He's not my dad

Part 20

"I'm so hungry" my stomach felt like my throat had been slit. There was no doubt about it I had the munchies.

Chuck was stripping out of his jacket and sniggering. "Lets go swipe some food"

I shook my head "no I can't, I'm the hostess if anyone sees me I'm done for, I'll have to talk to people till my ears bleed"

Chuck stood up and plumped out his chest "I've been waiting all my life for this moment, Its going to be like some James Bond shit"

I laughed as he made his hands look like a gun , he ran from behind the fountain and rolled on the floor. He was the definition of stealth.

It's crazy but spending the last hour hiding out with chuck had been fun, I doubted I would have that much fun being at the party. I had aged 15 years In the last 2 months, I don't remember when I last acted my age.

I was about to stand up and stretch my legs when I heard gregs voice. It stopped me in my tracks. I didn't want him to see me so messed up, I knew he wouldn't approve. He didn't approve of most things.

"I don't know where Taylor is, she was dancing one minute then she vanished. I was hoping you two would meet" greg was taking to a woman but I didn't recognise her voice.

"There's always next time, she must've around here somewhere" the woman replied.

"I'm concerned that she's left me, I couldn't blame her if she did"

"Why would she leave you, by all accounts she's completely in love with you" I took a quick peak at the scene unfolding behind me. The woman was around gregs age and she looked familiar but I couldn't put my finger on why.

"Taylor wants to get married and be a mother and I just don't. I've done all that , I just want to be with her. I know I'm selfish but that's what I want. " Greg sounded pained but his feelings on marriage and children sounded concrete.

"Could you imagine if someone told you when you were young that you couldn't experience the most exciting times of life. Your right you've had marriage and kids, Taylor hasn't and if she decides to stay with you she never will. It must be a hard decision" I didn't know the woman but I liked her already , she knew why I was struggling. I could see myself falling for Greg and the longer we wrong in the harder it would be for me to let him go.

"So I end it, but I don't want to end it. Taylor's the best thing that ever happened to me, no offence. Taylor makes me feel young and we have fun but sometimes I wonder is that why we're together. Am I trying to cling on to my youth"

I was unsure why he would be worried about offending her and then it clicked. Greg was talking to his ex wife Betty, he was telling her out personal business. I was suddenly filled with rage.

"She's just a child really, its foolish to think I would want children in this stage of my life " I didn't let him finish , I cleared my throat and jumped to my feet.

"You bastard" I hissed.

To say he looked surprised to see me would be an understatement. It took Betty a few seconds to realise who I was.

"Taylor how much did you hear" he sounded panicked.

"I'm a child right, the fact that I want marriage and kids with the man I love is foolish right. Yeah the man I love, I said it. But I'm just a toy for you to have fun with, so you can cling to your youth" I was clutching my bag so tight that my knuckles were white. I could see chuck in the distance, I hoped he would be here soon. I needed a friend.

Greg ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair and for the first time he looked lost for words.

"That was taken out of context, you know I love you. Can we not do this in front of my ex wife" he pleaded.

"So you can tell your ex wife all about our relationship but I can't repeat what I heard in front of her. You know what I am too young for this shit" I walked away, I don't know how I managed to reach chuck because my feet were so unsteady. I ignored everything in my path and just waked.

"Hey i got us some food" chuck said with a cheer.

"All I want is to get out of here, will you tell bree I'm leaving if she wants to come" I was numb I felt no emotion, I felt nothing.i was humiliated.

Chuck took my arm and led me inside, he took out his phone and quickly typed a message.

"I've text bree, you need to tell me what happened" he looked concerned, he looked so much like his father at that moment.

"I'll tell you if you help me pack" my voice was empty, I was scaring myself.

He agreed and led me to the bedroom I had shared with Greg. I pulled out my large suitcase and proceeded to just throw my belongings in like they were trash. Chuck indeed help me pack but the speed was not to my liking.

He was looking at me expectantly so I told him everything I had heard. How I didn't cry I'm not sure, maybe you lose the ability to feel when your heart is broken. I'm a proud woman I always have been , I hate the thought of Greg laughing about me with his friends. He saw me a stupid immature girl that didn't matter. He kept me around because I made him feel young, it was hard to hear.

Chuck listened and continued to help me pack, now he knew the story he was packing quickly. He looked lost for words, he looked angry.

"I'm sorry Tay, what do you want to do. You want to go to your parents place or I could take you to a hotel" chuck was kind, I appreciated his friendship.

"None I need to get back to New York, can you drop me at the bus" I asked as I lugged the large case from the bed.

"I can't come back till tomorrow, the band has a really important gig. I can't let them down, can you not stay at hotel till the morning and I'll drive you back"

"No I need to go now, I don't expect you to leave. You've already done so much" I hugged him tight, I could feel the last of my heart crumbling.

"We need to go before he comes looking for me, I can't deal with him" chuck nodded and typed a message into his phone.

"Lets go. My cars at the front, bree replied to my text she said she's staying. She will be back Monday" Greg was shaking his head at his phone, he didn't look happy.

I was hurt that bree wouldn't come home with me when I needed her more than ever but I didn't say anything.

Chuck and I managed to get to his town car without anyone seeing us.

"Ernesto is going to drive you back to the city, here's the keys to my place. If you want to crash there for a few days, I'll be back first thing tomorrow" chuck handed me a set of keys, his kind gesture had taken me by surprise and I was crying.

"Thank you chuck, why couldn't it have been you I met first" I said through sobs.

He was closing the door behind me when he replied "I ask god that every night"