what the heart wants

chapter 8: All I wanted was your love.

 It was the second of March which meant there was exactly one month until Ella’s wedding. It’s been about a good 3 weeks since I last saw James, and in those weeks I’d manage to help out Ella and completely avoid James. I’d seen Emily once or twice, but I was as far away as possible because I really couldn’t talk to her and not call her a home wrecker or punch her in the head. At the moment, I am at The Happy Drinker for it’s grand re-opening. I had added some more tables for people to eat and drink with more room, as well as a dance floor, and a small stage for bands to play, and I also started a karaoke thursday. I was pretty excited for it. It was 7 and the place was already looking good. I had also made some moderations to the office, and remodeled the bathrooms. I had to admit that I was pretty excited, and kind of happy; a happy I hadn’t been in a long time. I was standing behind the bar. I still needed to get one more bartender so I could just watch everything from a distance, but I focused on getting some cooks and waiters first. “Mili this place looks amazing!” Ella said as she walked into the bar, Leo trailing not far from her. 

“Love the shirt Leo,” I said. And of course I was referring to his 49ers jersey that Russell let him borrow. We had bet that the niners would win, and they did. And now Leo had to wear the jersey until football season started again. Leo let out a grunt and sat at the bar. I looked over to Ella and said, “How are the wedding details coming sis?” Ella rolled her eyes. 

“I’m SO excited but this one could care less,” Ella said as she took the seat next to Leo. 

“I’m excited about you being my wife, but if it were up to me we’d get married right now at city hall,” Leo replied. I smiled. 

“That’s cute,” I say. Ella rolls her eyes. 

“Sure, he says that now,” Ella replied. Then Ginger came in. 

“Wow! This place looks great,” Ginger said as she sat next to Ella. 

“Where’s Russell?” Asked Ella. Ginger looked down at the bar.

“He hasn’t slept at home at all this week,” Ginger said. 

“Oh,” Ella said. I took in a deep breath. Russell had been at my place, but Ginger didn’t know and neither of us wanted to tell her. 

“That’s uhm....that’s bad?” I ask carefully. 

“Yes! It’s so obvious on what he’s doing!” Ginger yelled. 

“What?” I asked curiously. 

“Cheating on me!” Ginger said furious. 

“No way. I’m sure he isn’t,” I replied. 

“What makes you think he is?” Ella asked. 

“He never sleeps at home anymore! One time I asked him where he was staying and he said with his parents and then I called them and he hasn’t stayed there in like a month! And now he doesn’t even answer me,” Ginger said with watery eyes. I glance over to Leo, who also knows that Russell is staying with me and he’s trying to look busy while starring at the menu. 

“Have you told him you know?” Ella asked. 

“He’s not cheating on her,” I say. 

“He is Mili! He’s cheating on me,” Ginger said a tear escaping. 

“No he’s not,” I say. 

“Why would he cheat on me!? Especially now,” Ginger said as more tears ran down her cheeks. 

“What do you mean by ‘especially now’?” Ella asked. We all looked at Ginger as she pulled out a tissue from her purse. 

“Ginger?” I say. Ginger blows her nose then looks at us. Then she begins to cry, but like hard core crying, with her mouth wide open and boogers coming out. “Let’s go in my office,” I say as I quickly tell the other bartender to watch the place.