Still Breathing

Chapter 20: Not over you

Bucky Pov present day 2022

Sharons Baby Shower

"Who brings a date to a Baby shower?" Steve asks as he hands me and Sam a beer.

We sit on the steps in the backyard and watch Sharons mother and sister and cousins make her a flower crown. I shrug and roll my eyes as I take a sip. "Who serves liquor at a baby shower?"

Steve laughs and Sams asks, "What kind of woman say yes to a baby shower date?"

Steve jokes, "a woman that want babies I guess."

Sam points to me and says, "A woman that want little Barnes babies running around."

"It's not like that. were friends sort of..." I tell them, not even believing my own bullshit.

Sam scoffs, "if she is such a good friend, why haven't we met her?"

"She works at this flower shop I frequently... been hanging out in lately." it comes out awkward and they laugh at me.

Sam pokes me and says, "So were hanging out in flower shops now. you must really like this girl."

I neither confirm nor deny this. I haven't told them, about the weeks I spent stalking Marley and hanging out in places she might pop up. after the disaster of the board celebration weekend, I've decided to give up and try to give off the impression that I'm over it and have moved on.

Steve asks, "Is this your first date?"

I nod my head and Sam groans and then laughs. "your losing your touch."

Steve interjects, "Or... he really likes her, and he is bringing her in to meet the friends. I mean this is quite the big deal."

"What's a big deal?" Nat asks as she walks out of the house with a fruit platter. She sets it on the table next to where were sitting.

I tell them, "It's not a big deal. I don't know what to say, I panicked. Maybe I've been out of the game too long. One minute we were talking about flowers and the next I was asking her to swing by. She was just looking at me with those big eyes. I didn't know what to do. it got awkward."

Nat is now standing next to Sam. He puts his hand on her waist, and she asks now frowning, "What is awkward? What are you guys talking about?"

Sam smiles down at Nat and says, "Bucky invited a date."

Nat turns to glare at me, and I gesture towards all the bouquet centerpieces on the tables and say, "Hey, thanks to me, we got a really nice discount."

Sam points at me and says, "good thinking, just don't ruin it until after my wedding. We could use a discount too."

I take a sip of my beer and say, "no problem. Glad to help."

Nat still looking serious finally says, "I invited Marley."

We all get quiet for a minute. they all look at me for my reaction and then Sam says, "And you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't think it would be a big deal." She says shrugging.

"Are you going to be okay with that?" Steve asks me.

"yea. I mean, I don't care. She's Sharon's friend too. of course she would want her here." I say as I focus on my beer. after a second of too much silence, I get up and say, "I'll be right back." and I gesture towards my empty beer bottle.

Steve follows me and says, "hey, I doubt she shows up."

We walk over to the table with the drinks, and I pick up a bottle of water. I don't respond. Just bringing her up has changed the mood entirely.