Looking Beyond

Chapter 38: What Happened?

     "So, just so I'm clear here, you barely speak to me for a month, and when you do, you use my given name – which I hate..." She turned into the parking lot of a small diner. "But you randomly freak out and now you need me?"

     "When you put it that way..." Savannah muttered.

     Brea touched her friend's shoulder. "Sav, you know I've always got your back. I'm just trying to figure out what's bugging you so much that it broke past your stubbornness. I wasn't expecting you to come around until the baby showed up, maybe a month after." She unbuckled her seat belt. "So, spill it. What's wrong?"

     Savannah took a deep breath. "I've ruined things with Erik!"

     "The same Erik who was worried about you as we left?"

     "He's...I don't know!" Savannah grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. "He found out about me and Dan!"

     Brea stared at her friend, puzzled at the announcement. "You...and...Dan? He's always known that you had a thing for Dan, but you haven't acknowledged it in months."

     "I went to take a shower, thinking Erik was there. I thought he was the only one there!" Savannah protested.

     "Okay..."

     "It was Dan! And he was..." Savannah's face flushed redder than Brea had ever seen. "Taking care of his business." She lowered her eyes to her lap to emphasize the topic.

     "Dan?" Brea was truly confused. "Lame Dan? Our housemate Dan?" Savannah nodded. "Engaged to Scarlett Dan?"

     "Yes." Savannah hung her head. "I know I am – was a cock-tease, but never a whore like some guys have suggested, and most certainly never with a guy that was taken..." She choked a few tears back. "Brea, he talked dirty to me! Not just a little either! I couldn't help it – it turned me on! Erik never talks to me like that! Then Dan got out of the shower and he..."

     "What are you talking about?"

     "I let Dan take me from behind in the bathroom! He was rough and nasty! I felt so cheap!" She faced Brea. "It was the hottest thing I've ever experienced."

     "When did this happen, exactly?"

     "I ran a few errands and Erik called to tell me that he was meeting me at the house."

     "Today? Yesterday?"

     "Maybe around dinner time last night."

     "But Erik wasn't mad at you. When I came to your room."

     "He ripped off the medallion I gave him!"

     "He what? Why?"

     "He saw the marks Dan made on me! What am I going to do? I'm not ready to lose Erik!" She grew quiet before speaking again. "Scarlett! I actually LIKE her! Oh my God! I'm a fucking whore!"

     "Sav, Dan wasn't home last night."

     "That's what I thought!"

     Brea held out her phone. "No, really. He left to spend the weekend with Scarlett. I think he wants to move her into his room." Savannah stared at the shorter woman. "I'm serious. Sav. Don't believe me? Watch." Brea called Scarlett.

     "Hello?"

     "Hey Scar! I'm just curious, has Dan been with you all day yesterday and today?"

     "Of course he has. We haven't left my place since we got here yesterday afternoon. Why?"

     "Just wondering. Long story. Thanks."