8 Weeks

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter 19 - Cal

Leaving Shelly the other night had been one of the hardest things I'd ever done. The image of her flushed cheeks, and the look on her face when I'd thrust her up against the door, had made the last few nights unbearable.

I hadn't seen her since, but she didn't seemed pissed when I left, so I hoped that she was still feeling positive about us and was as eager for Saturday's date as I was.

I was waiting at a local bar and grill for TJ and Scott. We'd made plans to grab some dinner and catch half a game before Scott had to meet up with Victoria to go over wedding stuff, and TJ had to meet up with his flavor of the week to hookup.

I had no plans after dinner.

This was the highlight of my day.

How different my life had gotten in a matter of weeks. Usually, they guys were hounding me to come out and hang,and I was blowing them off to spend time at home with Shelly. Now... I was the one who was eager for a night out, and off of Scott's couch.

This was why I was at the bar an hour earlier than our scheduled meet time, nursing a seasonal beer and munching on some chips and salsa.

I'd become a fucking loser.

"Hey, Cal," a high-pitched voice called from over my shoulder.

Shit, I thought as I recognizedMelody Cannon's squeal. Why won't this chick just leave me alone?

"Melody," I said rather harshly, hoping she'dtake a hint.

She didn't.

"You here all by your lonesome?" she asked,lifting herself onto the barstool next to mine, uninvited.

"For now," I said vaguely, turning back to my beer.

"That's a shame. You shouldn't be alone at a time like this."

I didn't take the bait; I ignored her and pretended to be caught up in the act of dipping my chip in the salsa.

"I mean," she went on as if we were having a conversation. "What with Shelly upset with you about your ... indiscretion." She leaned over tome, whispering the last word, and it took every ounce of control for me not to shove her off of the stool.

I guess word had gotten out about the reason why Shelly and I were separated. I'd known it was bound to happen sooner or later, but now that Melody knew about it, it wouldn't belong before the whole town did as well.

Just what I needed.

I tried to turn farther away from her, hoping she would eventually shut up, otherwise I was going to have to walkout.

"Anyway," she continued. "I just want you to know that I'm here for you, Cal. I understand that men have needs,and I won't hold your mistakes against you."

Melody ran a finger along my arm, and I felt my body shiver in disgust. I heard her hop off of the stool and giggle.

"See you around," she said before she walked away.

I don't know how long I sat there, scowling at my beer after she left, but was startled when a strong hand clapped on my back.

"What'd that beer do to you, man?" TJ asked with a chuckle. "How long have you been here?"

I shook my head, eager to forget Melody and spend time with my buddies.

"Not that long," I answered as I stood."Let's go grab a table."

TJ walked up to the hostess, leaned in and said something, then gave her a wink and headed back to a table in the corner with a good view of the big screen.

"You make plans with her later?" I asked with a chuckle as we sat.

"Jealousy doesn't suit you," TJ said wryly,causing me to laugh.

It was a good laugh too, the kind that starts deep in your belly. It felt really good.

We watched the TV in silence, so caught up in the game neither of us noticed when Scott walked up to the table.

"Is someone gonna move over, or am I sitting at the bar?"

I looked up sharply, surprised at Scott's tone, and then the look on his face.

He looked pissed.

I scooted over to give him some room,watching his expression as he told the waitress to grab him a whiskey on the rocks.

"Everything alright, brother?" I asked,seriously concerned. Scott didn't get ruffled very often, and he only drank whiskey when he was really pissed.

Scott just grunted and shook his head.

"Something at work?" TJ prodded.

Scott looked up at TJ, then over at me. "Nah, nothing at work."

"What is it?" I asked again.

Scott looked at me and his face lightened up a bit. He rubbed his hand across his face before replying, "It's not that big of a deal, and I hate to complain and sound like a pussy, especially with everything that you're going through right now, Cal ... But, fuck ... Victoria is driving me insane."

TJ and I shared a moment while Scott's head was down, and I knew my eyes were as wide as his were. Scott had never said anything negative to us about Victoria before. It was hard to believe, but it was the truth.

"What's going on?" I asked him, trying not to sound too excited that Victoria may finally get what she deserves.

The boot.

The waitress brought Scott's whiskey, and I motioned to her to bring me another beer, and he took a long sip before saying, "It's all of this wedding stuff. We had agreed to have a medium-sized ceremony, so that we could invite friends and family, and now she's trying to change everything. She says that she wants it to be smaller and more intimate, which is fine, but then ... "He paused and looked at us both again quickly before downing the rest of his drink.

"Then ..." TJ prodded.

"Then she said that she wants it to just be family. She doesn't want our friends to attend."

"What the fuck?" TJ asked.

"Hell, no," I said as well. "We're your boys, you can't get married without us."

"I know," Scott said, his face tightening up again. "And that's what I told her, but she threw Vegas in my face,and said that when we are all together, bad shit happens, and she wants her wedding to be perfect."

Fuck, I thought.Now my bullshit is interfering with Scott's life.

"Scott, man ... I'm so sorry," I stuttered,the shame burning my throat. "I understand if you need to do this without me."

Scott turned and put his hand at the back of my neck, holding me still so that I had to look directly into his very angry eyes.

"Never gonna happen, Cal," he said pointedly.

Scott let me go and stood up at the edge of the table.

"I just came by to tell you guys what was going on. Face to face. Now I have to go meet Victoria and deal with this." With that said, Scott turned and walked out the door.

"I guess I've got his drink," TJ said wryly.

I chuckled.

"It's on me, since I'm the one fucking up his life."

"Don't pull that bullshit on me, Cal.Victoria is a bitch from way back. She would have found a way to pull this shit one way or another, you're just a convenient scapegoat."

I nodded at TJ, but watched the condensation drip down my glass as I wondered if that damn night in Vegas was going to keep finding ways to fuck with me.