"They're going to stay away from us, but they're staying," Sasha huffed when she got back.
I shrugged. "It's their favorite bar too. It's a small town, Sasha, I won't be able to avoid them."
I was sad that it felt like I had to. I hated to cause this riff between my friends.
"You know, you guys don't have to stop hanging out with them just because Cal and I are separated. They're still your friends too."
They both nodded, but I knew that the issues between Cal and I were bleeding over into our friendships, and I didn't know what I could do to stop it.
Chapter 11 - Cal
She looked so beautiful. It felt like forever since I'd been able to look at her. Just look at her. The guys were talking, but I wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. I was watching Shelly talk and laugh with Gaby and Sasha.
"Is that a nose ring?" I asked softly, not realizing that I was speaking out loud until TJ looked at me and asked, "Huh?"
I tore my gaze away from the girls and looked at my friends.
"It looks like Shelly got a nose ring. A little stud," I replied. "It looks good on her."
"Really?" Scott asked, turning in his seat and straining to see around a couple of big dudes that were in his line of sight.
"Stop being so obvious, man," TJ said, hitting Scott on the arm.
"What?" Scott asked with a scowl. "So, now, in addition to apparently not being allowed in our favorite bar, we aren't allowed to look at the girls either?"
TJ shrugged and I said, "I'm sorry, guys." They both turned their focus on me, eyes wary. "I really messed things up."
"Hey, brother, you don't have to apologize to us," Scott said. "I just don't see why the girls are turning this into a group divorce."
"No one's getting a divorce," I said harshly as I stood up. I suddenly needed to get away from everyone and get some air.
"You aren't leaving, are ya?" TJ asked.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Scott said at the same time. "I didn't mean anything by it."
"I just need air," I said before I turned and walked back out the way we'd come in.
As soon as the air hit me in the face, I started to cool off and calm down a bit.
The thought of Shelly actually going through with the divorce was unbearable to me. I couldn't stomach it. She was the only girl I'd ever loved, and I knew that as long as I lived, she was the only girl I'd ever want to spend my life with.
"Hey, Cal," a high-pitched voice said from my right.
I turned to see Melody Cannon barreling toward me down the sidewalk. Melody had gone to school with us, and had always tried to weasel her way into our group. If I remembered correctly, I think TJ'd slept with her at some point, but it was hard to keep track.
"Oh, hey, Melody," I returned, trying to walk around her. She put her hand on my arm to stop me.
"I was sorry to hear about you and Shelly," she said, looking anything but sorry.
"Shelly and I are fine," I said tightly.
Melody's expression turned confused. "Oh ... I'd heard that you were getting a divorce."
"We are not getting a divorce," I said through gritted teeth. People were really starting to piss me off with this shit.
"But, I hear you’re living separately and selling your house," she replied.
"We're fine, Melody. I'll see you around."