Page 59 of Imperfections Seduced
“Like Chris said, I didn’t come here for this. I came to hang out with my boys I haven’t seen in a while, to have a good time. I’m off duty. I don’t want to arrest anyone for a domestic dispute or disorderly conduct. Maybe you two should talk about this some other time when there’s no alcoholic beverages involved, with a mediator present.”
“Shawn’s right, this is not the time or the place to talk about this. Both of you need to chill the fuck out.”
Eyes still locked on me, Jay says, “I’ll drop it for now. I just want Nick to know that family means everything to me. I don’t want to see anyone in my family hurt, whether it be unintentionally or otherwise. Especially when it comes to my sisters. I love them, and I want the best for them.”
“Who says I’m not the best thing for your sister? Who’s to say I can’t make her happy?”
He’s talking about Kate, but my mind is on Cat. I don’t know if I am the best thing for her, and I don’t know if Ican make her happy. The only thing I know for sure is that she makes me happy. I don’t want to lose her.
“I don’t know if you can make her happy. I don’t think you’re the right man for her, but let’s hope I’m wrong,” he says, standing up to leave. “Shawn, Chris, I’ll see y’all later. I’m going home. He turns and looks at me. “Nick.”
“Jay.” After he leaves, I tell the guys I’m leaving too. Chris walks out with me to my car.
“I don’t know what’s going on between you and Kate, but something is obviously not right. If it’s so obvious that Jay and I can see it, then it’s only a matter of time before other people start noticing it too. She may seem tough, like she has all her shit together, but she often doesn’t. She’s good at hiding her feelings. She can come off as a real bitch, that’s her defense mechanism. She’s going to get to you before you can get to her.”
“You too, Chris? You sound like Jay.”
“I trust you, you know I do. The question is do I trust you with my sister? Not so much. Jay and Shawn said some things that I know to be true.”
“Like what?”
“You don’t do long-term relationships, and the two times you tried it did not end well.”
“Have you ever thought the reason why those relationships didn’t work out was because I haven’t found the right woman yet?”
“No, I never thought of it that way. I’m asking you now, have you found the right woman?”
“I believe I have.”
“Is it my sister?”
“Yes, it is.” I lean back against my car door. He looks at me and blows out a big breath.
“Man, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Be careful the way you handle this whole thing. You’re like a brother tome; we’ve had each other’s backs since grade school. I see the way you are with Cat. You’ve known her for more than half her life.” He folds his hands across his chest and I nod my head waiting for him to say we both know how I feel about Cat.
“I know you care about her a lot. It’s harder for me to see what’s going on between you and Kate, since you two have never really been that close. Then all of a sudden, bam”—he flings his arm out and puts the other one on the hood of my car next to me— “ you’re engaged. Like I said, if Jay and I can see something’s not right, Kate and other people are going to see it too. Don’t start something that’s going to end badly for everyone.”
I look straight ahead and nod my head again. “I hear you.” But I can’t stop what’s already in motion.
“Think before you do something you can’t take back.”
Too damn late.
I go home thinking about what Chris said. Too bad life doesn’t have do-overs or second chances. I can’t stop thinking about Cat. I called Ava three times with no answer. I know Cat’s not going to answer my calls, because she hasn’t answered any of them in the past week. I guess I’ll wait for Ava to call me back or drive myself crazy wondering where they are and who they’re with.
Nick
“Nick.”
“Cat.” My eyes still closed, I roll over on my back with my cell to my ear. “Is that you? What time is it?”
“I have no idea.”
“Where the hell are you?”
“I’m in the bathroom. I had to pee so bad! Who knew drinking could make you want to go to the bathroom so much?”
I rub my hand over my eyes and sit up. “Where’s Ava?”
