Page 176 of Champagne Nights

Maybe I shouldn’t have told Keaton that, but I was hurting.

“Huh? What happened?”

“I shouldn’t have mentioned anything. It’s not my place. I’m sure she’ll talk to you about it.”

“Ben, I’m sorry. I’ll talk to her, but you and Leah still have to come to family dinner tonight.”

“Please don’t mention that I told you. She’s hurting enough as it is, and I don’t want her to think that I ran to you with this. As for dinner, I don’t think so. If you still want Leah to go, she can.”

“I won’t say anything to her. Don’t worry. I really want you to come to dinner. I’ll check on Paisley when I’m done surfing.”

“Thanks, Keaton. I better get going.”

I gave him a small smile and continued running along the water. Once I made it to the pier, I saw David up ahead.

“David,” I yelled.

He turned around and slowed down so I could catch up with him. We ran for a few moments in silence. The last time I saw David was at the Sunset Bar.

“Ben, I want to apologize for the other night. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“It’s already forgotten. I shouldn’t have stormed out like that. The reason I was so pissed was because everything you said was true. Paisley told me last night not to call her anymore.”

He abruptly stopped and looked at me. “What? Why?”

“After I dropped her off at home last night, things started to get a little crazy between us, if you know what I mean, and all of a sudden, she pulled back and told me to get out and not call her. She said she’d call me when she’s ready. The look on her face was pure fright, and she said that nothing would ever be okay for her again.”

“Did you tell her that’s not true and that everything would be okay?”

“Yeah, I told her, and she wouldn’t listen.”

He grabbed my shoulders. “Then you make her listen and make her see that she’s wrong and that everything can and will be good for her again!”

I was taken aback by his reaction, and I didn’t know what to think. “David, what the fuck is your problem?” I asked as I backed up.

He put his hands up. “I’m sorry. It’s just I lost someone really special once because of bullshit, and I don’t want that to happen to you or Paisley. From what you’ve told me, the two of you are perfect for each other, and you were meant to be together. Don’t give up on her. Make her see that it’s okay to start over again. I have to go, Ben. I have a breakfast meeting to get to. I’ll see you around.”

He ran away before I could say anything. I didn’t know what I felt at that moment. David’s reaction left me speechless and confused. I brushed it off and continued my run. There was no way Paisley would want me at her parent’s house tonight, so I wasn’t even going to bother.

Paisley

As soon as I heard my phone beep, I reached over to the nightstand and prayed to God that it wasn’t Ben. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw Keaton’s name.

“I know you’re home, and I’m standing outside your door. Open up or I’ll use my key.”

“Use your key. I’m not getting out of bed. I’m sick.”

After a moment passed, Keaton walked into my bedroom, holding a bag from the Donut Depot.

“I told you that I was sick.”

“Sick in the head,” he said as he climbed on the bed next to me.

“You’re an ass.”

He put his hand in the bag and pulled out a white frosted cake donut.

“I don’t want it,” I said as I rolled over and faced the other way.

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