and were heading off to my new home. It wasn't much, but I was ready to be out of my father's house and back out on my own.

We made quick work of unloading the truck andI ordered pizza for everyone to thank them for helping me out. We were sitting around my new living room floor eating when Scott said, "I have to go, Victoria and I are meeting to plan our rehearsal dinner."

I noticed his eyes go straight to Gaby's.They looked at each other, seeming to have a private conversation with one look, before she turned her head and looked down at her pizza.

That was weird ...

"Okay," I responded. "Thanks again for coming and helping out. It would have taken us a lot longer without your muscles."

TJ stood, flexed dramatically, and said,"That's what all the ladies say."

Sasha snorted at that, and TJ leaned over and tweaked her nose.

"You love it," he said with a grin.

"Thanks again," I said with a chuckle, giving first TJ, then Scott, a hug.

I walked them to the door, and after TJ walked out I stopped Scott by placing my hand on his arm.

"Is he doing okay, Scott?" I asked quietly.

Scott looked at me, his deep brown eyes reflecting concern. "He misses you, Shel. Look, I know it's none of my business, but I've known Cal forever, and I know what you mean to him. He's a great guy, the best. He made a terrible mistake, andI feel horrible that this all came about at my bachelor party. We never should have let him leave. We never should have separated. I love you both and I hate to see you both in so much pain." He put his hands on my shoulders. "You have to know, Shel, he's gutted over this. No one will love you the way that he does. He will love you forever. Just think about that before you make any final decisions."

I nodded slowly, unable to stop tears from falling at his words. He lifted a hand and wiped them off of my cheek before pulling me in for another hug.

"You'll both get through this. I love ya,Shel."

He released me and walked out to where TJ was waiting, a look of sorrow on his face. I closed the door slowly,then turned and leaned against it, my eyes closed.

I heard feet approaching and opened my eyes to see Gaby coming toward me, a glass of wine in her hand.

"What do you say we have a drink, then get started on making this house a home?"

"Okay," I said, then laughed when Sasha ran over and pulled me into a bear hug.

It was great having friends who could see you through anything.