8 Weeks

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter 17 - Cal

While the guys were over helping Shelly move into her new condo, I was pacing a hole in Scott's floor, telling myself over and over why I couldn't join them.

Oh, but I wanted to.

Even though it would hurt to see her moving in to a place without me, I would rather be with her and in pain,than without her and pain free.

I missed being with her.

I missed talking to her.

I missed lying with her in my arms.

I missed sex.

God, did I miss sex.

I didn't have anything to compare it to,because I still didn't remember sleeping with that blonde in Vegas,but sex with Shelly had been perfect. Just listening to Scott andTJ talk about their different sexual experiences, I knew that what Shelly and I had together was rare.

When I heard the key in the door, I froze and got ready to shoot a barrage of questions at Scott about Shelly's new place, but it was Victoria who walked through the door.

She entered and paused when she saw me in the living room. She didn't even bother to hide her distain.

Five foot seven, thin as a rail, and always dressed to impress, Victoria should have been impressive herself,with her sleek bob and perfectly manicured nails. The problem was,she was a total bitch, and that made her a troll in my eyes. I hated that she'd spun her web around Scott, and he seemed unable to see her for what she really was.

"Cal," Victoria said dryly. "Still imposing on Scott, I see."

"Victoria," I responded with a glare."Scott's not here. Is there something that I can help you with? Anew broom perhaps?"

She curled her lip and replied, "You always think you're so cool, don't you. Although ... it's not too cool to be sleeping on your old friend's couch, rather than in bed with your wife."

I saw red and was about to let her have it,when Scott walked in the still open door.

"Victoria!" he said softly, his tone dangerous. I knew from the look on his face that he'd heard our exchange. "That's uncalled for. I wish the two of you would make an effort to get along ... For my sake."

I lowered my eyes, then looked back up and met Scott's gaze. He was right. He was my best friend, and I owed it to him to make more of an effort. As much as I loathed Victoria,she was a major part of his life, and if I didn't get on board,there was the possibility that I would lose him in mine.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing anyone else right now. Especially someone as important to me as Scott. He was like my brother.

"You're right, man. I apologize to you, and to Victoria. Let me get out of your hair for a while, so you guys can have some privacy."

"You don't have to leave, Cal," Scott replied.

"No worries," I said with a smile to both of them. Victoria didn't smile back or reply. Whatever, one of us had to be the bigger person. "I need to go see my folks anyway."

I walked out, leaving them to their evening of planning, and wondering how Scott was ever going to be happy with a woman like Victoria. I didn't understand why he put up with her. He knew what kind of person she was, it's not like she hid it.

I thought about Scott and Victoria's relationship on the drive to my parents, and came to the conclusion that I would never get it. I just needed to be there for my friends and try not to push my opinions on him. He was always there for me,no matter how horrible my mistakes, and I would do the same for him.

When I pulled up to my childhood home my stomach clenched as I thought of my parents, and the disappointmentI knew would be apparent on their faces when they found out about me and Shelly.

I walked through the gate and up the stone path. I smiled at the pots of flowers covering the porch. My mother loved flowers, and she thrived on filling her home with them.

I took a deep breath and put my hand on the doorknob, then let it out as I opened the door and crossed the threshold.

I inhaled spicy cinnamon and tart apples, my mother's favorite scent. She was always known to have some potpourri, candles, and oils scattered throughout the house. This was the smell of my childhood.

"Hey, Cal, what's going on?" My brother was descending the stairs. I looked up and felt a surge of pride. Craig was a senior in high school and about to turn eighteen. He was smart, handsome, and a hell of a baseball player. He was my polar opposite, and I loved him for it.

"Not much, Craig, how's school?"

Craig walked over and put his arms around me briefly, before pulling away with a grin. We could have been twins.We were the exact same height, shared the same dark hair and facial features, but while I had dark brown eyes, his were an unnatural sea green. I'd never seen anything like it.

"Great, only a few months left, and the season is about to start," Craig answered. "I'll send you the schedule."

"Sounds good." I looked around the cozy living room and asked, "Mom around?"

"Yeah," Craig said, thrusting his head toward the back of the house. "I think she's in the kitchen making bread. Dad's out at the golf course."

I clapped my hand on his shoulder and said,"I'll come find you in a bit."

"Sorry, brother," he said, his grin cocky."I've got a date."

"Shit." I grinned back. "Who allowed that?"

He just snorted at me, grabbed his jacket from the closet, and walked out with a wave.

I shook my head, then walked down the hallway toward the kitchen.

"Is that my long-lost son I hear?" My mother's amused voice reached me before I turned in to see her smiling face. She was standing at the island in the middle of the kitchen, her hands full of flour and dough as she kneaded.

"Hi, Mom," I walked over and kissed her on the top of her head. "Sorry I haven't been by recently."

She looked up at me with eyes that matched my own and said, "I figured your absence had something to do with the For Sale sign in front of your house."

I should have known better than to think I would be able to hide anything from my mother.