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I wished whole-heartedly that Cal had never went to Vegas and fucked up our lives. His indiscretion was affecting everyone around us and I wanted to rail at him for being such an idiot.
Rose and I walked silently back to the house, and I tried to tamper down the feelings of anger. I don’t know if she felt the change in me, but she patted me on the shoulder and smiled before leaving me standing on the front porch.
I breathed in and out deeply, trying to release the anger that had flooded me so completely.
“Everything okay?” I looked up just as Cal stepped out onto the porch. “I saw Mom come back in alone, so I wanted to check on you.”
I looked up at him and saw my worry reflected back at me. I knew he could tell that I was upset, but didn’t want to ruin the evening.
“I’m fine,” I responded. “Can you come by my place later though, so we can talk?”
“Of course,” Cal said with a frown. “Look, Shelly, if it’s too much for you to be here, I understand. I can tell everyone you didn’t feel well or something, and stop by later.”
“No, that’s okay,” I replied, gesturing for him to lead the way back inside. “I want to be here for Craig … I’ll be okay.”
We both walked quietly back inside, and I knew it was going to be a difficult meal for both of us. I just hoped we could put on brave faces for his family.
Chapter 27 – Cal
I always loved spending time with my family, the way we joked with each other, the love that was always in the room, and the laughter that inevitably filled the house. But sitting through dinner tonight was unbearable.
I was so apprehensive, worried about what Shelly wanted to talk about. I mean, I had a good idea of what she wanted to talk about, but it was the first time since we started our dates that she seemed to want to. I couldn’t help but be worried about what she wanted to say. I only hoped that she wasn’t going to try and back out of the last three dates.
I needed that time …
I knew that at this point, Shelly wasn’t ready to forgive me or change her mind about wanting a divorce, and I couldn’t handle the thought of her giving up without giving me the shot we’d agreed upon.
I physically, and emotionally, could not handle even the thought …
I tried to smile and laugh with everyone, but I knew m
y mom was watching Shelly and me carefully. Especially after she came back inside after talking to Shelly. I wondered what they’d had to say to each other, and my imagination was rampant with possibilities.
Scott could tell something was wrong too, and when we went to the kitchen to put candles on the cake, he pulled me to the side.
“Everything alright, bro?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered to him. It always seemed like my mom heard everything, and I didn’t want her coming in the kitchen to batter me with questions. “Shelly asked me to come by later to talk.”
Scott clapped his hand on my shoulder.
“Let me know if you need anything, and try not to let your anxiety show …”
“I was trying not to,” I countered.
“Well, your acting sucks,” Scott replied as he lit the candles. “Don’t quit your day job.”
That got a real grin out of me, so I whispered, “Asshole,” as I carried the cake out, which earned me a glare from my mother.
Once the cake was devoured, we didn’t have to stay long, because Craig had made plans to meet up with some of his friends. So, Shelly and I made our goodbyes rather quickly, and after promising my mother that I’d come by in the next few days, I followed Shelly to her house.
I didn’t jump right out of the car after I parked; instead, I took a few minutes to try and calm my nerves. I looked up and saw Shelly waiting for me at the door, “Quit being such a pussy,” I muttered to myself, then took a deep breath and got out of the car.
I followed her wordlessly into the house, and back into the kitchen. She motioned toward the table, so I walked over and grabbed a seat.
I wondered momentarily if I’d ever see any part of the house other than the kitchen.
“I’m so mad at you,” Shelly said softly. The sound of raw pain in her voice made my stomach clench. She sat and looked at me, her face shuttered. “I need you to tell me everything that happened that night.”
