Pieces

Chapter 22

Over the next month, I went back to my normal routine. I never did speak to my friends about my mum or anything that happened when I went home. For the most part, they were pretty understanding and never asked, even Bri. I was eternally grateful for that, because, I'm sure it's been pretty obvious, but I'm not exactly one to open up emotionally and it is sometimes difficult for me to do so.

I gave the tickets to Rebecca's concert to Stephanie and she nearly shit herself. She was so excited that she gave me a real hug. I couldn't go. I didn't want to risk giving my heart that sense of hope, just to rip it away again.

This may sound bad, but I pretty much just went through the motions of my relationship with Bri. We spoke everyday, we had dinner with her parents, we went on dates, we had sex and we hung out with our friends as a couple. I felt like a robot and I knew my heart wasn't there, but I didn't want to hurt her. I didn't want to be another Kyle. She deserved better and I wanted to give her that. She has been a rock for me and has not left my side. If she had a sense of my distance, she didn't show it.

I spoke to Ashley about how I felt, since she was the only one I told about Rebecca being there with me when my mum died. She told me I should break up with Bri now and save her the heartache later. She said that I wasn't being fair, by not giving her my all and I'm running the risk of Bri falling further in love with me, with each passing day. I told her that I was scared to hurt her, she has already been through enough of that with her ex and I couldn't bear to be the cause of another heartbreak, to which she said: that's not my decision to make. Told you she was smart. I thanked her for the advice, then told her about the happenings of the rest of the group.

Jess did buy Club Vibe and was set to have it remodeled, but first, she had to go through and remove anything left over from the previous owners.
So, we all got together and decided to get the place cleaned out over a weekend.

The cleanup was labor intensive, but what I found interesting, was the interactions between Jess and Meghan. They would bump into each other on purpose, smile at each other from across the room and poke fun at each other in a playful manner.

They're totally fucking.

Brain is right, but it's something more, isn't it?

They like each other and they're totally fucking.

That's it. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

I walked over to Bri and Julian, "Are you guys watching this?" I said and pointed at Jess and Meghan.

"Oh yeah, they're obviously fucking." Julian said.

"Yeah, we have a pool going as to when they're finally going to admit they're in love with each other. Want in?" Bri said.

I scoffed, "I am not betting on the hearts of my two best friends, that's despicable."

I started to walk away, then turned around, "How much is the pool up to now?"

"$200," Bri said.

"I'm in." I said.

"Give me $50 and tell me a date. We each throw in another $50 with each month that passes. The closest to the actual date, wins the money and bragging rights." Julian said.

"I am disgusted with myself and all of you, but does anyone have Christmas on lock down yet?" I said as I handed Julian $50.

"Nope, it's yours." Julian said and took the money.

I continued to watch them and finished loading the chairs into my trailer, then helped Bri with the garbage.

"When do you think Jess will open this place?" Bri asked.