by S. Donahue
Then, all of a sudden, my dad said, “Oh, there's Parker from the store.”
“Lovely,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You still didn't make up?” he asked.
“What? Why would we?”
“Well, I talked to him.”
I thought I was going deaf, because I was sure I hadn’t just heard my dad say that he’d talked to Parker about me.
“What?” I needed to hear that again.
“I thought he was your boyfriend and that he upset you.”
“Are you crazy? He is not my boyfriend. Look at me. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a whale and he's an asshole. We just don't go together.”
“I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just thought he was, because of how upset you were.”
“No, Dad. I can't wait to never see these people again.”
“Hailey, that's not the attitude to have.”
“You have no idea,” I mumbled and tried to turn away from the madness.
“Just take a picture with him,” my dad insisted.
“Dad, no! Stop it! Everyone will stare.”
“He's a nice kid. I wouldn't mind having him for a son-in-law one day.”
My dad had clearly lost his mind. “There's no chance in hell of that happening… ever.”
“Watch your mouth,” he said as he waved Parker over.
I wanted to die completely.
“Parker, son, come here.” He patted him on the back and shook his hand. “Congratulations.”
I was thinking, He's not your son and he never will be.
“Why don't you and Hailey take a picture together?” he suggested, pushing me towards Parker because I refused to move.
“I'm sure Parker has better things to do,” I said, addressing my father as I gave him a “let’s go” look.
“It’s okay, Hailey. We can take a picture.” Parker put his arm around me.
Oh, the awkwardness. Wait until I get my father in the car.
I had a fake smile in the picture because I was definitely not happy.
After he snapped the photo, I said, “Well, we better get going because we have lunch reservations.”
My dad thanked Parker for the picture and we left. I knew I was being rude, but he deserved it.
“Bye, Parker... For good,” I said under my breath. I got in the backseat and left behind all the horrific memories of my high school years…
***
Well, I know my dad would be happy if I said yes to Parker’s dinner proposal.
The worst thing about Facebook: Parker now knows that I saw his message. I'm forced to respond. I type the words and shock myself: I'll go out to dinner with you.
He responds right away from his mobile phone.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course.” Why would he think I would lie?
“I'll pick you up.”
“I'll meet you. Where would you like to go?” I am definitely driving my car just in case it doesn’t work out and I have to drive myself home. It is usually parked in the garage. I don’t usually drive many places in New York, but I need to have a car for when I have meetings outside of New York.
“We can go to Chez Rodolfo. You sure you don't want me to pick you up?”
“I'm sure. I'll meet you there. Eight o'clock, okay?”
“Perfect.”
I'm not sure why I accepted, but I think his kiss had a lot to do with it. I'll see where it goes. Obviously my date with Chase went nowhere, so the same could happen with Parker.
CHAPTER 28
Parker
I'M FLOORED that Hailey actually accepted my invite to dinner. I wish she would have let me pick her up, but this is a start. For some reason, with Hailey I want to go out of my norm. Taking women to dinner is rare for me. I usually meet them at a bar, take them home, sleep with them, and then it’s over. With Hailey, it's different. I feel different. I want to know everything about her. I'm not sure what the attraction is, but I need to find out.
I arrive at the restaurant at 7:45 p.m. and check in with the hostess. There's a nice crowd tonight.
“I'll just wait at the bar for my date to arrive,” I say to her.
I hear my name being called from across the bar and hope it's not someone from my past. Not tonight. I look over and it's my cousins Trenton and Pat, along with their women. What a relief. I wave to them.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender asks.
“I'll take a Heineken and a white wine for my date. She'll be here any minute. I'm just going to talk to those people right over there for a minute.” I point to Trenton and Pat.
“Sure. I'll bring your drinks right over,” the bartender says.
I stroll around the circular bar. With life happening around us, I don't get to see my cousins as much as I used to. Trenton is a famous actor turned mechanic, but he is still in show business. He hosts a popular celebrity dance show on television. He just recently got engaged to a woman named Lauren. His brother Pat and I were very close growing up. Pat works in the stock market and is married to his high school sweetheart, Kristen.
“Trent, Pat, what's going on? Long time no see.” I kiss the ladies hello.
“Yes, I know. What are you doing here by yourself?” Trenton asks me.
“I have a date. She's meeting me here.”
“Oh, nice. Why don't you join us?” Kristen asks invitingly.
“I'll talk to her and see what she says. She doesn't really trust me,” I say, laughing.
“Do you blame her?” Pat asks, jokingly. “You have a reputation with the ladies.”
“I know. I know. I think I see her at the door. Let me go meet her,” I say as I start to walk away.
I think I am just going to keep it to me and her. I don't want Trent or Pat to say anything about me and scare her away.
I walk towards the hostess stand where Hailey has arrived. She looks beautiful in a gray sweater dress that hugs her body, and sexy-ass black heels.
“Hi, Hailey.” I reach over to kiss her cheek. “I ordered you a drink at the bar. We can sit there or go right to our table.”
“We can just sit at our table,” she says, smiling.
“Sounds great. I'll get our drinks.”
The hostess seats Hailey, and I head to the bar, tipping the bartender before I join her.
“I'm happy you showed up.”
“Me, too. Sorry I was late—I ran into traffic,” she apologizes.
“It's okay. You're here, and you look amazing.”
“Thanks,” she says, blushing as she sips her wine and looks around. She seems nervous.
“Are you okay?”
“I'm great.”
“Awesome.” I grab her hand and place mine over hers. “I'm very attracted to you. I think you know that by now.”
“I figured that after your kiss,” she says, smiling.
“No. I mean I really am attracted to you. How would you react if I told you what I would like to do with your body?”
CHAPTER 29
Chase
THIS DAY HAS BEEN a bunch of shit. My plane was wildly delayed when I got to Chicago for my layover. There was a storm, so no planes could fly out until it cleared up.
I called Megan to let her know about the delay and she was understanding. She said she had a few things to talk to me about, as well. I'm so unsure about Megan—I don't trust her, but we need to meet so we can have this talk.
I can't get Hailey out of my mind. I thought about some things on my flight to Chicago. I also spoke with P when I was stuck in the airport. He said that he has a date with Hailey tonight. Even though he's my best friend, it doesn't sit well with me. I feel like he's just trying to get in her pants. She's a conquest for him, since she wouldn't give him the time of day. I also think he's using Megan against me as a distraction to move in on Hailey.
I need to talk to her. She will tell me the truth. I know I should just move on and not care about anything, but I do care about Hailey. I always have. It has been a
lmost two months since the reunion, and this is not what I pictured for us. It’s funny what you start to see when you actually open your eyes.
I knock on the door. Megan opens up and tears start to fall.
“I want answers, Meg,” I say, looking her dead in the face.
“Come on in,” she says, opening the door wider.
“Start talking. Don’t leave anything out.”
“Have a seat. You're going to need it.”
CHAPTER 30
Hailey
I THINK MY MOUTH is hanging open. Why is he talking about my body? I don't want to hear this. I mean we're supposed to be having dinner, and he asks how I would react if he told me what he would do to my body... I'm stunned.
“I think maybe we should change the subject,” I say.
“You just look so hot, you have me acting crazy.”
“Why don't you just think about what you want to eat?”
“Not helping,” he says with a smirk on his face.
“Perv,” I mumble.
“I'm sorry,” he says.
There's silence between us. The waitress comes over to take our order. I ask for grilled chicken and a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Parker orders a steak. When the waitress leaves, I try to change the subject.
“What is it that you do for a living?”
“I own a bar.”
“Oh, that's nice.” I guess that's where he gets his pick of women.
“Yeah, it's a lot of work, but I have managers who run it. I also own an ice cream shop.”
“That’ interesting… You don't look like an ice cream shop owner.”
“Yeah, I get that a lot.”
His phone starts to ring. He excuses himself, saying he has to answer it, but takes the call at the table. I can only hear his side of the conversation.
“What's the matter? I'm having dinner. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here for an hour or so. Okay?”
Then he hangs up the phone.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, that was Chase. He's back from California. He sounds like he's in a bad mood. I don't know what his deal is anymore. He's been acting crazy.”
“Oh,” is all I say. I think, I don't want to know about Chase.
I hope he has a great life with Megan, as much as it brings out a jealous streak in me. I feel like I'm back in high school, watching him in the gym with Carrie.
“Maybe he's just stressed. Who knows?” I couldn’t care less what he does right now.
“Yeah, I don't know. He knows where I'm at.”
“He knows you're with me?”
“Oh yeah, he's okay with it,” he says casually.
“Great.”
A sadness comes over me as I respond. I ask myself mentally for a sign, and the song “Waterfalls” by TLC comes on the restaurant sound system.
I need this date to end. I just want to go home.
CHAPTER 31
Chase
“WHAT ARE THE TEARS for?” I ask Megan as she closes the door.
Of course she doesn't answer. “There's so much to say. To tell you.”
“Meg, just tell me. It's me. We've been through a lot.”
“I just want to start by saying that you know I love you, right?”
“That’s a rhetorical question. Can you love someone you cheated on?”
“I wanted you back. I wanted to be with you and only you. I tried calling you for a month. You wouldn't return my calls. I was pissed, even though I’m the one who fucked up. You may not have cheated, but you pushed me away. The guy I cheated on you with moved on to his next conquest, and I realized it was you I really wanted. I needed comfort. I needed someone… anyone. I couldn't handle not having you and being alone, too.”
Tears flow down her face. She is a sobbing mess. I stand up because I can’t handle seeing her like this. I did care a lot about her at one point in my life. I know something isn't right. I can just tell by the way she is acting. I have so many questions and need so many answers that I don't know where to begin.
“Why did you go to Hailey’s office? If I was with Hailey, which I'm not, it doesn't concern you. We're over.”
She puts her face in her hands, still crying. What the fuck?
“Why are you having a nervous breakdown right now? I'm sorry you’re feeling however you are feeling. But we can't be together—we both know it.”
I'm confused and trying to figure out what is going on. I want to know what's happening with me, but at the same time, I can tell that something I don’t understand is definitely happening with her.
“Chase, I'm pregnant. You’re right. We can't be together. The baby is not yours. We haven't been together sexually for four months.”
I don’t know what to say. What do you say when this is told to you by someone who had your heart and you were going to marry?
“Did you tell the father?” What else is there to ask?
“Yes. He doesn't want the baby. He said that what happened between us should have never happened.”
“Well, he's a dick. He needs to take responsibility. He needs to be there, but if he’s not, you don’t need him.”
“Chase, come here.” She pats the sofa for me to sit down next to her. I feel sorry for her, but she brought this on herself. She left me. I had no plans on leaving her. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Now we can never be; we will never be. I go over to her to hear what she has to say. That is the only reason.
“I have something to tell you,” she says with a serious expression.
“What is it?”
“Parker is the baby's father.”
“What? Fuck!” I bang my hand on the wood table. Not a smart choice—my knuckles are now bleeding.
“Chase, your hand is bleeding.”
“I don’t fucking care. What the fuck happened? I want to know.”
“We slept together when he was comforting me. He was trying to be there for me when I needed someone.”
“I doubt that. It wasn’t about you and comforting you. He wanted a piece of ass.”
“This shit at Hailey's office, he set that up. I’d told him about the baby. He said he didn't want it, said you would want to be a father, if it was yours. He wanted me to cause a scene in her office so he could get Hailey and make it look like you and I were still together. He said that would give me a chance to get back together with you, and then I could tell you the baby was yours.”
“How the fuck can he do this to me? He's my best friend… Well, was my best friend, my brother. I trusted him with everything that I've had. He’s supposedly been there for me my whole life, and this is what he does. What did I do to him to deserve this kind of treatment?”
“Chase, nothing. You did nothing. He's not your friend. He's jealous of you. I have told you this before. He wants everything you have or want. He's going to fuck and leave Hailey the same way he did me,” she warns.
I can’t grasp how he could do this to me. It hurts. My heart hurts. He slept with my ex-girlfriend, whom I was going to make my fiancée. He always told me that I should break up with her or something of the sort. I always listened to his judgments. I've always thought he had my best interests at heart. I guess I was wrong… wrong about everything. Now Megan is pregnant with P’s baby, and he wants her to pin it on me. What the fuck? I have to run it all over again in my head for it to sink in.
I turn to Megan. I need to know, so I ask, “Did you sleep with P before?”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“Meg, don't play dumb with me.”
She looks up at me. She doesn't really need to say anything. The answer was written all over her face. “Chase, I'm sorry,” is all she can say.
“How could you? How the fuck could you? I was going to marry you. Don't ever look at me again... ever,” I yell.
“Chase, it wasn't just me. He also slept with Carrie. He told me.”
I start to see red… Blood red. I look at Megan. “Take a look at me.
This is me walking out of your life forever. You did this, not me. I can never forgive you for what you've done to me. I thought maybe I could forgive you when it was just that strange guy who I didn't know, but to sleep with my best friend—that takes a lot of guts. Lose my name and number.”
I walk out of her door for good. I jump in my SUV and slam the door. I need to go save Hailey from that piece-of-shit trash named Parker. My body is numb. I should have known; the signs were always there. I chose not to think that he would betray me this way.
I was wrong.
I know that he’s taken Hailey out to a local restaurant, so I call him on the phone on my way there. I don't want to give away how angry I am. I don't want him to know that I know. I just want to check and see if he is still at the restaurant and for how long.
I walk through the double doors of Chez Rodolfo and tell the hostess that I'm looking for Donnelly party of two. As she brings me to the table, Parker looks shocked to see me there.
“Chase, what's going on, bro? Why are you here?”
I stare him down. I want to punch him in the face right there, but Hailey is looking at us. I want to be the better guy and don’t need violence because, once she knows the truth, she will be able to decide for herself.
“Your game is over. I know everything. I talked to Megan. I know about the baby.”
“What baby?” P snaps at me. “What are you talking about? She’s lying. She’s a compulsive liar.”
“Oh, really? You didn’t sleep with her and get her pregnant and then decide it would be fun to pin it on me?” I don’t give him a chance to speak. I look at Hailey. “He also planned that whole entire scene at your office yesterday. He wanted you to think me and Megan were still together so he could get in your pants and leave you, like he does everyone.”
