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Cam’s long black hair hits halfway down her back and her honey brown eyes make her pale skin even more pronounced. She is stu
I smile and start to say hello, but Campbell pulls me into her tightly and gives me a huge hug, which is very out of character for her. Growing up in foster care, Cam never had the affection most of us take for granted. She never shared stories with me about the different homes she had been in; but she did with Jen, and from what I came to understand was that things happened to her growing up, making her very uncomfortable with affection. So this hug is something to not take lightly.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for the funeral, Viv. I loved Will like a brother. He took care of all of us when we needed it.” She whispers her sentiments low enough not to bring attention to the others, but her words sting my heart. I’ve moved on from the love that I lost, but the reminder still hurts, and it’s not something I think I will ever fully get over.
“Thank you, Cam. We are doing okay. It took time, but I’ve been able to move on, and I can finally say that I’m all right. Thank you for that, though. Will was a good man, the best of men.”
She pats my back, and we all turn to make our way back to our seats at the bar. We take our seats and immediately inundate Campbell with questions about what she has been doing, where she has been travelling, and what bands she’s been with. She can barely keep up with our rapid fire.
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret!” Carly shouts over the noise of the growing crowd, pointing at Jen like she might climb the bar.
“Cam’s band is playing here, and I just found out like two days ago, so I thought it would be a fun surprise. Besides, it’s not the only little-something in store for this evening.”
“Well, I don’t think anything can top Cam being here,” I say, clinking my glass with Cam’s.
“Surprise number two should be here anytime, so drink up ladies; this is going to be a group affair tonight!”
“Group affair?” Carly asks.
“Yeah, you didn’t think you got dressed up for me, did you? I got you hot-to-trot for your men-folk. They should be here any minute. Amanda is watching everyone’s children, even your little demonling, Carly. I’m getting my girls drunk and laid! Woohoo!” she yells.
My smile fades as her words sink in–Brooks has been invited out with us. I only hope that he has decided to stay away. The last thing I want is to see him tonight. I quickly plaster my fake smile into place, unwilling to call attention to my unease.
I glance over at Carly who is gleaming with anticipation. Apparently, this is one of the few date nights she and Jack have had in the two years since Olivia was born. I don’t want to ruin her night, but I’m still angry at Brooks, and I don’t think I could contain my anger like I did the last time I saw him. Her eyes light up and I follow her line of sight to see Jack come through the front doors. I feel myself holding my breath waiting to see Brooks just behind him, and relief washes over me when I see Jack is alone.
Just when I think I’ve caught my bearings, I hear the tap, tap on the microphone. Everyone in the bar directs their attention to the darkened stage, and my heart plummets into my stomach when I see the spotlights shine down on Brooks standing center stage, gripping onto the mic.
“I know you are all here to see Absolution, and they will be out in just a second to give you guys an awesome show, but they allowed me to steal the stage for a minute,” Brooks a
“There is someone special here tonight, and I’ve asked the band to sing a special song just for her.” The drunken partygoers break into applause as I mumble curse words under my breath. I look to Jen, who is hardly able to contain her shit-eating grin, and then Carly, who has lost all focus and is making out with Jack like the sex-depraved parents I’m sure they are.
“You see, guys, I had the most amazing woman in the world, but I lost her. I lied to her, and hid something from her. I’m standing up here tonight to let her know I’m not ru
Everyone erupts into cheers as he jumps off the stage and the band begins to play. The smooth guitar melody sweeps through the buzzing atmosphere. When the lead singer finally lets out the first notes of the hypnotic love song, the crowd screams and then sways with the rhythm of the music. I don’t allow myself to be pulled into the soothing lyrics or overwhelming beats of the song. Instead, I focus on my embarrassment. Not only do my friends now know that something has happened between Brooks and me, he has presented our dirty laundry to every drunken patron of the bar. I’m sure every other girl in the world would be impressed and taken aback by the grand gesture. But as much as I love this man, I’m too hurt and pissed to care about this public a
When the house lights darken, I lose Brooks in the crowd; I know he’s headed my way, and my emotions are telling me to do so many different things, I feel like I’m being torn apart. The confusion on the faces of my friends does nothing to help my plagued psyche. All I know is I need to find Brooks before he finds me. I refuse to sit at a table for the duration of the evening with him pretending like his scene made everything better.
“What the fuck was that?” Jen asks as I hop off my barstool, sca
Ignoring her question, I drain the last bit of my glass of wine and move away from the bar. “Stay here, I’ll be back in a second.”
I don’t make it very far before I run into the strong, toned chest that I have spent many nights snuggled up against. He wraps his arms around me and kisses the crown of my head. I desperately want to melt into him, but I don’t let myself. I have forever been that weak girl that didn’t think she deserved this relationship, but I now know I deserve better than a relationship where honesty is not a priority. I can’t just forget his betrayal and sweep this all under the rug.
I move out of his strong arms and step away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Vivian, give me a chance to explain everything. I pushed you away last time and it was such a huge mistake.” I see the torment in his eyes pleading for forgiveness, but as much as I want to give it, I don’t have the strength yet to overcome his betrayal.
“I can’t right now, Brooks. This is not the time, nor the place for this conversation.” I look around, noticing the crowd that was once focused on us has since gone back to their conversations; well, except for our friends, who are intently trying to listen to our confrontation. “I can’t believe that you did this in front of everyone like this,” I say in a loud, stern whisper as I duck my eyes away from our silent audience and back to Brooks. “I’m not ready to see you, Brooks, please just go.”
A look of determination sweeps across his face, and I notice his hands ball into fists. “No. I’m not leaving. I realize that I hid from you; I know that I fucked things up not once, but twice.” His voice begins to rise in decibel level with each word, and I feel the eyes around us begin to take notice of our situation. I feel my face heat up in both anger and embarrassment. Never have I ever had a public fight, and I feel that I am cornered into having one. I feel the tears stinging my eyes as I let them scan faces around the bar, the floor, the ceiling–any place other than Brooks’ eyes.