Secrets & Lies

3| Just Drinks

"I told my dad I would meet him in town to go over some business," I said to Amelia with regret. After our long talk on the boat about the connection this engagement had to working for my father, I felt bad for leaving her here. 

Amelia shrugged a shoulder as she nodded. "Okay, no problem. I'm going to relax and take a bath. Its been a long day," she added with a laugh.

She wasn't wrong. I wasn't planning on taking her out on the boat and spilling all those secrets. But I couldn't take it anymore. She deserved to know. She needed to know the truth if we were going to get married. The sad truth that I had a better chance of working for my father's office if I was a married man. Of course, a straight married man. 

I wasn't surprised by her anger when I told her the truth. I was surprised when she ended up agreeing to still marry me. I've known Amelia for decades, and she wasn't the type to forgive something like that. Of course, she didn't know everything.

"Yeah," I replied. "I know it's been a lot for you." I leaned in and kissed her softly. "You're pretty amazing, Amelia."

"I know," she teased and we both laughed.

"Go get some rest," I playfully ordered with a smile. "I'll see you later." 

When Amelia headed up the stairs, I went straight to the kitchen. My room was upstairs and I needed to shower, but I had a feeling it was going to be awkward if I followed her up. Hence the reason I was opening the fridge and pulling out the vodka bottle. 

I threw back two shots and exhaled a deep breath before I leaned against the counter. I lied to Amelia. I wasn't meeting my dad this afternoon. I was having dinner with Grant. I knew saying I was with my dad would be safe because he was going into the city and wouldn't be back until late. I hated lying to her. I did love her and she meant a lot to me; but this whole engagement thing had me losing my mind. 

I put the vodka bottle back into the fridge and headed to my room. Amelia should be in the bath by now. Once I made it to the third floor landing, I peeked down the hallway. Yep. She was nowhere to be seen.

My dinner with Grant was in a couple hours and I was already nervous as hell. It's been years since we've shared a meal. Its been years since a lot of things.

I went to my closet and pulled out a pair of dark denim jeans, my New York Giants Jersey, and one of my leather jackets. I laid the outfit out on the bed before taking off the filthy clothes I was wearing. Being on a boat all fucking day in the sun made you sweat. After I tossed them into the hamper, I turned on the shower and got the temperature right where I wanted it. Just as I went to step in, my phone went off. 

G: Hey. We still on for tonight?

I didn't blame him for being skeptical. There were many times where either he or I bailed when we were supposed to meet. I wasn't bailing this time. So, I gave him an honest answer. 

Me: Absolutely. I'm looking forward to it. To seeing you, was what I really wanted to say.

G: Vincenzo's at 7?

Vincenzo's was a really fancy Italian restaurant. My heart started pounding in my chest. That very familiar panic crept down my spine. Vincenzo's felt like...a date date. I didn't know if I was ready for something like that. I was still fucked in the head about this whole engagement thing. When I didn't answer, Grant sent another message. 

G: How about Jack's? Just drinks? Same time. 

I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding. He knew me too well.