Chapter Three
Brad was pretending to listen to Ben’s diatribe about marketing strategies when his cell phone rang. He snatched the phone to his ear, answering in an anxious voice, “Hello?”
“Hey Brad,” said Spencer.
Brad’s voice fell with his heart. “Oh, it’s you. Hi Spencer.”
“You sure know how to make a guy feel wanted,” chuckled Spencer. “Who were you expecting?”
“Nobody,” Brad lied, attempting to lighten his tone. “What’s up?”
“Emily and I were planning to invite you and Grace to come over and watch the baseball game Friday night. Do you have other plans? She hasn’t gotten back with us yet.”
“I won’t be able to come over to watch the Yankees with you Friday night, because I’m actually going to be at the game.”
“Awesome—I’m so jealous. I’ll just tell Emily you and Grace are going to be at the game.”
“Grace isn’t going with me to the game. We broke up.” The words squeezed through his tightened lips.
“You broke up? Are you kidding me? You and Grace? I mean... I’m sorry, Brad. What happened?”
“I’d rather not talk about it. I’m sure Grace will still want to come over and watch the game with you.”
“But surely it’s just a temporary thing. You guys were great together. Maybe you waited too long to give her a ring. You know I almost made that mistake with Emily.”
“No, we only dated two months.” Brad attempted to keep the sour note from his voice. “And trust me, she didn’t want a ring from me.”
Ben held up his hand. “Tell Spencer I’m available Friday night.”
Brad glared at his brother as he debated passing on his request to Spencer. He didn’t want Ben spending the evening with Grace. But Spencer had heard Ben speaking. “Who’s that?”
Brad’s breath whistled through clenched teeth. “My brother, Ben, is here. He’s inviting himself to your house Friday night, but don’t feel obligated. I’m sure you have other friends—”
“Ben!” Spencer’s enthusiastic voice responded. “Sure, we’d love to have your brother over if he’s not going to the game with you. He kept Emily rolling with his stories the last time we got together.”
“But it might make Grace feel awkward,” Brad objected, knowing his excuse was lame.
“No, she loves Ben... I mean... She likes him... I mean... And anyway, she hasn’t responded to Emily’s text, so she might not be coming.”
Brad felt his blood pounding in his temples. Why had he accepted Kara’s invitation to the baseball game? He glowered at Ben, whose smile looked exactly like The Joker in Batman.
*****
Emily felt like a boa constrictor was squeezing her neck. “No! Grace and Brad can’t break up!”
Spencer pulled her into his arms and kissed her hair. “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but they already did. Brad said they broke up last Friday.”
“Why?” she croaked out. “Why would he break up with her?”
“He didn’t say what happened. But knowing Grace, I’d bet she was the one who broke it off. He just said they weren’t together anymore, and he’s going to the Yankees game without her.”
“Why do you think it was Grace who broke up?”
Spencer scrunched up his shoulders. “She always does that. I don’t think she’s ever dated a guy longer than two or three months.”
“What can we do? I really thought Grace and Brad might be getting married not long after we do.” Emily couldn’t help the smile that appeared on her face as she glanced at the engagement ring gracing her finger. She’d only been wearing it for two weeks, and she still hadn’t gotten over her excitement.
A deep furrow appeared on Spencer’s face. “Nothing—there’s nothing we can do except be there for Grace and Brad. It’s not our place to interfere.”