by Meghan Quinn
“Hey, Molly,” Patty said, trying to mask the confusion in her voice.
“Excuse me,” Albert said, standing up and adjusting the cuffs on his shirt, leaving Patty and Molly alone.
“What did he tell you about today?” Patty asked, once Albert was out of earshot.
Molly leaned toward Patty. “Just that he wanted to have brunch with me this morning. What about you?”
“Same.”
“Albert, why are you pulling on my…” Jane’s voice paused, pulling both Patty and Molly’s attention.
In that moment, Patty realized exactly what this was, a Friend-tervention. She should have known Albert would do something like that. Last Patty knew, Jane wasn’t talking to Molly because of what she said to Brady, and Patty wasn’t really talking to Jane because of Jane’s marriage overshadowing her wedding, and it seemed like Albert had just about enough of it.
“Sit down, Jane, or I will snap those twiggy legs of yours in half.” From the look on Albert’s face, he wasn’t kidding. “I know you’re all uncomfortable being near each other, but you three drama queens can get over it.” Albert took a seat and placed his napkin over his lap. “Now, we are going to have a nice brunch and talk about our problems, and when we leave, we are all going to be friends again. Do you understand?”
All three of them nodded. Jane turned to Patty and said, “Why is Patty here?”
The water glass in front of Albert was brought to his lips. He took a small sip and then raised his eyebrows at Patty. “Care to explain why you’ve been staying at my house?”
“What?” Jane asked, concern etched all over her face. “Is the wedding off?”
“No, I mean, I don’t know,” Patty shook her head.
“Why? What happened?” Jane’s hand was on Patty’s arm, worry in her eyes.
The urge to throttle Albert was overwhelming. Patty didn’t want to be in this position. She wasn’t very good at confrontation, and now that she had to say it out loud, she almost felt stupid about her feelings.
“Marc and I got in a fight and I left. I’ve been staying with Albert for a bit.”
“What did you fight about?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, what did you fight about?” Albert pushed.
Molly sat back in her chair, her glass of water in her hands, watching the interaction.
Patty cleared her throat. “Marc has been really preoccupied lately and hasn’t been giving our wedding activities as much attention as I preferred.”
“Is he missing the game? Brady thought Marc would miss playing. I can’t imagine playing a sport for so long and then just giving it up. Do you need Brady to talk to him?”
“That’s not it,” Patty shook her head.
“Then, what is it?” Confusion was in her voice.
Patty played with the silverware on the table, trying to figure out how the hell she was going to tell Jane it was her problem that was messing with her wedding.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Albert rolled his eyes. “Patty is mad because your marital problems are affecting her wedding. Every occasion she has for her wedding she feels turns into a Brady and Jane thing.”
Jane whipped her head around to Patty. “You don’t really think that, do you?”
Feeling guilty, Patty shrugged her shoulder.
“You do.” Jane’s hand covered her mouth. “I can’t believe you think that.” From Patty’s view, she could see Jane’s mind wandering to all the occasions they’d had together.
“I’m sorry, Jane. It’s been hard…”
Jane held her hand up to silence Patty. “Why the hell are you apologizing? There is no need for you to say you’re sorry. I’m the one who’s fucking up everyone’s life…even my own.”
The bistro table rocked as Jane rested her arms on it, followed by her head.
“Nope!” Albert lifted Jane’s head before she could get comfortable. “No more fucking pity parties. Christ. Can’t we all just be happy for once? Can we please leave the drama behind? We are adult humans. We get to make our own decisions. We get to walk around in a pair of neon colored Zubaz and a coconut bra on a Tuesday night drinking margaritas from a porcelain pig’s ass if we want. We dictate our futures. So, this is how this is going to go down.” Albert snapped his fingers and a waiter appeared. “Mimosas for everyone, make them hard, and I will be sure to give Billy your phone number; I know how much you’ve been wanting to date him.” The waiter winked and left to get their drinks.
Turning to all the girls, Albert rested his folded hands on his belly and began his rant. “For the past few years, our lives have been a living hell. Jane gets in an accident, Luke dies, Molly is pregnant then turns into a drugged out hooker, Patty gets stabbed by her psycho ex, Luke is alive—oooh, twist—Jane is pregnant, Luke suffers through PTSD, Molly’s life is at risk, Jane loses the baby then tries to divorce Brady—dumb ass move, Janey Bear—then our dear friend Lucy passes leaving a little boy to be raised by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Idiot, and all the while, I’m sex free for four fucking years. When will this nightmare end? I’m done. We don’t live in a soap opera; we are goddamn humans who control our own destinies.”
The waiter came back with their drinks. The waiter must really want Billy to have his number because Patty’s drink was strong.
“This ends right here, right now. There will be no more drama in this group; there will be no more nit-picking each other, and there sure as hell will be no more staying at Albert’s house because you can’t handle your men. If it was up to me, I would handle all three of them by myself, don’t think I won’t steal them away. I have my ways.”
The girls sat silent, sipping their drinks, and listening intently.
“Molly, apologize to Jane for talking to Brady about things you had no right talking to him about.”
“But…”
“Did I ask for commentary?” Albert snapped. “Apologize.”
Albert was Queen B right now and they were all at his beck and call.
“I’m sorry, Jane. I didn’t mean to make you mad. I was just trying to help.”
Before Molly could say anymore, Albert cut in. “Jane, accept her apology, tell her you love her, and that you appreciate her concern.”
Jane shyly smiled and repeated Albert’s words, adding, “I don’t like fighting with you.”
“I don’t like it either.”
They reached their hands across the table and linked them.
“Jane, apologize to Patty for being a dumbass where your marriage is concerned and letting it affect Patty’s wedding plans.”
The raised eyebrow Jane was giving Albert was from the dumbass comment, but from the looks of him, she let it slide.
“Patty, I’m so sorry if you thought I was stealing your moments. This should be a joyous occasion for you, and you shouldn’t have to worry about anything, especially my marriage. I’m sorry. I promise, from here on out, I will no longer affect it.”
“It’s not just you. It’s Marc as well…and me.”
“Ahem. I didn’t say you could speak out of turn. I run this show, missy.” Albert took a big gulp of his drink, and then said, “Now, Patty, you are going to apologize to Jane for being a little bitchy about your comments. We are friends, and if we are going through a rough time, we are there for each other, no matter what we might be going through ourselves.”
Patty gripped Jane’s other hand. “I’m sorry, Jane. I just wanted to have Marc’s attention and blamed it on you.”
“It’s okay.”
“Eh, eh, eh,” Albert cleared his throat. “Patty, you have one more apology.”
Patty smiled and tilted her head to the side. “I’m sorry Albert for bringing my drama into your life.”
“Not me, babe. Him.” Albert nodded to a spot behind Patty. Turning, she saw Marc walking up with a bouquet of flowers.
He was wearing jeans and a tight, faded blue shirt. His hair was styled just right, and he had the perfect amount of tan to his body. She had never thought he looked m
ore gorgeous, standing there with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes.
“Hey, Patty Cakes.” He walked up to her with confidence in his step. Albert and he must have thought this through. Damn men! He pulled up a chair next to her and grabbed her hand in his. “I’m sorry for not realizing you needed my attention. I’ve been so caught up in helping Brady that I forgot that even though you’re the most unselfish person I know, you need a little Sully time, too.”
Her head fell back as she laughed. Self-centered man.
“I’m serious though, Patty. I’m sorry. Please come home.”
Her palm touched the side of his face. Stubble greeted her hand. “Of course. I’m sorry too.”
“Ugh, God, everyone is sorry, okay. We’re over it, right?” Albert clapped his hands, looking around. “I want to get my French toast on!”
“One last thing,” Marc said, turning to Jane. “You aren’t going to like this, but I guess we’re being honest with each other, right?” Marc looked up at Albert, who nodded his head. “Jane, you’re being a rabid bitch right now.”
“Marc!” Patty exclaimed. “Do not call her that.”
“He’s right,” Albert finished off his drink and held it in the air for hopefully Billy’s future lover. “She’s foaming at the mouth right now in anger. Jane, you’re being an idiot. Listen to Marc.”
Clearly uncomfortable, Jane shifted in her seat toward Patty’s fiancé to listen to what he had to say.
“Ever since I met you, I knew you were meant for Brady. You challenged him, you made him softer, you brought out a man I’ve never seen before. A compassionate one, an understanding one, a caring one. You two got married and it was a beautiful day, minus what happened to my love. Despite all that, I watched you two blossom together. I was there at your engagement, I was there to celebrate when you found out when you were pregnant, and I was there to hug you when you had to say goodbye to your little one. I’ve seen you two together and I’ve seen you apart. You might think you’re strong and that you’re doing him a favor, but you’re not, Jane. You’re slowly tearing him into shreds, turning him into a bitter man. I know my friend Brady and the desperation I hear in him, the sadness in his eyes, that’s not him. You’re taking his soul away with you, leaving him an empty shell.”
Tears were rapidly rolling down Jane’s cheeks. Patty wanted to reach out to her, to hold her and tell her it was going to be okay, but she knew she couldn’t. It was tough love time; Jane needed to hear this.
“I’ve put too much distance between us,” Jane shook her head.
Marc lifted her chin with his finger. “Do not make excuses. Tell me right now, do you love him?”
Her lip quivered as she nodded. “More than anything.”
“Do you have one valid excuse as to why you can’t be with him?”
“She doesn’t,” Molly cut in. “She doesn’t have one valid reason.”
A knowing glare passed between Jane and Molly. Whatever Molly was trying to convey must had been accepted because Jane shook her head no.
“There isn’t a valid excuse.”
“Then stop this bullshit. I believe you have an event to get ready for tonight?”
“I can’t go to that; he’ll be so mad…”
Albert yanked on her hair, causing Jane to screech and hold her head. “Give us one more excuse, and I will pull it all out. I fight like a cat in heat; try me, Jane.”
Jane rubbed her head. “You’re mean these days.”
“I told you,” Albert held up his menu to look at it. “This is a new chapter in our lives. No more fucking drama. We’re done. It’s only happily ever afters from here on out.”
Chapter 17
**Brady**
“Brady!”
The call of his name from his favorite athletes had him turning to see them all running at him. He opened his arms and welcomed Brenda, Andrew, and Raymell into his arms.
“Wow, you guys clean up well,” Brady complimented them. Raymell and Brenda were both wearing dresses and cardigans, while Andrew was sporting a sharp blue suit and bow tie.
“We look better than you,” Andrew joked, pushing Brady in the arm.
Brady was wearing a black tux with a white shirt and black tie; he looked damn good, but he played along with Andrew.
“Yeah, showing me up. Should have known you three would have made me look bad.”
“Just like at bowling,” Brenda pointed out. Brenda was an older athlete with Down syndrome. She wore pearl earrings wherever she went and carried a purse like Queen Elizabeth. She kept butterscotch candies in it mainly.
Brady wrapped his arm around Brenda and hugged her to his side. “I can’t ever beat you three at bowling.”
“It’s because you play too much baseball. You need to practice bowling,” Brenda pointed out.
If he practiced bowling, he wouldn’t be sitting as the captain and starting first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, but then again, his life would be so fulfilled just bowling with his friends.
The party was in full force, Atlanta’s cream of the crop were mingling, and Brady only hoped checkbooks were being opened. Ever since his neighborhood friend, Randy, passed away, he’d been a huge advocate for Special Olympics, wanting to give athletes just like his friend Randy a chance to play the sports they loved. The only reason Brady played baseball was because of Randy; he owed his career to his dear friend.
That was why whenever there was an event he could make in the state, he made it a priority, even if it meant flying late at night to get back to practice.
“Where’s Jane?” Raymell asked. “I miss her.”
Fuck, he recognized the feeling. After he saw her at the house and she told him to just sign the papers, a huge piece of him died. For the past few days, he’d been on auto-pilot, going through games, batting in the cages, and lifting in the weight room. When he got home, he fed himself food and went to bed. It was simple, but it was depressing and lonely.
Standing in a crowded room, he’d never felt so alone.
“She couldn’t make it tonight, Raymell. She had another engagement.”
“More important than us?”
Brady was about to answer when Andrew pointed to something behind him. “No, she’s here.”
“What?” Brady asked, wanting to clean his ears out.
“Jane’s here and she looks beautiful.”
The drop of his stomach made him instantly nauseous as he whipped around to see Jane in a long black dress approaching him. He felt like his heart was about to explode as his breathing caught in his throat.
“Hey, you guys.” She held out her arms and hugged Brady’s athletes. “I’m sorry I’m a little late. I hope I didn’t miss anything fun.”
“Only us making fun of Brady’s bowling skills,” Brenda answered.
From under her eyelashes, Jane peeked up at Brady and said, “He’s never been good at bowling.”
“Coming from the woman who bowls a solid fifty each time,” Brady answered, barely able to hear his own voice over his pounding heart.
“He’s got you there, Jane,” Raymell said with her hand on her hip.
Laughing, Jane replied, “I guess he does.”
Wanting to have some time with Jane, Brady said, “Hey, you guys, there’s a photo booth over there. Why don’t you go take some picture for me to hang in my locker?”
“Great idea,” Brenda said, leading the pack over to the photo booth.
An awkward air fell between Jane and Brady as they looked at each other. There was only one thing that crossed Brady’s mind; Jane was breathtaking. Her dress was tasteful with a higher strapless neckline. Her hair was in waves around her shoulders, and she wore a light pink gloss on her lips.
“Hi,” she said meekly.
“Hi,” Brady said back, wanting to take her in his arms, no longer caring about their last conversation they had.
“Why are you…?”
“Hey, you guys, great event,” Connor interrupted them, a glass of c
hampagne in his hand.”Hey, Connor,” Brady shook his hand. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
Ponting to Austin behind him, Connor said, “The misses brought me. He wanted to show off Leonard.”
Austin came strolling up to their little group, holding a little bundle of joy dressed in a onesie with a fake bow tie on it.
“Hey fellas, Jane.”
“Nice of you to come,” Brady said, shaking Austin’s hand and then taking Leonard from him. “Hey, big guy. You look better than your fathers.”
“He sure does,” Connor said, downing the rest of his drink.
“I said you could drink tonight, not get wasted,” Austin chastised.
“Am I humping the pillars? No, so I’m not drunk.”
“Something to aspire to,” Austin rolled his eyes and then looked at Jane, who was looking rather pale now. “I told him he could drink tonight since he’s always taking care of Leonard, but I wasn’t expecting him to be so loose.”
“Again, am I humping the pillars?”
“One more drink and you will. Your tolerance is low these days. You have to be careful.”
Brady observed their interaction and laughed to himself. “Your relationship is something else.” Testing the weight of Leonard in his arms, Brady said, “This guy has gained a good amount of weight. Feeding him steaks yet?”
“Steaks and beer every night. We’re hoping for his first chest hair in a couple of days.”
“Fingers crossed,” Brady laughed.
Connor turned to Jane and said, “You’re looking beautiful, so I’m afraid to ask, given Leonard’s ability to regurgitate at the wrong time, but do you want to hold him?”
In the middle of Connor’s question, Brady noticed she was already starting to distance herself. She shook her head no. “I forgot; I have to be somewhere. It was nice seeing you all. Have a good night.”
Before they could answer, she took off into the crowd.
“Mother fucker,” Brady mumbled. “Here, I have to go after her.” Brady handed Leonard over to Austin. “You two are doing an amazing job.”
The compliment was said as he walked away. He couldn’t get to Jane fast enough. Pushing through the crowd, he looked for a gorgeous woman in a gown of black, but unfortunately for him, black was the main color of the event, so she camouflaged into the sea of event goers.