The Fourth Catch

Chapter 21: A Night Gone Wrong

Concerned Brian might take a jab at Anthony, Levi quickly walked over to the table as Anthony approached closer. "I invited him.." Levi said simply. Brian quickly turned his head to look at him. "I knew something was off." Brian stood up from his chair. "I think I need to go." Brian was aware the way he was acting wasn't how it should be. But actually seeing Anthony again... Except for when he came to Washington to bring Melanie back to Memphis, Brian hadn't seen Anthony since he worked with him. He knew Jennifer wanted him to attempt to be nice. Act like everything was okay. But it wasn't. Brian hated Anthony. He wasn't sure how he could be in the same room as him and pretend things were civil between them. He hated it more it just had to be Anthony stealing his daughter away. Why couldn't it of been someone else? Anybody else?

Brian only made it seem like things could be okay earlier when he chatted with Levi, because he hoped except for the wedding, Brian wouldn't have to see Anthony hardly at all. Though he knew that would be impossible. Brian would have to unfortunately suffer seeing Anthony at times when he didn't. Since they were now connected as family. Whether Brian liked it or not. He was going to have to learn how to be civil if he wanted to see his daughter and granddaughter. Though it was not going to be easy.

Levi sighed and held up his hand to grab Brian's attention. "No wait.. Please?" Brian stood still in his spot, looking at Levi to wait and see what he would say. "You promised you would give a chance.." Brian raised his eye at Levi's comment. "I never promised a thing. You asked me if the idea presented itself would I do so? I said I would like to think I could.. There's a difference. Unfortunately, I don't think I can.."

Anthony raised his eye in return as he listened to the other two men speak. "Are you trying to set us up? Because if you are, you aren't very good at it." Anthony stated. Levi took a sideways glance at his friend with a slight smirk on his face. Though he could hear a hint of sternness in his friend's voice. Levi could tell Anthony in a way was attempting to make light of the situation. The two men recalled when he and Victoria tried to set up Melanie and Anthony. They didn't do the best job back then either. As the two friends had forgotten to describe what the one or the other looked like. And even managed to forget to hand them a photo. The two just sent them off to the restaurant expecting the one or the other to know who each other were. Luckily, since Mel and Anthony had met prior to that, they both exited the restaurant together making the most of the night as long as they both were out. Both assumed once it got to a certain point, their dates abandoned them. They didn't realize until later the two were supposed to be on the date together all along. "Perhaps, so to speak." Levi mumbled.

"Please try this just for Melanie? She wants you to be at the wedding. Hasn't she had enough stuff to deal with as of late without the two of you holding this over her?" Brian closed his eyes at Levi's words and took a deep breath. He hated to admit Levi was right. He could at least try. He wanted to be at his daughter's wedding. Brian was aware his daughter was doing her best to keep her promise of allowing him and Jennifer into her life more. And he needed to figure out a way to do the same. He didn't have to like Anthony. But he could do his best to keep things civil between the two of them.

Brian nodded. "I will do what I can.." He said slowly then looked over at Anthony. Antony nodded his head in agreement. He wasn't sure how long this civility would last, although he didn't mind giving it a shot if Brian was willing. Anthony didn't know if the two men would ever come to terms with liking each other. He would take what he could get. Anthony hoped at least someday they could be in the same room with no arguments. That someday, he and Melanie could sit down in the same room and have a decent conversation with Brian.

"I think we can give this a shot. I am willing if Brian is." Anthony said stating some thoughts out loud. Levi watched the two closely. He then gave a wave of his hand to motion Anthony over to the table. Anthony walked over and sat in the chair across from Brian. Levi then sat at the end table so he was sitting between them. "Who do you think will win the game?" Levi asked after the quietness took over for a few minutes. It was strange to sit here with the three of them. Levi could do fine stirring up a conversation with him and Anthony or just him and Brian. Though it was easier to chat with Anthony since he knew him better. Than it was to start a chat with Brian. But with the three of them, it was difficult. Especially since they weren't able to talk about the wedding, or Melanie since it didn't bring up the best memories. He and Anthony could talk about work, yet Levi didn't want to exclude Brian from the conversation either.