“How are you sweetheart?” My mom comes up to me putting her arm around my waist.
“Ok mom” I lean into her letting her comfort me.
“You sure? You don’t look ok.” She remarks. There are those motherly instincts she denied for all those years. She’s good at it.
“Really I’m fine. Go enjoy yourself.” I nudge her towards her friends again.
She follows my instructions and I hope all this alcohol around the house isn’t tempting her but as I look at the table the women are surrounding it filled with ice teas and lemonades. No alcohol. My heart swells a little thinking how great friends can be.
After that I realize I need Mackenna. So, I brave the outside again trying not to look at Gabe and Caroline but when I open the door my eyes deceive me veering there first. Gabe is already staring at me so I roll my eyes showing my annoyance. I feel his eyes on me while I walk to Mackenna.
“Hey girl. Take a load off.” Kenna scoots a chair out for me.
“Thanks, how are you feeling?” Trying to talk about anything but my problems.
“Oh we are not wasting time talking about how big my stomach is or how Bryan is about to throw me off a ledge from my hormone induced meltdowns. You tell me what that is all about?” She looks over at Gabe and Caroline.
At this point she might as well be sitting in his lap. “I guess he decided he liked her” I say trying like hell to sound indifferent.
“Maddy, you know what I mean.” She leans forward so the other girls don’t hear her. “Why are you letting that happen?”
“He’s not mine Kenna. He can do what he wants.”
“Obviously he isn’t doing what he wants.” She nods her head to him again.
“Did that baby suck your vision out of you? He is clearly enjoying Caroline’s company.” I wave my hand in front of her face.
“Are you sure there isn’t something wrong with your vision. He hasn’t stopped staring at you since you walked out here.” She leans back drinking her lemonade shaking her head at me.
“Hey gorgeous.” Bryan comes up kissing Kenna on the neck. “Hey Maddy.” He winks at me.
“Hey Bryan.” I say.
Before I notice what is happening Trent takes the seat next to me while Ian, Bryan and Mackenna go off to play corn hole. The table slowly fills with the boyfriends of the girlfriends already sitting there.
My body goes rigid, this is what Jack doesn’t want. I need to get myself out of this situation. I see Trent starting to grab my hand so I shoot up from my seat surprising him. “I told Lindsey I would help her with something.” I dash towards the door. Trent looks confused while Gabe is laughing to himself. Running into my house I sit in the living room by myself away from everyone else. I need to hide out for the rest of the evening and I finally find my escape in the family room.
All the older men and Jack’s generation started a euchre tournament. If I join, it will keep me away from the drama for the night making Jack happy. The boys don’t seem to mind me joining in but I am partnered with Mitch which doesn’t make me happy. I don’t know him very well and since euchre is about reading your partner I am afraid we are in trouble before we start. Jack smiles at me knowing exactly why I wanted to play and I see the thankfulness in his eyes knowing there wouldn’t be any drama tonight.
Three hours later it is down to me and Mitch versus Doug and Mr. Basso. Surprisingly Mitch and I make a good pair and from the way he plays euchre I trust him with my mother. My dad always said you could tell a lot about someone’s character from the way they play cards. Mitch is honest and considerate with a little trash talking, telling me he is a good guy with a great sense of humor.
The last two rounds, the older women come down watching their loved ones play cards. My mom’s eyes light up when she sees Mitch was partnered with me. For the first time in a long time her happiness makes me happy. Trent, Bryan and Kenna come in too. Kenna is complaining about the mosquitos. I never see Gabe and my mind keeps wondering what part of Gabe’s body Caroline’s hands are on.
It ends up Mr. Basso and Doug win the tournament but Mitch gives me a huge hug complimenting my playing after the game is over. He doesn’t seem upset we didn’t win, even laughing when Doug puts up an L on his forehead with his finger at him calling him a loser. A man that can handle defeat with grace is another good sign.
The party is dwindling down after the tournament and Ian is anxious to get going. I go up to my room to change into dance club appropriate clothes when Ian follows me up.
“Please don’t kill me.” He puts is hands together like he is praying.
“What did you do Ian?” I ask already annoyed.
“I was talking about how you and I were going and some people have decided to join us.” He winces biting his lip acting innocent.
“What people Ian?” I grab my short pink skirt.
“Just a couple people outside,” he tries to wave it off.
“Ian, more specific?” Grabbing my white sheer shirt and camisole for underneath.
“A couple of Jack’s friends, a couple of bridesmaids and maybe Trent.”
“In other words Gabe, Caroline and Trent?” I clarify his vague response.
“Maybe.” His high-pitched voice confirms I am right.
“Ian…I have diverted from them all night. I can’t see Gabe and Caroline dancing with her hands all over him and Trent…I’m not ready to deal with that. Well, at least Kenna can help me with interference.”
“Um…Bryan and Mackenna left. She wasn’t feeling good.” Ian scrunches his shoulders up to his face indicating he is sorry for having to relay the news.
“You owe me so big. You better find some gay guy to take Trent off my hands.” I joke.
“I would be happy to oblige.” He laughs.
On top of everything Gabe is going to drive us since he has the most room. I am surprised Trent seems ok with this since Mrs. Basso said they weren’t on talking terms. He must be assuming this is his time since Caroline is happy to take my spot. The uncomfortableness continues when Gabe opens up Caroline’s door and Trent opens up the back one for me. I have to sit bitch between Trent and Ian making my line of vision into Gabe’s rearview mirror which is terrifying and comforting all at the same time.
The club is packed with a line out the door. For once in all the times going out with Trent it isn’t him that gets us in but Gabe. Gabe knows the doorman, I guess a college acquaintance that recognized him when we were walking back to the line. He even scores us VIP passes to the upstairs bar and lounge. Of course Ian isn’t having any of that. He is here to meet some guys and dance so he deserts us five minutes after we enter.
The four of us go upstairs sitting in a round booth holding two different conversations. Caroline seems to want Gabe all to herself placing her back to Trent and I. Trent is trying to hold a conversation with me but I just stare at the dance floor occasionally glancing at Gabe from the corner of my eye. The waitress comes over and I immediately order tequila shots. Gabe declines but Trent and Caroline join in.
Two rounds later and I am ready to dance. Since Caroline is begging Gabe I grab Trent leading him to the dance floor. We snake our way through the crowd of men dancing with men and some women dancing with women but we are the only man and woman except for Gabe and Caroline who I notice are right behind us.
Trent wraps his arms around me tight placing his hands on my hips guiding them to the rhythm. I place my hands on his shoulders exaggeratingly shaking my body with his. Looking over Trent’s shoulder Caroline has her ass in Gabe’s crotch circling it while bending down touching the ground. Gabe is holding her hips firm to his body. The image actually makes vomit rise in my throat. Gabe’s eyes are holding mine watching me as I lean closer to Trent resting my head on his shoulder allowing Trent to move us to the beat of the music. I see Gabe’s clear blue eyes go cold and his body tenses for a second before he brings Caroline up wrapping his arms around her waist resting his hands just under her shirt at her waist line.