InHap*pily Ever After

by Kim Desalvo

  Tia’s eyebrows raised and she gave Lexi an appraising once-over. “You look like hell.”

  “Fuck you,” Lexi answered, plopping back onto the couch.

  “You haven’t been answering my calls.” Tia sat next to her and put her arm around Lexi’s shoulders. “I know what you’re going through, you know,” she whispered. “I gave you some time for your pity party, and now it’s time to get back on your feet.”

  “Again, fuck you.”

  Tia smiled and shook her head. “Yeah, it hurts; I know. But in the long run, it’s better to know now what an asshole he is rather than wait until you have a couple kids and a house in Barrington. You’ll get through this, I promise…I know it doesn’t seem like it now; but I’m here for you, Lex, just like you were there for me.”

  Emotion took over and Lexi lost it then, breaking into a fresh round of sobs and letting Tia pull her in; melting into her shoulder and letting the tears come. “It hurts, damn it,” she whispered, “I can’t believe how much it hurts.”

  “I know, sweetie, I know it does. It’s pointless for me to tell you that you’ll get through it, but I’m going to say it anyway. You are one of the strongest people I know, and you won’t let this break you.” Tia sniffed the air and wrinkled her nose. Lexi obviously hadn’t showered recently and her hair was matted into giant knots that bunched at the nape of her neck. Suddenly, it was like looking into a mirror of the past, except that it had been Tia who couldn’t be bothered with useless things like getting out of bed, eating, or practicing basic hygiene. She had been pissed at Lexi at the time for forcing her to keep living, but eventually, she appreciated the hell out her tenacity. It could get ugly, but she wasn’t going to let her best friend get away with it either. “Come on, you seriously need a shower and something to eat. Better yet, I’ll draw you a bubble bath, and call for some take-out.”

  Lexi shook her head and wiped away her tears. “I’m not hungry. And I’m not that stinky, either, so quit wrinkling your nose at me.”

  “Oh, you’re stinky, alright; but it’s nothing some smelly bubbles won’t fix. Come on, Lex. Do you remember how hard you had to work to get me out of bed after the funeral? You didn’t take no for an answer, and neither will I.”

  “I’m really not in the mood…”

  “I don’t care what you’re in the mood for, Lex. I’ll tell you the same thing you told me. ‘You will get in that tub or I’ll put you there bodily, girlfriend,’ and judging by the fact that you look like you’ve lost ten pounds, it won’t be too much of a struggle for me.”

  Lexi glared at her, but Tia put her hands on her hips and then pointed at the bathroom door. “Fine. Whatever. It’s not going to make me feel any better.” She went into her room to get some fresh clothes while Tia started filling the tub.

  Surprisingly, she did feel a tiny bit better after a long hot soak; her tense muscles relaxed somewhat, and it did feel good to have her hair clean. She sat and nibbled at a slice of pizza; surprised that she had an appetite; while Tia combed the tangles from her hair. What a difference a year makes, she thought; remembering doing the same things for Tia. She felt better after eating, too; living on dry cereal and stale Fritos that she’d found in the back of the pantry had barely kept her alive her over the past couple days.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Tia asked, and Lexi immediately clenched her teeth. God, she really did want to talk about it. More than anything she wanted to pour it out and make it known that the whole thing was entirely Ryan’s fault. That he was an egotistical pig who couldn’t handle that the world wasn’t revolving around him. But damn it, she couldn’t. She could never tell Tia; or anyone else for that matter; the whole truth. She could never let Tia or Dylan know that it was the secret she was sworn to keep that cracked the shell and the fact that Ryan couldn’t handle being second-best to Dylan in his own mind that broke it open. They would feel guilty; responsible in at least some part; and it wasn’t fair to them. It would be another secret she’d have to keep, and it gave her nowhere else to place the blame.

  “He’s a prick, plain and simple. I packed up all his shit on Monday and cleaned my stuff out of his place. I followed him to some gym, and the chick was there waiting for him.”

  “No way!”

  “Yuh huh. I used my keys to dump all his crap into the back of his car, hung my engagement ring on the carabineer, and left the keys in the ignition.”

  “Go you,” Tia smiled, giving her a high five.

  Lexi smiled back. “That did feel pretty good, I must admit. I knew he’d come looking for me, so I went to the club and sat at the bar. No way I was going to give him a private audience, and I knew he’d look there eventually.”

  “Were there other people there?”

  “Oh yeah. It didn’t take him long to show up, and we had it out right then and there. He went on and on about the stress of his big project—supposedly, the other woman is part of it. Then he was all pissy about my reaction to postponing the wedding. I didn’t return his calls for a few days—you remember, that’s when I came to your place—and he said he thought I wanted to call the whole thing off.”

  “So without waiting to finalize that with you, assuming that out of the blue, as soon as he talked about postponement, after five freaking years together you’d call the whole thing off in the heat of the moment, he was sleeping with someone else within a week? That doesn’t make any sense at all!”

  “I have no idea when he started sleeping with her. For all I know, it could have been going on for months. We were kind of fighting a lot, and he’s been distant for a long time. The signs were there, but I just kind of ignored them, I guess.”

  “I know what you mean about distant. It seemed like he wasn’t even there half the time we went out together—he was really quiet and kind of seemed to gravitate to a corner. Dyl noticed it, too.”

  “He did?”

  “He asked me if I knew why Ryan didn’t like him. He said that he got a “negative vibe” from him, or something like that. Especially at the engagement party. It was like he didn’t even want to be there.”

  “So everyone knew he was an asshole except for me? Doesn’t that just figure.”

  “Hey. You loved the guy for a long time, so don’t beat yourself up over that. People change, and just as often as not, it isn’t for the better. Oh sweetie…” Tia pulled Lexi into her arms as a fresh trail of tears spilled down her cheeks. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but you’ll get through this, and you’ll be stronger than ever. You’ll realize that you learned some lessons along the way, and you will have some good memories. I hate that he did this to you, I can’t stand that you’re hurting, and I especially hate that I’ve put you in the middle of planning my wedding when you’re dealing with all this. I’ll totally understand if you want to back off for a while; the last thing I want to do is make it harder for you…”

  “No way. I’m not going to let this have a negative impact on your wedding. The timing of this really sucks, but I’ve been your maid of honor since seventh grade and I take that commitment seriously. If I get overwhelmed I’ll let you know, and if I need to walk away for a bit I’ll do it, but I don’t want you tiptoeing around or hiding things from me because you think I’m too fragile to handle it.”

  “Oh Lex, I didn’t mean…”

  “I know what you mean, and I appreciate it, I do.” She took Tia’s hand. “Look, T. I love you, and I love you and Dylan. You guys deserve your fairy tale ending, and I’m not going to piss on that, I promise you. I’m really glad you came over—it felt good to get it out.”

  “I’m glad to. So what’s next?”

  “I’m going to suck it up and go back to work. I’m not even going to think about men for a while, but I’m going to move forward.”

  “That sounds really good. Now what do you say we open a bottle of wine, curl up on the couch, and watch a movie?”

  Chapter 35

  Dylan was in the sound booth when his phone buzzed in
his pocket. He’d been waiting on the call all day; and as much as he hated to hold everyone up, he pulled off his headphones and spoke into the mic. “Sorry, but I gotta take this.”

  “And so it begins,” Ty said, getting a rousing agreement from the rest of the guys.

  “And never ends,” Tommy added.

  “Who would’ve guessed that Miller would ever be so whipped?” Angelo asked rhetorically.

  Dylan gave them the finger as he grabbed his coat and walked out the door into the alley behind the studio. The air was chilly, but at least the little alcove sheltered him from the wind and got him away from the nosey neighbors.

  “How bad is she?” he asked, settling in to hear Lexi’s story.

  “What’s wrong?” Bo asked as he watched Dylan walk back to the group after cutting off the call. “You look like you just got some bad news, bro.”

  Dylan shook it off. They still had at least an hour of recording to get in, and he was determined to get Forever and a Day recorded before they broke for the night. “Nah,” he answered, forcing a smile. “Nothing to worry about. Let’s just get this done so we can get a proper meal, shall we?”

  They all wrinkled up their faces at him, but he slipped back into the booth and donned the headphones. It didn’t take Dylan long to find his focus—after all, this song would be a wedding gift to Tia, and his entire heart and soul were into getting it right.

  “I think that’s it!” Dylan finally exclaimed, to the relief of the rest of the guys. They all glanced up at the clock, and saw that it was nearly 10. It had been a long day, and they were pretty wiped. “How about a beer and a burger?” he asked. Ty groaned, and Angelo shook his head. “I’m buying…”

  “I’m gonna take a pass,” Ty yawned. “I think I’ll just slap a sandwich together and call it a night.”

  “I’m with Ty,” Angelo agreed. “But I’ll hold you to buying next time—God knows that doesn’t happen very often.”

  “I’m out, too,” Tommy said. “Got me a date.” All heads turned to him as a smirk spread across his face.

  “Who the hell would go out with you?” Bo teased. “Wait…let me guess…you called an escort service.”

  “Or maybe she’s blind,” Ty tossed in, raising his palm and smacking Bo with a high-five.

  Tommy slowly and deliberately raised his middle finger as he covered the keyboard and grabbed his coat. “She’s someone I knew from back in the day,” he said, ignoring Bo’s double middle fingers. “We went to high school together. It’s no big thing.”

  “Anyone agreeing to go out with you is a big thing, my scrawny friend,” Bo chuckled. “Has anyone checked the forecast lately? Bet it’s gettin’ mighty cold in hell.”

  “Look who’s talking, Collins,” Tommy teased back. “When’s the last time you even really looked at a woman, much less had a date?”

  “Oh, I look plenty, believe me,” he smiled. “Just can’t seem to find one worthy of everything I’ve got to offer.” He turned to Dylan. “I’ll take you up on that burger and beer, Strummer Boy,” he smiled, patting his stomach. “Can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal.”

  Ty jumped in. “You are wasting away to nothing, C-man,” he smiled. “Thank God the drum kit’s in the back—I’m tired of looking at your ass crack all the time. You seriously need to get yourself some new pants, my friend.”

  “You just keep your eyes off my fine ass,” Bo grinned. “You know how I hate clothes shopping.”

  They finished packing up their things, and Dylan and Bo walked just down the street to The Two Bells Tavern. They’d become regulars over the past few weeks, so were greeted warmly and with minimal pomp and circumstance. They signed a few autographs for some of the patrons who sat at the bar, but since it was fairly late on a Monday night, the place wasn’t very crowded. Tammy, one of their regular waitresses, arrived within seconds with a pitcher of Rainer.

  “How’s that new album coming along, boys?” she asked, her eyes fixed on Dylan.

  Bo pulled her into his lap and gave her a friendly squeeze. “Now Tammy,” he said, “you know the man’s engaged. You can’t keep lookin’ at him like he’s a midnight snack.”

  Tammy had Bo Collins’s number on their very first visit. It was impossible not to notice when Dylan Miller walked into a room—the man was so hot she’d nearly passed out the first time he sat down at a table in her station. All the other girls were incredibly jealous that she got to wait on him, rushing over to fill his water glass whenever they got the chance and finding countless excuses to walk by his table.

  He was the whole package—not only was he kind and gracious, signing autographs and taking photos with all of them; his half smile next to a dozen faces sporting shit-eating grins; but he was genuinely nice, and a great tipper. She knew he was engaged; hell, the whole world knew that; but she was a warm-blooded woman, and she couldn’t help but feel the flutter of desire in her belly when he was around.

  Bo Collins was a character, however; a shameless flirt who made you feel like you were a princess just by smiling at you. She’d come to really like them both—they were so much more down-to-earth than a lot of the other musicians that stopped in for beers or food on their way out from the studio down the street.

  “Midnight or any other time of day,” she teased back, “unless maybe you’re available?” She slid off his lap and handed them menus. “The usual?” she asked, “or you want to try something new tonight?” she wiggled her eyebrows at Bo and smiled. They’d done this dance before, and she’d matched him flirt for flirt.

  “I’m always up for something new, sugar,” he teased, “but it’s been a long hard day.” He looked at Dylan. “This man’s a task master, I tell you, and I barely have enough strength left in my body to lift my beer.” Bo picked up his glass and took a long frosty swallow. “Guess I’ll be going with the usual tonight.”

  Dylan agreed, and Tammy took their menus, heading back toward the kitchen, which she was sure would stay open just a bit later for their celebrity guests.

  “She’s pretty cute,” Dylan said as Tammy tossed one more smile over her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.

  “Who, Tammy?”

  “Yes, Tammy,” he said.

  “I guess.”

  “Why don’t you ask her out?” Dylan suggested.

  “Why don’t you mind your own damn business?” Bo snapped back. He picked up the beer menu and started leafing through it aimlessly, feeling Dylan’s stare boring into his skull. Finally, he looked up.

  “What?” Bo asked, taking in Dylan’s smirk.

  “I swear,” Dylan said, shaking his head. “You could flirt with a stone wall and make it blush, but you never pursue a thing. You know… if there’s one thing I’ve learned over this past year, it’s that life is better when you have someone to share it with, and that it’s too damn short to keep everyone at arm’s length. Don’t you think it’s about time you put yourself back on the market? It’s been almost three years, mate.”

  Bo took another swig and forced a twisted smile. “That’s two things,” he said. “I should call goddamn CNN and tell them that you had two epiphanies in the same year. No one will believe it.” Dylan Miller was probably the only person in the world outside of his immediate family who would willingly bring up the subject of his second divorce. Dylan wasn’t the only one with trust issues when it came to women; Bo had sworn off relationships forever after Shannon screwed him over six ways from Sunday. He’d gotten over it, but it was just easier if no one knew that. The last thing he needed was a bunch of would-be matchmakers trying to fix him up, or even worse, having to admit the truth that he’d only recently admitted to himself. “Hell, I’m just waitin’ for the right one, brother,” he finally answered. “They don’t come around too often, as you well know. It’ll happen when it happens, and we’ll leave it at that.”

  “OK, we’ll leave it for now,” Dylan said. He knew better than to push Bo Collins on the subject of women, but he had some suspi
cions that he hoped to confirm as he continued. “Speaking of that, though, Jessa’s busting my ass about seating charts for the wedding dinner. She’s also got to figure out flights, cars to collect everyone to get them to the airports; and with people coming from all over the globe, she’s itching to work on the logistics.”

  “Yeah, that sounds like Jessa. That girl needs to learn how to chill once in a while. You gonna tell me where we’re even going?” Bo asked. “You know I’m not gonna spill it to anyone.”

  “Of course I know that,” Dylan replied. “We just decided that it’d be easier if no one knew. That way, nobody has to lie or try to come up with a story when the media comes calling. Plus, we want it to be a surprise for everyone.”

  Bo nodded. “Yeah, I guess. Just would help me decide what to pack, you know?”

  “Jessa’s calling it ‘resort casual,’” Dylan said. “Warm weather and water. That’s all we’re telling anyone.”

  “That’s easy enough,” Bo agreed. “What about the seating arrangements? I’m not surprised that Jessa’s flipping about the details.”

  “I just need to know if you‘re planning to bring a date so she can figure out the tables,” Dylan said. “Tommy’s bringing his new girl, I guess, so if you were bringing someone, we could put them at the same table. Do you have anyone in mind? Looked like you and Joi were doing a happy dance when you saw each other at the engagement party.”

  “Nah, we’re just friends.” Bo sat back in his chair and took a deep breath before answering. “I got someone on my mind all the time,” he admitted, “but she isn’t an option, so I’ll just fly solo.”