Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 3: Too much

I hadn't felt this level of perplexity since I discovered that Brooke and Michael were engaged and had been dating secretly for a year. "You wanna say that again?" I asked. Michael sighed. "Brooke and I are getting a divorce." He repeated stretching each syllable. There was a part of me that was heartbroken and devastated for my best friend and little sister but then there was another part of me that was turning summer saults.

"You do realize you've been married for fifteen years? If you've made it this long I don't see the point of getting a divorce." Michael sighed. "We have been married for fifteen years. Unhappily married." He replied folding his arms across his chest. Michael and Brooke Jackson, the picture-perfect couple with the picture-perfect life, unhappy?? No way.

"I don't see why you could be unhappy. You've got a beautiful wife, beautiful kids, a great career and a gorgeous house. If anybody should be unhappy it should be me. I've never been married and I had a kid for a jerk who didn't have the balls for fatherhood. What's your story?" I asked, crossing my legs. "Okay, I admit. The first few years were bliss. But then Rowan was born and Brooke and I sorta fell out of touch. It's like, we weren't compatible any more." Maybe you weren't compatible to begin with. I sighed. "Can't you make it work Mike? I mean fifteen years?!? You're just gonna throw that away?" I asked. Michael sighed. "We've tried to make it work Erin! There's nothing left for us to do. I love Brooke but maybe it's best that we just go our separate ways." He replied. I never thought I'd hear him say this. Fifteen years ago he was so in love.

"Well, what about your kids. Who's going to have custody?" I asked. "Brooke." Michael replied. "I just need a little time to myself. To be honest, I haven't even been living here. I've just been coming over whenever she has these gatherings just so we can look like we have our shit together when in reality we don't." He hissed. I shook my head. I was totally at loss for words. "She won't tell me, I know. She has too much pride." I declared. "Please don't mention it to her. She'll be so mad." Michael begged. I sighed standing up from the chair. "You won't have to worry about me saying anything. I just can't believe this is happening. I thought you and Brooke were gonna grow old together." I assured him. Michael sighed. "I thought so too."

To be honest, I'd seen this coming before Michael and Brooke even got married. They were a lovely couple but they didn't mesh quite well together. Not like Michael and I did.

"But hey, I'll still be here for you no matter what. No might not be my brother -in- law any more but you'll always be my best friend." I declared matter of factly. Michael pulls me in for a hug. "That's why I love you Erin." He whispers into my hair. "I love you too Mike." I reply. "No, I love you." He replies. Perhaps this is a bit too much too soon. Suddenly the door opens and Michael and I quickly pull apart. Harry stands at the door with a quizzical expression upon his face. "Um Mom, Uncle Michael. Aunt Brooke told me to tell you all that the food's ready." He announces. His green eyes switching from Michael to me. I tried my best not to look like a deer in the headlights. "Good to see you Harry!" Michael exclaims. "You too Uncle Mike. Are you guys coming?" He ask, his voice cracking slightly. "Yeah kiddo, we'll be there." I replied nodding to my son. Harry closes the door and runs off into the backyard.

I turned to Michael with a slight smile. "You'll get through this." I assured him giving his hand a squeeze. Michael gave me a small smile before heading out to the back yard.

*****

"I'll get the rest of that Honey." Michael tells Brooke as he grabs the plastic bag from Brooke's grip. It's nearly sunset. All the family has left and Brooke, Michael and I are picking up trash outside. Harry and Rowan are upstairs making sure the younger kids get to bed. "Thanks babe. I'm going to go check on the kids, see if they're giving Harry and Rowie a hard time." Brooke replies before placing a kiss on Michael's cheek. I smirk to myself. What a fine little actress she was. If only she knew that I knew.

"Encore!" I shout sarcastically clapping my hands once Brooke is gone. Michael smiles picking up a plastic cup and dumping it into the bag. "That girl's so full of pride it's not even funny." I declared tossing my own cup into the bag. "When do you think she'll tell you?" Michael ask. I roll my eyes. "At the very last minute." I reply. We finish picking up the rest of the trash in silence. Michael slings the bag over his shoulder and stares at me.

"What?" I ask, slightly embarrassed by the attention I was getting from him. Michael sighs. "You know, I've been thinking." He declares. "About what?" I ask tying the trash bag into a knot. "About us." Michael replies. My eyebrows shoot up and I suspect he's been thinking about us in a totally different way than I think. "We were so close. We almost had a future together. But I ruined that." Michael continues. "Damn right you did." I muttered, turning to walk back into the house. This was a very sensitive topic Michael was getting on. We hadn't discussed this in the past fifteen years. I never got an explanation for Michael's decision on marrying Brooke and to be honest, I really didn't want to hear it.

"Erin, I'm not finished." He calls to me. I rolled my eyes before turning around. "I know that I messed up. But, even though I married Brooke I still have strong feelings for you. I always have. Now that Brooke and I are getting a divorce I was thinking maybe you and I could recapture what we had going on." Michael spoke stepping closer to me. For the second time that day, I was at a loss for words. He informs about his divorce and then practically ask me to start a relationship with him in one day.

"I don't know what to say Michael. This is all so sudden." I reply. "Well, say yes. I know this is a bit complicated but we can make this work. I love you." Michael says softly. Right then and there something snapped in me. Michael had told me this on several occasions. That night when he was drunk and we had sex and even a few minutes before he got married to Brooke. He'd said it so many times but never truly proved it to me. If he truly loved me he never would have married Brooke.

"So what is it Michael? I'm I just you're second choice. When you're finished with Brooke you think I'll be around to ease your loneliness and tend to your needs?" I snapped. I was beginning to feel the same level of rejection and pain I felt fifteen years ago. So many mixed feelings had washed over me. Yes, I was still in love with Michael and wanted nothing more than to be with him. But there was still a part of me that was still hurt and upset about being screwed over.

"Erin, it's not like that." Michael assured me. "Oh really Michael? Then what is it? You chose Brooke over me. Was I not good enough for you? Now that Brooke's out of the picture you feel you can finally get to me? If that's not being second best I don't know what else to call it." I replied exasperatedly, pushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "Erin-"He protest but I cut him off. "And furthermore, if you truly loved me you wouldn't have played with my emotions and you wouldn't have married Brooke!" I scream furiously throwing down the trash bag I had forgotten I was holding. I bit my lip choking back tears. He had seen me cry over him once. He wouldn't see it again.

"I think it's time for Harry and I to get home. It's getting late." I announced before he could say anything more. I swiftly turned my back to and headed into the house to retrieve my son. I couldn't believe him. This was too much to take in one day.