Chapter Three: The Festive Mood
Down we went. Since we were on the top floor this was manditory. The girls had left and the guys were in the kitchen putting finishing touches on some snacks. Considering it was chips,dips and drinks I though this was overkill.
“Guys why don’t you carry this stuff out for me? Aje you take the chips.” Exit AJ. “Howie here are the dips.” Exit Howie. “Mike, can you take this tray?”
“Sure.” Michael gave me a quick look and left. Just Brian and Kevin left. And me.
“What do you want me to do?” I was so helpful.
“Nick, listen...”
“Is coke all you have? AJ is going to be pissed if you don’t have beer.” Avoiding the topic was my current stragety.
“Nick let me explain...” Quite Kev, you’re runing my stragety.
“No need. I got it all figured out.” Another big grin. I grabbed the bucket of iced cokes and make a break for it.
“NICK! Let Kevin...” I didn’t wait around for the rest of Brian’s story.
Howie, AJ and Michael were in the den. I joined them. Might as well, this could get interesting.
“Want a drink?” Polite is part of the plan.
“Sure.” “Yea.” AJ and Howie managed to answer and secure a drink with absolutely no eyecontact what-so-ever. They are multi-talented.
Kevin and Brian joined us a few minutes later and we all setteled in. I had no idea for what as I had no idea what was origionally planned. I had a safe bet that those plans had changed.
“Well....” What steller conversationalists we were. For the next few minutes everyone sat around and avoided looking at me. That is everyone except Michael. I didn’t want him to start feeling sorry for me so...
“What are we going to do?” I might as well get the ball rolling.
“We thought we would...um...” They looked at each other for what, support? Ideas? Excuses?
“Shit.” AJ says it like it is.
“Excuse me, I need the john.” Michael decided to make a clean break. One that would ensure no one followed.
So we sat around doing nothing for the next few minutes. I wondered how long I would have to be quiet before they broke. Less than six minutes for those who are counting.
“Nick, we’re sorry. It’s...”
“Don’t.” I had no idea I was going to say that until I did.
“Nick..”
“Just don’t. I’m not dumb, I know what was going on. I know what is going on so just don’t.” That certainlly ruined the festive mood. “I think I should go.” I got up to protest but ignored them. I had no idea where my clothes where but my sneakers were in the hall where I had taken them off and my keys were on the table by the door. I didn’t make it that far before AJ and Brian stopped me.
“Don’t do this, don’t go. Nick you will only make this worse and that’s not fair to Kevin.” Not fair to KEVIN? The look on my face must have given this thought away.
“Nick this was my idea.” Brian still avoided looking at me. “I wanted to ...”
“No, it was my idea.” Kevin had no problem with the eyecontact. As a matter of fact I wish he would use less of it. “I didn’t want Mandy here, in my house.”
“Hey Kev, don’t mince words! Say what you really mean.”
“Nick...”
“Fine, that’s your right, but you could have just told me.”
“You’re right, but I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t think you would ever find out that...”
“The other guys are staying here and I’m not?” I twisted the knife home. “What Kevin? That the other guys have a right to pick and choose who they are with but I don’t? Oh, no. That’s not right. I’m the only guy that’s in love with a bitch.” Shit. I went too far and I knew it.
“Maybe you should leave.”
“No Kevin! Come on! Nick. listen, Kevin was only trying to help!”
I grabbed my keys and wallet off the table, picked up my shoes and opened the door. I could have said something, I should have said something. But I didn’t, I just left. No one tried to stop me.
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